PocketBase Collection Management

Use this skill whenever you need to modify the database schema (create/update/delete collections).

Why This Approach

PocketBase automatically generates migration files when collections are created/modified via the SDK. This ensures:

• Correct internal IDs
• Proper migration format
• Automatic rollback functions
• No manual SQL errors

Instructions

1. Get the PocketBase URL

Find the container IP:

docker network inspect shipyard-pocketbase-template_default --format '{{range .Containers}}{{.IPv4Address}}{{end}}'

2. Write a Temporary Script

Create a temp JS file (e.g., temp-collection.js):

import PocketBase from 'pocketbase'

const pb = new PocketBase('http://<CONTAINER_IP>:8090')

await pb.collection('_superusers').authWithPassword('admin@test.local', 'testtest123')

// CREATE a collection
await pb.collections.create({
  name: 'my_collection',
  type: 'base',  // or 'auth' for user collections
  fields: [
    { name: 'title', type: 'text', required: true },
    { name: 'completed', type: 'bool' },
    { name: 'user_id', type: 'text', required: true },
  ],
  listRule: '@request.auth.id != ""',
  viewRule: '@request.auth.id != ""',
  createRule: '@request.auth.id != ""',
  updateRule: 'user_id = @request.auth.id',
  deleteRule: 'user_id = @request.auth.id',
})

// UPDATE a collection
// const collection = await pb.collections.getOne('my_collection')
// await pb.collections.update(collection.id, { name: 'new_name' })

// DELETE a collection
// await pb.collections.delete('my_collection')

console.log('Done!')

3. Run the Script

node temp-collection.js

4. Verify Migration Was Created

ls -la pocketbase/pb_migrations/

You should see a new .js file with the timestamp and collection name.

5. Delete the Temp Script

rm temp-collection.js

Field Types

Common field types for pb.collections.create():

• text - String field
• bool - Boolean
• number - Numeric
• email - Email validation
• url - URL validation
• date - Date/datetime
• select - Enum (add values: ['a', 'b'])
• relation - Foreign key (add collectionId: 'xxx')
• file - File upload
• json - JSON data

Rules

Access rules use PocketBase filter syntax:

• null - Superusers only
• '' (empty string) - Anyone
• '@request.auth.id != ""' - Authenticated users
• 'user_id = @request.auth.id' - Owner only