How to Set Up ParadeDB on Windows in PostgreSQL

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How do I set up ParadeDB on Windows for PostgreSQL?

Install ParadeDB on Windows, register the DLL, enable the extension in PostgreSQL, and start running vector-similarity queries.

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Description

Table of Contents

What is ParadeDB and why install it on Windows?

ParadeDB is a PostgreSQL extension that adds high-performance vector search and semantic ranking. Installing it on Windows lets developers build AI-powered features locally without spinning up Linux VMs.

Which prerequisites are required?

Install PostgreSQL 15+ (64-bit), Visual Studio Build Tools, Git, and Rust (for Cargo). Ensure pg_config is in your PATH so Cargo can locate PostgreSQL headers.

How do I compile and copy the DLL?

Clone ParadeDB: git clone https://github.com/Paradedb/paradedb.git. From PowerShell, run cargo pgx install. The command builds paradedb.dll and copies it to %POSTGRES_HOME%\lib.

How do I update postgresql.conf?

Open postgresql.conf and add shared_preload_libraries = 'paradedb'. Restart the PostgreSQL Windows service from Services .msc or by running pg_ctl restart.

How do I enable the extension in a database?

Connect with psql or your SQL editor and execute CREATE EXTENSION IF NOT EXISTS paradedb;. The extension’s SQL objects become available immediately.

How can I create a vector index on ecommerce data?

Create an ivfflat index on product names or embeddings. The index accelerates similarity searches for recommendations or search-as-you-type.

What is a practical search example?

Use the <-> operator to rank vectors by distance. Combine with LIMIT to return the closest matches instantly.

Best practices for Windows deployments?

Keep the Rust toolchain up-to-date, pin ParadeDB versions in Cargo.toml, and add the DLL to source control ignore lists. Use a separate test instance before upgrading production Postgres clusters.

Common mistakes and fixes

Missing Visual Studio build tools causes link.exe not found; install Desktop development with C++ workload. Forgetting shared_preload_libraries leads to could not access file paradedb; update config then restart.

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

How to Set Up ParadeDB on Windows in PostgreSQL Example Usage


--Recommend products similar to a customer's last purchase
WITH last_item AS (
  SELECT oi.product_id
  FROM Orders     o
  JOIN OrderItems oi ON oi.order_id = o.id
  WHERE o.customer_id = 7
  ORDER BY o.order_date DESC
  LIMIT 1
)
SELECT p.id, p.name, p.price
FROM   Products p, last_item li
ORDER  BY p.name_vec <-> (SELECT name_vec FROM Products WHERE id = li.product_id)
LIMIT 10;

How to Set Up ParadeDB on Windows in PostgreSQL Syntax


--Install extension in a database
CREATE EXTENSION IF NOT EXISTS paradedb;

--Build a vector index on product names
aLTER TABLE Products ADD COLUMN name_vec vector;
UPDATE Products SET name_vec = to_embeddings(name);
CREATE INDEX idx_products_name_vec ON Products USING ivfflat (name_vec);

--Similarity search combining ecommerce tables
SELECT p.id, p.name, p.price
FROM Products p
ORDER BY p.name_vec <-> to_embeddings('wireless mouse')
LIMIT 5;

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use pre-compiled binaries instead of building?

Yes. ParadeDB GitHub releases include paradedb.dll. Copy it to %POSTGRES_HOME%\lib, add it to shared_preload_libraries, and restart PostgreSQL.

Does ParadeDB work with PostgreSQL 14?

The project targets PostgreSQL 15+. Earlier versions may compile but are not officially supported. Upgrade for full compatibility.

Is ParadeDB safe for production?

ParadeDB is open-source under the Apache 2.0 license and is used in production systems. Always test upgrades and monitor query plans.

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