# Saleor Django Migration

> Generate Django schema migrations for the Saleor codebase using manage.py makemigrations. Use when (1) a new Django model is created, (2) model fields are added/altered/removed, (3) user explicitly asks to create a migration. This skill covers ONLY synchronous schema migrations (CreateModel, AddField, AlterField, RemoveField, etc.) — NOT data migrations with RunPython or RunSQL. If unsure whether the migration is schema-only, ask the user. Use when this capability is needed.

- Skill: `tomevault-io/saleor-django-migration` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/saleor-django-migration`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/saleor-django-migration/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/saleor-django-migration

---


# Saleor Django Schema Migration

## Scope

This skill handles **schema-only** migrations: CreateModel, AddField, AlterField, RemoveField, AddIndex, AddConstraint, etc. It does NOT cover:
- Data migrations (RunPython, RunSQL with data changes)
- Async/background migrations (celery tasks, post_migrate signals)

If the change requires data transformation, stop and ask the user.

## Critical Rules

1. **NEVER write migration files by hand.** Always let Django generate them.
2. **ALWAYS use `./manage.py makemigrations`** to generate migrations.
3. **Activate the virtual environment first** — run `. .venv/bin/activate` before any manage.py command.
4. **If database connection fails**, stop and ask the user to start the database.

## Workflow

### Step 1: Make model changes

Edit the Django model file(s) as needed. Do not touch any migration files.

### Step 2: Generate migration

```bash
. .venv/bin/activate && python manage.py makemigrations
```

If Django asks interactive questions (e.g. "Did you rename field X to Y?"), answer based on the model changes you made.

### Step 3: Read and analyze the generated migration

Read every generated migration file. Verify:
- It contains only schema operations (CreateModel, AddField, AlterField, RemoveField, AddIndex, etc.)
- Dependencies look correct
- No unexpected operations

### Step 4: Apply separation rules

Apply these rules to the generated migration(s):

**Rule A — One model per migration for new models:**
If the migration creates MORE THAN ONE new model (multiple `CreateModel` operations), split them. Generate each separately:
```bash
python manage.py makemigrations <app>
```
If Django generates them together, delete the combined migration, then create models one at a time (add one model to models.py, run makemigrations, repeat).

**Rule B — One field change per migration:**
If the migration alters MORE THAN ONE field within a single model (e.g. two `AddField` or two `AlterField` operations on the same model), split into separate migrations — one per field. Delete the combined migration, make one field change at a time, and run makemigrations after each.

**Exceptions (do NOT split):**
- A `CreateModel` with all its fields is one operation — do not split the fields of a new model
- Cross-model dependencies where Django requires them together (e.g. ForeignKey + related model creation)
- Field + its index/constraint in the same migration is acceptable when auto-generated together

### Step 5: Verify

Run the check command to confirm no pending migrations remain:
```bash
python manage.py makemigrations --check --dry-run
```

Expected output: `No changes detected` — meaning all model changes are captured in migrations.

## Error Handling

| Error | Action |
|-------|--------|
| `django.db.utils.OperationalError: could not connect` | Ask user to start the database |
| `Conflicting migrations detected` | Stop and let user decide |
| `ModuleNotFoundError` | Virtual environment not activated — run `. .venv/bin/activate` |

## Tips

- Rely on autogenerated migrations for correct timestamps, sequential numbers, dependencies, and field definitions. If you must hand-edit (e.g. to split), regenerate rather than edit — delete the migration, adjust models.py, and re-run makemigrations.
- When splitting, let Django figure out dependencies between the new smaller migrations.
- Check the newest existing migration in the app (`ls saleor/<app>/migrations/ | tail -5`) before generating, so you can confirm the new migration number is sequential.

---
> Source: [saleor/saleor](https://github.com/saleor/saleor) — distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io).
<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-06-20 -->