pgadmin-org · MGorkov · Mar 10, 2026 · Mar 11, 2026 · Mar 11, 2026 · Mar 11, 2026
diff --git a/docs/en_US/developer_tools.rst b/docs/en_US/developer_tools.rst
@@ -18,3 +18,4 @@ PL/SQL code.
    erd_tool
    psql_tool
    ai_tools
+   expl_pgsql
diff --git a/docs/en_US/expl_pgsql.rst b/docs/en_US/expl_pgsql.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+.. _expl_pgsql:
+
+***************************
+`Explain PostgreSQL`:index:
+***************************
+
+**Explain PostgreSQL** is a powerful module integrated into pgAdmin 4 that enables advanced analysis of query execution plans and beautification of SQL code. This tool helps developers and DBAs understand how PostgreSQL executes queries, identify performance bottlenecks, and optimize database workloads effectively.
+
+Key Features:
+
+ * Visual representation of query execution plans with detailed node information.
+ * SQL formatting and beautification capabilities for improved readability.
+ * Integration with pgAdmin’s browser interface for seamless workflow.
+
+**Requirements:**
+
+Before using the Explain PostgreSQL module, ensure the following:
+
+ 1. You are connected to a PostgreSQL server with sufficient privileges to execute commands.
+
+ 2. Configure Explain PostgreSQL in :ref:`Preferences → Explain PostgreSQL <the-explain-postgresql-node>`.
+
+**Note:**
+
+ * Using Explain PostgreSQL requires an active internet connection.
+
+ * When analyzing query plans via Explain PostgreSQL, the plan and query are sent to a third-party service
+   (by default: https://explain.tensor.ru).
+
+
+Configuring Explain PostgreSQL
+******************************
+
+To configure Explain PostgreSQL, navigate to *File → Preferences → Explain PostgreSQL*.
+
+.. image:: images/preferences_expl_pgsql.png
+    :alt: Explain PostgreSQL preferences
+    :align: center
+
+1. Set the **Explain Plan** switch to *True*.
+
+2. Enter the *Explain PostgreSQL API* URL (default: https://explain.tensor.ru).
+
+3. Set the **Format SQL** switch to *True* if you want to use the SQL formatting capability.
+
+4. Set the **Private Plans** switch to *True* if you want to store plans in your personal archive.
+
+After configuring, click *Save* to apply the changes.
+
+
+Using Explain PostgreSQL
+*************************
+
+To analyze a query plan:
+
+1. Open the **Query Tool** in pgAdmin.
+
+2. Enter your SQL query (e.g., ``SELECT * FROM pg_stat_activity``).
+
+3. Select the ``Buffers`` and ``Timing`` options from the dropdown menu next to the **Explain Analyze** button in the toolbar.
+
+4. Click the **Explain Analyze** button in the toolbar (or press ``Shift+F7``) to generate the execution plan.
+
+   Upon successful generation, the *Explain PostgreSQL* panel will appear.
+
+ .. image:: images/expl_pgsql_analyze.png
+    :alt: Example of Explain PostgreSQL output
+    :align: center
+
+
+Understanding Execution Plans
+*****************************
+
+Each node in the execution plan represents a step in query processing. The Explain PostgreSQL module displays:
+
+ * **Plan Tree** – A simplified view of the execution algorithm. Numeric indicators are displayed separately and highlighted with colors indicating load intensity.
+
+   Hover over nodes for tooltips with extended information. Nodes are color-coded based on performance impact:
+
+    * Green – Low cost
+    * Yellow – Medium cost
+    * Red – High cost (potential bottleneck)
+
+ .. image:: images/expl_pgsql_plantree.png
+    :alt: Example of Explain PostgreSQL plan tree
+    :align: center
+
+ * **Diagram** – Shows real dependencies between nodes and resource flows.
+
+ .. image:: images/expl_pgsql_diagram.png
+    :alt: Example of Explain PostgreSQL diagram
+    :align: center
+
+ * **Schema** – Visualizes database tables and their relationships.
