---
name: migrations
description: RSX database migrations with raw SQL enforcement, forward-only philosophy, and automatic normalization. Use when creating database tables, understanding migration workflow, or troubleshooting Schema builder violations.
---

# RSX Database Migrations

## Philosophy

RSX enforces a forward-only migration strategy with raw SQL:

1. **Forward-only** - No rollbacks, no `down()` methods
2. **Raw SQL only** - Direct MySQL statements, no Schema builder
3. **Fail loud** - Migrations must succeed or fail with clear errors
4. **Snapshot safety** - Development requires database snapshots

---

## Schema Builder is Prohibited

All migrations **must** use `DB::statement()` with raw SQL:

```php
// ✅ CORRECT
DB::statement("CREATE TABLE products (
    id BIGINT NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
    price DECIMAL(10,2) NOT NULL DEFAULT 0.00
)");

// ❌ WRONG - Schema builder prohibited
Schema::create('products', function (Blueprint $table) {
    $table->id();
    $table->string('name');
});
```

**Prohibited**: `Schema::create()`, `Schema::table()`, `Schema::drop()`, `Blueprint`, `$table->` chains

---

## Development Workflow

```bash
# 1. Create snapshot (required)
php artisan migrate:begin

# 2. Create migration
php artisan make:migration:safe create_products_table

# 3. Write migration with raw SQL
# 4. Run migrations
php artisan migrate

# 5. If successful
php artisan migrate:commit

# 6. If failed - auto-rollback to snapshot
```

---

## Automatic Normalization

The system auto-normalizes types after migration. You can write simpler SQL:

| You Write | System Converts To |
|-----------|-------------------|
| `INT` | `BIGINT` |
| `TEXT` | `LONGTEXT` |
| `FLOAT` | `DOUBLE` |
| `TINYINT(1)` | Preserved (boolean) |

**Auto-added columns** (don't include manually):
- `created_at TIMESTAMP(3)`
- `updated_at TIMESTAMP(3)`
- `created_by BIGINT`
- `updated_by BIGINT`

---

## Migration Examples

### Simple Table (Recommended)

```php
public function up()
{
    DB::statement("
        CREATE TABLE products (
            id INT NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
            name VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,
            description TEXT,
            price DECIMAL(10,2) NOT NULL DEFAULT 0.00,
            stock_quantity INT NOT NULL DEFAULT 0,
            is_active TINYINT(1) NOT NULL DEFAULT 1,
            category_id INT NULL,
            INDEX idx_category (category_id),
            INDEX idx_active (is_active)
        )
    ");
}
```

**Notes**:
- `INT` becomes `BIGINT` automatically
- `TEXT` becomes `LONGTEXT` automatically
- `created_at`/`updated_at` added automatically
- `TINYINT(1)` preserved for booleans

### Adding Columns

```php
public function up()
{
    DB::statement("
        ALTER TABLE products
        ADD COLUMN sku VARCHAR(50) NULL AFTER name,
        ADD COLUMN weight DECIMAL(8,2) NULL,
        ADD INDEX idx_sku (sku)
    ");
}
```

### Foreign Keys

```php
public function up()
{
    DB::statement("
        ALTER TABLE orders
        ADD CONSTRAINT fk_orders_customer
        FOREIGN KEY (customer_id) REFERENCES customers(id)
        ON DELETE CASCADE
    ");
}
```

---

## Required Table Structure

**Every table MUST have**:

```sql
id BIGINT NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY
```

This is non-negotiable. Use SIGNED (not UNSIGNED) for easier future migrations.

---

## Foreign Key Columns

Foreign key columns **must match** the referenced column type exactly:

```sql
-- If users.id is BIGINT, then:
user_id BIGINT NULL  -- ✅ Matches

-- Column names ending in _id are assumed to be foreign keys
```

---

## Production Workflow

```bash
# No snapshot protection in production
php artisan migrate --production
```

Ensure migrations are thoroughly tested in development/staging first.

---

## Validation

The migration validator automatically checks for:
- Schema builder usage
- `down()` methods (auto-removed)
- Proper SQL syntax

Violations show clear error messages with remediation advice.

---

## Troubleshooting

| Error | Solution |
|-------|----------|
| "Found forbidden Schema builder usage" | Replace with `DB::statement()` |
| "Validation failed" | Check migration for prohibited patterns |
| Foreign key constraint fails | Ensure column types match exactly |

## More Information

Details: `php artisan rsx:man migrations`