diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 0939dc1..7260145 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 env/*
 __pycache__/*
 meshview/__pycache__/*
+alembic/__pycache__/*
 meshtastic/protobuf/*
 packets.db
 meshview-db.pid
@@ -9,3 +10,5 @@ meshview-web.pid
 config.ini
 screenshots/*
 python/nanopb
+__pycache__/
+*.pyc
diff --git a/ALEMBIC_SETUP.md b/ALEMBIC_SETUP.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0905673
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ALEMBIC_SETUP.md
@@ -0,0 +1,361 @@
+# Alembic Database Migration Setup
+
+This document describes the automatic database migration system implemented for MeshView using Alembic.
+
+## Overview
+
+The system provides automatic database schema migrations with coordination between the writer app (startdb.py) and reader app (web.py):
+
+- **Writer App**: Automatically runs pending migrations on startup
+- **Reader App**: Waits for migrations to complete before starting
+
+## Architecture
+
+### Key Components
+
+1. **`meshview/migrations.py`** - Migration management utilities
+   - `run_migrations()` - Runs pending migrations (writer app)
+   - `wait_for_migrations()` - Waits for schema to be current (reader app)
+   - `is_database_up_to_date()` - Checks schema version
+   - Migration status tracking table
+
+2. **`alembic/`** - Alembic migration directory
+   - `env.py` - Configured for async SQLAlchemy support
+   - `versions/` - Migration scripts directory
+   - `alembic.ini` - Alembic configuration
+
+3. **Modified Apps**:
+   - `startdb.py` - Writer app that runs migrations before MQTT ingestion
+   - `meshview/web.py` - Reader app that waits for schema updates
+
+## How It Works - Automatic In-Place Updates
+
+### ✨ Fully Automatic Operation
+
+**No manual migration commands needed!** The database schema updates automatically when you:
+1. Deploy new code with migration files
+2. Restart the applications
+
+### Writer App (startdb.py) Startup Sequence
+
+1. Initialize database connection
+2. Create migration status tracking table
+3. Set "migration in progress" flag
+4. **🔄 Automatically run any pending Alembic migrations** (synchronously)
+   - Detects current schema version
+   - Compares to latest available migration
+   - Runs all pending migrations in sequence
+   - Updates database schema in place
+5. Clear "migration in progress" flag
+6. Start MQTT ingestion and other tasks
+
+### Reader App (web.py) Startup Sequence
+
+1. Initialize database connection
+2. **Check database schema version**
+3. If not up to date:
+   - Wait up to 60 seconds (30 retries × 2 seconds)
+   - Check every 2 seconds for schema updates
+   - Automatically proceeds once writer completes migrations
+4. Once schema is current, start web server
+
+### 🎯 Key Point: Zero Manual Steps
+
+When you deploy new code with migrations:
+```bash
+# Just start the apps - migrations happen automatically!
+./env/bin/python startdb.py  # Migrations run here automatically
+./env/bin/python main.py     # Waits for migrations, then starts
+```
+
+**The database updates itself!** No need to run `alembic upgrade` manually.
+
+### Coordination
+
+The apps coordinate using:
+- **Alembic version table** (`alembic_version`) - Tracks current schema version
+- **Migration status table** (`migration_status`) - Optional flag for "in progress" state
+
+## Creating New Migrations
+
+### Using the helper script:
+
+```bash
+./env/bin/python create_migration.py
+```
+
+### Manual creation:
+
+```bash
+./env/bin/alembic revision --autogenerate -m "Description of changes"
+```
+
+This will:
+1. Compare current database schema with SQLAlchemy models
+2. Generate a migration script in `alembic/versions/`
+3. Automatically detect most schema changes
+
+### Manual migration (advanced):
+
+```bash
+./env/bin/alembic revision -m "Manual migration"
+```
+
+Then edit the generated file to add custom migration logic.
