Epic Stack: Database

When to use this skill

Use this skill when you need to:

• Design database schema with Prisma
• Create migrations
• Work with SQLite and LiteFS
• Optimize queries and performance
• Create seed scripts
• Work with multi-region deployments
• Manage backups and restores

Patterns and conventions

Database Philosophy

Following Epic Web principles:

Do as little as possible - Only fetch the data you actually need. Use select to fetch specific fields instead of entire models. Avoid over-fetching data "just in case" - fetch what you need, when you need it.

Pragmatism over purity - Optimize queries when there's a measurable benefit, but don't over-optimize prematurely. Simple, readable queries are often better than complex optimized ones. Add indexes when queries are slow, not before.

Example - Fetch only what you need:

// ✅ Good - Fetch only needed fields
const user = await prisma.user.findUnique({
	where: { id: userId },
	select: {
		id: true,
		username: true,
		name: true,
		// Only fetch what you actually use
	},
})

// ❌ Avoid - Fetching everything
const user = await prisma.user.findUnique({
	where: { id: userId },
	// Fetches all fields including password hash, email, etc.
})

Example - Pragmatic optimization:

// ✅ Good - Simple query first, optimize if needed
const notes = await prisma.note.findMany({
	where: { ownerId: userId },
	select: { id: true, title: true, updatedAt: true },
	orderBy: { updatedAt: 'desc' },
	take: 20,
})

// Only add indexes if this query is actually slow
// Don't pre-optimize

// ❌ Avoid - Over-optimizing before measuring
// Adding complex indexes, joins, etc. before knowing if it's needed

Prisma Schema

Epic Stack uses Prisma with SQLite as the database.

Basic configuration:

// prisma/schema.prisma
generator client {
  provider        = "prisma-client-js"
  previewFeatures = ["typedSql"]
}

datasource db {
  provider = "sqlite"
  url      = env("DATABASE_URL")
}

Basic model:

model User {
  id        String   @id @default(cuid())
  email     String   @unique
  username  String   @unique
  name      String?
  
  createdAt DateTime @default(now())
  updatedAt DateTime @updatedAt
  
  notes     Note[]
  roles     Role[]
}

model Note {
  id      String @id @default(cuid())
  title   String
  content String
  
  createdAt DateTime @default(now())
  updatedAt DateTime @updatedAt
  
  owner   User   @relation(fields: [ownerId], references: [id])
  ownerId String
  
  @@index([ownerId])
  @@index([ownerId, updatedAt])
}

CUID2 for IDs

Epic Stack uses CUID2 to generate unique IDs.

Advantages:

• Globally unique
• Sortable
• Secure (no exposed information)
• URL-friendly

Example:

model User {
  id String @id @default(cuid()) // Automatically generates CUID2
}

Timestamps

Standard fields:

model User {
  createdAt DateTime @default(now())
  updatedAt DateTime @updatedAt // Automatically updated
}

Relationships

One-to-Many:

model User {
  id    String @id @default(cuid())
  notes Note[]
}

model Note {
  id      String @id @default(cuid())
  owner   User   @relation(fields: [ownerId], references: [id])
  ownerId String
  
  @@index([ownerId])
}

One-to-One:

model User {
  id      String  @id @default(cuid())
  image   UserImage?
}

model UserImage {
  id        String @id @default(cuid())
  user      User   @relation(fields: [userId], references: [id])
  userId    String @unique
}

Many-to-Many:

model User {
  id    String @id @default(cuid())
  roles Role[]
}

model Role {
  id    String @id @default(cuid())
  users User[]
}

Indexes

Create indexes:

model Note {
  id      String @id @default(cuid())
  ownerId String
  updatedAt DateTime
  
  @@index([ownerId])              // Simple index
  @@index([ownerId, updatedAt])   // Composite index
}

Best practices:

• Index foreign keys
• Index fields used in where frequently
• Index fields used in orderBy
• Use composite indexes for complex queries

Cascade Delete

Configure cascade:

model User {
  id    String @id @default(cuid())
  notes Note[]
}

model Note {
  id      String @id @default(cuid())
  owner   User   @relation(fields: [ownerId], references: [id], onDelete: Cascade)
  ownerId String
}

Options:

• onDelete: Cascade - Deletes children when parent is deleted
• onDelete: SetNull - Sets to null when parent is deleted
• onDelete: Restrict - Prevents deletion if there are children

Migrations

Create migration:

npx prisma migrate dev --name add_user_field

Apply migrations in production:

npx prisma migrate deploy

Automatic migrations:
Migrations are automatically applied on deploy via litefs.yml.

