migrating-to-db

Migrating to Logseq DB

When to Use This Skill

This skill auto-invokes when:

• User asks about migrating from Logseq MD to DB version
• Converting markdown graphs to database format
• Import/export between Logseq versions
• Questions about what transfers during migration
• Namespace handling during migration
• Tag-to-class conversion decisions
• Property type inference during import
• User mentions "migrate", "convert", "MD to DB", "markdown to database"

You are an expert in migrating Logseq graphs from MD (Markdown) format to DB (Database) format.

Migration Overview

Why Migrate?

Feature	MD Version	DB Version
Storage	Markdown files	SQLite database
Tags	Page references	Classes with properties
Properties	Text strings	Typed values
Queries	Limited	Full Datalog
Sync	File-based	Real-time (subscription)
Performance	File I/O dependent	Optimized queries

Current Status (2024-2025)

Important: Logseq DB is still in alpha. Consider:

• Data loss risk exists
• Some features not yet available (whiteboards)
• Plugin compatibility varies
• Requires subscription for sync

Pre-Migration Checklist

Before migrating, assess your graph:

1. Backup Everything

# Create timestamped backup
cp -r ~/logseq/my-graph ~/logseq/my-graph-backup-$(date +%Y%m%d)

# Or compress
tar -czvf my-graph-backup.tar.gz ~/logseq/my-graph

2. Audit Current Structure

Pages to review:

• Namespaced pages (a/b/c) → May become separate pages
• Pages with same name, different namespaces
• Template pages
• Query pages

Properties to review:

• Property formats (key:: value)
• Multi-value properties
• Date properties
• Linked properties ([[page]])

Tags to review:

• Simple tags (#tag)
• Page tags ([[tag]])
• Nested tags (#parent/child)

3. Identify Migration Decisions

MD Pattern	DB Options	Decision Needed
#tag	Class or page ref	Which tags become classes?
[[page]]	Node reference	Keep as reference
property:: value	Typed property	What type?
namespace/page	Separate page or hierarchy	Flatten or nest?

Migration Process

Step 1: Export from MD Version

1. Open your MD graph in Logseq
2. Go to Settings → Export
3. Choose Export to EDN (for full data)
4. Save the export file

Step 2: Prepare Import Settings

When importing to DB, you'll choose:

Tag Handling:

• Convert to classes: Tags become proper classes with inherited properties
• Keep as references: Tags remain simple page links

Namespace Handling:

• Flatten: a/b/c → single page "a/b/c"
• Hierarchical: Creates page hierarchy

Property Handling:

• Infer types: Logseq guesses types (number, date, etc.)
• All as text: Everything stays as strings

Step 3: Create New DB Graph

1. Create new DB-based graph in Logseq
2. Use Import feature
3. Select your exported data
4. Configure migration options
5. Review and confirm

Step 4: Post-Migration Validation

;; Check page count matches
[:find (count ?p)
 :where [?p :block/tags ?t]
        [?t :db/ident :logseq.class/Page]]

;; Check for orphaned blocks
[:find (pull ?b [:block/title])
 :where [?b :block/title _]
        (not [?b :block/page _])
        (not [?b :block/tags ?t]
             [?t :db/ident :logseq.class/Page])]

;; Verify properties migrated
[:find ?prop-name (count ?b)
 :where [?b ?prop _]
        [?p :db/ident ?prop]
        [?p :block/title ?prop-name]
        [(clojure.string/starts-with? (str ?prop) ":user.property")]]

Common Migration Issues

Issue 1: Lost Property Types

Symptom: Numbers/dates stored as strings

Solution: Manually update property types

;; In DB, update property type
{:db/ident :user.property/rating
 :logseq.property/type :number}  ; was :default

Issue 2: Tag/Class Confusion

Symptom: Tags didn't become proper classes

Solution: Convert pages to classes

1. Open the tag page
2. Add #Tag to make it a class
3. Define properties on the class

Issue 3: Broken References

Symptom: [[page]] links not working

Cause: Page names changed during migration

Solution: Use find/replace or query to identify broken refs

[:find ?ref-text
 :where
 [?b :block/title ?title]
 [(re-find #"\[\[.*?\]\]" ?title) ?ref-text]
 (not [_ :block/title ?ref-text])]

Issue 4: Namespace Flattening

Symptom: project/tasks and project/notes merged

Solution: Pre-migration, rename pages to avoid conflicts

Issue 5: Query Compatibility

Symptom: Old queries don't work

Reason: Different attribute names

MD Attribute	DB Attribute
:block/content	:block/title
:block/name	:block/title
:page/tags	:block/tags

Migration Strategies

Strategy 1: Big Bang Migration

• Migrate entire graph at once
• Best for: Small graphs, simple structure
• Risk: All-or-nothing

Strategy 2: Parallel Operation

• Keep MD graph active
• Create DB graph for new content
• Gradually move old content
• Best for: Large graphs, active use

Strategy 3: Selective Migration

• Export specific pages/areas
• Import into new DB graph
• Best for: Messy graphs needing cleanup

Best Practices

Before Migration

1. Clean up your graph

   • Remove unused pages
   • Standardize property names
   • Fix broken links

2. Document your structure

   • List all tags and their purposes
   • Document property meanings
   • Map namespaces

3. Plan your classes

   • Which tags become classes?
   • What properties do they need?
   • Define inheritance hierarchy

During Migration

1. Start small - Test with a subset
2. Compare counts - Pages, blocks, properties
3. Check critical pages - Most important content first
4. Verify queries - Update and test all queries

After Migration

1. Don't delete MD graph - Keep as backup
2. Monitor for issues - Note problems for feedback
3. Update workflows - Adapt to new features
4. Explore new capabilities - Classes, typed properties

Feature Comparison

Available in DB Version

• ✅ Typed properties (number, date, checkbox)
• ✅ Class inheritance
• ✅ Property schemas
• ✅ Full Datalog queries
• ✅ Real-time collaboration (Pro)
• ✅ Library view

Not Yet Available (Alpha)

• ⏳ Whiteboards
• ⏳ Some plugins
• ⏳ Full export options
• ⏳ Advanced templates

Different Behavior

• 📝 Tags = Classes (more powerful but different)
• 📝 Sync requires subscription
• 📝 File access limited (SQLite, not .md)

Resources

• Logseq DB Documentation
• DB Unofficial FAQ
• Migration Feedback Thread