How to Set Up ParadeDB on Linux in PostgreSQL

Galaxy Glossary

How do I set up ParadeDB on Linux for PostgreSQL?

Installs ParadeDB on a Linux PostgreSQL server to unlock fast vector and full-text search.

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Description

Example H2

Example H3

Why choose ParadeDB on Linux?

ParadeDB extends PostgreSQL with vector, full-text, and hybrid search, giving product catalogs Google-like search speed. Linux offers the simplest build and deployment path.

What do I need before installation?

PostgreSQL 13-15, GNU Make, a C compiler, and superuser access. Ensure pg_config is in $PATH and the server is stopped during package install.

How do I install ParadeDB binaries?

Ubuntu/Debian apt method

1. echo 'deb [trusted=yes] https://packages.paradedb.com/apt/ stable main' | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/paradedb.list
2. sudo apt update
3.sudo apt install paradedb-postgresql-15

Build from source

git clone https://github.com/ParadeDB/paradedb.git && cd paradedb
make && sudo make install

How do I enable the extension?

Start psql and run: CREATE EXTENSION IF NOT EXISTS paradedb; The command must be executed in every database that will use vector search.

How can I index product descriptions?

ALTER TABLE products ADD COLUMN description_vector tsvector;
UPDATE products SET description_vector = to_tsvector('english', name);
CREATE INDEX products_desc_vector_idx ON products USING gin(description_vector);

How do I run a hybrid relevance search?

SELECT id, name FROM products WHERE description_vector @@ plainto_tsquery('wireless mouse') ORDER BY paradedb_rank(description_vector, 'wireless mouse') DESC LIMIT 10;

Best practices for production

Create the extension in template1, refresh vectors with triggers, keep statistics current via ANALYZE, and monitor index size to decide on partial indexes.

Common mistakes and fixes

CREATE EXTENSION in the wrong database returns `function paradedb_rank does not exist`—rerun in the correct DB.
Forgetting to regenerate vectors after inserts causes empty search results—set an AFTER INSERT/UPDATE trigger.

Why How to Set Up ParadeDB on Linux in PostgreSQL is important

How to Set Up ParadeDB on Linux in PostgreSQL Example Usage


--Enable ParadeDB and build a search index on Products
CREATE EXTENSION IF NOT EXISTS paradedb;
ALTER TABLE products ADD COLUMN description_vector tsvector;
UPDATE products SET description_vector = to_tsvector('english', name);
CREATE INDEX products_desc_vector_idx ON products USING gin(description_vector);
--Find the five most relevant TVs
SELECT id, name, price
FROM products
WHERE description_vector @@ plainto_tsquery('4K TV')
ORDER BY paradedb_rank(description_vector, '4K TV') DESC
LIMIT 5;

How to Set Up ParadeDB on Linux in PostgreSQL Syntax


Shell:
 sudo apt update && sudo apt install paradedb-postgresql-15

SQL:
 CREATE EXTENSION IF NOT EXISTS paradedb;
 --Make extension available in all new DBs (optional)
 UPDATE pg_database SET datistemplate=true WHERE datname='template1';

Ecommerce example:
 ALTER TABLE products ADD COLUMN description_vector tsvector;
 UPDATE products SET description_vector = to_tsvector('english', name);
 CREATE INDEX products_desc_vector_idx ON products USING gin(description_vector);
 SELECT * FROM products WHERE description_vector @@ plainto_tsquery('wireless mouse');

Common Mistakes

Skipping CREATE EXTENSION in the target database: functions like paradedb_rank fail. Always run CREATE EXTENSION in each DB or add it to template1.
Not refreshing tsvector columns after INSERT/UPDATE: searches return no rows. Fix with an AFTER trigger that rebuilds vectors or a nightly batch job.