PlanetScale

PlanetScale Security Best Practices

Secure your PlanetScale database with these essential practices. From safe branching to connection security.

Verify your app follows these best practices automatically.

PlanetScale provides serverless MySQL with branching and safe migrations. These practices help you secure your database while using PlanetScale's workflow.

Quick Wins

Move connection strings to environment variables

Create scoped passwords for applications

Review organization member access

Use branches for schema changes

Check for SQL injection in application code

Security Best Practices

#1Use Scoped Passwords

critical

Create connection passwords with minimal permissions. Don't use admin passwords in applications.

Implementation

Create branch-specific passwords with read/write restrictions as needed

#2Store Connection Strings Securely

critical

Connection strings contain credentials. Use environment variables, never commit to code.

Implementation

Set DATABASE_URL as environment variable in your deployment platform

#3Use Safe Migrations

high

Deploy schema changes safely using PlanetScale's branch and deploy request workflow.

Implementation

Create branches for schema changes, use deploy requests for production

#4Enable Web Console Restrictions

high

Restrict who can access the database through PlanetScale's web console.

Implementation

Configure organization roles, limit console access to necessary team members

#5Use Separate Passwords per Environment

high

Create different connection passwords for development, staging, and production.

Implementation

Generate new passwords for each environment, store in environment variables

#6Enable Query Insights

medium

Monitor queries for performance issues and potential security concerns.

Implementation

Review Query Insights for unusual patterns or slow queries

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Admin password in application code

Why it's dangerous:

Admin passwords have full access if compromised

How to fix:

Create scoped passwords with minimal permissions

Direct schema changes in production

Why it's dangerous:

Can cause downtime or data issues

How to fix:

Use branch and deploy request workflow for all schema changes

Same password across environments

Why it's dangerous:

One compromised environment exposes others

How to fix:

Generate separate passwords for each environment

Verify Your PlanetScale App Security

Following best practices is the first step. Verify your app is actually secure with a comprehensive security scan.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is PlanetScale secure?

Yes, PlanetScale is used by major companies. Security depends on using scoped passwords, storing credentials properly, and using their safe migration workflow.

How do I safely change my schema?

Create a branch, make schema changes, create a deploy request, and merge to production. PlanetScale handles the migration safely with no downtime.

Can I restrict database access by IP?

PlanetScale uses credential-based authentication rather than IP restrictions. Use scoped passwords and organization roles to control access.

Related PlanetScale Security Resources

PlanetScale Security Overview PlanetScale Security Issues PlanetScale Security Risks Is PlanetScale Safe?

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Last updated: January 2026