+
+## Running Migrations
+
+### Automatic (Recommended)
+
+Migrations run automatically when the writer app starts:
+
+```bash
+./env/bin/python startdb.py
+```
+
+### Manual
+
+To run migrations manually:
+
+```bash
+./env/bin/alembic upgrade head
+```
+
+To downgrade:
+
+```bash
+./env/bin/alembic downgrade -1  # Go back one version
+./env/bin/alembic downgrade base  # Go back to beginning
+```
+
+## Checking Migration Status
+
+Check current database version:
+
+```bash
+./env/bin/alembic current
+```
+
+View migration history:
+
+```bash
+./env/bin/alembic history
+```
+
+## Benefits
+
+1. **Zero Manual Intervention**: Migrations run automatically on startup
+2. **Safe Coordination**: Reader won't connect to incompatible schema
+3. **Version Control**: All schema changes tracked in git
+4. **Rollback Capability**: Can downgrade if needed
+5. **Auto-generation**: Most migrations created automatically from model changes
+
+## Migration Workflow
+
+### Development Process
+
+1. **Modify SQLAlchemy models** in `meshview/models.py`
+2. **Create migration**:
+   ```bash
+   ./env/bin/python create_migration.py
+   ```
+3. **Review generated migration** in `alembic/versions/`
+4. **Test migration**:
+   - Stop all apps
+   - Start writer app (migrations run automatically)
+   - Start reader app (waits for schema to be current)
+5. **Commit migration** to version control
+
+### Production Deployment
+
+1. **Deploy new code** with migration scripts
+2. **Start writer app** - Migrations run automatically
+3. **Start reader app** - Waits for migrations, then starts
+4. **Monitor logs** for migration success
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Migration fails
+
+Check logs in writer app for error details. To manually fix:
+
+```bash
+./env/bin/alembic current  # Check current version
+./env/bin/alembic history  # View available versions
+./env/bin/alembic upgrade head  # Try manual upgrade
+```
+
+### Reader app won't start (timeout)
+
+Check if writer app is running and has completed migrations:
+
+```bash
+./env/bin/alembic current
+```
+
+### Reset to clean state
+
+⚠️ **Warning: This will lose all data**
+
+```bash
+rm packets.db  # Or your database file
+./env/bin/alembic upgrade head  # Create fresh schema
+```
+
+## File Structure
+
+```
+meshview/
+├── alembic.ini                 # Alembic configuration
+├── alembic/
+│   ├── env.py                  # Async-enabled migration runner
+│   ├── script.py.mako          # Migration template
+│   └── versions/               # Migration scripts
+│       └── c88468b7ab0b_initial_migration.py
+├── meshview/
+│   ├── models.py               # SQLAlchemy models (source of truth)
+│   ├── migrations.py           # Migration utilities
+│   ├── mqtt_database.py        # Writer database connection
+│   └── database.py             # Reader database connection
+├── startdb.py                  # Writer app (runs migrations)
+├── main.py                     # Entry point for reader app
+└── create_migration.py         # Helper script for creating migrations
+```
+
+## Configuration
+
+Database URL is read from `config.ini`:
+
+```ini
+[database]
+connection_string = sqlite+aiosqlite:///packets.db
+```
+
+Alembic automatically uses this configuration through `meshview/migrations.py`.
+
+## Important Notes
+
+1. **Always test migrations** in development before deploying to production
+2. **Backup database** before running migrations in production
+3. **Check for data loss** - Some migrations may require data migration logic
+4. **Coordinate deployments** - Start writer before readers in multi-instance setups
+5. **Monitor logs** during first startup after deployment
+
+## Example Migrations
+
+### Example 1: Generated Initial Migration
+
+Here's what an auto-generated migration looks like (from comparing models to database):
+
+```python
+"""Initial migration
+
+Revision ID: c88468b7ab0b
+Revises: 
+Create Date: 2025-01-26 20:56:50.123456
+
+"""
+from alembic import op
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+
+# revision identifiers
+revision = 'c88468b7ab0b'
+down_revision = None
+branch_labels = None
+depends_on = None
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    # Upgrade operations
+    op.create_table('node',
+        sa.Column('id', sa.String(), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column('node_id', sa.BigInteger(), nullable=True),
+        # ... more columns
+        sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id')
+    )
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    # Downgrade operations
+    op.drop_table('node')
+```
+
+### Example 2: Manual Migration Adding a New Table
+
+We've included an example migration (`1717fa5c6545_add_example_table.py`) that demonstrates how to manually create a new table:
+
+```python
+"""Add example table
+
+Revision ID: 1717fa5c6545
+Revises: c88468b7ab0b
+Create Date: 2025-10-26 20:59:04.347066
+"""
+from typing import Sequence, Union
+from alembic import op
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    """Create example table with sample columns."""
