Run the local index in WAL mode with a busy timeout (closes #217)

The connection settings were passed as `_journal_mode=`-style
parameters, which the SQLite driver drops without an error, so the
index ran in rollback-journal mode with no busy timeout. `snapshot
list` or `info` reading during a backup could make the backup's next
write fail with "database is locked". Both open paths now pass
`_pragma=` parameters; foreign keys moved there too.

With WAL on, rows committed to the open index can still be in the
-wal file, which a copy of the main file misses. The metadata export
now copies the index with VACUUM INTO, into an empty 0600 file.

The retry after a failed open no longer claims a TRUNCATE recovery; it
retries with the same settings.

Model: opus-5-5

TODO.md

@@ -22,6 +22,15 @@ the tag exists and is exercised; what is left is merging `next` to
 
 # Completed Steps
 
+- 2026-10-06: Made the local index actually run in WAL mode with a busy
+  timeout ([issue #217](https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/vaultik/issues/217)).
+  The connection settings were written in a form the SQLite driver
+  ignores, so the index ran without either and `snapshot list` or `info`
+  during a backup could make the backup's next write fail with
+  `database is locked`. They are now `_pragma=` parameters, and the
+  metadata export copies the open index with `VACUUM INTO`, because a
+  copy of the file alone misses rows still in the `-wal` file.
+
 - 2026-10-06: Made a backup record the real uid and gid of files,
   directories and symlinks
   ([issue #216](https://git.eeqj.de/sneak/vaultik/issues/216)). The

docs/DATAMODEL.md

@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ This ensures consistency, especially important for operations like:
 
 3. **Batch Operations**: Where possible, operations are batched within transactions
 
-4. **Write-Ahead Logging**: SQLite WAL mode is enabled for better concurrency
+4. **Write-Ahead Logging**: The local index runs in SQLite WAL mode with a 10-second busy timeout, so a read-only command such as `snapshot list` can read it while a backup writes to it. Committed rows can sit in the `-wal` file beside the index until a checkpoint, so the metadata export copies the index through SQLite (`VACUUM INTO`), not as a file
 
 ## Data Integrity
 

internal/database/database.go

@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@ var schemaFS embed.FS
 // table itself. It is applied before the normal migration loop.
 const bootstrapVersion = 0
 
+// busyTimeoutMs is how long a connection to the index waits for another
+// connection's lock before failing with "database is locked".
+const busyTimeoutMs = 10000
+
 // DB represents the Vaultik local index database connection.
 // It uses SQLite to track file metadata, content-defined chunks, and blob associations.
 // The database enables incremental backups by detecting changed files and
@@ -94,10 +98,27 @@ func ParseMigrationVersion(filename string) (int, error) {
 	return version, nil
 }
 
+// indexDSN returns the driver DSN that opens the database at path. The
+// driver runs each _pragma parameter on every connection it opens and drops
+// any parameter it does not know without an error, so a setting written in
+// another form silently does nothing. In WAL mode one connection can write
+// while others read; the busy timeout makes a connection wait for a lock
+// instead of failing at once.
+func indexDSN(path string) string {
+	return fmt.Sprintf(
+		"%s?_pragma=busy_timeout(%d)&_pragma=journal_mode(WAL)"+
+			"&_pragma=synchronous(NORMAL)&_pragma=foreign_keys(1)",
+		path, busyTimeoutMs)
+}
+
 // New creates a new database connection at the specified path.
-// It creates the schema if needed and configures SQLite with WAL mode for
+// It creates the schema if needed. Every connection runs in WAL mode with
-// better concurrency. SQLite handles crash recovery automatically when
+// a busy timeout and foreign keys on (see indexDSN), so a read-only command
-// opening a database with journal/WAL files present.
+// can read the index while a backup writes to it. Committed rows can sit in
+// the -wal file beside the database until a checkpoint, so a copy of the
+// database file alone may miss them.
+// SQLite handles crash recovery automatically when opening a database with
+// journal/WAL files present.
 // The path parameter can be a file path for persistent storage or ":memory:"
 // for an in-memory database (useful for testing).
 func New(ctx context.Context, path string) (*DB, error) {
@@ -110,11 +131,7 @@ func New(ctx context.Context, path string) (*DB, error) {
 	// First attempt with standard WAL mode
 	log.Debug("Attempting to open database with WAL mode", "path", path)
 
-	conn, err := sql.Open(
+	conn, err := sql.Open("sqlite", indexDSN(path))
-		"sqlite",
-		path+"?_journal_mode=WAL&_synchronous=NORMAL&_busy_timeout=10000"+
-			"&_locking_mode=NORMAL&_foreign_keys=ON",
-	)
 	if err == nil {
 		configureConnPool(conn)
 
