postgresql-optimization – Writing & Content skill for AI agents

PostgreSQL Optimization Workflow

Overview

Specialized workflow for PostgreSQL database optimization including query tuning, indexing strategies, performance analysis, vacuum management, and production database administration.

When to Use This Workflow

Use this workflow when:

• Optimizing slow PostgreSQL queries
• Designing indexing strategies
• Analyzing database performance
• Tuning PostgreSQL configuration
• Managing production databases

Workflow Phases

Phase 1: Performance Assessment

Skills to Invoke

• database-optimizer - Database optimization
• postgres-best-practices - PostgreSQL best practices

Actions

1. Check database version

2. Review configuration

3. Analyze slow queries

4. Check resource usage

5. Identify bottlenecks

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @database-optimizer to assess PostgreSQL performance

Phase 2: Query Analysis

Skills to Invoke

• sql-optimization-patterns - SQL optimization
• postgres-best-practices - PostgreSQL patterns

Actions

1. Start with EXPLAIN; EXPLAIN ANALYZE executes the statement. Use a representative staging copy for writes or expensive queries, and set appropriate timeouts before an authorized production run.

2. Identify scan types

3. Check join strategies

4. Analyze execution time

5. Find optimization opportunities

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @sql-optimization-patterns to analyze and optimize queries

Phase 3: Indexing Strategy

Skills to Invoke

• database-design - Index design
• postgresql - PostgreSQL indexing

Actions

1. Identify missing indexes

2. Create B-tree indexes

3. Add composite indexes

4. Consider partial indexes

5. Review index usage

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @database-design to design PostgreSQL indexing strategy

Phase 4: Query Optimization

Skills to Invoke

• sql-optimization-patterns - Query tuning
• sql-pro - SQL expertise

Actions

1. Rewrite inefficient queries

2. Optimize joins

3. Add CTEs where helpful

4. Implement pagination

5. Test improvements

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @sql-optimization-patterns to optimize SQL queries

Phase 5: Configuration Tuning

Skills to Invoke

• postgres-best-practices - Configuration
• database-admin - Database administration

Actions

1. Tune shared_buffers

2. Configure work_mem

3. Set effective_cache_size

4. Adjust checkpoint settings

5. Configure autovacuum

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @postgres-best-practices to tune PostgreSQL configuration

Phase 6: Maintenance

Skills to Invoke

• database-admin - Database maintenance
• postgresql - PostgreSQL maintenance

Actions

1. Schedule VACUUM

2. Run ANALYZE

3. Check table bloat

4. Monitor autovacuum

5. Review statistics

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @database-admin to schedule PostgreSQL maintenance

Phase 7: Monitoring

Skills to Invoke

• grafana-dashboards - Monitoring dashboards
• prometheus-configuration - Metrics collection

Actions

1. Set up monitoring

2. Create dashboards

3. Configure alerts

4. Track key metrics

5. Review trends

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @grafana-dashboards to create PostgreSQL monitoring

Optimization Checklist

• [ ] Slow queries identified
• [ ] Indexes optimized
• [ ] Configuration tuned
• [ ] Maintenance scheduled
• [ ] Monitoring active
• [ ] Performance improved

Quality Gates

• [ ] Query performance improved
• [ ] Indexes effective
• [ ] Configuration optimized
• [ ] Maintenance automated
• [ ] Monitoring in place

Related Workflow Bundles

• database - Database operations
• cloud-devops - Infrastructure
• performance-optimization - Performance

Operational boundaries

Record baseline latency, rows, plan and workload before changing one variable at a time. Index creation and configuration changes can consume disk, take locks or require restart; agree on a maintenance window and rollback first. Prefer routine autovacuum monitoring over indiscriminate manual maintenance; VACUUM FULL rewrites and locks tables. Validate result equivalence as well as latency.

Reference: [PostgreSQL EXPLAIN guidance](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/using-explain.html).

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.