---
title: Database API Reference
description: PostgREST-style database operations via REST API
---

## Overview

The Database API provides PostgREST-style CRUD operations for your database tables. All requests require authentication headers.

## Headers

```bash
Authorization: Bearer your-jwt-token-or-anon-key
Content-Type: application/json
```

---

## Query Records

Retrieve records from a table with filtering, sorting, and pagination.

```
GET /api/database/records/{tableName}
```

### Query Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Description |
|-----------|------|-------------|
| `limit` | integer | Maximum records to return (1-1000, default: 100) |
| `offset` | integer | Records to skip for pagination (default: 0) |
| `order` | string | Sort order (e.g., `createdAt.desc`, `name.asc`) |
| `select` | string | Comma-separated columns to return |
| `{field}` | string | PostgREST filter (e.g., `status=eq.active`) |

### Filter Operators

| Operator | Description | Example |
|----------|-------------|---------|
| `eq` | Equal | `status=eq.active` |
| `neq` | Not equal | `status=neq.deleted` |
| `gt` | Greater than | `age=gt.18` |
| `gte` | Greater than or equal | `price=gte.100` |
| `lt` | Less than | `quantity=lt.10` |
| `lte` | Less than or equal | `score=lte.50` |
| `like` | Pattern match (case-sensitive) | `name=like.*john*` |
| `ilike` | Pattern match (case-insensitive) | `email=ilike.*@gmail.com` |
| `in` | In list | `status=in.(active,pending)` |
| `is` | Is null/true/false | `deleted_at=is.null` |

### Example

```bash
# Get all posts
curl "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/posts" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-jwt-token"

# Get posts with filters
curl "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/posts?status=eq.published&order=createdAt.desc&limit=10" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-jwt-token"

# Select specific columns
curl "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/posts?select=id,title,author" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-jwt-token"
```

### Response

```json
[
  {
    "id": "248373e1-0aea-45ce-8844-5ef259203749",
    "title": "Getting Started with InsForge",
    "content": "This is a guide to help you get started...",
    "createdAt": "2025-07-18T05:37:24.338Z",
    "updatedAt": "2025-07-18T05:37:24.338Z"
  }
]
```

### Response Headers

| Header | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `X-Total-Count` | Total records matching the query |
| `Content-Range` | Range of records returned (e.g., `0-99/1234`) |

---

## Create Records

Create one or more records in a table.

```
POST /api/database/records/{tableName}
```

<Warning>
**Important**: Request body MUST be an array, even for single records.
</Warning>

### Headers

| Header | Value | Description |
|--------|-------|-------------|
| `Prefer` | `return=representation` | Include to return created records |

### Example

```bash
# Create a single record
curl -X POST "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/posts" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-jwt-token" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Prefer: return=representation" \
  -d '[{
    "title": "My First Post",
    "content": "Hello world!",
    "published": true
  }]'

# Create multiple records
curl -X POST "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/posts" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-jwt-token" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Prefer: return=representation" \
  -d '[
    {"title": "Post 1", "content": "Content 1"},
    {"title": "Post 2", "content": "Content 2"}
  ]'
```

### Response

Without `Prefer` header:
```json
[]
```

With `Prefer: return=representation`:
```json
[
  {
    "id": "248373e1-0aea-45ce-8844-5ef259203749",
    "title": "My First Post",
    "content": "Hello world!",
    "published": true,
    "createdAt": "2025-07-18T05:37:24.338Z",
    "updatedAt": "2025-07-18T05:37:24.338Z"
  }
]
```

---

## Update Records

Update records matching query filters.

```
PATCH /api/database/records/{tableName}
```

### Query Parameters

Use filter operators to specify which records to update.

### Headers

| Header | Value | Description |
|--------|-------|-------------|
| `Prefer` | `return=representation` | Include to return updated records |

### Example

```bash
# Update a single record by ID
curl -X PATCH "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/posts?id=eq.248373e1-0aea-45ce-8844-5ef259203749" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-jwt-token" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Prefer: return=representation" \
  -d '{
    "title": "Updated Post Title",
    "content": "This content has been updated."
  }'

# Update multiple records
curl -X PATCH "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/posts?status=eq.draft" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-jwt-token" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"status": "archived"}'
```

### Response

```json
[
  {
    "id": "248373e1-0aea-45ce-8844-5ef259203749",
    "title": "Updated Post Title",
    "content": "This content has been updated.",
    "createdAt": "2025-01-01T00:00:00Z",
    "updatedAt": "2025-01-21T11:00:00Z"
  }
]
```

---

## Delete Records

Delete records matching query filters.

```
DELETE /api/database/records/{tableName}
```

### Query Parameters

Use filter operators to specify which records to delete.

