How to Install the Redshift CLI in PostgreSQL

What does the Redshift CLI give me?

The CLI lets you submit SQL, download results, and automate Redshift tasks without logging into the AWS Console. It wraps AWS APIs so you can script queries, load data, and manage clusters with the same ease as psql.

How do I install the Redshift CLI on macOS with Homebrew?

Run brew install aws/tap/amazon-redshift-utils.Homebrew downloads the binary, adds it to /usr/local/bin, and installs required PostgreSQL libraries automatically.

How do I install the CLI on Linux using pip?

First install Python 3 & pip. Then run pip install redshift-cli. The package installs a wrapper script called rsql that behaves like psql but routes traffic through the Redshift Data API.

How do I authenticate?

Configure AWS credentials once with aws configure or environment variables.The CLI then signs every request with your IAM user or role.

How do I test the connection?

Execute rsql -h my-redshift.xxxx.us-east-1.redshift.amazonaws.com -p 5439 -d dev -U analyst -c "SELECT 1". A single row proves network, IAM, and VPC rules are correct.

Can I run everyday SQL?

Yes. Any Redshift-compatible SQL works. Example: rsql -f daily_sales.sql where the file contains joins across Orders, OrderItems, and Products.

How do I export query results to CSV?

Append -o report.csv --format csv.The CLI streams rows locally, perfect for ad-hoc analysis in spreadsheets.

What permissions must my IAM user have?

Grant redshift-data:ExecuteStatement, redshift-data:GetStatementResult, and redshift:DescribeClusters. Without them, every call returns an AccessDenied error.

How do I script nightly jobs?

Add your rsql command to crontab or a CI runner.The CLI exits non-zero on SQL errors, so failed jobs are easy to detect.

Best practices for production use?

Store credentials in AWS Secrets Manager, use parameterized SQL files, and confirm row counts before deleting or updating data.

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