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PostgreSQL Glossary

restore_command

Configuration parameter that specifies how the server retrieves archived WAL files during recovery. Example: restore_command = "cp /mnt/wal-archive/%f %p"…

Definition

Configuration parameter that specifies how the server retrieves archived WAL files during recovery.

What restore_command Means in PostgreSQL

Configuration parameter that specifies how the server retrieves archived WAL files during recovery.

restore_command appears frequently in production operations, architecture decisions, and troubleshooting workflows. Understanding this term helps teams reason about reliability, performance, and safe change management.

Why restore_command Matters

Teams that understand restore_command can make better decisions on database design, incident response, and release safety.

In modern PostgreSQL environments, this concept often connects directly to backup strategy, performance tuning, and operational confidence.

  • Improves decision quality for production operations
  • Reduces avoidable troubleshooting time
  • Strengthens reliability and recovery planning

Practical Example

restore_command = "cp /mnt/wal-archive/%f %p" tells PostgreSQL how to fetch WAL segments for replay.

Where To Learn More

You can explore deeper implementation patterns in the Vela articles library, review platform workflows in How Vela Works, and compare approaches in our PostgreSQL comparisons.

Related Glossary Topics

Replication Restore Recovery Target Replication Slot Real-time Analytics ACID Atomicity Archiving (WAL Archiving)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is restore_command in PostgreSQL?
Configuration parameter that specifies how the server retrieves archived WAL files during recovery.
Why is restore_command important?
restore_command matters because it directly affects how teams build, operate, and recover PostgreSQL systems in production.
Can you give a practical restore_command example?
restore_command = "cp /mnt/wal-archive/%f %p" tells PostgreSQL how to fetch WAL segments for replay.
How does restore_command relate to backup, recovery, or performance?
In most production deployments, restore_command influences one or more of these areas: data safety, restore behavior, and performance under load.
What should teams check first when implementing restore_command?
Start with clear operational goals, test in a non-production environment, and validate behavior with repeatable runbooks before relying on it in production.