# DB Migration

> Creates TypeORM database migrations for the Activepieces server. Use when the user asks to add a column, create a table, add an index, or make any schema change to the database.

- Skill: `dexhunter/db-migration` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add dexhunter/db-migration`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/dexhunter/db-migration/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: dexhunter (https://skillmd.com/u/dexhunter)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/dexhunter/db-migration

---


# Activepieces DB Migration

Create TypeORM database migrations for schema changes in the Activepieces server API.

## Workflow

### Step 1: DETERMINE THE CHANGE

Before generating, identify:
- Which table(s) are affected
- What SQL is needed (`ADD COLUMN`, `CREATE TABLE`, `CREATE INDEX`, etc.)
- Whether the migration is **breaking** (drops columns/tables, transforms data irreversibly — cannot be rolled back safely)
- The current release version (check root `package.json` → `version`)

### Step 2: UPDATE THE ENTITY

Update the TypeORM entity file in `packages/server/api/src/app/` to reflect the new schema. This ensures the CLI generation command can diff against the current state.

Array columns always use this pattern:
```ts
columnName: {
    type: String,
    array: true,
    nullable: false,
}
```

### Step 3: GENERATE THE MIGRATION USING THE CLI

Run from `packages/server/api/`:
```bash
npm run db-migration -- src/app/database/migration/postgres/MigrationName
```

This diffs the current entity state against the database and generates the migration file with correct SQL and timestamp.

### Step 4: PATCH THE GENERATED FILE

The CLI generates a file using `MigrationInterface`. You **must** patch it to use the project's `Migration` interface and add required fields:

1. Replace `import { MigrationInterface, QueryRunner } from "typeorm"` with `import { QueryRunner } from 'typeorm'` and add `import { Migration } from '../../migration'`
2. Replace `implements MigrationInterface` with `implements Migration`
3. Add `breaking = false` (or `true` if destructive)
4. Add `release = '<version>'` matching the upcoming release version from root `package.json`
5. Verify `down()` correctly reverses `up()`

Example result:
```ts
import { QueryRunner } from 'typeorm'
import { Migration } from '../../migration'

export class AddMyColumn1234567890 implements Migration {
    name = 'AddMyColumn1234567890'
    breaking = false 
    release = '0.78.0'

    public async up(queryRunner: QueryRunner): Promise<void> {
        await queryRunner.query(`ALTER TABLE "project" ADD COLUMN "description" text`)
    }

    public async down(queryRunner: QueryRunner): Promise<void> {
        await queryRunner.query(`ALTER TABLE "project" DROP COLUMN "description"`)
    }
}
```

**Required fields:**
- `breaking = false` — set to `true` only if rolling back is destructive
- `release = '<version>'` — the upcoming release version from root `package.json`
- `down()` — must reverse `up()` (required)

CI fails if any of these are missing.

### Step 5: REGISTER THE MIGRATION

Open `packages/server/api/src/app/database/postgres-connection.ts` and add the new migration class to the `getMigrations()` array (at the end, in chronological order):

```ts
import { AddMyColumn1234567890 } from './migration/postgres/1234567890-AddMyColumn'

// Inside getMigrations():
return [
    // ... existing migrations ...
    AddMyColumn1234567890,
]
```

### Step 6: UPDATE TYPES AND SERVICE CODE

After the migration is generated and registered, update any TypeScript types, service files, or other code that references the changed columns to stay in sync with the new schema.


## Note:
Always try to create non-breaking migrations if possible to allow safe rollbacks 

Zero errors required before the task is complete.

---

## PGlite Compatibility

PGlite does **not** support `CONCURRENTLY` (it is a single-connection embedded database). When creating or dropping indexes with `CONCURRENTLY`, add a PGlite check:

```ts
import { QueryRunner } from 'typeorm'
import { Migration } from '../../migration'
import { system } from '../../../helper/system/system'
import { AppSystemProp } from '../../../helper/system/system-props'
import { DatabaseType } from '../../database-type'

const isPGlite = system.get(AppSystemProp.DB_TYPE) === DatabaseType.PGLITE

export class AddMyIndex1234567890 implements Migration {
    name = 'AddMyIndex1234567890'
    breaking = false
    release = '0.78.0'
    transaction = false  // Required when using CONCURRENTLY

    public async up(queryRunner: QueryRunner): Promise<void> {
        if (isPGlite) {
            await queryRunner.query(`CREATE INDEX "idx_name" ON "table" ("column")`)
        } else {
            await queryRunner.query(`CREATE INDEX CONCURRENTLY "idx_name" ON "table" ("column")`)
        }
    }

    public async down(queryRunner: QueryRunner): Promise<void> {
        if (isPGlite) {
            await queryRunner.query(`DROP INDEX "idx_name"`)
        } else {
            await queryRunner.query(`DROP INDEX CONCURRENTLY "idx_name"`)
        }
    }
}
```

Set `transaction = false` whenever using `CONCURRENTLY` — PostgreSQL requires it.

---

## Quick Reference

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Migration files | `packages/server/api/src/app/database/migration/postgres/` |
| Registration | `packages/server/api/src/app/database/postgres-connection.ts` |
| `Migration` import | `import { Migration } from '../../migration'` |
| Generate command | `npm run db-migration -- src/app/database/migration/postgres/MigrationName` (run from `packages/server/api/`) |


## Critical Reminders

1. **Always generate via CLI** — never write migration SQL by hand; use `npm run db-migration` to generate from the entity diff
2. **Never use `MigrationInterface`** — always patch the generated file to use `Migration` from `../../migration`
3. **`breaking`, `release`, and `down()` are mandatory** — CI will reject the migration without them
4. **Register in `postgres-connection.ts`** — migration won't run without this
5. **PGlite + CONCURRENTLY** — always guard with `isPGlite` and set `transaction = false`