Supabase Postgres Best Practices

1---
2name: supabase-postgres-best-practices
3description: Postgres performance optimization and best practices from Supabase. Use this skill when writing, reviewing, or optimizing Postgres queries, schema designs, or database configurations.
4license: MIT
5metadata:
6  author: supabase
7  version: "1.1.0"
8  organization: Supabase
9  date: January 2026
10  abstract: Comprehensive Postgres performance optimization guide for developers using Supabase and Postgres. Contains performance rules across 8 categories, prioritized by impact from critical (query performance, connection management) to incremental (advanced features). Each rule includes detailed explanations, incorrect vs. correct SQL examples, query plan analysis, and specific performance metrics to guide automated optimization and code generation.
11---
12 
13# Supabase Postgres Best Practices
14 
15Comprehensive performance optimization guide for Postgres, maintained by Supabase. Contains rules across 8 categories, prioritized by impact to guide automated query optimization and schema design.
16 
17## When to Apply
18 
19Reference these guidelines when:
20- Writing SQL queries or designing schemas
21- Implementing indexes or query optimization
22- Reviewing database performance issues
23- Configuring connection pooling or scaling
24- Optimizing for Postgres-specific features
25- Working with Row-Level Security (RLS)
26 
27## Rule Categories by Priority
28 
29| Priority | Category | Impact | Prefix |
30|----------|----------|--------|--------|
31| 1 | Query Performance | CRITICAL | `query-` |
32| 2 | Connection Management | CRITICAL | `conn-` |
33| 3 | Security & RLS | CRITICAL | `security-` |
34| 4 | Schema Design | HIGH | `schema-` |
35| 5 | Concurrency & Locking | MEDIUM-HIGH | `lock-` |
36| 6 | Data Access Patterns | MEDIUM | `data-` |
37| 7 | Monitoring & Diagnostics | LOW-MEDIUM | `monitor-` |
38| 8 | Advanced Features | LOW | `advanced-` |
39 
40## How to Use
41 
42Read individual rule files for detailed explanations and SQL examples:
43 
44```
45references/query-missing-indexes.md
46references/schema-partial-indexes.md
47references/_sections.md
48```
49 
50Each rule file contains:
51- Brief explanation of why it matters
52- Incorrect SQL example with explanation
53- Correct SQL example with explanation
54- Optional EXPLAIN output or metrics
55- Additional context and references
56- Supabase-specific notes (when applicable)
57 
58## References
59 
60- https://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/
61- https://supabase.com/docs
62- https://wiki.postgresql.org/wiki/Performance_Optimization
63- https://supabase.com/docs/guides/database/overview
64- https://supabase.com/docs/guides/auth/row-level-security
65