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Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kawax.biz/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

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Introduction

Laravel provides first-party support for these databases:
  • MySQL / MariaDB
  • PostgreSQL
  • SQLite
  • SQL Server
You can use the same connection setup across raw SQL, the Query Builder, and Eloquent ORM.
This page covers database connection fundamentals. For query composition, read Query Builder. For schema management, read Migrations. For initial data, read Database seeding.

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Configuration

Database configuration lives in config/database.php. You choose the default connection with default and define each connection under connections. 
// config/database.php
'default' => env('DB_CONNECTION', 'sqlite'),

'connections' => [
    'mysql' => [
        'driver' => 'mysql',
        'host' => env('DB_HOST', '127.0.0.1'),
        'port' => env('DB_PORT', '3306'),
        'database' => env('DB_DATABASE', 'laravel'),
        'username' => env('DB_USERNAME', 'root'),
        'password' => env('DB_PASSWORD', ''),
    ],
],
At minimum, configure these environment variables: 
DB_CONNECTION=mysql
DB_HOST=127.0.0.1
DB_PORT=3306
DB_DATABASE=app
DB_USERNAME=app_user
DB_PASSWORD=secret
For SQLite, set DB_CONNECTION=sqlite and point DB_DATABASE to your SQLite file path.

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Read and write connections

If you want to split reads (SELECT) and writes (INSERT / UPDATE / DELETE), define read and write hosts on the same connection. 
'mysql' => [
    'driver' => 'mysql',
    'read' => [
        'host' => ['10.0.0.10', '10.0.0.11'],
    ],
    'write' => [
        'host' => ['10.0.0.20'],
    ],
    'sticky' => true,

    'port' => env('DB_PORT', '3306'),
    'database' => env('DB_DATABASE', 'laravel'),
    'username' => env('DB_USERNAME', 'root'),
    'password' => env('DB_PASSWORD', ''),
],
When sticky is true, Laravel keeps subsequent reads on the write connection after a write occurs in the same request.
Enable sticky when you use replicas and need read-after-write consistency in a single request cycle.

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Multiple database connections

You can define multiple connections in config/database.php and switch between them with DB::connection(). 
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;

$users = DB::connection('sqlite')->select('select * from users');
$pdo = DB::connection('pgsql')->getPdo();

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Running SQL queries

The DB facade provides methods for each query type. 
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;

$users = DB::select('select * from users where active = ?', [1]);

DB::insert('insert into users (name, email) values (?, ?)', ['Taylor', '[email protected]']);

$affected = DB::update('update users set votes = 100 where name = ?', ['Taylor']);

$deleted = DB::delete('delete from sessions where user_id = ?', [1]);

DB::statement('drop table temporary_imports');
Do not concatenate user input into SQL strings. Always pass bindings to prevent SQL injection.

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Listening for query events

Use DB::listen() in a service provider boot() method when you need SQL logs for debugging or profiling. 
use Illuminate\Database\Events\QueryExecuted;
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;

public function boot(): void
{
    DB::listen(function (QueryExecuted $query) {
        logger()->debug('SQL executed', [
            'sql' => $query->toRawSql(),
            'time_ms' => $query->time,
        ]);
    });
}

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Transactions

Use DB::transaction() to treat multiple operations as one unit. Laravel rolls back automatically if an exception is thrown. 
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;

DB::transaction(function () {
    DB::update('update users set votes = 1');
    DB::delete('delete from posts where archived = 1');
});
If you need deadlock retries, pass the attempts argument. 
DB::transaction(function () {
    // ...
}, attempts: 5);
For manual control, use beginTransaction, rollBack, and commit. 
DB::beginTransaction();

try {
    DB::update('update accounts set balance = balance - 100 where id = ?', [1]);
    DB::update('update accounts set balance = balance + 100 where id = ?', [2]);

    DB::commit();
} catch (\Throwable $e) {
    DB::rollBack();
    throw $e;
}

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Next steps

Query Builder

Learn how to compose safe and expressive SQL queries on top of your connection setup.

Migrations

Learn how to version-control schema changes on your connected databases.

Database seeding

Learn how to populate reproducible data for local development and testing.
Last modified on May 13, 2026