CockroachDB uses GateRook’s PostgreSQL connector. Port 26257 with the cluster's CA certificate. CockroachDB implements only part of PostgreSQL's catalogs and functions.
The screenshots show GateRook 2.0.0: the CockroachDB form, the endpoint selector, and this connector’s actual tool preview. The form and preview have not been saved. Select a screenshot to open it at full size.
1. Create a connection and enter the settings
In GateRook, open Connections, select Add connection, search for CockroachDB, choose its card and select Continue to configure.
Copy the SQL connection details and CA certificate for your CockroachDB cluster. Use a SQL user with a password and access to the intended database.
CockroachDB speaks the PostgreSQL protocol but does not implement every PostgreSQL catalog or function. Validate the queries your workflow needs.
Enter a Name, for example cockroachdb-demo. Your AI app uses this name to choose the connection.
Choose CockroachDB. Enter a Name, the cluster Host, and User and Password. The preset Port is 26257; replace it if your cluster’s connection details specify another port.
Keep SSL mode at verify-full and paste the cluster CA into CA certificate (PEM) when required.
Set Discovery database to a database this user may connect to if postgres is unavailable. Select Load databases and choose the intended database.
Choose Development, Staging or Production to match the service. Review the connector’s limit and access settings before continuing.
2. Test the connection and add it to an endpoint
Select Continue to test. GateRook checks the settings from your computer. Review the result and resolve any connection, certificate or permission error before continuing.
If the test reaches the cluster but a metadata query fails, check CockroachDB’s PostgreSQL compatibility and account permissions. Check the SQL port and CA when the connection itself fails.
After the test passes, select Continue to add to an endpoint. Choose the endpoint your AI app uses, review its tool modes, then select Save connection. GateRook offers default as the starter endpoint.
3. Use the connection from your AI IDE
After saving CockroachDB on the endpoint and passing its connection test, ask your AI app to use cockroachdb-demo, or the name you chose. If its tools are missing, confirm the endpoint assignment and refresh the MCP connection or start a new chat.
The preview below shows this connector’s default tools before saving. The table explains what each tool can do; connection settings, credentials and endpoint policies can restrict access further.
Start with a small read request. Replace example resource names with existing resources your connection may access. Open Activity after the call to inspect its connection, tool, arguments, policy decision and result metadata.
Ask your AI, for example
- “List the tables visible to my CockroachDB user.”
- “Describe the columns in the CockroachDB table I select.”
- “Count records by status in the selected CockroachDB database.”
| Tool | What it does | Starts as |
|---|---|---|
sql_list_schemas | List schemas, tables and views in the selected PostgreSQL database, within the connection and policy restrictions. | Read only |
sql_describe_table | Describe a table’s columns, types, keys and indexes where available. | Read only |
sql_query | Run one validated PostgreSQL read statement in a read-only transaction, then roll it back. Function allowlists, database permissions and output limits apply. | Read only |
sql_execute | Run supported data or schema changes with Approval by default. Database permissions and the environment policy determine which changes are allowed. | Approval |
You can change each tool’s mode on the endpoint. Every call your AI makes appears in Activity.