### Headers

| Header | Value | Description |
|--------|-------|-------------|
| `Prefer` | `return=representation` | Include to return deleted records |

### Example

```bash
# Delete by ID
curl -X DELETE "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/posts?id=eq.248373e1-0aea-45ce-8844-5ef259203749" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-jwt-token"

# Delete with Prefer header to see deleted records
curl -X DELETE "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/posts?status=eq.archived" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-jwt-token" \
  -H "Prefer: return=representation"
```

### Response

Without `Prefer` header: `204 No Content`

With `Prefer: return=representation`:
```json
[
  {
    "id": "248373e1-0aea-45ce-8844-5ef259203749",
    "title": "Deleted Post",
    "createdAt": "2025-01-01T00:00:00Z"
  }
]
```

---

## Error Responses

### Table Not Found (404)

```json
{
  "error": "TABLE_NOT_FOUND",
  "message": "Table 'nonexistent' does not exist",
  "statusCode": 404,
  "nextActions": "Check table name and try again"
}
```

### Invalid Query (400)

```json
{
  "error": "INVALID_QUERY",
  "message": "Invalid filter syntax",
  "statusCode": 400,
  "nextActions": "Check PostgREST filter documentation"
}
```

### Validation Error (400)

```json
{
  "error": "VALIDATION_ERROR",
  "message": "Invalid field type: expected boolean for 'published'",
  "statusCode": 400,
  "nextActions": "Ensure field types match the table schema"
}
```

---

## Examples

### Pagination

```bash
# Page 1 (first 20 records)
curl "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/posts?limit=20&offset=0"

# Page 2 (next 20 records)
curl "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/posts?limit=20&offset=20"
```

### Complex Filters

```bash
# Multiple conditions
curl "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/posts?status=eq.published&author_id=eq.123&order=createdAt.desc"

# Search with pattern
curl "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/users?email=ilike.*@company.com"

# In list
curl "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/orders?status=in.(pending,processing)"

# Null check
curl "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/tasks?completed_at=is.null"
```

### Upsert (Insert or Update)

Insert a record or update it if a conflict occurs on a unique constraint.

```
POST /api/database/records/{tableName}
```

#### Headers

| Header | Value | Description |
|--------|-------|-------------|
| `Prefer` | `resolution=merge-duplicates` | Update existing record on conflict |
| `Prefer` | `resolution=ignore-duplicates` | Ignore insert if record exists |

#### Example

```bash
# Upsert: insert or update on conflict
curl -X POST "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/records/user_settings" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-jwt-token" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Prefer: resolution=merge-duplicates,return=representation" \
  -d '[{
    "user_id": "123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174000",
    "theme": "dark",
    "notifications": true
  }]'
```

#### Response

```json
[
  {
    "id": "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000",
    "user_id": "123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174000",
    "theme": "dark",
    "notifications": true,
    "createdAt": "2025-01-01T00:00:00Z",
    "updatedAt": "2025-01-21T11:00:00Z"
  }
]
```

<Note>
Upsert requires a unique constraint (e.g., primary key or unique index) on the table. The conflict resolution is based on this constraint.
</Note>

---

## Call RPC Function

Execute a database function via PostgREST RPC. Supports all HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE).

```
POST /api/database/rpc/{functionName}
```

### Example

```bash
# Call a function with parameters
curl -X POST "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/rpc/get_user_stats" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-jwt-token" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"user_id": "123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426614174000"}'

# Call a function without parameters
curl -X POST "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/rpc/get_total_count" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-jwt-token"
```

### Response

```json
{
  "total_posts": 42,
  "total_comments": 128,
  "last_activity": "2025-01-15T10:30:00Z"
}
```

---

## Admin Endpoints

The following endpoints require admin authentication.

