How does Liquibase handle transactions during migration?

By default, Liquibase wraps each changeSet in a database transaction. If any change within a changeSet fails, the entire changeSet is rolled back and Liquibase stops. This transactional wrapper ensures that a changeSet either succeeds completely or leaves the database unchanged — partial application of a changeSet is prevented.

However, not all SQL statements can run inside a transaction in all databases. For example, CREATE INDEX CONCURRENTLY in PostgreSQL, DDL statements in Oracle (which auto-commit), and some MySQL table operations are not transactional. For these cases, Liquibase provides the runInTransaction attribute on a changeSet:

<changeSet id="create-index-concurrently" author="henry" runInTransaction="false">
    <sql>CREATE INDEX CONCURRENTLY idx_order_created ON "order"(created_at)</sql>
    <rollback>
        <sql>DROP INDEX IF EXISTS idx_order_created</sql>
    </rollback>
</changeSet>

Setting runInTransaction="false" means that if the changeSet fails mid-execution, the already-executed statements within it are not automatically rolled back — you may be left with a partially applied changeSet. This is an acceptable trade-off for operations that genuinely cannot run in a transaction (like concurrent index creation, which cannot hold a table lock for the duration of a transaction in PostgreSQL).

A changeSet with runInTransaction="false" should contain the minimum number of operations necessary, and the rollback block becomes critical since Liquibase will not automatically undo partial work if the changeSet fails.

Invest now in Acorns!!! 🚀
Join Acorns and get your $5 bonus!

Acorns is a micro-investing app that automatically invests your "spare change" from daily purchases into diversified, expert-built portfolios of ETFs. It is designed for beginners, allowing you to start investing with as little as $5. The service automates saving and investing. Disclosure: I may receive a referral bonus.

Invest now!!! Get Free equity stock (US, UK only)!

Use Robinhood app to invest in stocks. It is safe and secure. Use the Referral link to claim your free stock when you sign up!.

The Robinhood app makes it easy to trade stocks, crypto and more.

Webull! Receive free stock by signing up using the link: Webull signup.