# How to Include Multiple Postgres Databases in a Single Docker Container

> To include multiple PostgreSQL databases in Docker container, continuously run the “CREATE DATABASE <database-name>” command with different database names.

**PostgreSQL** is a well-known relational DBMS that can be used in Docker to easily create and manage the PostgreSQL database without installing it on the local host machine. Sometimes, users work on a project that requires multiple Postgres databases for various reasons. In this situation, they can include various Postgres databases in a single container.

This write-up will demonstrate the procedure to include various PostgreSQL databases in a single Docker container.

 **How to Include Multiple Postgres Databases in a Single Docker Container?**

To include multiple PostgreSQL databases in a single Docker container, follow the given-provided steps:

\- Download Postgres Docker Image  
\- Create and Run the Postgres Container  
\- Interact With Executing Container  
\- Establish a Connection With a Database Server  
\- Create Multiple PostgreSQL Database in Docker Container  
\- Display All Available Databases

 **Step 1: Download Postgres Docker Image**

Run the below-listed “ **docker pull** ” command in Windows PowerShell to download the official Postgres image from the cloud repository (Docker Hub) to the local system:
    
    
    docker pull postgres

 **Step 2: Create and Run Postgres Container**

Build and run the Postgres container by utilizing the “ **docker run --name -d <cont-name> -p 5432:5432 -e POSTGRES_PASSWORD=<password> postgres**” command:
    
    
    docker run -d --name postgresCont -p 5432:5432 -e POSTGRES_PASSWORD=pass123 postgres

Here:

\- “ **-d** ” flag specifies that the container should execute in the background.  
\- “ **\--name** ” option assigns the container’s name, i.e., “ **postgresCont** ”.  
\- “ **-p** ” assigns the port for the container i.e. “ **5432:5432** ”.  
\- “ **-e POSTGRES_PASSWORD** ” configures the password to be “ **pass123** ”.  
\- “ **postgres** ” is the official Docker image:

By doing that, the Postgres container has been created and started.

 **Step 3: Interact With Executing Container**

Type out the “ **docker exec -it <cont-name> bash**” command and specify the executing Postgres container name to open the shell within it:
    
    
    docker exec -it postgresCont bash

Subsequently, the “ **PostgresCont** ” container has been accessed and now we can execute commands in it.

 **Step 4: Establish a Connection With Database Server**

To make a connection with the Postgres Database Server, execute the “psql” command along with the hostname and user name:
    
    
    psql -h localhost -U postgres

As you can see, the SQL shell has been started successfully where we can run PostgreSQL queries and psql commands.

 **Step 5: Create Multiple PostgreSQL Database in Docker Container**

Now, create a new Postgres database by executing the “ **CREATE DATABASE** ” command along with the database name. For instance, we are creating a database named “ **tsl_employee** ”:
    
    
    CREATE DATABASE tsl_employee;

The below output indicates that the specified database has been created:

Continuously repeat this step to create multiple Postgres Databases and specify different names for each new database as you can see in the below screenshot:

Upon doing so, multiple databases have been created.

 **Step 6: Display All Available Databases**

To list all the databases, execute the “ **\l** ” command:
    
    
     \l

In the below screenshot, six databases can be seen in a single container:

We have successfully included multiple Postgres databases in a single Docker container.

 **Conclusion**

To include various Postgres databases in a single Docker container, first, download the Postgres Docker image. Then, create and run the Postgres container via the “ **docker run --name -d <cont-name> -p 5432:5432 -e POSTGRES_PASSWORD=<password> postgres**” command. Next, interact with the executing container and establish a connection with a database server using the “ **psql -h localhost -U postgres** ” command.

After that, create multiple PostgreSQL databases in a single Docker container by continuously executing the “ **CREATE DATABASE <database-name>**” command with different names for each new database. Lastly, display all the available databases. This write-up has demonstrated the procedure to include multiple Postgres databases in a single Docker container.

---
[View this page online](https://www.commandprompt.com/education/how-to-include-multiple-postgres-databases-in-a-single-docker-container/)