SchemaHero
Summary
SchemaHero is a free, open-source database schema migration tool that uses declared YAML definitions to generate SQL changes. Its CLI compares a desired schema with the database’s current state and produces SQL during the plan phase; apply executes those changes. Because it calculates the required SQL from the two schemas, it does not require numbered migration files. SchemaHero is available as a CLI and an optional Kubernetes Operator. The CLI runs without Kubernetes, while the operator can create migration resources and support approval or rejection workflows. Supported databases are PostgreSQL, MySQL, CockroachDB, TimescaleDB, Cassandra, SQLite, and RQLite. Table definitions can specify columns, keys, indexes, foreign keys, defaults, and constraints. Installation options include single binaries for macOS, Linux, and Windows, plus Docker and optional Kubernetes deployment. Documentation covers GitHub Actions and GitLab CI workflows, as well as GitOps integrations with Argo CD and Flux. Migration policies can flag destructive changes such as dropping columns or tables and fail CI checks. Rollback support is not listed as available.
Who it is for
SchemaHero suits teams that want declarative schema changes in CI/CD or Kubernetes workflows. The standalone CLI is also an option for users who do not need Kubernetes.
What is good
- Plan generates SQL without changing the database.
- Does not require numbered migration files.
- Supports seven listed database engines.
- Can flag destructive changes in CI.
- CLI works without Kubernetes.
What to know first
- Rollback support is not available.
- The Kubernetes Operator is optional and requires Kubernetes.
- Database support is limited to the listed engines.
Verdict
SchemaHero offers a declarative route from YAML schema definitions to SQL changes, with CLI and Kubernetes workflows. Its lack of rollback support is an important limitation to weigh before adopting it.
Compared on database migration tools
- Free plan
- Yesschemahero.io
- Rollback support
- Noschemahero.io
- Schema diff
- Yesschemahero.io
- CI/CD automation
- Yesschemahero.io
- Drift detection
- Yesschemahero.io
- Self-hosted option
- Yesschemahero.io
- Migration format
- mixedschemahero.io
Facts
- Purpose
- SchemaHero is an open-source database schema migration tool that converts schema definitions into migration scripts.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Interfaces
- SchemaHero is provided as a CLI utility and a Kubernetes Operator.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Plan/apply workflow
- The plan command compares the current database schema with YAML definitions and outputs SQL, while apply executes that SQL.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Migration files
- SchemaHero does not require numbered migration files because it calculates the SQL needed to move the database from its current state to the declared schema.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Kubernetes requirement
- The CLI works standalone without Kubernetes, and the operator is optional.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Supported databases
- Supported database engines are PostgreSQL, MySQL, CockroachDB, TimescaleDB, Cassandra, SQLite, and RQLite.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Schema capabilities
- Table definitions can specify columns, primary keys, indexes, foreign keys, defaults, and constraints.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Install platforms
- The project provides installation instructions for macOS, Linux, Windows, Docker, and optional Kubernetes deployment.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- CI/CD
- SchemaHero documents GitHub Actions and GitLab CI workflows for planning and applying schema changes.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Docker
- The schemahero/schemahero Docker image contains the CLI and can run in any CI system that supports Docker.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Migration safety
- Migration policies can detect destructive changes such as dropping columns or tables and fail CI checks.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- TLS options
- PostgreSQL connections support sslmode disable, require, and verify-full options.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Cloud integrations
- Database connection documentation includes AWS RDS, AWS SSM, Google Cloud SQL, and HashiCorp Vault.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Community support
- The project directs users to the Replicated Community forum and the #schemahero channel in Kubernetes Slack.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
- License
- The GitHub repository is licensed under Apache-2.0.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
- Origin
- Replicated introduced SchemaHero as an open-source project on August 24, 2019.replicated.com · 1 Oct 2026
- What it does
- SchemaHero is an open-source database schema migration tool that converts schema definitions into migration scripts usable in any environment.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Deployment modes
- SchemaHero is provided as a CLI utility and a Kubernetes Operator.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Declarative workflow
- It compares a desired YAML schema with the current database schema and generates the SQL needed to synchronize them.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Plan and apply
- The plan phase reads the database and outputs SQL without changing the database, while apply executes the generated SQL.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Database support
- Supported database engines listed by SchemaHero are PostgreSQL, MySQL, CockroachDB, TimescaleDB, Cassandra, SQLite and RQLite.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Kubernetes approvals
- The Kubernetes Operator can create Migration resources, wait for approval, and support approve or reject workflows.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- GitOps integrations
- SchemaHero documents GitOps integration with Argo CD and Flux.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- CI integrations
- SchemaHero documents GitHub Actions and GitLab CI workflows for planning and applying schema changes.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Cloud database connections
- Connection guidance covers AWS RDS, AWS SSM, Google Cloud SQL and HashiCorp Vault.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Security controls
- Database connections support SSL modes including require and verify-full, and Kubernetes credentials can be stored in Secrets.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Installation
- SchemaHero is distributed as a single binary for macOS, Linux and Windows, and is also available as a Docker image.schemahero.io · 1 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to a Replicated Community forum and the #schemahero channel in Kubernetes Slack.github.com · 1 Oct 2026
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Sources
- schemahero.io· checked 1 Oct 2026
- schemahero.io/getting-started/concepts· checked 1 Oct 2026
- schemahero.io/getting-started/installation· checked 1 Oct 2026
- schemahero.io/databases· checked 1 Oct 2026
- schemahero.io/guides/ci-cd· checked 1 Oct 2026
- schemahero.io/guides/policies· checked 1 Oct 2026
- schemahero.io/guides/database-connections· checked 1 Oct 2026
- github.com/schemahero/schemahero· checked 1 Oct 2026
- replicated.com/blog/schemahero-declarative-schema-mana· checked 1 Oct 2026
- schemahero.io/guides/kubernetes-operator· checked 1 Oct 2026