# PostgreSQL 19 CommitFest brings WAL from tar, replica prompt, foreign-server subscriptions

> **Key takeaway:** PostgreSQL 19's March 2026 CommitFest adds direct WAL reading from tar archives, a new pg_stat_recovery view, replica indicators in psql prompts, and logical replication subscriptions via postgres_fdw servers.

**Published:** 2026-10-20T00:00:00+00:00 
**Source:** Planet PostgreSQL 
**Category:** databases-storage 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/postgresql-19-commitfest-brings-wal-from-tar-replica-prompt-.html 

## Summary
The latest CommitFest review for PostgreSQL 19 covers DBA3 and DBS course-related features. pg_verifybackup and pg_waldump now read WAL directly from tar files without extraction. A new pg_stat_recovery system view consolidates replica recovery monitoring. The psql prompt gains a %i escape showing primary/standby status. Logical replication subscriptions can now connect via named postgres_fdw foreign servers instead of embedding connection strings.

## What's in the DBA3/DBS CommitFest batch
- **pg_verifybackup/pg_waldump**: New `--wal-path` option replaces `--wal-directory`; both tools now parse WAL directly from tar archives without prior extraction
- **pg_stat_recovery**: Single-row system view exposing `promote_triggered`, `last_replayed_read_lsn`, `last_replayed_end_lsn`, `replay_end_lsn`, `pause_state`; returns empty on primary
- **psql %i escape**: `PROMPT1`/`PROMPT2` variables can display `primary` or `standby` based on `in_hot_standby`; useful with multi-host connection strings
- **pg_createsubscriber --logdir**: Timestamped subdirectories per run, separating `pg_createsubscriber_internal.log` and `pg_createsubscriber_server.log`
- **Publication EXCEPT clause**: `CREATE PUBLICATION ... FOR ALL TABLES EXCEPT (TABLE ...)` excludes specific tables from catch-all publications
- **SERVER syntax for subscriptions**: `CREATE SUBSCRIPTION name SERVER server_name PUBLICATION pub_name` uses postgres_fdw foreign server; enables centralized connection management and USER MAPPING per-role access control
- **wal_sender_shutdown_timeout**: New parameter limiting shutdown wait for WAL replication
- **wal_receiver_timeout**: Now configurable per-user and per-subscription
- **SSL server-side SNI**: Server Name Indication support for SSL connections
- **GRANTED BY clause**: `GRANT/REVOKE ... GRANTED BY` syntax added
- **Password expiration warning**: New warning mechanism before password expiry
- **MD5 deprecation**: Further end-of-support preparations for MD5 password hashing
- **pg_read_all_data / pg_write_all_data**: Extended to cover large objects

## Why it matters
The postgres_fdw-based subscription model reduces operational overhead for multi-subscriber deployments by centralizing connection credentials. Direct tar WAL reading simplifies backup verification pipelines, and the psql replica indicator reduces operator error when managing failover topologies.