The pglayers project publishes 53 PostgreSQL extensions as minimal Docker images built from scratch. These layers contain only shared libraries, control files, SQL scripts, and correct filesystem paths, allowing them to be stacked onto the official postgres image via COPY --from. This approach eliminates the need for compilation, apt-get, or build tools in the final container, enabling a straightforward CREATE EXTENSION workflow.
- Use COPY --from to stack extension layers onto official postgres images without bloat.
- Avoids compilation and build tools, reducing attack surface and image size.
- Supports 53 extensions including pgvector, PostGIS, and pg_cron.
- Maintains standard CREATE EXTENSION syntax for immediate usability.