pgcopydb

Copy PostgreSQL databases with minimal downtime

pgcopydb copies PostgreSQL databases to a target server with minimal downtime. It uses logical replication and incremental copy to handle large databases efficiently.

What pgcopydb does

Live database cloning with logical replication

pgcopydb copies a PostgreSQL database from source to target while the source remains online. It uses logical replication to keep the target in sync and only requires a short maintenance window for final switchover.

Why it matters

Database migrations are complex and risky

  • Copying large production databases is challenging
  • pg_dump and pg_restore cause significant downtime
  • pgcopydb minimizes that downtime
  • Handles edge cases like large objects, sequences, and indexes

Typical use cases

Where pgcopydb fits

  • PostgreSQL version upgrades with minimal downtime
  • Cloud migrations from on-premise
  • Creating read replicas
  • Database cloning for testing and development

Key capabilities

Built for production databases

  • Logical replication for live copies
  • Incremental copy of changed data
  • Table and schema filtering
  • Large object support
  • Indexes and constraints recreation

Current focus

Active maintenance areas

Current work focuses on improving logical replication performance, handling more data types, better progress tracking, and PostgreSQL version compatibility.

How maintenance works

Queue, SLA, quarterly releases

Work is prioritized through a queue. Supported users receive priority handling, with defined response times. Fixes and improvements are grouped and shipped in quarterly releases.

Get pgcopydb

Open source and available now

pgcopydb is open source and developed in public.

Support pgcopydb

Keep database copies reliable

If pgcopydb is part of your migration workflow, supporting its maintenance ensures faster fixes, continued compatibility, and long-term reliability.

Get the most out of PostgreSQL in production

Sharpen your skills, improve reliability, move faster

If you run PostgreSQL in production, the difference is not just tooling—it's how well you use it. Query design, data modeling, migrations, and performance tuning directly impact reliability and delivery speed.

We provide a complete, structured program to help you level up: from fundamentals to advanced production patterns, with practical, hands-on material you can apply immediately.