SQL and relational

TimescaleDB

TimescaleDB builds on PostgreSQL with hypertables, chunks, compression, retention, continuous aggregates, jobs, Toolkit checks, and time-bucket dashboards.

Available12 minDesktop

Prerequisites

Install the current DataPad++ desktop pre-release on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
Have the endpoint, database file, or cloud account details for a TimescaleDB datastore you are authorized to use. Start with least-privileged, read-only access.
Keep an independent backup before enabling edits, administration, restore, or transfer execution.

Connect and run a safe query

1
Create the connection
Open Library, choose Create connection, and select TimescaleDB and a supported Connection method tab.
2
Test and save
Complete the applicable fields and enable Read-only connection. Test connection when available; new local files and pending secondary credential changes must be saved first. Review runtime limitations and warnings.
TimescaleDB connection setup. The TimescaleDB connection dialog with supported method tabs and illustrative, non-secret settings. Expand optional sections and review runtime limitations before saving. Open full size
3
Open the native explorer
Use Save Connection, or Create Database and Save Connection for a new local file, then open the TimescaleDB Explorer where supported.
4
Select a scope
Select the database / schema scope that should be attached to the new tab.
5
Run a bounded read
Open a query tab, paste the bounded read-only sample below, and choose Run or press Ctrl/Cmd+Enter.
TimescaleDB native workflow. A representative TimescaleDB explorer and bounded read-only workflow. Replace the example objects with names from your datastore. Open full size
6
Inspect the result
Inspect Results, Messages, History, and Details; dock the panel on the bottom or right as needed.
7
Export when needed
Export only the required rows after reviewing format, destination, and redaction options.
8
Open diagnostics or transfers
Open Diagnostics or Transfers from the drawer/status bar and treat disabled reasons as capability boundaries, not transient errors.

Connection fields

Field	Required	Purpose	Safe example
Name	Yes	A clear profile name, without credentials.	TimescaleDB development
Connection method	Yes	Choose a supported tab. The fields below apply only to the selected method and deployment.	Connection fields / Connection string
Environment	No	Attach the intended variable and safety context.	Local development
Read-only connection	No	Enable for initial exploration. This does not make pre-release software safe for production workloads.	Enabled
Host / Port	No	Endpoint for a fields-based connection. Follow the selected deployment and runtime limitations; MongoDB SRV does not use an explicit port.	localhost / engine default
Database / default scope	No	Initial scope for browsing, where supported.	catalog
Complete connection string	Yes	Required in Connection string mode only. Saved unchanged as one vault secret with Save Connection. Blank keeps an existing stored value.	Paste your complete provider string; do not share it
Username	No	Authentication identity for the selected method.	catalog_reader
Password	No	Required only when the chosen authentication needs it. Save Connection stores changes; blank preserves an existing value, and Reveal… explicitly discloses it.	Stored in the desktop OS vault
Transport	No	General. Optional, depending on the method and server. Review runtime limitations before overriding the driver default.	tcp / unix-socket / cloud-sql-proxy / managed-postgres
Unix socket directory	No	General. Optional, depending on the method and server. Review runtime limitations before overriding the driver default.	Driver default
Application name	No	Advanced. Optional, depending on the method and server. Review runtime limitations before overriding the driver default.	Driver default
Search path	No	Advanced. Optional, depending on the method and server. Review runtime limitations before overriding the driver default.	Driver default
Target session	No	Advanced. Optional, depending on the method and server. Review runtime limitations before overriding the driver default.	any / read-write / read-only
Use TLS	No	TLS & certificates. Optional, depending on the method and server. Review runtime limitations before overriding the driver default.	Driver default
Verify server certificate	No	TLS & certificates. Optional, depending on the method and server. Review runtime limitations before overriding the driver default.	Driver default
CA certificate	No	TLS & certificates. Optional, depending on the method and server. Review runtime limitations before overriding the driver default.	Driver default
Client certificate	No	TLS & certificates. Optional, depending on the method and server. Review runtime limitations before overriding the driver default.	Driver default
Client key	No	TLS & certificates. Optional, depending on the method and server. Review runtime limitations before overriding the driver default.	Driver default
Connect timeout (ms)	No	Advanced. Optional, depending on the method and server. Review runtime limitations before overriding the driver default.	Driver default
Statement timeout (ms)	No	Advanced. Optional, depending on the method and server. Review runtime limitations before overriding the driver default.	Driver default
Lock timeout (ms)	No	Advanced. Optional, depending on the method and server. Review runtime limitations before overriding the driver default.	Driver default
Idle transaction timeout (ms)	No	Advanced. Optional, depending on the method and server. Review runtime limitations before overriding the driver default.	Driver default

