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Doctrine Migrations

doctrine-project.org

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Spec score 8.5 #6 of 32 in Database Migration Tools

What it is

Doctrine Migrations is a free, self-hosted PHP library for versioning database schemas and deploying changes in a reviewable, testable way. Built on Doctrine DBAL and ORM, it can generate migration code by comparing a database schema with ORM mapping information, with documentation covering diffing with or without the ORM. Console commands show migration status, perform dry runs, execute one or more migrations, and revert changes. Generated SQL can be written to a file with --write-sql instead of applied directly, while --no-interaction supports unattended execution. Transaction controls cover all-or-nothing behavior and running with or without transactions. Install it through Composer, which provides a doctrine-migrations console application, or download a PHAR from GitHub releases. Doctrine lists integrations for Symfony, Zend, Laravel, Silex, and Nette. Version 3.9.8 is stable; 3.8 and earlier are unmaintained.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Doctrine Migrations adds database schema versioning and helps deploy schema changes.Read 8 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Intended users
The Doctrine Project describes its libraries as PHP libraries focused primarily on persistence services and related functionality.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Support
The documentation directs users to the Doctrine mailing list, Slack, GitHub bug reporting, and Stack Overflow for help.Read 8 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
License
The GitHub repository identifies the project as MIT licensed.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Automation
The `--no-interaction` option allows migrations to run without additional prompts.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Command line
A Composer installation provides a doctrine-migrations console application in vendor/bin.Read 8 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Current stable version
The project page lists version 3.9.8 as stable.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Database abstraction
The project is built on top of Doctrine DBAL and ORM functionality.Read 8 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Database integration
The project builds on Doctrine DBAL and ORM.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Documentation support
The documentation directs users to the Doctrine mailing list, Slack migrations channel, GitHub bug reports, and Stack Overflow for help.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Execution controls
The documentation covers dry runs, executing one or multiple migrations, reverting migrations, and non-interactive execution.Read 8 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Framework integrations
The integrations guide lists community-built integrations for Symfony, Zend, Laravel, Silex, and Nette.Read 8 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Install options
It can be installed with Composer or downloaded as a PHAR from GitHub releases.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Installation
The library can be installed with Composer or downloaded as a PHAR from GitHub releases.Read 8 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Migration controls
Users can inspect migration status, run dry runs, execute migrations, and revert them from the console.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Release status
The project page marks version 3.9.8 as stable and versions 3.8 and earlier as unmaintained.Read 8 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Review and testing
The project says schema changes can be reviewed and tested before production deployment.Read 8 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Risk note
The migration command warns that schema changes can result in data loss and prompts for confirmation by default.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Schema comparison
It can generate migrations by comparing the current database schema with mapping information defined through the ORM.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Schema diffing
The documentation includes migration generation by diffing with the ORM or without the ORM.Read 8 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Security reporting
Doctrine asks security researchers to report issues privately by email rather than through GitHub's public issue tracker.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
SQL output
The `--write-sql` option can write generated migration SQL to a file instead of executing it directly against a database.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Symfony bundle
Doctrine lists Doctrine Migrations Bundle as a Symfony integration with its own Composer package.Read 8 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Symfony integration
The Doctrine project lists Doctrine Migrations Bundle, described as Symfony DoctrineMigrationsBundle, as an integration.Read 7 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org
Transactions
The documentation covers all-or-nothing transactions and using or not using transactions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · doctrine-project.org

Plans and prices

Doctrine Migrations Free Open-source PHP library · MIT license · Installed with Composer or downloaded as a PHAR Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Doctrine Migrations plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free MIT-licensed PHP library
  • Generates migrations from schema differences
  • Supports dry runs and rollback
  • Can write SQL without executing
  • Offers transaction controls

Limits

  • Schema changes may cause data loss
  • Versions 3.8 and earlier are unmaintained
  • No free trial is listed

Who it suits

It suits PHP developers and teams managing database schema changes through Doctrine’s persistence libraries. It is intended for self-hosted projects that need migration review, testing, rollback, and automation.

Verdict

Doctrine Migrations provides command-line controls for inspecting, testing, applying, and reverting schema changes. Its Doctrine foundation and framework integrations make it suitable for PHP persistence workflows, with confirmation warnings addressing possible data loss.

Where Specifiction places it

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