azuresql-db-import

# The Azure SQL Database container: import a database Bring an existing database INTO the local container from a `.bacpac` (schema + data) or `.dacpac` (schema only) using SqlPackage. Verified on 2026-09-05 against the container image `sqldbpreview-dpgaeqhmgphzd4bk.azurecr.io/azure-sql/db-dev:latest`, reporting `EngineEdition` 5, Edition `SQL Azure`, build `12.0.2000.8`. All five executable checks behind this skill passed: the engine identity, `Msg 40508` for `USE`, `Msg 40510` for `RESTORE`, and that SqlPackage runs on the host because the image does not ship it. ## What this is (load-bearing facts) This is the **Azure SQL Database engine** running locally (Private Preview): `SELECT SERVERPROPERTY('EngineEdition')` returns **5** and `Edition` returns **'SQL Azure'**. It is **NOT** the SQL Server image `mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server`. If you were about to use that SQL Server image, stop and use this instead. - Image: `sqldbpreview-dpgaeqhmgphzd4bk.azurecr.io/azure-sql/db-dev:latest` (x64, linux/amd64; private preview registry, sign in first). Registry/tag are provisional during Private Preview. - On a non-x64 host, add `--platform linux/amd64`. - The engine does **NOT** auto-create databases. You must `CREATE DATABASE appdb` on a **master** connection before importing into it. - **There is no restore path.** `BACKUP` and `RESTORE` are refused in every session with `Msg 40510`, exactly as in Azure SQL Database in the cloud, so a `.bak` file is not a way in no matter where it is copied. SqlPackage with a bacpac or dacpac is the import path, which is what the rest of this skill does. - Avoid `USE` to switch databases. In a user-database session (the Azure-faithful context where you develop), `USE` returns `Msg 40508`, exactly as in Azure SQL Database in the cloud. A `master` connection is a provisioning session where the Azure statement filter is not enforced, so `USE` appears to work there, but `master` is for provisioning only, not application work. Always select the target database in the connection string (`Database=appdb`, or `-d appdb` for sqlcmd). For full container detail (start recipe, connection model, readiness), see the **azuresql-db-container** skill. The minimum you need is inlined below. ## The three steps 1. Have a running container with the target database provisioned on master. 2. Run SqlPackage `/Action:Import` targeting the provisioned user database. 3. Validate what landed (PaaS restrictions may drop some objects). This is the Private Preview supported import path. Always validate the result. ## Step 0: start the container and provision the target DB Reuse the canonical start recipe. It picks a free host port, adds `--platform` only on a non-x64 host, waits for readiness with a retry loop, and provisions the target database `appdb` on master in that same loop. ```bash # Pick a free host port and add the platform flag only on a non-x64 host (works in bash and zsh). HOST_PORT=1433; while lsof -nP -iTCP:"$HOST_PORT" -sTCP:LISTEN >/dev/null 2>&1; do HOST_PORT=$((HOST_PORT+1)); done PLATFORM=(); case "$(docker info -f '{{.Architecture}}' 2>/dev/null)" in x86_64|amd64) ;; *) PLATFORM=(--platform linux/amd64);; esac docker rm -f sqldb 2>/dev/null docker run -d --name sqldb "${PLATFORM[@]}" -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=YourStr0ng_Passw0rd" \ -p "$HOST_PORT:1433" sqldbpreview-dpgaeqhmgphzd4bk.azurecr.io/azure-sql/db-dev:latest until docker exec sqldb /opt/mssql-tools18/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P "YourStr0ng_Passw0rd" -C -b -l 2 \ -Q "IF DB_ID('appdb') IS NULL CREATE DATABASE appdb;" >/dev/null 2>&1; do sleep 2; done echo "ready on localhost,$HOST_PORT" ``` If the container is already running, just provision the target database on master: ```bash docker exec sqldb /opt/mssql-tools18/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P "YourStr0ng_Passw0rd" -C -b \ -Q "IF DB_ID('appdb') IS NULL CREATE DATABASE appdb;" ``` > The target database MUST exist and be empty before import. SqlPackage imports > the **user** database; it does not create it on the server for you here. ## Step 1: import with SqlPackage Point `/TargetConnectionString` at the provisioned database (`Database=appdb`). Use the canonical connection