# Stacks Migrations

> Use when working with database migrations in a Stacks application - creating migration files, running migrations, fresh migration (drop + recreate), seeding after migration, migration file naming conventions, or the 96+ built-in migration files. For the database API itself (queries, connections, SQL helpers), see stacks-database.

- Skill: `stacksjs/stacks-migrations` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add stacksjs/stacks-migrations`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/stacksjs/stacks-migrations/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Data & Analytics
- License: MIT
- Author: stacksjs (https://skillmd.com/u/stacksjs)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/stacksjs/stacks-migrations

---


# Stacks Database Migrations

Schema change management via migration files.

## Key Paths
- Migration files: `database/migrations/` (96+ files)
- Database config: `config/database.ts`
- Model snapshot: `storage/framework/database/model-snapshot.<dialect>.json`

## CLI Commands

```bash
buddy migrate                       # run pending migrations
buddy migrate --diff                # show SQL without running
buddy migrate --auth                # include auth tables
buddy migrate:fresh                 # drop ALL tables and re-migrate
buddy migrate:fresh --seed          # drop, migrate, then seed
buddy migrate:dns                   # DNS-specific migration
buddy make:migration <name>         # create new migration file
buddy seed                          # seed database
buddy generate:migrations           # generate migrations from model diffs
```

## Creating a Migration

```bash
buddy make:migration create_orders_table
```

Creates a timestamped migration file in `database/migrations/`.

## Migration Generation from Models

When you define or modify a model, generate migrations automatically:

```bash
buddy generate:migrations
```

This recursively loads both model roots, with `app/Models/` overriding framework
models that have the same model name:

- `storage/framework/defaults/app/Models/`
- `app/Models/`

It diffs the merged registry against the committed dialect snapshot and
generates the necessary SQL. An application does not need an `app/Models/`
directory for framework model migrations to be discovered.

The snapshot is part of the schema history and must be committed with the
generated migration. It lives under `storage/framework/database/`, not `.qb/`.
Run the generator a second time before committing. A stable change reports
`Nothing to migrate` and `Model snapshot unchanged`.

## Built-in Migrations (96+)

The framework includes migrations for all built-in models:

### Core Tables
- `users` — id, name, email (unique), password, timestamps
- `personal_access_tokens` — auth tokens
- `passkeys` — WebAuthn credentials
- `password_resets` — password reset tokens

### Content
- `posts` — title, content, excerpt, views, status, published_at, author_id
- `pages`, `categories`, `tags`, `comments`
- `authors` — linked to users

### Commerce (20+ tables)
- `products`, `product_variants`, `product_units`
- `orders`, `order_items`
- `carts`, `cart_items`
- `coupons`, `gift_cards`, `reviews`
- `customers`, `manufacturers`

### Payments
- `payments`, `payment_methods`, `payment_products`, `payment_transactions`
- `subscriptions`, `transactions`

### Shipping
- `shipping_methods`, `shipping_rates`, `shipping_zones`
- `delivery_routes`, `drivers`

### System
- `jobs`, `failed_jobs` — queue tables
- `errors`, `logs`, `notifications`
- `activities`, `requests`, `websockets`

### Indexes
- `users.email` (unique), `users(email, name)` (composite)
- `subscribers.email` (unique)
- `coupons.code` (unique), `gift_cards.code` (unique)
- `payments.transaction_id` (unique)
- `subscriptions.provider_id` (unique)

## Workflow

1. Define/modify model in `storage/framework/defaults/app/Models/` or `app/Models/`
2. Run `buddy generate:migrations` to generate SQL diffs
3. Review generated migration files
4. Run `buddy generate:migrations` again and confirm there is no remaining diff
5. Run `buddy migrate` to apply
6. Commit the generated SQL and `storage/framework/database/model-snapshot.<dialect>.json`

## Gotchas
- `migrate:fresh` drops ALL tables — only use in development
- Migrations run in filename order (timestamps ensure correct sequence)
- Never edit a migration that's been run in production — create a new one
- Keep the committed model snapshot in sync with every generated migration
- Do not commit a second snapshot under `.qb/`; that indicates a missing `snapshotDir` configuration
- If a generated SQLite migration rebuilds tables, test it against a copy of the current database and run `PRAGMA integrity_check` plus `PRAGMA foreign_key_check`
- `--seed` flag after `migrate:fresh` seeds the database with factory data
- 96+ migration files exist by default for all framework models
- SQLite >= 3.47.2 is required (system requirement)
- For the database API (queries, connections), see the `stacks-database` skill