Database Operations¶

Comprehensive database management with smart refresh capabilities, migration support, and multi-provider compatibility.

Smart Database Refresh¶

The enhanced ddev db-refresh command includes intelligent backup management across all hosting providers.

Basic Usage¶

# Refresh from default environment
ddev db-refresh

# Refresh from specific environment
ddev db-refresh live

# Force new backup creation
ddev db-refresh -f

# Refresh from staging environment
ddev db-refresh staging

Smart Features¶

Automatic Backup Age Detection¶

12-hour threshold: Automatically checks if backups are older than 12 hours
Provider-specific: Uses each platform's API/tools for accurate age detection
Efficiency: Avoids unnecessary backup creation

Multi-Environment Support¶

Pantheon: dev, test, live, multidev environments
WPEngine: production, staging environments
Kinsta: production, staging configurations

Provider-Agnostic Interface¶

Unified command interface across all hosting providers: - Consistent syntax regardless of provider - Automatic provider detection - Seamless switching between environments

Database Rebuild¶

Comprehensive rebuild process combining dependency management and database refresh:

# Run composer install followed by database refresh
ddev db-rebuild

Process includes: 1. Composer dependency installation 2. Database refresh from hosting provider 3. Theme activation 4. Admin user restoration 5. Development environment preparation

Migration Support¶

Preparation for Migrations¶

# Create secondary database for migration work
ddev db-prep-migrate

This creates a separate database for: - Testing migration scripts - Comparing data structures - Backup purposes during migrations

Cross-Site Migration (Pantheon)¶

For Pantheon users, configure migration between different sites:

# During configuration, set:
# MIGRATE_DB_SOURCE - Source site machine name
# MIGRATE_DB_ENV - Source environment (dev/test/live)

Provider-Specific Database Operations¶

Pantheon Database Operations¶

Terminus Integration¶

# Direct Terminus commands for database operations
ddev pantheon-terminus backup:create my-site.live --element=db
ddev pantheon-terminus backup:list my-site.live

Multidev Support¶

# Refresh from multidev environment
ddev db-refresh my-feature-branch

# Work with complex multidev workflows
ddev pantheon-testenv feature-test fresh

Environment Tickling¶

# Keep environment awake during long operations
ddev pantheon-tickle

WPEngine Database Operations¶

SSH-Based Operations¶

Secure SSH connections for database access
Utilizes WPEngine's nightly automated backups
Custom SSH key handling for authentication

Backup Strategy¶

Leverages WPEngine's backup infrastructure
SSH-based retrieval for security
Smart age detection for efficiency

Kinsta Database Operations¶

Direct SSH Access¶

Custom SSH configuration per site
Direct server database connections
Flexible path configuration

Custom Backup Management¶

SSH-based database operations
Configurable backup retention
Direct database access for performance

Database Management Tools¶

PhpMyAdmin Access¶

# Launch PhpMyAdmin for direct database management
ddev phpmyadmin

Command-Line Database Access¶

# Access MySQL/MariaDB directly
ddev mysql

# Run SQL commands
ddev mysql -e "SHOW TABLES;"

# Import SQL files
ddev import-db < backup.sql

Post-Refresh Automation¶

After database refresh, the system automatically:

Search and Replace: Updates URLs for local development
Theme Activation: Activates configured theme
Admin User Restoration: Ensures admin access
Plugin Management: Deactivates problematic plugins
Cache Clearing: Clears object and page caches

Troubleshooting Database Operations¶

Connection Issues¶

Pantheon¶

# Check Pantheon authentication
ddev pantheon-terminus auth:whoami

# Verify site access
ddev pantheon-terminus site:info my-site

WPEngine¶

# Check SSH configuration
ddev auth ssh

# Test SSH connection
ssh your-install@your-install.ssh.wpengine.net

Kinsta¶

# Verify SSH credentials
ddev exec printenv REMOTE_HOST
ddev exec printenv REMOTE_PORT

# Test SSH connectivity
ssh -p $PORT $USER@$HOST

Backup Issues¶

Force New Backup¶

# Force new backup creation regardless of age
ddev db-refresh -f

Manual Backup Creation¶

# Pantheon - create backup manually
ddev pantheon-terminus backup:create my-site.live --element=db

# Check backup status
ddev pantheon-terminus backup:list my-site.live

Performance Optimization¶

Large Database Handling¶

Automatic compression during transfer
Efficient transfer protocols
Progress indicators for large operations

Network Optimization¶

Connection pooling where applicable
Resume capability for interrupted transfers
Bandwidth optimization

Best Practices¶

Development Workflow¶

Daily refresh: ddev db-refresh to get latest content
Force refresh: Use -f flag when content changes are critical
Environment-specific: Refresh from appropriate environment (dev/staging/live)

Migration Workflows¶

Prepare secondary DB: ddev db-prep-migrate before major migrations
Test migrations: Use secondary database for testing
Backup before changes: Always refresh before major local changes

Team Collaboration¶

Document environment refresh schedules
Use consistent environment names
Share migration scripts and procedures

Performance Considerations¶

Schedule large refreshes during off-peak hours
Use force flag judiciously to avoid unnecessary backup creation
Monitor backup creation frequency across team members