> Markdown version of [/videos/350-branch-your-database-like-your-code-how-schema-changes-and-pull-requests-go-hand-in-hand](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/350-branch-your-database-like-your-code-how-schema-changes-and-pull-requests-go-hand-in-hand). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md).

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# Branch your database like your code:  How schema changes and pull requests go hand in hand

Production databases shouldn't bottleneck your Git workflow. Stop fearing schema changes. Learn how to bind isolated database branches to your pull requests for zero-downtime deployments.

- **Speakers:** [Johannes Nicolai](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/@johannes-nicolai), Lilli Seyther-Besecke
- **Event:** WeAreDevelopers LIVE
- **Published:** February 1, 2022
- **Duration:** 48:05
- **URL:** https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/350-branch-your-database-like-your-code-how-schema-changes-and-pull-requests-go-hand-in-hand

## Summary

Database schema changes historically disrupt developer workflows due to their imperative nature, risking production locks and requiring tedious manual DBA reviews. Addressing the friction that once plagued code merges before Git, PlanetScale introduces seamless database branching powered by the CNCF-graduated Vitess framework. Built to support horizontal MySQL sharding for YouTube, Vitess enables non-blocking schema operations by utilizing shadow tables to apply metadata changes without locking production data. By integrating the PlanetScale CLI with GitHub Actions, developers can bind database branches directly to pull requests. This Git-based workflow allows software and platform engineers to asynchronously spin up isolated environments, test DDL changes, and deploy requests into production alongside code updates, completely eliminating downtime and modernizing database DevOps.

**Keywords:** database branching, non-blocking schema changes, vitess horizontal sharding, mysql database scaling, git-based database workflows, schema deployment automation, shadow tables, pull request integrations, github actions automation, planetscale CLI, CNCF open source projects, devops database management, asynchronous DDL updates, metadata locking prevention

## Chapters

1. **Scaling MySQL databases for massive user growth** (03:59) — How horizontal scaling challenges and hardware limitations drove the invention of the Vitess framework.
1. **Exploring the architecture of the Vitess database framework** (06:17) — A dedicated query routing layer transparently manages sharded data queries across multiple backend storage nodes.
1. **Standardizing code collaboration with the pull request workflow** (09:11) — Isolated feature branches and pull requests eliminate the anxiety of testing and merging complex software.
1. **Understanding the complexities of database schema changes** (11:54) — Applying imperative delta-based transformations to live data introduces conflict risks that dictate specialized review processes.
1. **Achieving non-blocking schema updates with shadow tables** (16:16) — Asynchronous shadow tables simulate application behavior before completing an atomic cutover without blocking database operations.
1. **Implementing branching and deploy requests for database schemas** (17:53) — Cloning the production schema into isolated testing environments allows developers to safely review structural updates.
1. **Automating database operations leveraging GitHub Actions workflow integrations** (21:00) — Command line tooling and workflow configurations enable teams to govern database environments programmatically via repositories.
1. **Provisioning a continuous integration database using automated workflows** (23:53) — Executing repository actions provisions a full cluster configuration to support distinct code testing requirements.
1. **Aligning local code development with backend database modifications** (26:51) — Synchronizing a pull request with backend parameters highlights how modern updates span multiple infrastructure layers.
1. **Provisioning isolated database testing environments via issue comments** (29:55) — Issuing a repository bot command provisions a temporary testing database initialized with current schema states.
1. **Approving and merging database deploy requests seamlessly** (33:59) — Integrating manual approval commands directly within pull request discussions finalizes atomic schema migrations to production.
1. **Managing hosting regions, enterprise deployments, and complex subqueries** (40:12) — Technical capabilities like geographic node placement, enterprise cloud orchestration, and query routing depend on configurations.

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