@@ -134,8 +151,8 @@ func New(ctx context.Context, path string) (*DB, error) {
 		_ = conn.Close()
 	}
 
-	// If first attempt failed, try with TRUNCATE mode to clear any locks
+	// If the first attempt failed, try once more
-	return openWithRecovery(ctx, path)
+	return retryOpen(ctx, path)
 }
 
 // configureConnPool serializes all database access through one connection.
@@ -147,18 +164,12 @@ func configureConnPool(conn *sql.DB) {
 	conn.SetMaxIdleConns(1)
 }
 
-// finishOpen enables foreign keys, wraps the connection, and applies any
+// finishOpen wraps the connection and applies any pending migrations. On
-// pending migrations. On migration failure the connection is closed.
+// migration failure the connection is closed.
 func finishOpen(ctx context.Context, conn *sql.DB, path string) (*DB, error) {
-	// Enable foreign keys explicitly
-	_, err := conn.ExecContext(ctx, "PRAGMA foreign_keys = ON")
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Warn("Failed to enable foreign keys", "path", path, "error", err)
-	}
-
 	db := &DB{conn: conn, path: path}
 
-	err = applyMigrations(ctx, conn)
+	err := applyMigrations(ctx, conn)
 	if err != nil {
 		_ = conn.Close()
 
@@ -168,21 +179,15 @@ func finishOpen(ctx context.Context, conn *sql.DB, path string) (*DB, error) {
 	return db, nil
 }
 
-// openWithRecovery retries opening the database in TRUNCATE journal mode to
+// retryOpen makes a second attempt to open the database, with the same
-// clear stale locks, then switches back to WAL mode.
+// settings, after the first attempt failed, for example because another
-func openWithRecovery(ctx context.Context, path string) (*DB, error) {
+// process held a lock for longer than the busy timeout.
-	log.Info(
+func retryOpen(ctx context.Context, path string) (*DB, error) {
-		"Database appears locked, attempting recovery with TRUNCATE mode",
+	log.Info("Database appears locked, retrying open", "path", path)
-		"path", path,
-	)
 
-	conn, err := sql.Open(
+	conn, err := sql.Open("sqlite", indexDSN(path))
-		"sqlite",
-		path+"?_journal_mode=TRUNCATE&_synchronous=NORMAL&_busy_timeout=10000"+
-			"&_foreign_keys=ON",
-	)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("opening database in recovery mode: %w", err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("opening database on retry: %w", err)
 	}
 
 	configureConnPool(conn)
@@ -190,28 +195,18 @@ func openWithRecovery(ctx context.Context, path string) (*DB, error) {
 	err = conn.PingContext(ctx)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Debug(
-			"Failed to ping database in recovery mode, closing",
+			"Failed to ping database on retry, closing",
 			"path", path, "error", err,
 		)
 
 		_ = conn.Close()
 
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf(
-			"database still locked after recovery attempt: %w",
+			"database still locked on retry: %w",
 			err,
 		)
 	}
 
-	log.Debug("Database opened in TRUNCATE mode", "path", path)
-
-	// Switch back to WAL mode
-	log.Debug("Switching database back to WAL mode", "path", path)
-
-	_, err = conn.ExecContext(ctx, "PRAGMA journal_mode=WAL")
-	if err != nil {
-		log.Warn("Failed to switch back to WAL mode", "path", path, "error", err)
-	}
-
 	db, err := finishOpen(ctx, conn, path)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err

