Database

Strapi Cloud provides a pre-configured PostgreSQL database by default. However, you can also configure it to utilize an external SQL database, if needed.

✋ Caution

While possible, it is not recommended to use an external database with Strapi Cloud, unless there is an explicit need to do so. This is because Strapi Cloud provides a managed database that is optimized for Strapi. Using an external database may result in unexpected behavior and/or performance issues (e.g., network latency may impact performance). Strapi cannot provide security or support with configuring external databases.

☑️ Prerequisites

• A local Strapi project running on v4.8.1+.
• Credentials for external database.
• If using an existing database, the schema must match the Strapi project schema.

Configuration

The project ./config/database.js or ./config/database.ts file must match the configuration found in the environment variables in database configurations section.

Before pushing changes, add environment variables to the Strapi Cloud project:

1. Log into Strapi Cloud and click on the corresponding project on the Projects page.

2. Click on the Settings tab and choose Variables in the left menu.

3. Add the following environment variables:

   Variable	Value
   DATABASE_CLIENT	your_db
   DATABASE_HOST	your_db_host
   DATABASE_PORT	your_db_port
   DATABASE_NAME	your_db_name
   DATABASE_USERNAME	your_db_username
   DATABASE_PASSWORD	your_db_password
   DATABASE_SSL_REJECT_UNAUTHORIZED	false
   DATABASE_SCHEMA	public

4. Click Save.

✋ Caution

To ensure a smooth deployment, it is recommended to not change the names of the environment variables.

Deployment

To deploy the project and utilize the external database, push the changes from earlier. This will trigger a rebuild and new deployment of the Strapi Cloud project.

Once the application finishes building, the project will use the external database.

Reverting to the default database

To revert back to the default database, remove the previously added environment variables related to the external database from the Strapi Cloud project dashboard, and save. For the changes to take effect, you must redeploy the Strapi Cloud project.