Setting the prompt
Tweaking the Postgresql commandline utility psql prompt can be quite useful.
Experiment with in psql
\set PROMPT1 '(%n@%m) [%/]>
Rendering:
(jonasbn@[local]) [mydb]>
When satisfied, put this in your .psqlrc.
In addition you can set transactional state in the prompt, following this tip (examples lifed from the referenced resource).
\set PROMPT1 '%/%R%x%# '
Starting a transaction will render (note the asterisk):
test=> BEGIN;
BEGIN
test=*>
Committing the transaction will render:
test=*> COMMIT;
COMMIT
test=>
So in combination you could do;
\set PROMPT1 '(%n@%m) [%/]%x> '
Rendering (for open transaction):
(jonasbn@[local]) [mydb]*>
References
More information on psql can be found at: http://www.postgresql.org/docs/current/static/app-psql.html
More tips on how to get the most of the PostgreSQL shell and CLI, please see this article by Craig Kerstiens.