---
title: Database
---

This page covers database mode selection for OpenReader WebUI.

## Database mode

- SQLite (default): embedded DB at `docstore/sqlite3.db`; good for local/self-host single-instance setups.
- Postgres: enabled when `POSTGRES_URL` is set; recommended for production/distributed deployments.

## What the database stores

- Document and audiobook metadata/state used by server routes.
- Auth/session tables when auth is enabled.

## Related variables

- `POSTGRES_URL`

For database variable behavior, see [Environment Variables](../reference/environment-variables#database-and-object-blob-storage).

## Related docs

- [Migrations](./migrations)
- [Object / Blob Storage](./object-blob-storage)