ptop

Ptop, often written ptop, is the name used by several open-source tools that provide real-time monitoring of PostgreSQL servers and, in some cases, broader system activity. The most commonly referenced project is a PostgreSQL monitoring utility that presents a top-like, terminal-based view of server activity. It is designed to help database administrators identify long-running queries, blocking locks, and other performance bottlenecks by displaying per-backend state, current queries, and I/O activity.

Ptop projects are typically implemented as text-based interfaces built with a curses-like library. They connect to a PostgreSQL instance using standard credentials and read statistics from the server’s built-in views, such as pg_stat_activity and related statistics collectors. The emphasis is on lightweight operation and fast refresh rates suitable for live troubleshooting.

Common features include sorting and filtering of displayed backends by user, database, or query, highlighting of long-running queries, and a summary line showing aggregate activity. Some versions offer additional options such as configurable refresh intervals, keyboard shortcuts for navigation, and lightweight historical views.

Usage usually involves running a command in the shell with connection parameters such as host, port, user, and database. Ptop is platform-agnostic and commonly runs on Linux and other Unix-like systems, with some builds available for Windows through ports or compatibility layers. Because maintenance status varies by project, users should verify the current release and compatibility before deployment.

See also: top, PostgreSQL, pg_stat_activity.