+    op.create_table(
+        'example',
+        sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False, primary_key=True, autoincrement=True),
+        sa.Column('name', sa.String(length=100), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column('description', sa.Text(), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column('value', sa.Float(), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column('is_active', sa.Boolean(), nullable=False, server_default='1'),
+        sa.Column('created_at', sa.DateTime(), nullable=False, 
+                  server_default=sa.text('CURRENT_TIMESTAMP')),
+        sa.Column('updated_at', sa.DateTime(), nullable=True),
+        sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id')
+    )
+    
+    # Create an index on the name column for faster lookups
+    op.create_index('idx_example_name', 'example', ['name'])
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    """Remove example table."""
+    op.drop_index('idx_example_name', table_name='example')
+    op.drop_table('example')
+```
+
+**Key features demonstrated:**
+- Various column types (Integer, String, Text, Float, Boolean, DateTime)
+- Primary key with autoincrement
+- Nullable and non-nullable columns
+- Server defaults (for timestamps and booleans)
+- Creating indexes
+- Proper downgrade that reverses all changes
+
+**To test this migration:**
+
+```bash
+# Apply the migration
+./env/bin/alembic upgrade head
+
+# Check it was applied
+./env/bin/alembic current
+
+# Verify table was created
+sqlite3 packetsPL.db "SELECT sql FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' AND name='example';"
+
+# Roll back the migration
+./env/bin/alembic downgrade -1
+
+# Verify table was removed
+sqlite3 packetsPL.db "SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table' AND name='example';"
+```
+
+**To remove this example migration** (after testing):
+
+```bash
+# First make sure you're not on this revision
+./env/bin/alembic downgrade c88468b7ab0b
+
+# Then delete the migration file
+rm alembic/versions/1717fa5c6545_add_example_table.py
+```
+
+## References
+
+- [Alembic Documentation](https://alembic.sqlalchemy.org/)
+- [SQLAlchemy Documentation](https://docs.sqlalchemy.org/)
+- [Async SQLAlchemy](https://docs.sqlalchemy.org/en/20/orm/extensions/asyncio.html)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/alembic.ini b/alembic.ini
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..895e544
--- /dev/null
+++ b/alembic.ini
@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+# A generic, single database configuration.
+
+[alembic]
+# path to migration scripts
+# Use forward slashes (/) also on windows to provide an os agnostic path
+script_location = alembic
+
+# template used to generate migration file names; The default value is %%(rev)s_%%(slug)s
+# Uncomment the line below if you want the files to be prepended with date and time
+# see https://alembic.sqlalchemy.org/en/latest/tutorial.html#editing-the-ini-file
+# for all available tokens
+# file_template = %%(year)d_%%(month).2d_%%(day).2d_%%(hour).2d%%(minute).2d-%%(rev)s_%%(slug)s
+
+# sys.path path, will be prepended to sys.path if present.
+# defaults to the current working directory.
+prepend_sys_path = .
+
+# timezone to use when rendering the date within the migration file
+# as well as the filename.
+# If specified, requires the python>=3.9 or backports.zoneinfo library and tzdata library.
+# Any required deps can installed by adding `alembic[tz]` to the pip requirements
+# string value is passed to ZoneInfo()
+# leave blank for localtime
+# timezone =
+
+# max length of characters to apply to the "slug" field
+# truncate_slug_length = 40
+
+# set to 'true' to run the environment during
+# the 'revision' command, regardless of autogenerate
+# revision_environment = false
+
+# set to 'true' to allow .pyc and .pyo files without
+# a source .py file to be detected as revisions in the
+# versions/ directory
+# sourceless = false
+
+# version location specification; This defaults
+# to alembic/versions.  When using multiple version
+# directories, initial revisions must be specified with --version-path.
+# The path separator used here should be the separator specified by "version_path_separator" below.
