Connect Claude to Database: Complete PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB Tutorial

Learn how to connect Claude AI to your databases enabling natural language queries, automated reporting, and intelligent data analysis. This tutorial covers PostgreSQL, MySQL, and MongoDB.

Why Connect Claude to Your Database?

Traditional database interaction requires writing SQL or NoSQL queries. Claude integration enables natural language database access for technical and non-technical users.

Benefits:

Query databases conversationally without writing SQL
Generate reports and visualizations on demand
Automate data validation and quality checks
Create intelligent data pipelines

Prerequisites

Required:

Database server (PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MongoDB)
Database credentials with appropriate permissions
Claude Desktop or Claude Code installed
Node.js 18+

Recommended:

Read-only database user for Claude (security best practice)
VPN or secure connection for remote databases

Part 1: Connect Claude to PostgreSQL

Step 1: Install PostgreSQL MCP Server

npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres

Step 2: Configure Connection

Add to your Claude configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "postgres": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres",
        "postgresql://username:password@localhost:5432/database_name"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Test Connection

Restart Claude and ask:

"Show me the tables in my PostgreSQL database"

Claude should list all tables in your database.

Part 2: Connect Claude to MySQL

MySQL Configuration

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mysql": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-mysql",
        "mysql://username:password@localhost:3306/database_name"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Part 3: Connect Claude to MongoDB

MongoDB Configuration

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mongodb": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-mongodb",
        "mongodb://username:password@localhost:27017/database_name"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Example Queries

Once connected, you can ask Claude questions in natural language:

"How many customers do we have?"
"Show me the top 10 products by revenue"
"Find all orders from last month with status pending"
"Create a report of sales by region"

Security Best Practices

Use read-only credentials: Create a database user with SELECT permissions only.

Limit network access: Use firewall rules or VPN to restrict database access.

Monitor queries: Log all Claude-generated queries for security auditing.

Avoid exposing sensitive data: Configure Claude to exclude PII columns from query results.

Advanced Use Cases

Automated Reporting: Schedule Claude to generate and email reports daily/weekly.

Data Quality Monitoring: Set up alerts when Claude detects data anomalies.

Natural Language BI: Enable business users to query data without SQL knowledge.

ETL Automation: Use Claude to orchestrate data pipelines and transformations.

Troubleshooting

Connection refused: Check database is running and firewall allows connections.

Authentication failed: Verify username, password, and database name are correct.

Slow queries: Claude may need guidance on which indexes to use for large tables.

Next Steps

Explore advanced database automation at ClaudeSkillsHQ.com

Connect Claude to Database Tutorial