PostgreSQL error 'Could not connect to server: No such file or directory'

Question

Like some others I am getting this error when I run rake db:migrate in my project or even try most database tasks for my Ruby on Rails 3.2 applications.

Answer 1

I had that problem when I upgraded Postgres to 9.3.x. The quick fix for me was to downgrade to whichever 9.2.x version I had before (no need to install a new one).

$ ls /usr/local/Cellar/postgresql/
9.2.4
9.3.2
$ brew switch postgresql 9.2.4
$ launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/homebrew.mxcl.postgresql.plist
$ launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/homebrew.mxcl.postgresql.plist

$ psql

"Homebrew install specific version of formula?" offers a much more comprehensive explanation along with alternative ways to fix the problem.