{"id":5800,"date":"2025-08-21T08:53:37","date_gmt":"2025-08-21T15:53:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/?p=5800"},"modified":"2025-08-21T08:53:37","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T15:53:37","slug":"vscode-mssql-schema-container","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/vscode-mssql-schema-container\/","title":{"rendered":"MSSQL Extension for VS Code: Schema Compare, Schema Designer, Local SQL Server Container GA"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\">The <a href=\"http:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>MSSQL Extension for VS Code<\/strong><\/a> continues to evolve, delivering features that make SQL development more visual, more consistent, and more developer-friendly. In version v1.35.0, we\u2019re announcing the General Availability (GA) of <span class=\"s1\"><b>Schema Designer<\/b><\/span>, <span class=\"s1\"><b>Schema Compare<\/b><\/span>, and <span class=\"s1\"><b>Local SQL Server Containers<\/b><\/span> \u2014 three powerful tools that bring structure, clarity, and flexibility to your local development workflow.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what\u2019s-new-in-mssql-extension-for-vs-code-v1.33\"><b>What\u2019s new in MSSQL extension for VS Code v1.35<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">This release introduces three major capabilities designed to streamline the SQL development experience:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Schema Compare (General Availability)<\/b><\/span> \u2014 Compare schemas across databases or database projects and apply changes with confidence. The intuitive diff view helps you track differences and update objects with just a few clicks.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Schema Designer (General Availability)<\/b><\/span> \u2014 Visually design and manage your database schema. Create or edit tables, relationships, and constraints through an interactive UI\u2014perfect for code-first or hybrid development workflows.<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Local SQL Server Container (General Availability)<\/b><\/span> \u2014 Provision local SQL Server containers directly from the extension. Run SQL Server 2025 with AI-ready features, configure ports and versions, and manage containers without touching Docker&#8217;s CLI or desktop app.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\">In addition to these major features, this release includes multiple quality and performance improvements:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\">Fixed an issue where Microsoft Entra ID sign-in in the Connection Dialog could result in empty account or tenant dropdowns<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Improved performance and usability of the query results grid, including fixes for export and display issues<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Improved localization in Object Explorer and other UI elements<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Fixed multiple accessibility issues affecting error messages and visual feedback<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\">Addressed edge case errors in GitHub Copilot Agent Mode when switching connections<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"github-copilot-agent-mode-(public-preview)\"><b>Schema Compare (GA)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Schema Compare was announced <a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-docs\/schema-compare\">Public Preview<\/a> in April this year, featuring a powerful new addition to streamline your database development workflow. With Schema Compare, you can effortlessly compare database schemas, pinpoint differences, and apply updates seamlessly between databases or files. Today, we&#8217;re excited to announce that Schema Compare is now Generally Available (GA). This milestone delivers significant usability improvements driven directly by community feedback, making the feature more intuitive and user-friendly.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\">Bug fixes and refinements: Schema Compare file saves options, switch direction enabled without populated comparison, show profile names, remember previous type selection.<\/li>\n<li>Enhanced option settings now include include\/exclude functionality.<\/li>\n<li>Visual and usability enhancements\n<ul>\n<li>Object view enhanced UI for listing names.<\/li>\n<li>Dropdown option styling for lighter themes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here&#8217;s Schema Compare in action, showing how easy and intuitive it is to discover and apply changes to your schemas:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/08\/SchemaCompareDemo-1-7.gif\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5839\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/08\/SchemaCompareDemo-1-7.gif\" alt=\"Schema Compare demo\" width=\"1669\" height=\"863\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Learn More:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\ud83c\udfa5 Watch the demo &#8211;\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-schema-compare-demo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-schema-compare-demo<\/a><\/li>\n<li>\ud83d\udcdd Microsoft Learn Doc &#8211;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-docs\/schema-compare\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-docs\/schema-compare<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"github-copilot-agent-mode-(public-preview)\"><b>Schema Designer (GA)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p>Schema Designer was announced <a href=\"https:\/\/learn.microsoft.com\/en-us\/sql\/tools\/visual-studio-code-extensions\/mssql\/mssql-schema-designer?view=sql-server-ver17\">Public Preview<\/a> in June this year, introducing an interactive database diagramming experience in VS Code. With it, you can view, design, and modify database schemas visually &#8211; without writing T-SQL code. Today, we\u2019re excited to share that Schema Designer is now Generally Available (GA). This milestone reflects months of community feedback, with a strong focus on improving both reliability and usability.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-start=\"603\" data-end=\"704\">Fast loading and performance improvements<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"705\" data-end=\"1083\">Visual and usability enhancements\n<ul data-start=\"749\" data-end=\"1083\">\n<li data-start=\"749\" data-end=\"805\">Collapse\/expand button for tables with many columns.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"808\" data-end=\"877\">Foreign-key icons to clearly distinguish them from other columns.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"880\" data-end=\"1002\">Relationship visibility after filtering, so you can still see underlying schema connections when focusing on a subset.<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1005\" data-end=\"1083\">Tooltips on truncated table\/column names to reveal the full name on hover.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1084\" data-end=\"1332\">Bug fixes and refinements: Restored relationship-line visibility, support for self-referencing foreign keys, enhanced auto-arrange behavior for diagrams, clearer export options.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Here\u2019s how easy it is to view and design your schema, with tables connected by lines to represent table relationships:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/08\/schemadesigner.gif\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5822\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/08\/schemadesigner.gif\" alt=\"A GIF showing Schema Designer in VS Code MSSQL extension showing table relationships, collapse\/expand columns, tooltips for long names, and table editing side pane.\" width=\"1858\" height=\"977\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Learn more:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\ud83c\udfa5 Watch the demo &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-docs\/schema-designer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-docs\/schema-designer<\/a><\/li>\n<li>\ud83d\udcdd Microsoft Learn Doc &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-schema-designer-demo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-schema-designer-demo<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"github-copilot-agent-mode-(public-preview)\"><b>Local SQL Server Container (GA)<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">You can now create and manage SQL Server containers locally\u2014without writing a single Docker command. The <span class=\"s1\"><b>Local SQL Server Container<\/b><\/span> experience in the MSSQL extension is now generally available, making it easier than ever to spin up a fully configured SQL Server instance for development, testing, and prototyping.