string shape: `User Id=`/`Password=`/`Database=`, `TrustServerCertificate=true`. Schema + data (`.bacpac`): ```bash SqlPackage /Action:Import \ /SourceFile:"./mydatabase.bacpac" \ /TargetConnectionString:"Server=localhost,$HOST_PORT;Database=appdb;User Id=sa;Password=YourStr0ng_Passw0rd;TrustServerCertificate=true" ``` Schema only (`.dacpac`) uses `/Action:Publish`, not Import: ```bash SqlPackage /Action:Publish \ /SourceFile:"./myschema.dacpac" \ /TargetConnectionString:"Server=localhost,$HOST_PORT;Database=appdb;User Id=sa;Password=YourStr0ng_Passw0rd;TrustServerCertificate=true" ``` If SqlPackage is not installed locally, see [references/sqlpackage-import.md](references/sqlpackage-import.md) for install options and a container-based fallback. ## Step 2: validate Confirm the engine identity and spot-check that objects landed: ```bash docker exec sqldb /opt/mssql-tools18/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P "YourStr0ng_Passw0rd" -C -b -d appdb \ -Q "SELECT SERVERPROPERTY('EngineEdition') AS EngineEdition; SELECT COUNT(*) AS Tables FROM sys.tables;" ``` `EngineEdition` must be `5`. Then verify row counts on a few key tables against the source. ## What may not transfer (PaaS restrictions) This engine is Azure SQL Database (Engine Edition 5), so SQL Server features that Azure SQL DB does not support will fail or be skipped on import: - Cross-database three-part-name references and most cross-DB queries. - `USE <db>` in scripts: a user-database session returns `Msg 40508`. Select the target database in the connection string (`Database=appdb`, or `-d appdb`). - Server-scoped objects: SQL Agent jobs, server-level logins/linked servers, filestream, certain CLR and filegroup/physical-file settings. - Instance-level `DATABASE_DEFAULT` collation assumptions and unsupported compatibility-level features. Read SqlPackage output for skipped/blocking items. See [references/sqlpackage-import.md](references/sqlpackage-import.md) for the common error patterns and fixes. ## Validation rules - Target database exists on master and is empty BEFORE import. - `/TargetConnectionString` sets `Database=appdb` (never the literal `master`). - After import, `SERVERPROPERTY('EngineEdition')` on the target is `5`. - Use `.bacpac` for schema + data via `/Action:Import`; `.dacpac` for schema via `/Action:Publish`. - If a validation rule above fails, or you had to deviate from this skill to make the task work, that is a bug in this skill: load the **azuresql-db-feedback** skill and offer to file a report. - When every rule above passes and the task is done, close with ONE line, once per session, and do not ask a question or wait for a reply: "That worked. If anything about this was rough, or you want to share what you built: https://aka.ms/sql-agent-skills-feedback" ## Do not - Do not use the `mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server` SQL Server image. - Do not reach for `RESTORE DATABASE ... FROM DISK`; it is refused with `Msg 40510` and copying the `.bak` into the container does not change that. - Do not import into `master`; import into the provisioned user database. - Do not put `USE appdb` in any pre/post script; select the DB in the connection string instead. - Do not rely on `/docker-entrypoint-initdb.d/*.sql` auto-seeding; it is NOT honored by this image. - Do not call a non-x64 host "supported"; just add `--platform linux/amd64` on a non-x64 host. - Do not treat a clean `docker run` as "ready"; provision inside the retry loop. ## References - [references/sqlpackage-import.md](references/sqlpackage-import.md): SqlPackage install, full flag reference, container-based fallback, and common import errors with fixes. Read it when SqlPackage is missing or an import fails. ## Staying current Authoritative, version-pinned references for the tools this skill uses (read the one you need): - [SqlPackage import](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/tools/sqlpackage/sqlpackage-import): Import and Publish parameters for .bacpac/.dacpac. If the **Microsoft Learn MCP** server is configured, use `mcp__microsoft-learn__microsoft_docs_search` or `mcp__microsoft-learn__microsoft_docs_fetch` to fetch the current version of any of these on demand. It is optional; when it is unavailable, the references above are authoritative.