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How DBSnapper Works

DBSnapper transforms database snapshot management from a manual, error-prone process into an automated, secure workflow that integrates seamlessly with modern development practices.

The Developer Problem

Traditional approaches to database snapshots face critical challenges:

  • Security risks - Full production data exposed in development environments
  • Compliance violations - PII and sensitive data in the wrong hands
  • Manual overhead - Complex dump/restore processes that developers avoid
  • Team bottlenecks - Database admins become gatekeepers for realistic test data
  • Infrastructure sprawl - Multiple database instances for different teams and purposes

DBSnapper solves these problems with a three-step workflow that keeps your data secure while making realistic datasets accessible to your entire team.

DBSnapper Architecture
DBSnapper Architecture - Bring Your Own Infrastructure Security Model

The DBSnapper Workflow

Step 1: Snapshot - Capture Production Reality

Create point-in-time database snapshots with zero infrastructure changes.

DBSnapper connects to your existing databases using read-only credentials and creates compressed snapshots using native database tools (pg_dump, mysqldump). These snapshots capture the current state of your data, including schema, indexes, and relationships.

Key Benefits:

  • No infrastructure changes - Works with existing database setups
  • High-performance capture - Multi-core processing with configurable CPU usage
  • Schema filtering - Capture only the data you need (PostgreSQL)
  • Native compatibility - Uses standard database tools for maximum compatibility

Modern Integration:

  • CI/CD friendly - Automated snapshot creation in GitHub Actions
  • Container-ready - Run in Docker, Kubernetes, or serverless environments
  • Cloud storage - Automatic upload to your S3, R2, or other cloud storage

Step 2: Sanitize - Remove Sensitive Data

Transform production data into development-safe datasets automatically.

DBSnapper's sanitization engine removes or masks Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and other sensitive data using configurable SQL queries. The process maintains referential integrity while ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.

Advanced Sanitization Features:

  • Three-tier priority system - Target-specific, global, or file-based sanitization rules
  • Ephemeral processing - No persistent storage of sensitive data during sanitization
  • Template support - Use environment variables for dynamic sanitization
  • Base64 encoding - Handle complex SQL queries safely in configuration files

Compliance & Security:

  • GDPR/CCPA ready - Built-in patterns for common compliance requirements
  • Audit trails - Track what data was sanitized and when
  • Your infrastructure only - Sensitive data never leaves your environment
  • Encryption at rest - All configuration and snapshots encrypted with your keys

Step 3: Share - Distribute Securely

Enable your entire team to access realistic, sanitized data instantly.

Share sanitized snapshots through DBSnapper Cloud with fine-grained access control. Team members can discover, download, and load snapshots directly from their development environment without involving database administrators.

Team Collaboration Features:

  • SSO integration - Use your existing Okta, Auth0, or other SSO provider
  • Group-based access - Share snapshots with specific teams automatically
  • Presigned URLs - Secure, time-limited access to snapshot downloads
  • Multi-environment support - Different snapshots for staging, development, and testing

Developer Experience:

  • IDE integration - Load snapshots directly from VS Code
  • Command-line access - Simple dbsnapper load commands
  • Terraform provider - Infrastructure as Code for snapshot management
  • API access - Programmatic integration with your existing tools

Key Architectural Principles

🔒 Security by Design

Your Data Stays Yours - DBSnapper follows a "bring your own infrastructure" model. Your production data never leaves your environment during processing, and sanitized snapshots are stored in your own cloud storage accounts.

⚡ Performance Optimized

Multi-Core Processing - Configure CPU usage per target for optimal performance. PostgreSQL operations can leverage multiple cores for both snapshot creation and restoration.

🔧 Developer-First Experience

Zero-Config Operation - Complex database operations reduced to single commands. Whether you're using Docker, CI/CD pipelines, or your local machine, DBSnapper adapts to your workflow.

🏗️ Enterprise Ready

Scale with Your Team - From individual developers to large engineering organizations, DBSnapper scales with role-based access, audit trails, and integration with your existing security infrastructure.

Modern Development Integration

Continuous Integration

Automate snapshot creation in your CI/CD pipelines:

# GitHub Actions example
- uses: dbsnapper/install-dbsnapper-agent-action@v1
- run: dbsnapper sanitize production-db --new-set

Infrastructure as Code

Manage snapshots with Terraform:

resource "dbsnapper_target" "api_db" {
  name = "production-api"
  sanitization_rules = ["remove_pii.sql"]
  storage_profile = "team-s3"
}

AI Assistant Integration

Use the MCP server for AI-powered database operations:

dbsnapper mcp  # Start MCP server for Claude Desktop

Next Steps

Ready to implement this workflow in your environment?

  1. Install DBSnapper - Get started with the method that fits your setup
  2. Quick Start Guide - Choose your path and get running in minutes
  3. Join DBSnapper Cloud - Enable team collaboration and secure sharing

Questions? Check our Philosophy page to understand the principles behind DBSnapper's design, or dive into the Configuration Guide for advanced setup options.