PromQL Query Patterns

Docs: https://prometheus.io/docs/prometheus/latest/querying/basics/

PromQL returns either an instant vector, a range vector, or a scalar.

Golden rule: rate() / increase() require a range vector ≥ 4× the scrape interval. 60s scrape → use [5m] minimum.

Prerequisites

• A Prometheus / Mimir / Grafana Cloud endpoint to query (/api/v1/query or via Grafana Explore)
• The PromQL pattern library in references/patterns.md

Common Workflows

1. Write + validate a query