Hex Fiend template for PostgreSQL heap files

This template for HexFiend allows you to inspect PostgreSQL heap files.

This can be useful for doing post-mortem analysis of corrupted storage, exploring and teaching PostgreSQL internals.

⚠️ This should go without saying, but you should never manipulate PostgreSQL data files. Even when there are articles on the internet suggesting that.

Installation and Usage

Install the Template

You’ll need Hex Fiend 2.9.0 or later, however, this script is only tested with Hex Fiend 2.14.0.

Download the PostgreSQLHeap.tcl Script and save it in ~/Library/Application Support/com.ridiculousfish.HexFiend/Templates

curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/tbartelmess/PostgreSQL-Hexfiend/main/PostgreSQLHeap.tcl > ~/Library/Application\ Support/com.ridiculousfish.HexFiend/Templates

Open a PostgreSQL Heap file in HexFiend, open the “Binary Template” section (Views->Binary Templates) and select “PostgreSQL Heap”.