Add \ne to edit a named query in the external editor

AUTHORS

@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@ Contributors:
     * Charalampos Stratakis
     * Laszlo Bimba (bimlas)
     * Anjanna
+    * Diego
 
 Creator:
 --------

changelog.rst

@@ -1,3 +1,13 @@
+Upcoming
+========
+
+Features:
+---------
+* Add ``\\ne <name>`` to edit a named query in the external editor. Loads the
+  named query's SQL into ``$EDITOR``; on save it is written back to the
+  ``[named queries]`` section, creating it if it does not exist. Complements
+  ``\\ns`` (save) by making longer queries easier to edit ([issue 1430](https://github.com/dbcli/pgcli/issues/1430)).
+
 4.5.0 (2026-06-02)
 ==================
 

pgcli/main.py

@@ -319,6 +319,31 @@ def toggle_named_query_quiet(self):
         message = f"Named query quiet mode: {status}"
         return [(None, None, None, message)]
 
+    def edit_named_query(self, pattern, **_):
+        r"""Edit (or create) a named query in the external editor (\ne name).
+
+        Loads the named query's SQL into ``$EDITOR``; on save, persists it back
+        to the ``[named queries]`` section. If the name does not exist, the
+        editor opens empty and saving creates it.
+        """
+        name = pattern.strip()
+        if not name:
+            return [(None, None, None, "Usage: \\ne <name>")]
+
+        existing = NamedQueries.instance.get(name)
+        sql, message = special.open_external_editor(sql=existing or "")
+        if message:
+            return [(None, None, None, message)]
+
+        sql = (sql or "").strip()
+        if not sql:
+            return [(None, None, None, f"{name}: empty query, not saved.")]
+        if existing is not None and sql == existing.strip():
+            return [(None, None, None, f"{name}: no changes.")]
+
+        NamedQueries.instance.save(name, sql)
+        return [(None, None, None, f"{name}: {'Created' if existing is None else 'Saved'}")]
+
     def _is_named_query_execution(self, text):
         """Check if the command is a named query execution (\n <name>)."""
         text = text.strip()
@@ -334,6 +359,13 @@ def register_special_commands(self):
             case_sensitive=True,
         )
 
+        self.pgspecial.register(
+            self.edit_named_query,
+            "\\ne",
+            "\\ne name",
+            "Edit a named query in the external editor.",
+        )
+
         self.pgspecial.register(
             self.change_db,
             "\\c",

tests/test_main.py

@@ -636,3 +636,48 @@ def test_notifications(executor):
     with mock.patch("pgcli.main.click.secho") as mock_secho:
         run(executor, "notify chan1, 'testing2'")
         mock_secho.assert_not_called()
+
+
+def test_edit_named_query():
+    """Test \\ne edits/creates a named query via the external editor."""
+    from pgspecial.namedqueries import NamedQueries
+
+    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmpdir:
+        config_file = os.path.join(tmpdir, "config")
+        with open(config_file, "w") as f:
+            f.write("[main]\n")
+            f.write(f"log_file = {os.path.join(tmpdir, 'pgcli.log')}\n")
+
+        cli = PGCli(pgclirc_file=config_file)
+
+        # Create a new named query (editor returns SQL, no error).
+        with mock.patch("pgcli.main.special.open_external_editor", return_value=("select 1", None)):
+            out = cli.edit_named_query("foo")
+        assert "Created" in out[0][3]
+        assert NamedQueries.instance.get("foo") == "select 1"
+
+        # Update the existing one.
+        with mock.patch("pgcli.main.special.open_external_editor", return_value=("select 2", None)):
+            out = cli.edit_named_query("foo")
+        assert "Saved" in out[0][3]
+        assert NamedQueries.instance.get("foo") == "select 2"
+
+        # No changes -> not re-saved.
+        with mock.patch("pgcli.main.special.open_external_editor", return_value=("select 2", None)):
+            out = cli.edit_named_query("foo")
+        assert "no changes" in out[0][3]
+
+        # Empty editor result -> not saved, previous value kept.
+        with mock.patch("pgcli.main.special.open_external_editor", return_value=("", None)):
+            out = cli.edit_named_query("foo")
+        assert "not saved" in out[0][3]
+        assert NamedQueries.instance.get("foo") == "select 2"
+
+        # Editor reported an error -> surfaced, nothing saved.
+        with mock.patch("pgcli.main.special.open_external_editor", return_value=(None, "boom")):
+            out = cli.edit_named_query("foo")
+        assert out[0][3] == "boom"
+
+        # Missing name -> usage message.
+        out = cli.edit_named_query("")
+        assert "Usage" in out[0][3]