CockroachDB Cloud clusters use a Postgres-compatible wire protocol. Dora ships with a dedicated CockroachDB dialect that handles CockroachDB's type system and SQL extensions correctly.
The connection string from CockroachDB Cloud includes two important parameters: options=--cluster=<cluster-id> (required for serverless clusters to route traffic) and sslmode=verify-full. Keep both — Dora passes them through.
PostgreSQL connection string
postgresql://[USER]:[PASSWORD]@[HOST].cockroachlabs.cloud:26257/[DBNAME]?sslmode=verify-full&options=--cluster=[CLUSTER-ID]Steps
1.Open Connection String in CockroachDB Cloud
In the CockroachDB Cloud Console, select your cluster and click Connect. Choose "Connection string" from the method selector.
2.Copy the connection string
Copy the full connection string. It looks like postgresql://[USER]:[PASSWORD]@[HOST].cockroachlabs.cloud:26257/[DBNAME]?sslmode=verify-full&options=--cluster=[CLUSTER-ID]. Keep the options=--cluster parameter — it is required for serverless clusters.
3.Add a connection in Dora
Create a new connection in Dora and paste the string. Dora parses the host, port, database, SSL mode, and the options parameter automatically.
4.Test and connect
Click Test, then Connect. Dora uses its CockroachDB dialect, and your cluster's tables and schemas appear in the sidebar.
Good to know
- Keep sslmode=verify-full in the connection string. CockroachDB Cloud requires it for all external connections.
- The options=--cluster=<id> parameter is required for CockroachDB Serverless to route connections to the correct virtual cluster. Do not remove it.
- Dora has full CockroachDB dialect support — introspection, type mapping, and SQL syntax all account for CockroachDB's differences from vanilla Postgres.