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">By default, the container wizard uses <span class=\"s1\"><b>SQL Server 2025 (Public Preview)<\/b><\/span>, which includes native support for <span class=\"s1\">vector data types<\/span>, <span class=\"s1\">enhanced JSON functions<\/span>, and other <span class=\"s1\">AI-ready features<\/span>\u2014making it ideal for building modern, intelligent applications locally.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Key highlights<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"s1\"><b>Auto-connect<\/b><\/span>: A connection profile is automatically created and ready to use<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s1\"><b>Lifecycle controls<\/b><\/span>: Start, stop, restart, or delete containers from the connection panel<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s1\"><b>Docker environment checks<\/b><\/span>: Get notified if Docker isn\u2019t running or installed<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s1\"><b>Port conflict detection<\/b><\/span>: If port 1433 (the default SQL Server port) is already in use, the extension will automatically find and assign the next available port for your container.<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s1\"><b>Custom settings<\/b><\/span>: Define container name, hostname, and port via UI<\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s1\"><b>Other versions supported<\/b><\/span>: You can also choose to run a SQL Server 2022, 2019, or 2017 container.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\">This release also brings small but impactful usability improvements, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Progress indicator during image download<\/b><\/span>: Users now see clear visual feedback when the SQL Server container image is being pulled, reducing confusion during first-time setup or slow network conditions<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Step-by-step Docker checks<\/b><\/span>: The \u201cGetting Docker Ready\u201d section now shows each prerequisite check (e.g., Docker installed, Docker running) in a sequential and expanded view, with live status indicators for better transparency<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Containers remember the last-used version<\/b><\/span>, streamlining repeated testing workflows<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Auto-scrolling logs<\/b><\/span> keep container progress visible as it happens<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Improved UX around port conflict handling<\/b><\/span> to make setup more predictable and reliable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/08\/LocalContainer.gif\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5841\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2025\/08\/LocalContainer.gif\" alt=\"LocalContainer gif\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><b>Other updates<\/b><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">Beyond the headline features, version 1.35.0 delivers a set of updates that improve day-to-day development workflows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Improved Microsoft Entra ID sign-in experience<\/b><\/span>: Fixed an issue that could cause blank account or tenant dropdowns in the Connection Dialog<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>More responsive query results<\/b><\/span>: Enhanced performance and fixed bugs in the query grid, including export and display issues<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>New Text View mode<\/b><\/span>: You can now view query results as plain text for quick scanning or copy-pasting<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Session-based SQL Auth<\/b><\/span>: The extension now remembers SQL Authentication passwords during your current VS Code session (until restart)<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Improved localization<\/b><\/span>: UI elements such as Object Explorer now better respect VS Code language settings<\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>GitHub Copilot stability<\/b><\/span>: Addressed edge case errors that could occur when switching database connections during a chat session<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">The v1.35 release marks a major milestone with the general availability of Schema Designer, Schema Compare, and the Local SQL Server Container. Making the MSSQL extension more complete, visual, and local than ever. Combined with quality-of-life improvements across performance, accessibility, and query results, this update continues to simplify the way developers build and manage SQL Server databases inside Visual Studio Code.<\/p>\n<p>If there\u2019s something you\u2019d love to see in a future update, here\u2019s how you can contribute:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\ud83d\udcac <a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-discussions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GitHub discussions<\/a> \u2013 Share your ideas and suggestions to improve the extension<\/li>\n<li>\u2728 <a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-feature-request\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New feature requests<\/a> \u2013 Request missing capabilities and help shape future updates<\/li>\n<li>\ud83d\udc1e <a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-bug\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Report bugs<\/a> \u2013 Help us track down and fix issues to make the extension more reliable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\">Want to see these features in action?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><a href=\"http:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-docs\/schema-designer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Schema Designer demo<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-schema-compare-demo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Schema Compare demo<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-container-demo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Local SQL Server Container demo<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-demos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Full playlist of demos<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Thanks for being part of the journey\u2014happy coding! \ud83d\ude80<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The MSSQL Extension for VS Code continues to evolve, delivering features that make SQL development more visual, more consistent, and more developer-friendly. In version v1.35.0, we\u2019re announcing the General Availability (GA) of Schema Designer, Schema Compare, and Local SQL Server Containers \u2014 three powerful tools that bring structure, clarity, and flexibility to your local development [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":187531,"featured_media":5844,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,625],"tags":[529,548,449,660,683,693,692,558,682],"class_list":["post-5800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-azure-sql","category-vs-code","tag-azure-sql","tag-containers","tag-development","tag-schema-compare","tag-schema-designer","tag-schema-management","tag-sql-container","tag-vs-code","tag-vscode-mssql"],"acf":[],"blog_post_summary":"<p>The MSSQL Extension for VS Code continues to evolve, delivering features that make SQL development more visual, more consistent, and more developer-friendly. In version v1.35.0, we\u2019re announcing the General Availability (GA) of Schema Designer, Schema Compare, and Local SQL Server Containers \u2014 three powerful tools that bring structure, clarity, and flexibility to your local development [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5800","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/187531"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5800"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5800\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5844"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}