After fresh install getting `psql: command not found`

Question

I downloaded and installed PostgreSQL and PostGIS from KyngChaos for my OS X 10.10 install. When I run psql I get,

bash: psql: command not found

According to the site How to run psql on Mac OS X? it gets installed into /Library/PostgreSQL. There is no file there.

Answer 1

According to the README included in the dmg file, postgres binaries are installed in /usr/local/pgsql/bin/. You should add these lines in your ~/.bashrc :

export PSQL_DIR=/usr/local/pgsql/bin/
export PATH="$PSQL_DIR:$PATH"

Update your environment with source ~/.bashrc or run a new shell and psql should be available.

Answer 2

It appears your problem is regarding setting Environment Variables correctly. After installation, the command psql won't work because you need to set the correct PATH to this command in your Environment variables file - which will differ a little according to your version.

I just wanted to add a comment here for future inquiries.

I'm working on a MacOS Catalina 10.15.2 and the current default terminal is using a SHELL called 'zsh'.

I used the following command from the terminal:

nano ~/.zshrc

and adding the following line:

export PATH="/Library/PostgreSQL/11/bin:$PATH"

control X (to quit) and S (to Save) and ENTER (previous filename) Please note that this path above will depend on your PostgreSQL version - I would recommend you to look this information on your documentation / website.

Answer 3

Mac OS Big Sur:

Before installing zsh, bash was working perfectly fine. After switching from bash to zsh I experienced the infamous: command not found. I realize that my PATH was empty for this particular shell.

in the terminal:

env

then copy the PATH line(s) (could be a multi line value!):

PATH=/....

and in your personnal directory: /Users/your_name/ you should find the .zshrc file. At the end of this file put:

export PATH=/...

quit your terminal, launch it again and you should be good.

Answer 4

macOS Monterey && postgres 14

export PSQL_DIR=/Applications/Postgres.app/Contents/Versions/14/bin

export PATH="$PSQL_DIR:$PATH"

Answer 5

I know it's a Windows user habit but the key step is to restart the terminal after executing this command to configure your $PATH to use the included command line tools:

# sudo mkdir -p /etc/paths.d &&
echo /Applications/Postgres.app/Contents/Versions/latest/bin | sudo tee /etc/paths.d/postgresapp

Answer 6

Using macOS Sequoia & postgres version 15
Add following line to your bash file:

export PATH="/usr/local/opt/postgresql@15/bin:$PATH"