SQL Writing

sql

Grounded corpus: tuning decisions (indexes, keyset pagination, N+1, trigram search, lock contention) ground via the database corpus — ./scripts-run <skills-root>/corpus-grounding/scripts/ground search --manifest <skills-root>/database/data/manifest.json "<symptom>".

When to use

Use when writing or reviewing raw SQL queries, migrations with raw statements, or seeders with raw SQL.

Do NOT use when:

• Eloquent/Query Builder queries (use eloquent or database skill)
• Schema design (use database skill)

Procedure: Write raw SQL

1. Inspect call site & choose approach — identify every dynamic value flowing into the query, then pick: query builder when possible. Raw SQL only when query builder can't express the query.
2. Parameterize — Every variable must use ? binding or named :param. Never interpolate PHP variables into SQL strings.
3. Read the engine, then choose the syntax — check, in order: the project's DB config (config/database.php default connection, DB_CONNECTION), a docker-compose.yml service image, a migration using engine-specific syntax. MySQL and MariaDB share the query-syntax world this skill writes in; PostgreSQL and MSSQL do not. If none of those declare an engine, say so and ask — do not assume one. A query written for the wrong engine passes review and fails in production.
4. Verify — Run EXPLAIN on complex queries. Check that no PHP interpolation ("$var", '{$var}') appears in SQL.

NEVER build SQL strings with PHP variable interpolation or concatenation.
ALWAYS use parameterized queries or query builder.

Conventions

→ See guideline php/sql.md for parameterization patterns, common mistakes, MariaDB syntax reference.

Quick reference

// ✅ Safe
DB::select('SELECT * FROM users WHERE email = ?', [$email]);

// ❌ SQL injection
DB::select("SELECT * FROM users WHERE email = '{$email}'");

Validate

1. Verify every variable in SQL uses parameter binding (? or named :param).
2. Confirm MariaDB/MySQL syntax — not PostgreSQL or MSSQL.
3. Run EXPLAIN on complex queries to check index usage.
4. Check that no PHP variable interpolation ("$var", '{$var}') appears in SQL strings.

Output format

1. Parameterized SQL query using MariaDB/MySQL syntax
2. EXPLAIN output for performance-critical queries

Gotcha

MySQL and MariaDB share a query-syntax world. They never share a migration one. Same principle as database: one engine for writing a SELECT, two for online-DDL semantics, lock behavior under ALTER, feature availability and EXPLAIN output. Never carry a claim from the second group across the two without naming the engine and version it was measured on.

• MariaDB and MySQL have subtle syntax differences.
• The model writes $variable in SQL strings instead of ? placeholders.
• GROUP BY with ONLY_FULL_GROUP_BY requires all non-aggregated columns.
• Use SQL types (NULL, 1/0, JSON_ARRAY()) — not PHP equivalents.

Do NOT

• Do NOT interpolate PHP variables into SQL strings — always parameterize.
• Do NOT use PHP syntax (arrays, booleans, null) in raw SQL — use SQL equivalents.
• Do NOT write raw SQL when the query builder can express the same thing clearly.

Auto-trigger keywords

• raw SQL
• SQL query
• parameterized query
• MariaDB syntax
• SQL injection