Database

Trilium uses SQLite (via better-sqlite3) as its embedded database engine, providing a reliable, file-based storage system that requires no separate database server. The database stores all notes, their relationships, metadata, and configuration.

Schema location: apps/server/src/assets/db/schema.sql

Data Access Patterns#

Direct SQL:

// apps/server/src/services/sql.ts
sql.getRows("SELECT * FROM notes WHERE type = ?", ['text'])
sql.execute("UPDATE notes SET title = ? WHERE noteId = ?", [title, noteId])

Through Becca:

// Recommended approach - uses cache
const note = becca.getNote('noteId')
note.title = 'New Title'
note.save()

Through Froca (Frontend):

// Read-only access
const note = froca.getNote('noteId')
console.log(note.title)

Database Migrations#

• The migration system is in server/src/migrations/migrations.ts (actual definitions) and src/services/migration.ts.
• Both SQLite and TypeScript migrations are supported.
  • Small migrations are contained directly in src/migrations/migrations.ts.
  • Bigger TypeScript migrations are sequentially numbered (e.g., XXXX_migration_name.ts) and dynamically imported by migrations.ts.
• Automatic execution on version upgrade.
• Schema version tracked in options table.