Fujitsu PostgreSQL blog

PostgreSQL pg_repack: An in-depth guide to online repacking

Written by Nishchay Kothari | September 29, 2025

In high-traffic PostgreSQL databases, table and index bloat from frequent updates and deletes can become a serious performance drag—and while the VACUUM command reclaims reusable space, it doesn’t shrink table files. Enter pg_repack, a powerful extension that lets you reorganise and rebuild your tables online with minimal disruption, avoiding the lengthy locks imposed by tools like VACUUM FULL or CLUSTER.