# Migrating alpha and beta data to v1 > Preview, back up, migrate, verify, and safely roll back pre-v1 local data. Normal v1 startup migrates an older Switchyard database automatically while holding the single-daemon lock. Before the first schema change, it runs SQLite `quick_check`, creates a consistent private backup named `switchyard.db.v.pre-v.bak`, verifies that backup, and only then applies ordered embedded migrations. A newer-than-supported database is never opened for mutation. For an explicit offline review: ```bash switchyard data inspect switchyard data backup --output /private/path/switchyard-before-v1.bak switchyard data migrate switchyard data migrate --write ``` `data inspect` and the default `data migrate` are read-only. `--write` refuses to run while `daemon.lock` exists. Stop Switchyard first; do not delete a live lock. The automatic backup is non-overwriting, so a failed prior attempt stays available for inspection rather than being replaced. Projects, accepted manifest snapshots, audit history, operations, workspaces, plugin registrations, and diagnostics remain in SQLite. Portable manifests remain in repositories. Browser settings remain in that browser, and desktop preferences remain in the platform application-config directory; neither is rewritten by database migration. Downgrade is restore-based, not a reverse mutation. Stop the daemon, keep the new database, restore the pre-migration backup to a separate data directory, and run the older matching binary against that copy. Never point an old binary at a newer schema; it will reject it. Verify the copy with `data inspect` before changing which data directory is active.