How do Postgres roles work

Instructions apply to Ubuntu.

Postgres uses the concept of roles to manage authentication and authorization.

Installing postgres will create a Unix user named postgres and a associated postgres. Run the below and you should see a user listed.

compgen -u | grep postgres

By default, Postgres uses the ident authentication system, meaning any Postgres roles are associated with a matching Unix system account. This means that upon a fresh install, you can log into the Postgres prompt as the postgres Unix user:

sudo -u postgres psql

Sources

• How to install Postgres – Digital Ocean