malisper / pgrust

2026-04-20 · Source: Github Trending: All languages · Field: Technology & Digital — Software Development & Engineering, Data Science & Analytics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning · Depth: Advanced, quick

Summary

pgrust is an ambitious project to rewrite the PostgreSQL database in Rust, aiming for full compatibility with Postgres 18.3. The current version successfully matches Postgres's expected output across over 46,000 regression queries and is disk compatible, allowing it to boot from existing Postgres 18.3 data directories. The initiative seeks to simplify internal modifications to Postgres by leveraging Rust and AI-assisted programming. An upcoming, unpublished version demonstrates significant performance gains, achieving 100% pass rate on the regression suite, a 50% speed increase on transaction workloads, and approximately 300x faster analytical workloads compared to Postgres, though it is currently 2x slower than Clickhouse on clickbench. While not yet production-ready or performance-optimized, pgrust's roadmap includes multithreaded internals, built-in connection pooling, enhanced JSON support, and novel storage experiments.

Key takeaway

For Data Engineers or AI Architects evaluating next-generation database solutions, pgrust presents a compelling early-stage alternative to traditional PostgreSQL. You should monitor its development closely, especially given its reported 50% faster transaction workloads and 300x faster analytical performance in upcoming versions. Consider experimenting with the WebAssembly demo or Docker image to understand its current capabilities and potential for future integration into your data infrastructure, particularly if Rust-based systems align with your technology stack.

Key insights

pgrust aims to modernize PostgreSQL's internals using Rust and AI for enhanced performance and easier evolution.

Principles

• Maintain Postgres-shaped behavior and use its tests as the oracle.
• Achieve disk compatibility with existing Postgres 18.3 data directories.
• Rust and AI-assisted programming enable deeper server changes.

Method

The project involves rewriting the database in Rust, ensuring compatibility with Postgres 18.3 by passing over 46,000 regression queries, and booting from existing data directories.

In practice

• Try the WebAssembly demo at pgrust.com.
• Run pgrust via Docker using `malisper/pgrust:v0.1`.
• Build pgrust from source on macOS or Debian/Ubuntu.

Topics

• PostgreSQL
• Rust Programming
• Database Architecture
• Performance Optimization
• Regression Testing
• AI Development Tools

Code references

• malisper/pgrust

Best for: Software Engineer, Data Engineer, AI Architect

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Github Trending: All languages.