I Gave Every Pull Request Its Own Database

The story describes a system where each Git pull request gets its own dedicated database environment, akin to the way developers branch code. This approach is designed to prevent conflicts and issues that arise when multiple developers share a single staging database. The system uses Databricks Lakebase, which is a managed PostgreSQL environment where storage and compute are separated. In this setup, creating a branch is as simple as branching code in Git, and each branch is an instant, writable copy of production data.

The Jenkins pipeline automates this process. When a pull request is opened, Jenkins creates a database branch based on production data. The migration associated with the pull request is then applied to this branch, and the test suite runs against real data rather than an empty schema. This ensures that any issues or failures are caught early, and developers are testing against actual production data.

Once the tests pass, the branch is torn down, freeing up resources. When the pull request is merged into the main branch, it triggers a different process. Instead of running tests, it goes through a review step where a Database Administrator (DBA) approves the migration. Only after the DBA's approval does the migration get applied to production.

This system ensures that each team has its own isolated database environment, improving the development process and reducing the risk of production issues. The Jenkins pipeline is designed to be flexible and can be adapted to various CI/CD tools. The repository includes a walkthrough video and a detailed Jenkinsfile for implementation. The core benefit of this approach is the assurance that migrations are tested against real, production-shaped data, reducing the likelihood of unexpected failures in production.