How to Handle CMS Migrations in Code
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TL;DR
Handling content management system migrations in code means writing scripts that transform existing content whenever your schema changes—renaming fields, splitting content types, changing data structures, or merging documents. The pattern is always the same: query existing content, transform it to match the new schema, and write it back. Version your migration scripts, test against a staging copy of production data, and run them as part of your deployment pipeline.
Key Takeaways
- Migrations are needed any time a schema change would break existing content—field renames, type changes, structural refactors
- The core pattern is query → transform → write back, ideally wrapped in a transaction
- Always test migrations against a copy of production data before running against live content
- Version and commit migration scripts alongside schema changes so they're reproducible
- Use atomic transactions where your CMS supports them to avoid partial writes