Another important constraint to consider when using SQLite as your database engine is that you need to approach working with your production database differently than you might be used to.

For many web developers, it's common to use tools like TablePlus to connect directly over SSH to a production database when needed. Unfortunately, SQLite is just a file on disk and not a separate running process, which means you cannot simply SSH into your server and access it like you would with PostgreSQL or MySQL.

The Key Differences in Working with SQLite in Production

This is a notable limitation and requires a shift in workflow, especially if you're used to remotely managing a production database.

However, there are some advantages to this constraint.

I’ve worked at companies where developers accidentally deleted the production database because they mistakenly had TablePlus open to production instead of staging. When using SQLite, you are forced to restore a backup copy of the production database to your local machine for inspection or debugging.

This backup-first approach acts as a built-in safety mechanism, ensuring that no accidental deletions occur directly in production.

Understanding the Trade-Offs

While this workflow adjustment may feel inconvenient at first, it ultimately improves data security by preventing dangerous mistakes like:

• Running destructive queries on the wrong database
• Accidentally modifying production data
• Overwriting critical production records

That said, this limitation is worth understanding in advance if you choose to embrace the simplicity, speed, and operational efficiency of an SQLite-powered architecture.