### Headers for Admin Endpoints

```bash
Authorization: Bearer admin-jwt-token-Or-API-Key
Content-Type: application/json
```

---

## List Database Functions

Get all database functions in the public schema. **Requires admin authentication.**

```
GET /api/database/functions
```

### Example

```bash
curl "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/functions" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer admin-jwt-token-Or-API-Key"
```

### Response

```json
[
  {
    "name": "get_user_stats",
    "schema": "public",
    "language": "plpgsql",
    "returnType": "json",
    "arguments": "user_id uuid",
    "definition": "BEGIN ... END;"
  }
]
```

---

## List Database Indexes

Get all database indexes. **Requires admin authentication.**

```
GET /api/database/indexes
```

### Example

```bash
curl "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/indexes" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer admin-jwt-token-Or-API-Key"
```

### Response

```json
[
  {
    "name": "posts_pkey",
    "tableName": "posts",
    "columns": ["id"],
    "isUnique": true,
    "isPrimary": true,
    "definition": "CREATE UNIQUE INDEX posts_pkey ON public.posts USING btree (id)"
  }
]
```

---

## List RLS Policies

Get all Row Level Security policies. **Requires admin authentication.**

```
GET /api/database/policies
```

### Example

```bash
curl "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/policies" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer admin-jwt-token-Or-API-Key"
```

### Response

```json
[
  {
    "name": "Users can view own posts",
    "tableName": "posts",
    "command": "SELECT",
    "roles": ["authenticated"],
    "using": "(auth.uid() = user_id)",
    "withCheck": null
  }
]
```

---

## List Database Triggers

Get all database triggers. **Requires admin authentication.**

```
GET /api/database/triggers
```

### Example

```bash
curl "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/triggers" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer admin-jwt-token-Or-API-Key"
```

### Response

```json
[
  {
    "name": "update_timestamp",
    "tableName": "posts",
    "timing": "BEFORE",
    "events": ["UPDATE"],
    "functionName": "update_updated_at_column",
    "enabled": true
  }
]
```

---

## List Database Migrations

Get the history of successful custom migrations. InsForge stores these in `system.custom_migrations`, but the endpoint returns only the migration metadata and executed statements. **Requires admin authentication.**

```
GET /api/database/migrations
```

### Example

```bash
curl "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/migrations" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer admin-jwt-token-Or-API-Key"
```

### Response

```json
{
  "migrations": [
    {
      "version": "20260416170500",
      "name": "create-posts-table",
      "statements": [
        "CREATE TABLE posts (id UUID PRIMARY KEY DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(), title TEXT NOT NULL);"
      ],
      "createdAt": "2026-04-16T17:05:00.000Z"
    }
  ]
}
```

---

## Create Database Migration

Create and immediately execute a custom migration against the database. The migration is recorded only if every statement succeeds. **Requires admin authentication.**

```
POST /api/database/migrations
```

### Request Body

| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|-------|------|----------|-------------|
| `version` | string | Yes | Numeric migration version (up to 64 digits). Accepts Drizzle-style sequential prefixes (e.g. `0001`) or a `YYYYMMDDHHmmss` timestamp. Versions are compared numerically. The InsForge CLI generates 14-digit UTC timestamps for local migration filenames. |
| `name` | string | Yes | Migration name using lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens only |
| `sql` | string | Yes | SQL text to parse and execute |

### Example

```bash
curl -X POST "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/migrations" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer admin-jwt-token-Or-API-Key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "version": "20260416170500",
    "name": "create-posts-table",
    "sql": "CREATE TABLE posts (id UUID PRIMARY KEY DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(), title TEXT NOT NULL);"
  }'
```

### Response

```json
{
  "version": "20260416170500",
  "name": "create-posts-table",
  "statements": [
    "CREATE TABLE posts (id UUID PRIMARY KEY DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(), title TEXT NOT NULL);"
  ],
  "createdAt": "2026-04-16T17:05:00.000Z",
  "message": "Migration executed successfully"
}
```

<Warning>
Do not include `BEGIN`, `COMMIT`, or `ROLLBACK` inside a custom migration. InsForge executes the migration inside its own transaction.
</Warning>

---

## Execute Raw SQL (Strict Mode)

Execute raw SQL query with strict sanitization. Blocks access to system tables and auth.users. **Requires admin authentication.**

```
POST /api/database/advance/rawsql
```