internal/database/database_test.go

@@ -120,6 +120,89 @@ func TestDatabaseConcurrentAccess(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// TestNewSetsJournalModeAndBusyTimeout checks that the connection settings
+// New passes reach SQLite. The driver drops a setting it does not recognise
+// without an error, so only reading the value back shows it took effect.
+func TestNewSetsJournalModeAndBusyTimeout(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	ctx := context.Background()
+
+	db, err := New(ctx, filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "index.db"))
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create database: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = db.Close() }()
+
+	var journalMode string
+
+	err = db.conn.QueryRowContext(ctx, "PRAGMA journal_mode").Scan(&journalMode)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("reading journal_mode: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if journalMode != "wal" {
+		t.Errorf("journal_mode = %q, want %q", journalMode, "wal")
+	}
+
+	var busyTimeout int
+
+	err = db.conn.QueryRowContext(ctx, "PRAGMA busy_timeout").Scan(&busyTimeout)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("reading busy_timeout: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if busyTimeout != busyTimeoutMs {
+		t.Errorf("busy_timeout = %d, want %d", busyTimeout, busyTimeoutMs)
+	}
+}
+
+// TestNewWriteSucceedsWhileAnotherHandleReads opens the same index twice,
+// as a read-only command does while a backup runs, and checks that a write
+// on one handle commits while the other is in the middle of a read.
+func TestNewWriteSucceedsWhileAnotherHandleReads(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	dbPath := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "index.db")
+
+	reader, err := New(ctx, dbPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to open reading handle: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = reader.Close() }()
+
+	writer, err := New(ctx, dbPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to open writing handle: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = writer.Close() }()
+
+	// The read lock taken by the SELECT is held until the transaction ends.
+	readTx, err := reader.BeginTx(ctx, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("beginning read transaction: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = readTx.Rollback() }()
+
+	var count int
+
+	err = readTx.QueryRowContext(ctx, "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM chunks").Scan(&count)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("reading chunks: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	_, err = writer.ExecWithLog(ctx,
+		"INSERT INTO chunks (chunk_hash, size) VALUES (?, ?)", "hash", 1024)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("write while another handle reads: %v", err)
+	}
+}
+
 func TestParseMigrationVersion(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Parallel()
 

internal/snapshot/export_perm_test.go

@@ -1,40 +1,48 @@
-//nolint:testpackage // exercises the unexported copyFile helper
+//nolint:testpackage // exercises the unexported copyDatabase helper
 package snapshot
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
 	"syscall"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/spf13/afero"
+	"sneak.berlin/go/vaultik/internal/database"
 )
 
-// TestCopyFileExportCopyMode verifies that the exported snapshot database
+// TestCopyDatabaseExportCopyMode verifies that the exported snapshot
-// copy is created owner-only (0600), even under a lenient 022 umask that
+// database copy is created owner-only (0600), even under a lenient 022
-// would otherwise leave a fresh file world-readable.
+// umask that would otherwise leave a fresh file world-readable.
 //
 //nolint:paralleltest // syscall.Umask is process-global; parallel tests would clash
-func TestCopyFileExportCopyMode(t *testing.T) {
+func TestCopyDatabaseExportCopyMode(t *testing.T) {
 	restore := syscall.Umask(0o022)
 	defer syscall.Umask(restore)
 
+	ctx := context.Background()
 	dir := t.TempDir()
 
 	src := filepath.Join(dir, "index.sqlite")
 
-	err := os.WriteFile(src, []byte("index data"), 0o600)
+	db, err := database.New(ctx, src)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("creating source index: %v", err)
 	}
 
+	err = db.Close()
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("closing source index: %v", err)
+	}
+
 	dst := filepath.Join(dir, "snapshot.db")
 
 	sm := &SnapshotManager{fs: afero.NewOsFs()}
 
-	err = sm.copyFile(src, dst)
+	err = sm.copyDatabase(ctx, src, dst)
 	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("copyFile: %v", err)
+		t.Fatalf("copyDatabase: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	info, err := os.Stat(dst)

internal/snapshot/snapshot.go

@@ -386,12 +386,12 @@ func (sm *SnapshotManager) prepareExportDB(
 	ctx context.Context, dbPath, snapshotID, tempDir string,
 ) ([]byte, string, error) {
 	// Step 1: Copy database to temp file
-	// The main database should be closed at this point
+	// The main database is still open here, so it is copied through SQLite
 	tempDBPath := filepath.Join(tempDir, "snapshot.db")
 	log.Debug("Copying database to temporary location",
 		"source", dbPath, "destination", tempDBPath)
 
-	err := sm.copyFile(dbPath, tempDBPath)
+	err := sm.copyDatabase(ctx, dbPath, tempDBPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, "", fmt.Errorf("copying database: %w", err)
 	}
@@ -648,9 +648,10 @@ func (sm *SnapshotManager) collectCleanupStats(
 //
 // VACUUM runs through the modernc.org/sqlite driver, on a freshly opened
 // connection with no transaction in flight (VACUUM cannot run inside one).
-// The database opens in WAL mode, so VACUUM's rewrite lands in the WAL; the
+// database.New opens the file in WAL mode, so VACUUM's rewrite lands in the
-// checkpoint on Close flushes it into the main file, which is the file we
+// -wal file. This is the only connection to the file, so closing it
-// then compress and upload.
+// checkpoints the rewrite into the main file and removes the -wal file; the
+// main file is the one compressFile then compresses and uploads.
 func (sm *SnapshotManager) vacuumDatabase(ctx context.Context, dbPath string) error {
 	log.Debug("Running VACUUM on database", "path", dbPath)
 