"Widen then Narrow" strategy for zero-downtime:

1. Widen app - App accepts A or B
2. Widen db - DB provides A and B, app writes to both
3. Narrow app - App only uses B
4. Narrow db - DB only provides B

Example: Rename field name to firstName and lastName:

// Step 1: Widen app (accepts both)
model User {
  id        String @id @default(cuid())
  name      String?  // Deprecated
  firstName String?  // New
  lastName  String?  // New
}

// Step 2: Widen db (migration copies data)
// In SQL migration:
ALTER TABLE User ADD COLUMN firstName TEXT;
ALTER TABLE User ADD COLUMN lastName TEXT;
UPDATE User SET firstName = name;

// Step 3: Narrow app (only uses new fields)
// Code only uses firstName and lastName

// Step 4: Narrow db (removes old field)
ALTER TABLE User DROP COLUMN name;

Prisma Client

Import Prisma Client:

import { prisma } from '#app/utils/db.server.ts'

Basic query:

const user = await prisma.user.findUnique({
	where: { id: userId },
})

Specific select:

const user = await prisma.user.findUnique({
	where: { id: userId },
	select: {
		id: true,
		email: true,
		username: true,
		// Don't include password or sensitive data
	},
})

Include relations:

const user = await prisma.user.findUnique({
	where: { id: userId },
	include: {
		notes: {
			select: {
				id: true,
				title: true,
			},
			orderBy: { updatedAt: 'desc' },
		},
		roles: true,
	},
})

Complex queries:

const notes = await prisma.note.findMany({
	where: {
		ownerId: userId,
		title: { contains: searchTerm },
	},
	select: {
		id: true,
		title: true,
		updatedAt: true,
	},
	orderBy: { updatedAt: 'desc' },
	take: 20,
	skip: (page - 1) * 20,
})

Transactions

Use transactions:

await prisma.$transaction(async (tx) => {
	const user = await tx.user.create({
		data: {
			email,
			username,
			roles: { connect: { name: 'user' } },
		},
	})
	
	await tx.note.create({
		data: {
			title: 'Welcome',
			content: 'Welcome to the app!',
			ownerId: user.id,
		},
	})
	
	return user
})

SQLite con LiteFS

Multi-region with LiteFS:

• Only the primary instance can write
• Replicas can only read
• Writes are automatically replicated

Check primary instance:

import { ensurePrimary, getInstanceInfo } from '#app/utils/litefs.server.ts'

export async function action({ request }: Route.ActionArgs) {
	// Ensure we're on primary instance for writes
	await ensurePrimary()
	
	// Now we can write safely
	await prisma.user.create({ data: { /* ... */ } })
}

Get instance information:

import { getInstanceInfo } from '#app/utils/litefs.server.ts'

const { currentIsPrimary, primaryInstance } = await getInstanceInfo()

if (currentIsPrimary) {
	// Can write
} else {
	// Read-only, redirect to primary if necessary
}

Seed Scripts

Create seed:

// prisma/seed.ts
import { prisma } from '#app/utils/db.server.ts'

async function seed() {
	// Create roles
	await prisma.role.createMany({
		data: [
			{ name: 'user', description: 'Standard user' },
			{ name: 'admin', description: 'Administrator' },
		],
	})
	
	// Create users
	const user = await prisma.user.create({
		data: {
			email: 'user@example.com',
			username: 'testuser',
			roles: { connect: { name: 'user' } },
		},
	})
	
	console.log('Seed complete!')
}

seed()
	.catch((e) => {
		console.error(e)
		process.exit(1)
	})
	.finally(async () => {
		await prisma.$disconnect()
	})

Run seed:

npx prisma db seed
# Or directly:
npx tsx prisma/seed.ts

Query Optimization

Guidelines (pragmatic approach):

• Use select to fetch only needed fields - do as little as possible
• Use selective include - only include relations you actually use
• Index fields used in where and orderBy - but only if queries are slow
• Use composite indexes for complex queries - when you have a real performance problem
• Avoid select: true (fetches everything) - be explicit about what you need
• Measure first, optimize second - don't pre-optimize

Optimized example (do as little as possible):

// ❌ Avoid: Fetches everything unnecessarily
const user = await prisma.user.findUnique({
	where: { id: userId },
	// Fetches password hash, email, all relations, etc.
})

// ✅ Good: Only needed fields - do as little as possible
const user = await prisma.user.findUnique({
	where: { id: userId },
	select: {
		id: true,
		username: true,
		name: true,
		// Only what you actually use
	},
})

// ✅ Better: With selective relations (only if you need them)
const user = await prisma.user.findUnique({
	where: { id: userId },
	select: {
		id: true,
		username: true,
		notes: {
			select: {
				id: true,
				title: true,
			},
			take: 10, // Only fetch what you need
		},
	},
})

Prisma Query Logging

Configure logging:

// app/utils/db.server.ts
const client = new PrismaClient({
	log: [
		{ level: 'query', emit: 'event' },
		{ level: 'error', emit: 'stdout' },
		{ level: 'warn', emit: 'stdout' },
	],
})

client.$on('query', async (e) => {
	if (e.duration < 20) return // Only log slow queries
	
	console.info(`prisma:query - ${e.duration}ms - ${e.query}`)
})

Database URL

Development:

DATABASE_URL=file:./data/db.sqlite

Production (Fly.io):

DATABASE_URL=file:/litefs/data/sqlite.db

Connecting to DB in Production

SSH to Fly instance:

fly ssh console --app [YOUR_APP_NAME]

