Access Database

ALWAYS

• •Use Python with psycopg2 (for PostgreSQL) — it is the most reliable approach.
• •Search Kubernetes secrets for the connection string BEFORE connecting — databases often use non-standard ports.
• •Chain pip install and the Python script in ONE execute call.
• •Use the create_database tool to provision NEW databases (do not set up PostgreSQL manually).

NEVER

• •Do NOT assume port 5432 (PostgreSQL) or 3306 (MySQL) — production databases use non-standard ports.
• •Do NOT try to install psql or mysql CLI tools — they may not be available and Python works better.
• •Do NOT ask the user for database credentials — find them in Kubernetes secrets.
• •Do NOT deploy PostgreSQL on Kubernetes yourself — use the create_database tool which provisions it on the NAS.

Find database credentials in k8s secrets

# Search all secrets for database-related keys
kubectl get secrets -A -o json | grep -i 'database\|postgres\|mysql\|db_url\|dsn'

# Decode a specific secret
kubectl get secret <secret-name> -n <namespace> -o jsonpath='{.data.DB_PASSWORD}' | base64 -d

Connect with Python (PostgreSQL)

pip install -q psycopg2-binary && python3 -c "
import psycopg2
conn = psycopg2.connect(
    host='192.168.1.2',
    port=<PORT>,        # GET THIS FROM K8S SECRETS - do NOT assume 5432
    dbname='<dbname>',
    user='<user>',
    password='<password>'
)
cur = conn.cursor()
cur.execute('SELECT 1')
print('Connection OK:', cur.fetchall())

# List tables
cur.execute(\"\"\"
    SELECT table_name FROM information_schema.tables
    WHERE table_schema = 'public'
\"\"\")
print('Tables:', [r[0] for r in cur.fetchall()])

conn.close()
"

Connect with Python (MySQL)

pip install -q pymysql && python3 -c "
import pymysql
conn = pymysql.connect(
    host='<host>',
    port=<PORT>,
    user='<user>',
    password='<password>',
    database='<dbname>'
)
cur = conn.cursor()
cur.execute('SELECT 1')
print('Connection OK:', cur.fetchall())
conn.close()
"

Parse connection strings

If you find a DATABASE_URL in secrets, parse it:

postgresql://user:pass@host:PORT/dbname

Extract the port — it is often NOT the default.

Provision a new database

Use the create_database tool:

create_database('my-app')

This creates a PostgreSQL container on the NAS with auto-allocated port, credentials, and data directory.