The plain-English version
The database's chosen sequence of operations for producing a query result.
Why it matters
It provides evidence about scans, joins, estimates, and expensive work.
Let’s make it click
A plan reveals that a filtered lookup scans a large table instead of using a suitable index.
Vibe Bro’s heads-up
A plan's estimated cost is not an elapsed-time measurement; compare representative execution evidence and note when analysis commands execute the query.
The docs behind it
Documentation links checked .
Editorial review · October 28, 2026
Supported: EXPLAIN costs are planner estimates; EXPLAIN ANALYZE executes the statement, as the diagnostic caveat recognizes.