Connect to DB CLI:

fly ssh console -C database-cli --app [YOUR_APP_NAME]

Prisma Studio:

# Terminal 1: Start Prisma Studio
fly ssh console -C "npx prisma studio" -s --app [YOUR_APP_NAME]

# Terminal 2: Local proxy
fly proxy 5556:5555 --app [YOUR_APP_NAME]

# Open in browser
# http://localhost:5556

Common examples

Example 1: Create model with relations

model Post {
  id        String   @id @default(cuid())
  title     String
  content   String
  published Boolean  @default(false)
  
  createdAt DateTime @default(now())
  updatedAt DateTime @updatedAt
  
  author   User   @relation(fields: [authorId], references: [id], onDelete: Cascade)
  authorId String
  
  comments Comment[]
  tags     Tag[]
  
  @@index([authorId])
  @@index([authorId, published])
  @@index([published, updatedAt])
}

model Comment {
  id      String @id @default(cuid())
  content String
  
  createdAt DateTime @default(now())
  
  post   Post   @relation(fields: [postId], references: [id], onDelete: Cascade)
  postId String
  
  author   User   @relation(fields: [authorId], references: [id])
  authorId String
  
  @@index([postId])
  @@index([authorId])
}

Example 2: Complex query with pagination

export async function getPosts({
	userId,
	page = 1,
	perPage = 20,
	published,
}: {
	userId?: string
	page?: number
	perPage?: number
	published?: boolean
}) {
	const where: Prisma.PostWhereInput = {}
	
	if (userId) {
		where.authorId = userId
	}
	if (published !== undefined) {
		where.published = published
	}
	
	const [posts, total] = await Promise.all([
		prisma.post.findMany({
			where,
			select: {
				id: true,
				title: true,
				updatedAt: true,
				author: {
					select: {
						id: true,
						username: true,
					},
				},
			},
			orderBy: { updatedAt: 'desc' },
			take: perPage,
			skip: (page - 1) * perPage,
		}),
		prisma.post.count({ where }),
	])
	
	return {
		posts,
		total,
		pages: Math.ceil(total / perPage),
	}
}

Example 3: Transaction with multiple operations

export async function createPostWithTags({
	authorId,
	title,
	content,
	tagNames,
}: {
	authorId: string
	title: string
	content: string
	tagNames: string[]
}) {
	return await prisma.$transaction(async (tx) => {
		// Create tags if they don't exist
		await Promise.all(
			tagNames.map((name) =>
				tx.tag.upsert({
					where: { name },
					update: {},
					create: { name },
				}),
			),
		)
		
		// Create post
		const post = await tx.post.create({
			data: {
				title,
				content,
				authorId,
				tags: {
					connect: tagNames.map((name) => ({ name })),
				},
			},
		})
		
		return post
	})
}

Example 4: Seed with related data

async function seed() {
	// Create permissions
	const permissions = await Promise.all([
		prisma.permission.create({
			data: {
				action: 'create',
				entity: 'note',
				access: 'own',
				description: 'Can create own notes',
			},
		}),
		prisma.permission.create({
			data: {
				action: 'read',
				entity: 'note',
				access: 'own',
				description: 'Can read own notes',
			},
		}),
	])
	
	// Create roles with permissions
	const userRole = await prisma.role.create({
		data: {
			name: 'user',
			description: 'Standard user',
			permissions: {
				connect: permissions.map(p => ({ id: p.id })),
			},
		},
	})
	
	// Create user with role
	const user = await prisma.user.create({
		data: {
			email: 'user@example.com',
			username: 'testuser',
			roles: {
				connect: { id: userRole.id },
			},
		},
	})
	
	console.log('Seed complete!')
}

Common mistakes to avoid

• ❌ Fetching unnecessary data: Use select to fetch only what you need - do as little as possible
• ❌ Over-optimizing prematurely: Measure first, then optimize. Don't add indexes "just in case"
• ❌ Not using indexes when needed: Index foreign keys and fields used in frequent queries, but only if they're actually slow
• ❌ N+1 queries: Use include to fetch relations in a single query when you need them
• ❌ Not using transactions for related operations: Always use transactions when multiple operations must be atomic
• ❌ Writing from replicas: Verify ensurePrimary() before writes in production
• ❌ Breaking migrations without strategy: Use "widen then narrow" for zero-downtime
• ❌ Not validating data before inserting: Always validate with Zod before create/update
• ❌ Forgetting onDelete in relations: Explicitly decide what to do when parent is deleted
• ❌ Not using CUID2: Epic Stack uses CUID2 by default, don't use UUID or others
• ❌ Not closing Prisma Client: Prisma handles this automatically, but ensure in scripts
• ❌ Complex queries when simple ones work: Prefer simple, readable queries over complex optimized ones unless there's a real problem

References

• Epic Stack Database Docs
• Epic Web Principles
• Prisma Documentation
• LiteFS Documentation
• SQLite Documentation
• prisma/schema.prisma - Complete schema
• prisma/seed.ts - Seed example
• app/utils/db.server.ts - Prisma Client setup
• app/utils/litefs.server.ts - LiteFS utilities