Migrations interface showing version history, recent activity, and database migration management Apply schema changes safely with zero-downtime migrations using xata roll. Xata provides comprehensive migration management with automatic rollback support, multi-version schema handling, and lock-safe operations. Track recent migration activity in the console and manage multiple schemas simultaneously. Learn more about how schema changes work.

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Making Schema Changes

Xata uses pgroll behind the scenes to enable zero-downtime, reversible schema changes for PostgreSQL. This approach allows you to apply schema changes without locking tables for extended periods, ensuring your application remains available during migrations.

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Key Features

  • Zero-downtime migrations: Apply schema changes without service interruption
  • Automatic rollback: Instantly revert changes if issues arise
  • Multi-version support: Serve both old and new schema versions simultaneously
  • Lock-safe operations: Minimal table locking during migration execution
  • Declarative approach: Express migrations declaratively rather than using raw SQL

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Migration Process

  1. Start migration: Begin the migration process with xata roll migrate
  2. Monitor progress: Check migration status and activity in the console
  3. Test changes: Verify application compatibility with new schema
  4. Complete migration: Finalize changes when ready with xata roll complete
  5. Rollback if needed: Use xata roll rollback to revert changes instantly
For detailed step-by-step instructions, see our schema change tutorial.

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From the CLI

Use the Xata CLI to manage migrations programmatically: 
# Initialize migration tracking
xata roll init

# Apply migrations
xata roll migrate

# Check migration status
xata roll status

# Rollback if needed
xata roll rollback

# Complete migration
xata roll complete
For more CLI commands, see the CLI Reference.