rails-db

Create databases, load the schema, and initialize with seed data

$ rails db:setup

$ rails db

$ rails db:create

$ rails db:drop

$ rails db:migrate

$ rails db:migrate:status

$ rails db:rollback

$ rails db:seed

rails db: [options]

create
    Creates the database as defined in `config/database.yml`.

drop
    Drops the database.

environment
    Sets the database environment to use. Defaults to the current Rails environment.

forward
    Create the database specified by DATABASE_URL.

migrate
    Runs pending migrations.

migrate:status
    Shows the status of migrations.

prepare
    Runs `db:drop`, `db:create`, and `db:migrate`.

reset
    Runs `db:drop`, `db:create`, and `db:migrate`.

rollback
    Rolls back the last migration.

seed
    Seeds the database with data from `db/seeds.rb`.

setup
    Runs `db:drop`, `db:create`, `db:schema:load`, and `db:seed`.

version
    Retrieves the current schema version number.

console
    Opens the database console specific to the configured database adapter (e.g., `psql`, `mysql`, `sqlite3`).

system:change
    Performs a database system change.

encryption:key
    Creates or shows encryption key.

The `rails db` command in Ruby on Rails provides a convenient and consistent interface for interacting with your application's database. It simplifies common database tasks, such as running migrations, connecting to the database console, seeding data, and checking the database status. It abstracts away the underlying database adapter (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite3), allowing you to use the same commands regardless of your database system.

This is primarily a wrapper around other commands with the intent to centralize and provide an easy to remember database interaction point. It enhances developer productivity by offering a streamlined workflow for managing the database directly from the command line, reducing the need to remember specific database client commands or navigate complex configurations.

The `rails db` command integrates with your Rails application's configuration, automatically loading the database settings from the `config/database.yml` file. This ensures that you are always interacting with the correct database environment (development, test, production, etc.) based on your current Rails environment.

Ensure your `config/database.yml` file is correctly configured. Incorrect settings can lead to connection errors or data loss. Using drop on production databases is highly discouraged.

The `RAILS_ENV` environment variable determines which environment (`development`, `test`, `production`) is used. If not set, it defaults to `development`.

The `config/database.yml` file contains the database connection settings. It specifies the adapter, database name, username, password, and other connection parameters for each environment.

The `rails db` command was introduced as part of the Rails framework to provide a standardized way to interact with databases.

Earlier versions required the use of `rake db:` commands (provided by the Rake build tool) which are still supported for backwards compatibility.

The command has evolved with new subcommands being added to cover various database administration tasks and has become an essential part of Rails development workflow.

rails(1), rake(1)