---
title: SQLite Store
description: Lightweight SQLite backend using Grove ORM with sqlitedriver.
---

The SQLite store (`store/sqlite`) provides a lightweight, embedded backend using the [Grove ORM](https://github.com/xraph/grove) with `sqlitedriver`. It implements the full `store.Store` composite interface and is well-suited for single-process deployments, local development, and testing.

## Setup

```go
import (
    "github.com/xraph/grove"
    "github.com/xraph/grove/drivers/sqlitedriver"
    "github.com/xraph/cortex/store/sqlite"
)

// Open a SQLite connection via Grove's sqlitedriver.
db := grove.Open(sqlitedriver.New("cortex.db"))

s := sqlite.New(db)
if err := s.Migrate(ctx); err != nil {
    log.Fatal(err)
}
```

## Internals

| Aspect | Detail |
|--------|--------|
| Driver | Grove ORM with `sqlitedriver` (SQLite) |
| Migrations | Grove migration orchestrator with programmatic migrations |
| Transactions | Database-level transactions via SQLite |

## Tables

The SQLite store creates the same tables as the PostgreSQL store:

| Table | Entity |
|-------|--------|
| `cortex_agents` | Agent configs |
| `cortex_skills` | Skills |
| `cortex_traits` | Traits |
| `cortex_behaviors` | Behaviors |
| `cortex_personas` | Personas |
| `cortex_runs` | Runs |
| `cortex_steps` | Steps |
| `cortex_tool_calls` | Tool calls |
| `cortex_memories` | Memories |
| `cortex_checkpoints` | Checkpoints |

## Composite store interface

The SQLite store implements all 8 sub-interfaces:

```go
type Store interface {
    agent.Store
    skill.Store
    trait.Store
    behavior.Store
    persona.Store
    run.Store
    memory.Store
    checkpoint.Store

    Migrate(ctx context.Context) error
    Ping(ctx context.Context) error
    Close() error
}
```

## Usage with engine

```go
eng, err := engine.New(
    engine.WithStore(s),
)
```

## When to use

- **Local development** -- single-file database, no server process required.
- **Testing** -- fast, isolated store with no external dependencies.
- **Embedded / single-process** -- CLI tools, desktop apps, or edge deployments.
- **CI pipelines** -- deterministic tests without a database container.