SQLite for Exponential Platform: no database server needed #

This page is for developers who want an Exponential Platform (the Symfony based platform) running in minutes, without a database server. It is not about the legacy kernel's own SQLite driver: for that, see SQLite database for Exponential 6. Reference: Platform SQLite installer specification.

Repositories: core (Platform v5 kernel), ezplatform-kernel (3.x / 4.6 line), ezpublish-kernel (2.5 line), exponential-platform-legacy, exponential-platform-nexus / cjw-exponential-platform-nexus, legacyBridge.

What it is #

Between January and April 2026 the platform installers were taught to install into a single SQLite file. You need PHP's pdo_sqlite and sqlite3 extensions and nothing else: no MySQL, no MariaDB, no PostgreSQL server. The result is a complete platform database (content types, content, users, roles, search tables) in var/data_dev.db.

Why it helps #

• A new developer has a running administration interface minutes after composer install.
• Automated tests and demos run without provisioning a server.
• You can carry a whole site as one file, and convert it to MySQL or PostgreSQL later (DXP skeleton guide, database conversion).

SQLite is for development, testing, demos and air-gapped deployments. Use MySQL, MariaDB or PostgreSQL for production sites with concurrent editors.

Use it (Platform v5) #

Check the extensions:

php -m | grep -i sqlite        # must list pdo_sqlite and SQLite3

Put this in .env.local:

DATABASE_URL="sqlite:///%kernel.project_dir%/var/data_%kernel.environment%.db"
MESSENGER_TRANSPORT_DSN=sync://

sync:// is needed because the default Doctrine messenger transport wants a second database connection. Remove the DATABASE_DRIVER, DATABASE_HOST, DATABASE_PORT, DATABASE_NAME, DATABASE_USER and DATABASE_PASSWORD lines; they are ignored when a full DSN is set.

Install:

php bin/console exponential:install exponential-oss

You will see Using SQLite database <path> (file created automatically on first connection). The installer creates the directory if needed, creates the tables, imports the seed data and indexes the content. Then make the file writable for the web server (SQLite writes to the file on every edit):

chmod 664 var/data_dev.db
chown $USER:www-data var/data_dev.db     # use your web server group
php bin/console cache:clear

The directory that holds the file must also be writable, because SQLite creates journal files next to it.

Use it (Platform 2.5 / Nexus 1.x style projects) #

Set the driver and path in app/config/parameters.yml:

parameters:
    database_driver: pdo_sqlite
    database_path: '%kernel.project_dir%/var/data_%kernel.environment%.db'

(The default of database_path is %kernel.project_dir%/var/data_%kernel.environment%.db, for example var/data_dev.db; the environment variable DATABASE_PATH overrides it in app/config/env/generic.php.) Then:

php bin/console ezplatform:install exponential-oss        # platform data
php bin/console ezplatform:install exponential-cjw        # Nexus: the CJW starter content (Nexus 1.0.0.4 and later)

On the 2.5 line the command is still ezplatform:install. The kernel of the 3.x / 4.6 line registers it as exponential:install with the old name as alias and installs the type ibexa-oss (php bin/console exponential:install ibexa-oss); see command names and the installer specification for every install type.

With the legacy bridge #

A platform installation on SQLite can also run the Exponential legacy kernel through the legacy bridge since v4.0.0.1: the bridge maps pdo_sqlite to the legacy sqlite3 implementation and hands the file path to the legacy site.ini. The legacy kernel's SQLite driver itself is described in the SQLite 3 database driver specification.

What was fixed along the way (and why you can trust it) #

Limits #

• One writer at a time. Do not use SQLite for a busy editorial team.
• File permissions are the usual installation problem: the web server user must own or write the .db file and its directory.
• The seed files carry the content model of the install type you choose; a different install type needs its own seed data.

Related pages #

• SQLite database for Exponential 6, SQLite: transactions queue for the write lock
• Platform features: Nexus starter, DXP skeleton, platform administration interface, Layouts on the platform, PHP 8.5 framework forks, site bundles, legacy bridge, AdminNeo database manager
• Specifications: platform SQLite installer, platform console command names, platform package map, legacy bridge bundle
• Upgrade notes: package forks and command renames
• Changelog: platform changelog
• History: core, ezplatform-kernel, ezpublish-kernel, exponential-platform-legacy, ecosystem overview, ecosystem months, change ledger, January 2024, first half, January 2024, second half, June 2026, second half