+# version_locations = %(here)s/bar:%(here)s/bat:alembic/versions
+
+# version path separator; As mentioned above, this is the character used to split
+# version_locations. The default within new alembic.ini files is "os", which uses os.pathsep.
+# If this key is omitted entirely, it falls back to the legacy behavior of splitting on spaces and/or commas.
+# Valid values for version_path_separator are:
+#
+# version_path_separator = :
+# version_path_separator = ;
+# version_path_separator = space
+# version_path_separator = newline
+#
+# Use os.pathsep. Default configuration used for new projects.
+version_path_separator = os
+
+# set to 'true' to search source files recursively
+# in each "version_locations" directory
+# new in Alembic version 1.10
+# recursive_version_locations = false
+
+# the output encoding used when revision files
+# are written from script.py.mako
+# output_encoding = utf-8
+
+# sqlalchemy.url will be set programmatically from meshview config
+# sqlalchemy.url = driver://user:pass@localhost/dbname
+
+
+[post_write_hooks]
+# post_write_hooks defines scripts or Python functions that are run
+# on newly generated revision scripts.  See the documentation for further
+# detail and examples
+
+# format using "black" - use the console_scripts runner, against the "black" entrypoint
+# hooks = black
+# black.type = console_scripts
+# black.entrypoint = black
+# black.options = -l 79 REVISION_SCRIPT_FILENAME
+
+# lint with attempts to fix using "ruff" - use the exec runner, execute a binary
+# hooks = ruff
+# ruff.type = exec
+# ruff.executable = %(here)s/.venv/bin/ruff
+# ruff.options = --fix REVISION_SCRIPT_FILENAME
+
+# Logging configuration
+[loggers]
+keys = root,sqlalchemy,alembic
+
+[handlers]
+keys = console
+
+[formatters]
+keys = generic
+
+[logger_root]
+level = WARNING
+handlers = console
+qualname =
+
+[logger_sqlalchemy]
+level = WARNING
+handlers =
+qualname = sqlalchemy.engine
+
+[logger_alembic]
+level = INFO
+handlers =
+qualname = alembic
+
+[handler_console]
+class = StreamHandler
+args = (sys.stderr,)
+level = NOTSET
+formatter = generic
+
+[formatter_generic]
+format = %(levelname)-5.5s [%(name)s] %(message)s
+datefmt = %H:%M:%S
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/alembic/README b/alembic/README
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..98e4f9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/alembic/README
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Generic single-database configuration.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/alembic/env.py b/alembic/env.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..757ec03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/alembic/env.py
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+import asyncio
+from logging.config import fileConfig
+
+from sqlalchemy import pool
+from sqlalchemy.engine import Connection
+from sqlalchemy.ext.asyncio import async_engine_from_config
+
+from alembic import context
+
+# Import models metadata for autogenerate support
+from meshview.models import Base
+
+# this is the Alembic Config object, which provides
+# access to the values within the .ini file in use.
+config = context.config
+
+# Interpret the config file for Python logging.
+# This line sets up loggers basically.
+if config.config_file_name is not None:
+    fileConfig(config.config_file_name)
+
+# Add your model's MetaData object here for 'autogenerate' support
+target_metadata = Base.metadata
+
+
+def run_migrations_offline() -> None:
+    """Run migrations in 'offline' mode.
+
+    This configures the context with just a URL
+    and not an Engine, though an Engine is acceptable
+    here as well.  By skipping the Engine creation
+    we don't even need a DBAPI to be available.
+
+    Calls to context.execute() here emit the given string to the
+    script output.
+
+    """
+    url = config.get_main_option("sqlalchemy.url")
+    context.configure(
+        url=url,
+        target_metadata=target_metadata,
+        literal_binds=True,
+        dialect_opts={"paramstyle": "named"},
+    )
+
+    with context.begin_transaction():
+        context.run_migrations()
+
+
+def do_run_migrations(connection: Connection) -> None:
+    """Run migrations with the given connection."""
+    context.configure(connection=connection, target_metadata=target_metadata)
+
+    with context.begin_transaction():
+        context.run_migrations()
+
+
+async def run_async_migrations() -> None:
+    """Run migrations in async mode."""