### Request Body

| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|-------|------|----------|-------------|
| `query` | string | Yes | SQL query to execute |
| `params` | array | No | Query parameters for parameterized queries |

### Example

```bash
curl -X POST "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/advance/rawsql" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer admin-jwt-token-Or-API-Key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "query": "SELECT * FROM posts WHERE published = $1",
    "params": [true]
  }'
```

### Response

```json
{
  "rows": [
    {
      "id": "248373e1-0aea-45ce-8844-5ef259203749",
      "title": "My Post",
      "published": true
    }
  ],
  "rowCount": 1,
  "command": "SELECT"
}
```

---

## Execute Raw SQL (Relaxed Mode)

Execute raw SQL query with relaxed sanitization. Allows SELECT and INSERT into system tables. **Use with caution. Requires admin authentication.**

```
POST /api/database/advance/rawsql/unrestricted
```

### Request Body

| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|-------|------|----------|-------------|
| `query` | string | Yes | SQL query to execute |
| `params` | array | No | Query parameters for parameterized queries |

### Example

```bash
curl -X POST "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/advance/rawsql/unrestricted" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer admin-jwt-token-Or-API-Key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "query": "SELECT * FROM auth.users LIMIT 10"
  }'
```

### Response

```json
{
  "rows": [...],
  "rowCount": 10,
  "command": "SELECT"
}
```

<Warning>
This endpoint has relaxed restrictions and can access system tables. Use only when necessary and ensure proper authorization.
</Warning>

---

## Export Database

Export database schema and/or data in SQL or JSON format. **Requires admin authentication.**

```
POST /api/database/advance/export
```

### Request Body

| Field | Type | Required | Default | Description |
|-------|------|----------|---------|-------------|
| `tables` | array | No | all | List of tables to export |
| `format` | string | No | sql | Export format (`sql` or `json`) |
| `includeData` | boolean | No | true | Include table data |
| `includeFunctions` | boolean | No | false | Include database functions |
| `includeSequences` | boolean | No | false | Include sequences |
| `includeViews` | boolean | No | false | Include views |
| `rowLimit` | integer | No | - | Maximum rows per table |

### Example

```bash
curl -X POST "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/advance/export" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer admin-jwt-token-Or-API-Key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "tables": ["posts", "comments"],
    "format": "sql",
    "includeData": true,
    "rowLimit": 1000
  }'
```

### Response

```json
{
  "format": "sql",
  "content": "CREATE TABLE posts (...); INSERT INTO posts VALUES (...);",
  "tables": ["posts", "comments"]
}
```

---

## Import Database

Import database from SQL file. **Requires admin authentication.**

```
POST /api/database/advance/import
```

### Request (multipart/form-data)

| Field | Type | Required | Default | Description |
|-------|------|----------|---------|-------------|
| `file` | file | Yes | - | SQL file to import |
| `truncate` | boolean | No | false | Truncate existing tables before import |

### Example

```bash
curl -X POST "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/advance/import" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer admin-jwt-token-Or-API-Key" \
  -F "file=@backup.sql" \
  -F "truncate=false"
```

### Response

```json
{
  "filename": "backup.sql",
  "fileSize": 102400,
  "tables": ["posts", "comments", "users"],
  "rowsImported": 1500
}
```

---

## Bulk Upsert

Bulk insert or update data from CSV or JSON file. **Requires admin authentication.**

```
POST /api/database/advance/bulk-upsert
```

### Request (multipart/form-data)

| Field | Type | Required | Description |
|-------|------|----------|-------------|
| `file` | file | Yes | CSV or JSON file containing data |
| `table` | string | Yes | Target table name |
| `upsertKey` | string | No | Column name for upsert conflict resolution |

### Example

```bash
# Import from CSV
curl -X POST "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/advance/bulk-upsert" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer admin-jwt-token-Or-API-Key" \
  -F "file=@data.csv" \
  -F "table=posts" \
  -F "upsertKey=id"

# Import from JSON
curl -X POST "https://your-app.insforge.app/api/database/advance/bulk-upsert" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer admin-jwt-token-Or-API-Key" \
  -F "file=@data.json" \
  -F "table=posts"
```

### Response

```json
{
  "rowsAffected": 150,
  "totalRecords": 150,
  "table": "posts"
}