Connections
Table of contents
Overview
Pharos manages PostgreSQL connections through a server rail on the left edge of the main window. Each connection is displayed as an icon with a status indicator showing whether it is connected, disconnected, or in an error state.
Adding a Connection
Press Cmd+N or choose File > New Connection from the menu bar to open the connection sheet. Fill in the following fields:
| Field | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Name | A display label for this connection | – |
| Host | Server hostname or IP address | localhost |
| Port | PostgreSQL listening port | 5432 |
| Database | Database name to connect to | postgres |
| Username | PostgreSQL role for authentication | postgres |
| Password | Password for the role (optional) | – |
| SSL Mode | Prefer, Require, or Disable | Prefer |
Click Add to save the connection. It appears immediately in the server rail.
Testing a Connection
Before saving, click the Test Connection button in the connection sheet. Pharos attempts to connect with the provided credentials and reports the result:
- Success – Displays “Connected” with the round-trip latency in milliseconds
- Failure – Displays the PostgreSQL error message in red
Connecting and Disconnecting
Click a connection icon in the server rail to connect. The status indicator changes to show the active state, and the sidebar populates with the database schema.
To disconnect, click the connected server icon again or close the connection from the server rail.
Editing a Connection
Right-click a connection in the server rail to access the context menu, then choose Edit. The connection sheet opens pre-filled with the existing configuration. Make your changes and click Save.
Connection Storage
Connection configurations are stored locally in a SQLite database within the Pharos application data directory. Passwords are stored in this local database.
Connection passwords are stored locally on your machine. Do not share the Pharos data directory with untrusted parties.
Multiple Connections
You can save as many connections as needed. The server rail displays all saved connections, and you can switch between them by clicking their icons. Only one connection is active at a time – switching connections updates the schema browser and makes that connection the target for query execution.