How do you perform migrations in EF Core?

Question

Utpal Vishwas · Answer

To perform migrations in EF Core, you use the EF Core CLI tools or
Package Manager Console to:
Create migration files (track model changes).Apply those changes to the database.
Basic EF Core Migration Workflow
1. Install EF Core Tools (if needed)
For CLI:
dotnet tool install --global dotnet-ef
2. Create Initial Migration
dotnet ef migrations add InitialCreate
This creates a Migrations/ folder with a snapshot of the model and SQL instructions to create tables.
3. Apply Migration to Database
dotnet ef database update
This runs the migration and updates your database schema accordingly.
When Models Change
1. Modify your C# models or DbContext.
2. Add a new migration:
dotnet ef migrations add AddPriceToProduct
3. Apply it:
dotnet ef database update
Full Example
Step 1: Define a model
public class Product
{
    public int Id { get; set; }
    public string Name { get; set; }
}
Step 2: Define a DbContext
public class AppDbContext : DbContext
{
    public DbSetandlt;Productandgt; Products { get; set; }
    public AppDbContext(DbContextOptionsandlt;AppDbContextandgt; options)
        : base(options) { }
}
Step 3: Register DbContext
builder.Services.AddDbContextandlt;AppDbContextandgt;(options =andgt;
    options.UseSqlServer(builder.Configuration.GetConnectionString("DefaultConnection")));
Step 4: Add and Apply Migration
dotnet ef migrations add InitialCreate
dotnet ef database update
Common Commands
Command
Purpose
dotnet ef migrations add andlt;Nameandgt;
Create a new migration
dotnet ef database update
Apply migrations to DB
dotnet ef migrations remove
Remove last (unapplied) migration
dotnet ef migrations list
List all migrations
dotnet ef database drop
Drop the database
Notes
Ensure your project includes a Microsoft.EntityFrameworkCore.Design package.Always review migration code before applying, especially in production.

interview

How do you perform migrations in EF Core?

Utpal Vishwas

Can you answer this question?

1 Answers

Basic EF Core Migration Workflow

When Models Change

Full Example

Common Commands

Notes

Liked By

Command	Purpose
`dotnet ef migrations add <Name>`	Create a new migration
`dotnet ef database update`	Apply migrations to DB
`dotnet ef migrations remove`	Remove last (unapplied) migration
`dotnet ef migrations list`	List all migrations
`dotnet ef database drop`	Drop the database