+    # Get configuration section
+    configuration = config.get_section(config.config_ini_section, {})
+
+    # If sqlalchemy.url is not set in alembic.ini, try to get it from meshview config
+    if "sqlalchemy.url" not in configuration:
+        try:
+            from meshview.config import CONFIG
+
+            configuration["sqlalchemy.url"] = CONFIG["database"]["connection_string"]
+        except Exception:
+            # Fallback to a default for initial migration creation
+            configuration["sqlalchemy.url"] = "sqlite+aiosqlite:///packets.db"
+
+    connectable = async_engine_from_config(
+        configuration,
+        prefix="sqlalchemy.",
+        poolclass=pool.NullPool,
+    )
+
+    async with connectable.connect() as connection:
+        await connection.run_sync(do_run_migrations)
+
+    await connectable.dispose()
+
+
+def run_migrations_online() -> None:
+    """Run migrations in 'online' mode with async support."""
+    asyncio.run(run_async_migrations())
+
+
+if context.is_offline_mode():
+    run_migrations_offline()
+else:
+    run_migrations_online()
diff --git a/alembic/script.py.mako b/alembic/script.py.mako
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fbc4b07
--- /dev/null
+++ b/alembic/script.py.mako
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+"""${message}
+
+Revision ID: ${up_revision}
+Revises: ${down_revision | comma,n}
+Create Date: ${create_date}
+
+"""
+from typing import Sequence, Union
+
+from alembic import op
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+${imports if imports else ""}
+
+# revision identifiers, used by Alembic.
+revision: str = ${repr(up_revision)}
+down_revision: Union[str, None] = ${repr(down_revision)}
+branch_labels: Union[str, Sequence[str], None] = ${repr(branch_labels)}
+depends_on: Union[str, Sequence[str], None] = ${repr(depends_on)}
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    ${upgrades if upgrades else "pass"}
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    ${downgrades if downgrades else "pass"}
diff --git a/alembic/versions/1717fa5c6545_add_example_table.py b/alembic/versions/1717fa5c6545_add_example_table.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6b900e0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/alembic/versions/1717fa5c6545_add_example_table.py
@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+"""Add example table
+
+Revision ID: 1717fa5c6545
+Revises: c88468b7ab0b
+Create Date: 2025-10-26 20:59:04.347066
+
+"""
+
+from collections.abc import Sequence
+
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+
+from alembic import op
+
+# revision identifiers, used by Alembic.
+revision: str = '1717fa5c6545'
+down_revision: str | None = 'c88468b7ab0b'
+branch_labels: str | Sequence[str] | None = None
+depends_on: str | Sequence[str] | None = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    """Create example table with sample columns."""
+    op.create_table(
+        'example',
+        sa.Column('id', sa.Integer(), nullable=False, primary_key=True, autoincrement=True),
+        sa.Column('name', sa.String(length=100), nullable=False),
+        sa.Column('description', sa.Text(), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column('value', sa.Float(), nullable=True),
+        sa.Column('is_active', sa.Boolean(), nullable=False, server_default='1'),
+        sa.Column(
+            'created_at', sa.DateTime(), nullable=False, server_default=sa.text('CURRENT_TIMESTAMP')
+        ),
+        sa.Column('updated_at', sa.DateTime(), nullable=True),
+        sa.PrimaryKeyConstraint('id'),
+    )
+
+    # Create an index on the name column for faster lookups
+    op.create_index('idx_example_name', 'example', ['name'])
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    """Remove example table."""
+    op.drop_index('idx_example_name', table_name='example')
+    op.drop_table('example')
diff --git a/alembic/versions/c88468b7ab0b_initial_migration.py b/alembic/versions/c88468b7ab0b_initial_migration.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b1a1851
--- /dev/null
+++ b/alembic/versions/c88468b7ab0b_initial_migration.py
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+"""Initial migration
+
+Revision ID: c88468b7ab0b
+Revises:
+Create Date: 2025-10-26 20:56:50.285200
+
+"""
+
+from collections.abc import Sequence
+
+import sqlalchemy as sa
+
+from alembic import op
+
+# revision identifiers, used by Alembic.
