> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cockroachlabs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Develop and Connect Overview

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Applications connect to a Cockroach Continuum cluster with standard PostgreSQL drivers and tools. Each cluster has its own PostgreSQL connection string and SQL users, and applications use the same CockroachDB SQL dialect, functions, and procedural extensions. You can also connect AI tools to Cockroach Continuum with the <InternalLink version="stable" path="cockroachdb-mcp-server">CockroachDB MCP server</InternalLink>.

Pages in this section:

* <InternalLink version="cockroachcloud" path="connect-to-your-cluster">Connect to a Cluster</InternalLink>
* <InternalLink version="stable" path="connection-parameters">Connection Parameters</InternalLink>
* <InternalLink version="stable" path="transactions">Transactions</InternalLink>
* <InternalLink version="stable" path="user-defined-functions">User-Defined Functions</InternalLink>
* <InternalLink version="stable" path="stored-procedures">Stored Procedures</InternalLink>
* <InternalLink version="stable" path="triggers">Triggers</InternalLink>

## Connection routing

A standalone cluster has its own connection string and SQL users. To retrieve the connection string and create users, refer to <InternalLink version="cockroachcloud" path="connect-to-your-cluster">Connect to a Cluster</InternalLink>.

On a host cluster, each <InternalLink path="virtualization-overview">virtual cluster</InternalLink> has its own PostgreSQL connection string and SQL users, and connections route only to that virtual cluster. An application connected to one virtual cluster cannot see or reach the host or any other virtual cluster on it. To connect, refer to <InternalLink path="virtual-clusters#connect-to-a-virtual-cluster">Connect to a virtual cluster</InternalLink>.

## Drivers, ORMs, and connection pooling

Because Continuum clusters are wire-compatible with PostgreSQL, applications connect using standard PostgreSQL drivers and object-relational mapping (ORM) frameworks. To choose and install a client library, refer to <InternalLink version="stable" path="install-client-drivers">Install a Driver or ORM Framework</InternalLink>.

For production workloads, use a pool of persistent connections rather than opening a new connection per request. Refer to <InternalLink version="stable" path="connection-pooling">Connection Pooling</InternalLink> for more information.

## AI tools

Cockroach Continuum is designed to support AI development and management. Use the <InternalLink version="cockroachcloud" path="connect-to-the-cockroachdb-cloud-mcp-server">CockroachDB Cloud MCP Server</InternalLink> to enable agents to access clusters in your organization. Cockroach Continuum <InternalLink path="virtualization-overview">virtualization</InternalLink> allows you to deploy a dedicated host cluster, then agents and application developers can deploy virtual clusters with minimal overhead. Read the <InternalLink path="tutorial-virtual-cluster">Build Your First Virtual Cluster</InternalLink> tutorial for agent guidance.