Detaching Databases

After using attached databases, detach them when no longer needed.

This keeps query context clear and reduces mistakes.

Core Concepts

flowchart TD
  A[Attached DB in session] --> B[Use required queries]
  B --> C[DETACH DATABASE alias]
  C --> D[Verify with .databases]

Command	Purpose
`DETACH DATABASE alias;`	Remove one attached database from current connection
`.databases`	Confirm remaining attachments

-- Detach the database attached as archive.
DETACH DATABASE archive;

Expected output
No result rows; command succeeds silently in most cases.

-- Verify archive is no longer attached.
.databases

Expected output
`archive` no longer appears; `main` remains.

SQLite Nuance

Attach/detach scope is per connection. Closing sqlite3 ends all attachments automatically for that session.

Pitfall

Trying to detach with wrong alias name (file name is not the alias unless you set it that way).

Best Practice

Run .databases before detaching so you can copy the exact alias.

Attach temp.db as tmp, verify it appears, then detach it and verify again.

View Solution

ATTACH DATABASE 'temp.db' AS tmp;
.databases
DETACH DATABASE tmp;
.databases

Expected result
`tmp` appears after attach, then disappears after detach.