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This quickstart guide walks you through installing CockroachDB, starting a local cluster, and running your first SQL commands. You’ll have a working CockroachDB cluster in just a few minutes.

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Before you begin

For production deployments, consider using CockroachDB Cloud for a fully managed experience.
This guide assumes you have basic familiarity with SQL databases and command-line interfaces.

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Step 1: Install CockroachDB

Choose your operating system and follow the installation instructions:
Install CockroachDB using Homebrew:
brew install cockroachdb/tap/cockroach
Verify the installation:
cockroach version
For other installation methods, see Install CockroachDB on Mac.

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Step 2: Start a single-node cluster

For quick testing and development, start a single-node cluster: 
cockroach start-single-node --insecure --listen-addr=localhost
The --insecure flag disables all security features. Only use this for local testing, never in production.
You’ll see output indicating the cluster has started: 
*
* WARNING: RUNNING IN INSECURE MODE!
*
* - Your cluster is open for any client that can access localhost.
* - Any user, even root, can log in without providing a password.
* - Any user, connecting as root, can read or write any data in your cluster.
*
CockroachDB node starting at 2026-03-03

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Step 3: Use the SQL shell

Open a new terminal and connect to your cluster using the built-in SQL client: 
cockroach sql --insecure --host=localhost:26257
You’ll see the SQL prompt: 
root@localhost:26257/defaultdb>

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Step 4: Run your first SQL commands

Let’s create a database, a table, and insert some data:
1

Create a database

CREATE DATABASE bank;
2

Use the database

USE bank;
3

Create a table

CREATE TABLE accounts (
  id INT PRIMARY KEY,
  balance DECIMAL
);
4

Insert data

INSERT INTO accounts VALUES (1, 1000.50);
INSERT INTO accounts VALUES (2, 2500.75);
5

Query the data

SELECT * FROM accounts;
You should see:
  id | balance
-----+---------
   1 | 1000.50
   2 | 2500.75
(2 rows)

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Step 5: Access the DB Console

CockroachDB includes a web-based DB Console for monitoring your cluster:
  1. Open your browser and navigate to http://localhost:8080
  2. Explore the cluster overview, metrics, and database information
The DB Console provides real-time insights into your cluster’s health, performance, and resource usage.

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Step 6: Stop the cluster

When you’re done, stop the cluster by pressing Ctrl+C in the terminal where CockroachDB is running. To remove the data directory: 
rm -rf cockroach-data/

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What’s next?

Now that you have CockroachDB running, explore these resources:

Start a local cluster

Run a multi-node cluster for testing replication and resilience

Build a sample app

Connect your application to CockroachDB

Learn CockroachDB SQL

Master the SQL syntax and features

Explore capabilities

See fault tolerance and distributed features in action

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