# 🙎‍♂️ Renaming a Role (User)

*Rename a PostgreSQL role in Docker by creating a temporary role, switching, renaming and deleting*

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<p class="callout success">CHEATSHEET</p>

1. `docker exec -it <POSTGRESQL_CONTAINER_NAME> psql -U <POSTGRESQL_USERNAME>` : *Connect to the PostgreSQL server as `<POSTGRESQL_USERNAME>`*
2. `\du` : *List all PostgreSQL roles*
3. `CREATE ROLE <NEW_USER> SUPERUSER LOGIN PASSWORD '<USER_PASSWORD>';` : *Create a new temporary role*
4. `\q` : *Exit the PostgreSQL prompt*
5. `ALTER USER <OLD_USER_NAME> RENAME TO <NEW_USER_NAME>;` : *Rename the desired role*
6. `DROP ROLE <TEMPORARY_ROLE>;` : *Delete the temporary role*

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<p class="callout info">DETAILS</p>

## Step 1: Connect to the PostgreSQL Server

To begin, connect to the PostgreSQL server within your Docker container using:

```bash
docker exec -it <POSTGRESQL_CONTAINER_NAME> psql -U <POSTGRESQL_USERNAME>
```

## Step 2: Switch to a Different Role

⛔️ You’re likely connected with the role you intend to rename. PostgreSQL restricts renaming a role while connected to it.

✅ Solution: Connect as a Different Role

First, check existing roles:

```sql
\du
```

If there’s only one role (e.g., `postgres`), you’ll need to create a temporary role, `tmp`, switch to it, rename the target role, and then delete the temporary one.

## Step 3: Create a Temporary Role

Create the new role by entering:

```sql
CREATE ROLE <NEW_USER> SUPERUSER LOGIN PASSWORD '<USER_PASSWORD>';
```

Exit the server using `\q` and reconnect with the new temporary role:

```bash
docker exec -it <POSTGRESQL_CONTAINER_NAME> psql -U <NEW_USER>
```

## Step 4: Rename the Role

Now, rename the original role using:

```sql
ALTER USER <OLD_USER_NAME> RENAME TO <NEW_USER_NAME>;
```

Confirm the role changes by running `\du`. You should see both roles listed.

## Step 5: Delete the Temporary Role

Finally, confirm the temporary role exists with `\du`:

Then, delete it with:

```sql
DROP ROLE <TEMPORARY_ROLE>;
```

Check your roles again with `\du` to verify the temporary role was removed.

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Happy Me! 🌱