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pgAdmin Basics

pgAdmin is the graphical interface for managing your PostGIS database. It allows you to view, create, and modify tables, run SQL queries, and manage spatial data directly from your browser.


On the Product Details page of your instance, you will see two main component:

  • PostGIS: The core database engine used to store and manage spatial data.
  • pgAdmin: A built-in web interface for accessing and managing your PostGIS database.


Each hosted instance automatically includes a ready-to-use database named kartoza_postgis, where you can start creating tables and adding spatial data immediately.


Step 1: Access pgAdmin

To access pgAdmin and log into your hosted database:

  1. From the GSH Dashboard, navigate to the Product Details page of your instance.

  2. Under Product Information, locate pgAdmin.

  3. Click Get Password to copy your login credentials to the clipboard.

    • Username: Your account email address.
    • Password: Copied from the product details page.

  4. Click the pgAdmin link to open the pgAdmin interface.

  5. Paste the credentials and click Login to access your workspace.


pgAdmin Login
Image credit: pgAdmin


Step 2: Open the Database

After logging in, you’ll see the Object Explorer tree in the left-hand panel.

  1. Expand the Geospatialhosting Databases group.

  2. Click the arrow next to your server name (e.g. my-postgis).

  3. Expand the Databases folder.

  4. Select kartoza_postgis.

This is your preconfigured database for adding tables, geometry fields, and managing spatial data.


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Your server will have the same name as your hosted product.


pgAdmin tree
Image credit: pgAdmin


Step 3: Explore the Interface

The pgAdmin workspace is divided into three main areas:

Element Position Description
Object Explorer Left Displays your database structure, including servers, schemas, tables, and functions.
Tabbed Browser Right A collection of tabs that display detailed information about the object currently selected in the Object Explorer.
Menu Bar Top Provides drop-down menus for accessing various options, commands, and utilities.


You can right-click any object in the tree to open a context menu with common actions such as Create, View/Edit Data, or Query Tool.

Next up: Learn how to create and manage spatial layers in your database.