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Database Commands

The genie db command group manages the embedded PostgreSQL instance (pgserve) that backs Genie’s task store, agent registry, schedules, and more.
Genie requires pgserve >=1.1.10 (bumped 2026-04-20).

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genie db status

Show pgserve health, port, data directory, and table counts.
Outputs connection info, running state, and a summary of how many rows exist in each core table.

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genie db migrate

Run pending database migrations.
Applies any unapplied migrations in order. Safe to run multiple times — already-applied migrations are skipped.

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genie db query

Execute arbitrary SQL and print results.
This runs raw SQL against the Genie database. Write queries (INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE) will modify data directly — use with care.

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genie db backup

Dump the database to a compressed snapshot file.
Creates a backup at ~/.genie/snapshot.sql.gz.

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genie db restore

Restore the database from a backup snapshot.
If no file is specified, restores from the default ~/.genie/snapshot.sql.gz.
This replaces the current database contents with the snapshot data. Make sure to back up first if you have unsaved state.

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genie db url

Print the PostgreSQL connection URL for direct access with external tools.

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Danger zone

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genie-wipe

Fresh-start local Genie state — wipes the embedded PostgreSQL data directory (and optionally worktrees, teams, state, logs, wishes, brainstorms, and/or user config) to emulate a new-user experience. genie-wipe is a repo-local script, not a top-level genie subcommand. Invoke it with bun from a Genie checkout:
This is destructive. Running with --apply permanently deletes ~/.genie/data/pgserve — the full database — and anything else covered by the flags you pass. There is no undo. Back up first with genie db backup if you need to preserve state.
What gets wiped
  • Always: ~/.genie/data/pgserve (full DB reset — migrations re-run on next connect).
  • With --full: ~/.genie/worktrees, teams, state, spawn-scripts, logs, wishes, brainstorms.
  • With --config: ~/.genie/config.json, pgserve.port, serve.pid, brain-version-check.json.
What is preserved (unless --config is passed): ~/.genie/config.json, tmux.conf, installer-owned scripts, shell history, and any repos outside ~/.genie/worktrees.
Recovery: the script itself does not restart anything. The next genie <verb> call (e.g. genie serve start) auto-starts a fresh pgserve and re-runs all migrations. If --full was used, genie team ls and genie task list will come up empty — you are effectively a new user.