Resolve the Prisma Migration in a Docker - NestJS Server Issue: A Step-by-Step Guide

Discover how to tackle the common problem of managing `Prisma migrations` in a `Dockerized NestJS` application using PostgreSQL. Get clear steps to ensure your migrations execute smoothly during startup.
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Resolve the Prisma Migration in a Docker - NestJS Server Issue: A Step-by-Step Guide

When working on a NestJS application that utilizes a PostgreSQL database alongside Prisma for data management, you may encounter a frustrating challenge: how to properly execute Prisma migrations while your service runs in a Docker container. In this post, we'll discuss this problem and provide a solution so that your application can seamlessly handle migrations without hitches.

The Problem at Hand

In your case, the setup is nearly complete. However, upon executing Prisma migrations within Docker, you notice that the backend service containers are stuck in the 'CREATED' status while your database container is running. The issue becomes apparent when you try to call the migrations via your entrypoint script during the Docker launch. Here’s a summary of your setup files:

Docker Compose File

Your docker-compose.yml file looks like this:

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Dockerfile and Entrypoint

Your Dockerfile and entrypoint script also play a crucial role:

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Observations

The backend container must execute the required migration commands to ensure the database is set up correctly.

The entrypoint file is supposed to run at the start, but migration commands may fail due to file permission issues or conflicts caused by the Docker mount.

The Solution

The key to resolving the issue lies in the volumes configuration in your docker-compose.yml:

Step 1: Modify the Docker Compose File

To resolve the migration problem, you need to remove the volume mount that overwrites your app's directory. Here’s how:

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Why Remove the Volume Mount?

Hides Permissions: The volume mount hides your initial build artifacts from the image, including file permissions set in the Dockerfile. If entrypoint.sh isn't executable on the host system (due to local file permission issues), it will fail when launching in a container.

Conflicts with Node Modules: Similar conflicts can arise with the node_modules directory. If it's installed on a host that is incompatible with your container’s environment, it may lead to runtime errors.

Step 2: Rebuild and Run Your Containers

After making the changes, run the following command to rebuild and launch the containers:

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This should initiate your backend service correctly, allowing Prisma migrations to complete during startup without any hiccups.

Conclusion

Successfully managing Prisma migrations within Docker for a NestJS application can be tricky due to directory mounts that conflict with permissions and existing files. By carefully managing your Docker setup, including removing unnecessary volume mounts, you can ensure a smooth migration process that sets up your backend accurately every time you deploy.

If you still encounter issues after implementing these changes, feel free to reach out for further help!