database-design

# Database Design > **Learn to THINK, not copy SQL patterns.** ## 🎯 Selective Reading Rule **Read ONLY files relevant to the request!** Check the content map, find what you need. | File | Description | When to Read | |------|-------------|--------------| | `database-selection.md` | PostgreSQL vs Neon vs Turso vs SQLite | Choosing database | | `orm-selection.md` | Drizzle vs Prisma vs Kysely | Choosing ORM | | `schema-design.md` | Normalization, PKs, relationships | Designing schema | | `indexing.md` | Index types, composite indexes | Performance tuning | | `optimization.md` | N+1, EXPLAIN ANALYZE | Query optimization | | `migrations.md` | Safe migrations, serverless DBs | Schema changes | --- ## ⚠️ Core Principle - ASK user for database preferences when unclear - Choose database/ORM based on CONTEXT - Don't default to PostgreSQL for everything --- ## Decision Checklist Before designing schema: - [ ] Asked user about database preference? - [ ] Chosen database for THIS context? - [ ] Considered deployment environment? - [ ] Planned index strategy? - [ ] Defined relationship types? --- ## Anti-Patterns ❌ Default to PostgreSQL for simple apps (SQLite may suffice) ❌ Skip indexing ❌ Use SELECT * in production ❌ Store JSON when structured data is better ❌ Ignore N+1 queries