pg_catcheck

Overview

Version

Install

You can install pg_catcheck directly. First, make sure the PGDG repository is added and enabled:

pig repo add pgdg -u          # Add PGDG repo and update cache

Install the extension using pig or apt/yum/dnf:

• Install
• pig
• dnf
• apt

pig install pg_catcheck;          # Install for current active PG version

pig ext install -y pg_catcheck -v 18  # PG 18
pig ext install -y pg_catcheck -v 17  # PG 17
pig ext install -y pg_catcheck -v 16  # PG 16
pig ext install -y pg_catcheck -v 15  # PG 15
pig ext install -y pg_catcheck -v 14  # PG 14

dnf install -y pg_catcheck_18       # PG 18
dnf install -y pg_catcheck_17       # PG 17
dnf install -y pg_catcheck_16       # PG 16
dnf install -y pg_catcheck_15       # PG 15
dnf install -y pg_catcheck_14       # PG 14

apt install -y postgresql-18-pg-catcheck   # PG 18
apt install -y postgresql-17-pg-catcheck   # PG 17
apt install -y postgresql-16-pg-catcheck   # PG 16
apt install -y postgresql-15-pg-catcheck   # PG 15
apt install -y postgresql-14-pg-catcheck   # PG 14

Create Extension:

CREATE EXTENSION pg_catcheck;

Usage

pg_catcheck: Diagnosing system catalog corruption

pg_catcheck is a command-line tool that checks PostgreSQL system catalogs for corruption by verifying cross-references between catalog tables. It accepts the same connection parameters as other PostgreSQL utilities (-h, -p, -U, -d).

Basic Usage

pg_catcheck -h localhost -p 5432 -d mydb

Normal output when no issues are found:

progress: done (0 inconsistencies, 0 warnings, 0 errors)

Example Output with Corruption

notice: pg_class row has invalid relnamespace "24580": no matching entry in pg_namespace
row identity: oid="24581" relname="foo" relkind="r"
notice: pg_type row has invalid typnamespace "24580": no matching entry in pg_namespace
row identity: oid="24583"
progress: done (4 inconsistencies, 0 warnings, 0 errors)

Result Categories

• Inconsistencies: logical problems in catalog cross-references (e.g., dangling OID references)
• Warnings: more serious issues
• Errors: inability to read catalogs

Options

pg_catcheck --help                      # Full list of options
pg_catcheck --select-from-relations     # Also check for missing/inaccessible relation files

Connection

Supports the same options as psql: -h host, -p port, -U user, -d database, or connection strings/URLs.