+revision: str = 'c88468b7ab0b'
+down_revision: str | None = None
+branch_labels: str | Sequence[str] | None = None
+depends_on: str | Sequence[str] | None = None
+
+
+def upgrade() -> None:
+    # ### commands auto generated by Alembic - please adjust! ###
+    op.drop_index('idx_packet_import_time', table_name='packet')
+    op.create_index('idx_packet_import_time', 'packet', [sa.text('import_time DESC')], unique=False)
+    op.create_index('idx_packet_seen_packet_id', 'packet_seen', ['packet_id'], unique=False)
+    # ### end Alembic commands ###
+
+
+def downgrade() -> None:
+    # ### commands auto generated by Alembic - please adjust! ###
+    op.drop_index('idx_packet_seen_packet_id', table_name='packet_seen')
+    op.drop_index('idx_packet_import_time', table_name='packet')
+    op.create_index('idx_packet_import_time', 'packet', ['import_time'], unique=False)
+    # ### end Alembic commands ###
diff --git a/create_example_migration.py b/create_example_migration.py
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..1eb2aa9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/create_example_migration.py
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+Script to create a blank migration for manual editing.
+
+Usage:
+    ./env/bin/python create_example_migration.py
+
+This creates an empty migration file that you can manually edit to add
+custom migration logic (data migrations, complex schema changes, etc.)
+
+Unlike create_migration.py which auto-generates from model changes,
+this creates a blank template for you to fill in.
+"""
+
+import os
+import sys
+
+# Add current directory to path
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
+
+from alembic.config import Config
+
+from alembic import command
+
+# Create Alembic config
+alembic_cfg = Config("alembic.ini")
+
+# Set database URL from meshview config
+try:
+    from meshview.config import CONFIG
+
+    database_url = CONFIG["database"]["connection_string"]
+    alembic_cfg.set_main_option("sqlalchemy.url", database_url)
+    print(f"Using database URL from config: {database_url}")
+except Exception as e:
+    print(f"Warning: Could not load meshview config: {e}")
+    print("Using default database URL")
+    alembic_cfg.set_main_option("sqlalchemy.url", "sqlite+aiosqlite:///packets.db")
+
+# Generate blank migration
+try:
+    print("Creating blank migration for manual editing...")
+    command.revision(alembic_cfg, autogenerate=False, message="Manual migration")
+    print("✓ Successfully created blank migration!")
+    print("\nNow edit the generated file in alembic/versions/")
+    print("Add your custom upgrade() and downgrade() logic")
+except Exception as e:
+    print(f"✗ Error creating migration: {e}")
+    import traceback
+
+    traceback.print_exc()
+    sys.exit(1)
diff --git a/create_migration.py b/create_migration.py
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..a242655
--- /dev/null
+++ b/create_migration.py
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+Helper script to create Alembic migrations from SQLAlchemy model changes.
+
+Usage:
+    ./env/bin/python create_migration.py
+
+This will:
+1. Load your current models from meshview/models.py
+2. Compare them to the current database schema
+3. Auto-generate a migration with the detected changes
+4. Save the migration to alembic/versions/
+
+After running this, review the generated migration file before committing!
+"""
+
+import os
+import sys
+
+# Add current directory to path
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)))
+
+from alembic.config import Config
+
+from alembic import command
+
+# Create Alembic config
+alembic_cfg = Config("alembic.ini")
+
+# Set database URL from meshview config
+try:
+    from meshview.config import CONFIG
+
+    database_url = CONFIG["database"]["connection_string"]
+    alembic_cfg.set_main_option("sqlalchemy.url", database_url)
+    print(f"Using database URL from config: {database_url}")
+except Exception as e:
+    print(f"Warning: Could not load meshview config: {e}")
+    print("Using default database URL")
+    alembic_cfg.set_main_option("sqlalchemy.url", "sqlite+aiosqlite:///packets.db")
+
+# Generate migration
+try:
+    print("\nComparing models to current database schema...")
+    print("Generating migration...\n")
+    command.revision(alembic_cfg, autogenerate=True, message="Auto-generated migration")
+    print("\n✓ Successfully created migration!")
