How to Set Up PostgreSQL in Kubernetes

Last updated on February 13, 2025

Setting up PostgreSQL in Kubernetes ensures a scalable and resilient database for your applications. This guide covers deploying PostgreSQL using a StatefulSet and Persistent Volumes.

⚠️ This article is in progress and not verified by author

Prerequisites

• A Kubernetes cluster up and running (e.g., Minikube, k3s, or a managed Kubernetes service like AKS, EKS, or GKE).
• kubectl installed and configured.
• helm installed (if using Helm deployment).
  

Deploy PostgreSQL with StatefulSet

Step 1: Create a Persistent Volume Claim (PVC)

PostgreSQL requires persistent storage to ensure data durability.

apiVersion: v1
kind: PersistentVolumeClaim
metadata:
  name: postgres-pvc
spec:
  accessModes:
    - ReadWriteOnce
  resources:
    requests:
      storage: 10Gi

Apply the PVC:

kubectl apply -f postgres-pvc.yaml

Step 2: Deploy PostgreSQL as a StatefulSet

apiVersion: apps/v1
kind: StatefulSet
metadata:
  name: postgres
spec:
  serviceName: "postgres"
  replicas: 1
  selector:
    matchLabels:
      app: postgres
  template:
    metadata:
      labels:
        app: postgres
    spec:
      containers:
      - name: postgres
        image: postgres:latest
        ports:
        - containerPort: 5432
        env:
        - name: POSTGRES_DB
          value: "mydatabase"
        - name: POSTGRES_USER
          value: "myuser"
        - name: POSTGRES_PASSWORD
          valueFrom:
            secretKeyRef:
              name: postgres-secret
              key: password
        volumeMounts:
        - name: postgres-storage
          mountPath: /var/lib/postgresql/data
      volumes:
      - name: postgres-storage
        persistentVolumeClaim:
          claimName: postgres-pvc

Apply the StatefulSet:

kubectl apply -f postgres-statefulset.yaml

Step 3: Create a PostgreSQL Service

apiVersion: v1
kind: Service
metadata:
  name: postgres
spec:
  selector:
    app: postgres
  ports:
    - protocol: TCP
      port: 5432
      targetPort: 5432
  clusterIP: None

Apply the Service:

kubectl apply -f postgres-service.yaml

Conclusion

Setting up PostgreSQL in Kubernetes can be done either manually with a StatefulSet or via Helm for easier management. Both methods ensure your database remains persistent and scalable.