+
+ .. image:: images/expl_pgsql_schema.png
+    :alt: Example of Explain PostgreSQL schema
+    :align: center
+
+ * **Statistics** – Summary statistics allow you to analyze large plans in aggregated form, sorted by any metric such as execution time, disk reads, cache usage, or filtered rows.
+
+ .. image:: images/expl_pgsql_stats.png
+    :alt: Example of Explain PostgreSQL statistics
+    :align: center
+
+ * **Pie Chart** – Helps quickly identify dominant nodes and their approximate share of resource consumption.
+
+ .. image:: images/expl_pgsql_piechart.png
+    :alt: Example of Explain PostgreSQL pie chart
+    :align: center
+
+ * **Tiled Visualization** – Allows compact evaluation of node connections in large plans and highlights problematic sections.
+
+ .. image:: images/expl_pgsql_tilemap.png
+    :alt: Example of Explain PostgreSQL tiled visualization
+    :align: center
+
+ * **Smart Recommendations** – Automatically generated based on structural and resource metrics, these provide precise guidance on resolving performance issues.
+
+ .. image:: images/expl_pgsql_recs.png
+    :alt: Example of Explain PostgreSQL recommendations
+    :align: center
+
+ * **Personal Archive** – Contains all the plans you've analyzed, giving you instant access regardless of whether they were published publicly.
+
+ .. image:: images/expl_pgsql_personal.png
+    :alt: Example of Explain PostgreSQL personal archive
+    :align: center
+
+
+Formatting SQL Code
+*******************
+
+The **Format SQL** feature automatically indents and aligns SQL statements for better clarity.
+
+To format the SQL query, use the *Edit* → *Format SQL* button (or press ``Ctrl+K``).
+
+Example input:
+
+.. code-block:: sql
+
+ SELECT u.name, p.title FROM users u JOIN posts p ON u.id=p.user_id WHERE u.active=true ORDER BY p.created_at DESC;
+
+Formatted output:
+
+.. code-block:: sql
+
+ SELECT
+ 	u.name
+ ,	p.title
+ FROM
+ 	users u
+ JOIN
+ 	posts p
+ 		ON u.id = p.user_id
+ WHERE
+ 	u.active = TRUE
+ ORDER BY
+ 	p.created_at DESC;
+
+
+This makes complex queries easier to read and debug.
+
diff --git a/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_analyze.png b/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_analyze.png
diff --git a/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_diagram.png b/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_diagram.png
diff --git a/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_personal.png b/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_personal.png
diff --git a/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_piechart.png b/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_piechart.png
diff --git a/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_plantree.png b/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_plantree.png
diff --git a/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_recs.png b/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_recs.png
diff --git a/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_schema.png b/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_schema.png
diff --git a/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_stats.png b/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_stats.png
diff --git a/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_tilemap.png b/docs/en_US/images/expl_pgsql_tilemap.png
diff --git a/docs/en_US/images/preferences_expl_pgsql.png b/docs/en_US/images/preferences_expl_pgsql.png
diff --git a/docs/en_US/preferences.rst b/docs/en_US/preferences.rst
@@ -775,6 +775,25 @@ Use the fields on the *Options* panel to specify storage preferences.
 * When the *Show hidden files and folders?* switch is set to *True*, the file
   manager will display hidden files and folders.
 
+.. _the-explain-postgresql-node:
+
+The Explain PostgreSQL Node
+***************************
+
+Use the preferences found in the *Explain PostgreSQL* node of the tree control to configure the custom Explain Analyze module.
+
+.. image:: images/preferences_expl_pgsql.png
+    :alt: Explain PostgreSQL preferences
+    :align: center
+
+* When the **Explain Plan** switch is set to *True*, the **Explain Analyze** command will use a third-party service to analyze the execution plan.
+
+* Use the **Explain PostgreSQL API** field to specify the API URL.
+
+* When the **Format SQL** switch is set to *True*, the **Format SQL** command will use a third-party service to format the SQL code.
+
+* When the **Private Plans** switch is set to *True*, all analyzed plans will be stored in your personal archive on the third-party service.
+
 
 Using 'setup.py' command line script
 ####################################