Run the sample query

TimescaleDB read-only example

SELECT time, device_id, temperature
FROM public.sensor_readings
WHERE time > now() - interval '1 hour'
ORDER BY time DESC
LIMIT 100;

Explore and inspect

Browse PostgreSQL schemas plus hypertables, chunks, compression policies, retention policies, continuous aggregates, jobs, Toolkit posture, and Timescale-specific diagnostics.
Inspect table grids, time-bucket output, chunk-sizing views, compression coverage, aggregate freshness, job history, and PostgreSQL-style row edit evidence.

Diagnose, administer, and transfer

Review extension/catalog metadata, profile posture, hypertable volume, chunks, compression coverage, aggregate lag, failed jobs, Toolkit availability, and restricted-role warnings.
Preview compression, retention, continuous aggregate refresh, job control, policy changes, import/export, backup, and restore workflows.
Import — Live. TimescaleDB streams PostgreSQL COPY data after validating hypertable metadata, the native time dimension, compression state, and any requested export window. Formats: PostgreSQL COPY text (native), PostgreSQL COPY CSV (native), PostgreSQL binary COPY (native). Destinations: local file.
Export — Live. TimescaleDB streams PostgreSQL COPY data after validating hypertable metadata, the native time dimension, compression state, and any requested export window. Formats: PostgreSQL COPY text (native), PostgreSQL COPY CSV (native), PostgreSQL binary COPY (native). Destinations: local file.
Backup — Unavailable. This datastore has no supported in-process or server API for a full native backup artifact. Formats: Native managed backup (native). Destinations: cloud uri, server path. Full TimescaleDB backup and restore require excluded vendor tooling or storage-backend access.
Restore — Unavailable. This datastore has no supported in-process or server API for a full native backup artifact. Formats: Native managed backup (native). Destinations: cloud uri, server path. Full TimescaleDB backup and restore require excluded vendor tooling or storage-backend access.

Transfers Center. Transfers Center shows a failed example transfer with its warning count, failure detail, retry control, and dismiss action. — **Transfers Center.** Transfers Center shows a failed example transfer with its warning count, failure detail, retry control, and dismiss action. Open full size

Capabilities and availability

Capability	Status	Notes
Native explorer	Available	Browse PostgreSQL schemas plus hypertables, chunks, compression policies, retention policies, continuous aggregates, jobs, Toolkit posture, and Timescale-specific diagnostics.
Read queries	Available	Run scoped SQL, hypertable reads, continuous aggregate reads, time_bucket helpers, Toolkit-aware snippets, EXPLAIN/profile views, and query-window dashboards.
Inline editing	Guarded	Requires key evidence, a writable profile, and environment confirmation.
Diagnostics / administration	Guarded	Preview compression, retention, continuous aggregate refresh, job control, policy changes, import/export, backup, and restore workflows.
Import / export / transfer	Guarded	Availability follows the authoritative runtime transfer manifest and shows a disabled reason when execution is not implemented.

Safety and limitations

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Resolution
Test connection fails or times out	Verify endpoint, port, TLS mode, proxy settings, service health, firewall rules, and network access. Keep the profile unsaved until the test explains the failure.
Explorer branches are empty or disabled	Confirm the selected database / schema, refresh the branch, and grant the minimum metadata permissions described in the connection warning.
Run, edit, admin, or transfer is disabled	Read the visible disabled reason. Select a compatible target, turn off read-only only when authorized, or use the documented preview/export fallback.
The sample query fails or returns different columns	Replace the example names with objects from your TimescaleDB datastore, confirm the selected database / schema, and keep the query bounded while you validate the result.

Prerequisites

Create the connection

Test and save

Open the native explorer

Select a scope

Run a bounded read

Inspect the result

Export when needed

Open diagnostics or transfers