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

# Using an existing table with Bracket

> How to successfully design a Postgres table that meets Bracket's criteria

<Note>While we recommend that you allow Bracket to build a table for you, here is a guide
for using a table that you've created yourself</Note>

## General requirements

1. A unique identifier (we recommend snake case field names), and our default table generation
   creates a field called `bracket_pkey`.

2. To be able to insert into postgres, you must have a default value. We recommend using the
   builtin function `gen_random_uuid()`.

3. In order to leverage the a more efficient polling mechanism where only recently
   updated/inserted records are polled, you must include a field that tracks when records were
   modified. When Bracket builds a base for you, we create a field called `bracket_last_modified`
   and add a trigger/function that updates that field's value whenever the record is updated.

Here's some default SQL that can help you get started:

<CodeGroup>
  ```sql create_table.sql theme={null}
  CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS schema_name.table_name (
      bracket_pkey UUID DEFAULT gen_random_uuid() primary key,
      bracket_last_modified TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW(),
      created_date TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW(),
      field_1 TEXT
  );
  ```

  ```sql updated_timestamp_function.sql theme={null}
  create function bracket_update_timestamp() returns trigger
      language plpgsql
  as
  $$
        BEGIN
          NEW.bracket_last_modified = NOW();
          RETURN NEW;
        END;
        $$;
  alter function bracket_update_timestamp() owner to postgres;

  ```

  ```sql updated_timestamp_trigger.sql theme={null}
  CREATE TRIGGER "update_bracket_last_modified_for_table_name"
  BEFORE UPDATE ON schema_name.table_name
  FOR EACH ROW EXECUTE FUNCTION bracket_update_timestamp();
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Event driven requirements

Please see the requirements for the streaming sync methods [here](https://docs.usebracket.com/streaming)