Getting Started
Install tpaw on macOS and learn the core interface — connections, tabs, sidebar, and keyboard shortcuts.
tpaw is a native macOS PostgreSQL GUI built for developers who prefer keyboard shortcuts and a distraction-free interface over heavy enterprise tooling. After a 5-minute setup you can browse schemas, run queries, and edit data without leaving the keyboard.
System requirements
- macOS 13 Ventura or later
- Apple Silicon Mac (M1/M2/M3/M4)
- PostgreSQL server (local or remote)
Installation
- Download the latest
.dmgfrom the releases page - Open the
.dmgand drag tpaw to/Applications - Launch tpaw from Spotlight (
Cmd+Space→ type "tpaw") or Finder
macOS may show a Gatekeeper prompt on first launch — click Open to proceed.
The interface at a glance
| Area | What it does |
|---|---|
| Home / Connection list | All saved connections with environment tags |
| Sidebar | Schema browser — tables, views, sequences, enums, functions, extensions, roles |
| Tab bar | One tab per open query editor or table view |
| Main content | Query editor, Data Grid, or Monitor panel |
| Toolbar | Run, Format, Save, Focus Mode, and context-specific actions |
What's in this section
- Installation — Detailed install and upgrade steps
- First Connection — Creating your first database connection
- Basic Usage — Navigating the interface and running queries
- Troubleshooting — Common connection and startup errors