neon-postgres-branches

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• SKILL.md

SKILL.md (first lines)

**FIRST**: Use the parent `neon` skill for a Neon overview, getting started with Neon, Neon development best practices, and more.

If the `neon` skill is not installed, fetch it from https://neon.com/docs/ai/skills/neon/SKILL.md or install it with:

```bash
neon skills -s neon -y
```

# Lakebase Postgres Branching

**Outcome:** a created Neon branch — or a clear, actionable next step if creation cannot proceed. Choose the correct branch type, then execute branch creation with the CLI (or MCP where the CLI isn't usable).

- **Normal branch** for realistic migration and query testing with real data.
- **Schema-only branch (Beta)** for sensitive data workflows where structure is needed without copying rows.

## Branch Type Decision

Use this decision rule first:

1. If the user wants to test complex migrations, performance, or behavior against production-like data, choose a **normal branch**.
2. If the user needs to avoid copying sensitive data, choose a **schema-only branch**.

If the request is ambiguous, ask one clarifying question:
"Do you need realistic data for testing, or only schema structure because the data is sensitive?"

## Tool Selection: CLI or MCP

Support both the Neon CLI and the Neon MCP server, but **default to the CLI**. Use MCP only when the CLI is unavailable or blocked in your environment, cannot be authenticated, or the user explicitly asks for MCP.

- CLI link: https://neon.com/docs/cli/quickstart.md
- MCP link: https://neon.com/docs/ai/neon-mcp-server.md

### Selection order

1. Check the CLI first:
   - Run `neon --version` to confirm the CLI is installed.
   - Run `neon projects list` to confirm auth/context.
2. If the CLI is missing, direct installation via quickstart.
3. If the CLI is installed but not authenticated, guide the user through `neon auth` (or API key auth), then continue.
4. Switch to MCP when the CLI cannot be used — no CLI access in the environment, execution blocked, or authentication not possible — or when the user explicitly asks for MCP. Confirm Neon MCP tools are available and authenticated (for example, listing projects works), then follow the MCP branch flow below.
5. If neither path is successful, use the Neon REST API:
   - https://neon.com/docs/guides/branching-neon-api.md

### MCP branch flow

1. Choose normal vs schema-only based on data sensitivity and migration-testing goals.
2. Use branch tools (for example, `create_branch`) to create the branch.
3. Validate with read tools (for example, `describe_branch`).
4. For migration workflows, prefer branch-based migration flows before applying to main.

## Create a Normal Branch (Preferred for Real-Data Migration Testing)

Use this when the user needs realistic testing conditions.
Real production-like data can expose edge cases your seed or data migration scripts miss, which helps catch migration issues before going live.

Link: https://neon.com/docs/introduction/branching.md

### Steps

1. Settle the tool path first (see [Selection order](#selection-order)): verify the CLI with `neon --version`, and fall back to MCP only if the CLI isn't usable.
2. Ensure project context is set (`neon set-context --project-id <your-project-id>`) or include `--project-id` on commands.
3. Create the branch:

   ```bash
   neon branches create \
     --name <branch-name> \
     --parent <parent-branch-id-or-name> \
     --expires-at 2026-12-15T18:02:16Z
   ```

4. Optionally fetch a connection string for the new branch:

   ```bash
   neon connection-string <branch-name>
   ```

## Create a Schema-Only Branch (Beta, Sensitive Data)

Use this when users must not copy production rows into the test branch.

Link: https://neon.com/docs/guides/branching-schema-only.md

### Steps

1. Settle the tool path first (see [Selection order](#selection-order)): verify the CLI with `neon --version`, and fall back to MCP only if the CLI isn't usable.
2. Create the schema-only branch:

   ```bash
   neon branches create \
     --name <schema-only-branch-name> \
     --parent <parent-branch-id-or-name> \
     --schema-only \
     --expires-at 2026-12-15T18:02:16Z
   ```

   If multiple projects exist, include `--project-id`:

   ```bash
   neon branches create \
     --name <schema-only-branch-name> \
     --parent <parent-branch-id-or-name> \
     --schema-only \
     --project-id <your-project-id> \
     --expires-at 2026-12-15T18:02:16Z
   ```

### Beta Support Guidance (Mandatory)

Schema-only branching is in Beta. If users report unexpected behavior, errors, or missing capabilities:

1. Ask them to share feedback in the Neon Console:
   - https://console.neon.tech/app/projects?modal=feedback
2. Recommend opening a support conversation in the Neon Discord:
   - https://neon.com/discord

## Reset from Parent

Use this when a child branch has drifted and the user wants a clean refresh from the parent branch's latest schema and data.

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