django.db.migrations.exceptions.InconsistentMigrationHistory

python

django-migrations

migration-conflicts

database-management

byNikita Barsukov·Dec 8, 2024

The InconsistentMigrationHistory is a common Django issue that bobs up when the recorded migration history doesn't harmonize with the current database schema. Synchronize them with the following steps:

Backup your data, the last thing you want to be saying to your boss is "oops!"
Identify unapplied migrations by running python manage.py showmigrations.

Perform fake migrations on third-party apps:

python manage.py migrate --fake app_name  # Disguising as a Python...

If your migrations are the troublemakers, remove the troublesome entries from django_migrations, or annihilate the tables linked with them and reapply migrations.

Execute this SQL command for a quick cleanup:

DELETE FROM django_migrations WHERE name='your_migration_name';  # Make it vanish, effortlessly!

Ensure database consistency pre and post these operations to live happily ever after.

Unraveling complex migration issues

What if you're tangled with complex dependency issues or facing conundrums with a custom user model? Fear not:

In case of dependency conflicts, you might need to truncate django_migrations, but don't throw caution to the wind, always backup your data.
If necessary, don your detective hat and resolve migration histories manually, ensuring your application doesn’t lose its integrity (we got Sherlock here!).
Got a custom user model? Set the stage properly. Each field in your model needs its initial migration dependencies managed like a maestro.

Now if all these fail and you wrongly clicked the self-destruct button:

Deleting db.sqlite3 is the nuclear option. Backup before you count backward from 10.
Removing migrations and _pycache_ folders indicates a fresh start, but remember, it's like wiping your memory; you'll have to learn walking all over again!

Going around django.contrib.admin

What if InconsistentMigrationHistory is playing a game of hide and seek due to conflicts with django.contrib.admin? Not to worry:

Temporarily comment out django.contrib.admin in INSTALLED_APPS and its pathway in urls.py.
Run your migrations untroubled with python manage.py migrate.
Once victorious, bring django.contrib.admin out of the comment zone.

Because even django.contrib.admin needs a brief vacation!

Merge, baby, merge!

Facing merge conflicts in migration files? Time to call upon the mighty makemigrations --merge command, your peace broker that reconciles conflicting migrations.