# Working With Database

> Connect to databases, execute queries, and manipulate data in Concrete CMS projects. Use this skill when the user asks to build custom block types or connect with database. Use when this capability is needed.

- Skill: `tomevault-io/working-with-database` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/working-with-database`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/working-with-database/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/working-with-database

---


# Working with Database

## How to connect

Use `$db = $this->app->make(\Concrete\Core\Database\Connection\Connection::class);` Do not use the `Database` facade, it is deprecated.

## XML file format for database schemas

Concrete CMS uses "Doctrine XML" file format to define database schema. Ref: https://concretecms.github.io/doctrine-xml/doctrine-xml-0.5.xsd

Here's an example with all the features offered by Doctrine XML:

```xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<schema xmlns="http://www.concrete5.org/doctrine-xml/0.5"
        xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
        xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.concrete5.org/doctrine-xml/0.5
    https://concretecms.github.io/doctrine-xml/doctrine-xml-0.5.xsd"
>

    <table name="Companies" comment="List of companies">
        <field name="Id" type="integer" comment="Record identifier">
            <unsigned/>
            <autoincrement/>
            <key/>
        </field>
        <field name="Name" type="string" size="50" comment="Company name">
            <notnull/>
            <opt for="mysql" collation="utf8_bin"/>
        </field>
        <opt for="mysql" engine="InnoDB" charset="utf8" collate="utf8_unicode_ci" row_format="compact"/>
    </table>

    <table name="Employees">
        <field name="Id" type="integer">
            <unsigned/>
            <autoincrement/>
            <key/>
        </field>
        <field name="IdentificationCode" type="string" size="20">
            <fixed/>
        </field>
        <field name="Company" type="integer">
            <unsigned/>
            <notnull/>
        </field>
        <field name="FirstName" type="string" size="50">
            <default value=""/>
            <notnull/>
        </field>
        <field name="LastName" type="string" size="50">
            <notnull/>
        </field>
        <field name="Income" type="decimal" size="10.2">
            <default value="1000"/>
        </field>
        <field name="HiredOn" type="datetime">
            <deftimestamp/>
        </field>
        <index>
            <fulltext/>
            <col>FirstName</col>
        </index>
        <index name="IX_EmployeesIdentificationCode">
            <unique/>
            <col>IdentificationCode</col>
        </index>
        <references table="Companies" onupdate="cascade" ondelete="restrict">
            <column local="Company" foreign="Id"/>
        </references>
    </table>

</schema>
```

AXMLS (Adodb-xmlschema, using `<schema version="0.3"></schema>`) is a legacy format, so do not use it for new code. No need to refactor XML files already exists.

## Best Practices

- Avoid using SQL reserved words (especially in MySQL 8+) for column names. For example, `lead` is reserved in MySQL 8 — do not use it as a column name. Prefer alternatives like `summary`.

---
> Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/macareuxdigital) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.
<!-- tomevault:4.0:skill_md:2026-04-13 -->