+++
date = "2009-04-23"
title = "Compacting a SQLite3 DB file"
tags = ["General"]
slug = "compacting-a-sqlite3-db-file"
+++

If you have a lot of mutations in your SQLite3 database the file size of the db file will increase a lot over time.

This can be annoying, so you'll need to clean up old indices and other cruft that's making your db heavy.

The solution is über-easy:

```sh
$ sqlite3 mystuff.db
SQLite version 3.6.6.2
sqlite> VACUUM;
sqlite> .quit
```

Note that you need to use capitals here. This will clean your db file and reduce its file size dramatically (depending on the amount of cruft you have, of course).