@@ -744,26 +745,15 @@ func (sm *SnapshotManager) compressFile(inputPath, outputPath string) error {
 // user; it holds the same private index data as the local index file.
 const exportCopyPerm = 0o600
 
-// copyFile copies a file from src to dst. The destination is the exported
+// copyDatabase copies the database at src to dst with VACUUM INTO. It reads
-// snapshot database, so it is created owner-only rather than with the
+// through SQLite, so the copy holds rows committed to src that are still in
-// umask-dependent default.
+// its -wal file, which a copy of the file alone would miss. The destination
-func (sm *SnapshotManager) copyFile(src, dst string) error {
+// is the exported snapshot database, so it is created empty and owner-only
-	log.Debug("Opening source file for copy", "path", src)
+// first rather than with the umask-dependent default: VACUUM INTO writes
-
+// into an existing empty file and keeps its mode.
-	sourceFile, err := sm.fs.Open(src)
+func (sm *SnapshotManager) copyDatabase(
-	if err != nil {
+	ctx context.Context, src, dst string,
-		return err
+) error {
-	}
-
-	defer func() {
-		log.Debug("Closing source file", "path", src)
-
-		err := sourceFile.Close()
-		if err != nil {
-			log.Debug("Failed to close source file", "path", src, "error", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
 	log.Debug("Creating destination file", "path", dst)
 
 	destFile, err := sm.fs.OpenFile(
@@ -773,23 +763,28 @@ func (sm *SnapshotManager) copyFile(src, dst string) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	defer func() {
+	err = destFile.Close()
-		log.Debug("Closing destination file", "path", dst)
-
-		err := destFile.Close()
-		if err != nil {
-			log.Debug("Failed to close destination file", "path", dst, "error", err)
-		}
-	}()
-
-	log.Debug("Copying file data")
-
-	n, err := io.Copy(destFile, sourceFile)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	log.Debug("File copy complete", "bytes_copied", n)
+	db, err := database.New(ctx, src)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("opening database to copy: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() {
+		cerr := db.Close()
+		if cerr != nil {
+			log.Debug("Failed to close database after copy",
+				"path", src, "error", cerr)
+		}
+	}()
+
+	_, err = db.ExecWithLog(ctx, "VACUUM INTO ?", dst)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("running VACUUM INTO: %w", err)
+	}
 
 	return nil
 }

internal/snapshot/snapshot_test.go

@@ -188,6 +188,77 @@ func TestVacuumDatabaseRemovesDeletedData(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// TestPrepareExportDBKeepsRowsCommittedToOpenIndex exports from an index
+// that is still open, as a backup does. A row committed there can still be
+// in the index's -wal file, and the export must hold it all the same.
+func TestPrepareExportDBKeepsRowsCommittedToOpenIndex(t *testing.T) {
+	log.Initialize(log.Config{})
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	ctx := context.Background()
+	fs := afero.NewOsFs()
+
+	dbPath := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "index.sqlite")
+
+	db, err := database.New(ctx, dbPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create database: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = db.Close() }()
+
+	repos := database.NewRepositories(db)
+
+	snapshot := &database.Snapshot{ID: "open-index-snapshot", Hostname: "test-host"}
+
+	err = repos.WithTx(ctx, func(ctx context.Context, tx *sql.Tx) error {
+		return repos.Snapshots.Create(ctx, tx, snapshot)
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to create snapshot: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	sm := &SnapshotManager{
+		config: &config.Config{
+			CompressionLevel: 3,
+			AgeRecipients:    []string{testAgeRecipient},
+		},
+		fs: fs,
+	}
+
+	_, tempDBPath, err := sm.prepareExportDB(
+		ctx, dbPath, snapshot.ID.String(), t.TempDir())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("prepareExportDB failed: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	// Only the main database file is compressed and uploaded, so open a
+	// copy of that file alone.
+	uploadedPath := filepath.Join(t.TempDir(), "uploaded.db")
+
+	err = copyFile(fs, tempDBPath, uploadedPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to copy exported database: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	exported, err := database.OpenReadOnly(ctx, uploadedPath)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to open exported database: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	defer func() { _ = exported.Close() }()
+
+	got, err := database.NewRepositories(exported).Snapshots.GetByID(
+		ctx, snapshot.ID.String())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("failed to read snapshot from export: %v", err)
+	}
+
+	if got == nil {
+		t.Fatal("exported database is missing the snapshot row")
+	}
+}
+
 func TestCleanSnapshotDBEmptySnapshot(t *testing.T) {
 	// Initialize logger
 	log.Initialize(log.Config{})