Legacy Wiki.js push to new DB and instant rollback

When you push database changes to production with push-to-prod.sh, the script no longer overwrites the live production database. Instead it:

1. Creates a new database on the prod Postgres instance (e.g. wiki_20260217_143022).
2. Restores your local dump into that new database. The current prod database (e.g. wiki) is left unchanged.
3. Switch (optional): You then point the old Wiki.js app at the new database. If something goes wrong, rollback is instant by pointing back at the previous database.

Push flow

From dev/wikijs:

./scripts/push-to-prod.sh          # DB only: creates new DB, restores; prints how to switch
./scripts/push-to-prod.sh --data   # Same + sync wiki data volume (if PROD_WIKI_VOLUME set)
./scripts/push-to-prod.sh --switch # Same + auto-switch Wiki.js to new DB (requires PROD_COMPOSE_DIR)

• Without --switch: The script prints the new database name and instructions. On the server, set DB_NAME=<new_db_name> where Wiki.js gets its env (e.g. .env in the compose dir), then recreate the wiki container so it picks up the new DB_NAME.
• With --switch: If PROD_COMPOSE_DIR is set in .env, the script SSHs to prod, updates .env with DB_NAME=<new_db_name>, and runs docker-compose up -d wiki --force-recreate (or docker compose). You need SSH and write access to that directory.

Rollback

If the new database causes issues:

1. On the server, set DB_NAME back to the previous database (e.g. wiki or the last known-good name like wiki_20260214_120000).
2. Recreate the wiki container so it uses the updated env, e.g.:

   cd $COMPOSE_DIR && docker-compose up -d wiki --force-recreate
   

   Wiki.js will connect to the old database again; no data restore needed.

Cleanup (optional)

Old databases remain on the prod Postgres instance until you drop them. To free space after you are satisfied with a push:

# On the server, connect to Postgres and list databases
docker exec -it db psql -U postgres -c '\l'

# Drop an old database (only when you no longer need it for rollback)
docker exec db psql -U postgres -c 'DROP DATABASE wiki_20260201_100000;'

Requirements

• Create DB: The script uses the postgres superuser to run CREATE DATABASE on the server. The wiki (or PROD_DB_USER) user is set as owner so restore works as that user.
• PROD_COMPOSE_DIR: Only needed for --switch. If unset, follow the printed instructions to switch and rollback manually.

Related

• wikijs-local-dev.md — local dev setup and pull/push overview.
• dev/wikijs/scripts/push-to-prod.sh — script implementation.