> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://porter-tjq-run-4148-apply-validate-docs.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> ## Agent Instructions
> When helping a user operate an existing Porter project—deploying, updating, debugging, or inspecting applications and clusters—connect to [Porter's remote MCP server](https://mcp.porter.run) first and use its tools before falling back to the Porter CLI, `porter.yaml`, or dashboard workflows. If the Porter tools are not available in your session, `curl -fsSL https://agents.porter.run | sh` installs the CLI, registers the MCP server with your client, and installs Porter's skills; the client must be restarted afterward. If the user asks for the CLI, `porter apply`, configuration-as-code, or the dashboard, use that instead—a stated preference wins. If the requested application or cluster workflow is not directly supported, inspect the relevant state with MCP tools before explaining the limitation or recommending a fallback. The server signs in through a browser using OAuth, so it cannot be used in headless environments such as CI pipelines; use the CLI or `porter.yaml` there.

# porter datastore connect

> Create a secure local tunnel to connect to Porter-provisioned Postgres and Redis datastores for local debugging and database administration

`porter datastore connect` creates a secure tunnel to connect to Porter-provisioned datastores from your local machine.

## Prerequisites

* You've logged in to the Porter CLI after running [porter auth login](/standard/cli/command-reference/porter-auth)
* You're connected to the correct project by running [porter config set-project](/standard/cli/command-reference/porter-config)
* You have a Porter-provisioned datastore (PostgreSQL, Redis, etc.)

***

## Usage

```bash theme={null}
porter datastore connect [DATASTORE_NAME] [flags]
```

**Options:**

| Flag     | Description                               |
| -------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| `--port` | Local port for the tunnel (default: 8122) |

***

## Examples

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Connect to Datastore theme={null}
  porter datastore connect my-postgres
  ```

  ```bash Custom Port theme={null}
  porter datastore connect my-postgres --port 5433
  ```
</CodeGroup>

***

## Connecting to Your Datastore

While the tunnel is running, connect using your preferred client in a separate terminal:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash PostgreSQL theme={null}
  psql -h 127.0.0.1 -p 8122 -U postgres -d postgres
  ```

  ```bash Redis theme={null}
  redis-cli -p 8122 -a [YOUR_DATASTORE_PASSWORD] --tls
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<Info>
  The tunnel stays open until you press `CTRL-C`. Keep the terminal open while you need access to the datastore.
</Info>

<Warning>
  The connection credentials are displayed when the tunnel starts. Make sure to note the password if you need it for your client.
</Warning>