+    print("\nNext steps:")
+    print("1. Review the generated file in alembic/versions/")
+    print("2. Edit the migration message/logic if needed")
+    print("3. Test the migration: ./env/bin/alembic upgrade head")
+    print("4. Commit the migration file to version control")
+except Exception as e:
+    print(f"\n✗ Error creating migration: {e}")
+    import traceback
+
+    traceback.print_exc()
+    sys.exit(1)
diff --git a/meshview/migrations.py b/meshview/migrations.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e6e3bc4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/meshview/migrations.py
@@ -0,0 +1,237 @@
+"""
+Database migration management for MeshView.
+
+This module provides utilities for:
+- Running Alembic migrations programmatically
+- Checking database schema versions
+- Coordinating migrations between writer and reader apps
+"""
+
+import asyncio
+import logging
+from pathlib import Path
+
+from alembic.config import Config
+from alembic.runtime.migration import MigrationContext
+from alembic.script import ScriptDirectory
+from sqlalchemy import text
+from sqlalchemy.ext.asyncio import AsyncEngine
+
+from alembic import command
+
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+
+def get_alembic_config(database_url: str) -> Config:
+    """
+    Get Alembic configuration with the database URL set.
+
+    Args:
+        database_url: SQLAlchemy database connection string
+
+    Returns:
+        Configured Alembic Config object
+    """
+    # Get the alembic.ini path (in project root)
+    alembic_ini = Path(__file__).parent.parent / "alembic.ini"
+
+    config = Config(str(alembic_ini))
+    config.set_main_option("sqlalchemy.url", database_url)
+
+    return config
+
+
+async def get_current_revision(engine: AsyncEngine) -> str | None:
+    """
+    Get the current database schema revision.
+
+    Args:
+        engine: Async SQLAlchemy engine
+
+    Returns:
+        Current revision string, or None if no migrations applied
+    """
+    async with engine.connect() as connection:
+
+        def _get_revision(conn):
+            context = MigrationContext.configure(conn)
+            return context.get_current_revision()
+
+        revision = await connection.run_sync(_get_revision)
+        return revision
+
+
+async def get_head_revision(database_url: str) -> str | None:
+    """
+    Get the head (latest) revision from migration scripts.
+
+    Args:
+        database_url: Database connection string
+
+    Returns:
+        Head revision string, or None if no migrations exist
+    """
+    config = get_alembic_config(database_url)
+    script_dir = ScriptDirectory.from_config(config)
+
+    head = script_dir.get_current_head()
+    return head
+
+
+async def is_database_up_to_date(engine: AsyncEngine, database_url: str) -> bool:
+    """
+    Check if database is at the latest schema version.
+
+    Args:
+        engine: Async SQLAlchemy engine
+        database_url: Database connection string
+
+    Returns:
+        True if database is up to date, False otherwise
+    """
+    current = await get_current_revision(engine)
+    head = await get_head_revision(database_url)
+
+    # If there are no migrations yet, consider it up to date
+    if head is None:
+        return True
+
+    return current == head
+
+
+def run_migrations(database_url: str) -> None:
+    """
+    Run all pending migrations to bring database up to date.
+
+    This is a synchronous operation that runs Alembic migrations.
+    Should be called by the writer app on startup.
+
+    Args:
+        database_url: Database connection string
+    """
+    logger.info("Running database migrations...")
+
+    config = get_alembic_config(database_url)
+
+    try:
+        # Run migrations to head
+        command.upgrade(config, "head")
+        logger.info("Database migrations completed successfully")
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error running migrations: {e}")
+        raise
+
+
+async def wait_for_migrations(
+    engine: AsyncEngine, database_url: str, max_retries: int = 30, retry_delay: int = 2
+) -> bool:
+    """
+    Wait for database migrations to complete.
+
+    This should be called by the reader app to wait until
+    the database schema is up to date before proceeding.
+
+    Args:
+        engine: Async SQLAlchemy engine
+        database_url: Database connection string
+        max_retries: Maximum number of retry attempts
+        retry_delay: Seconds to wait between retries
+
+    Returns:
+        True if database is up to date, False if max retries exceeded
+    """
+    for attempt in range(max_retries):
+        try:
+            if await is_database_up_to_date(engine, database_url):
+                logger.info("Database schema is up to date")
+                return True
+
+            current = await get_current_revision(engine)
+            head = await get_head_revision(database_url)
+
+            logger.info(
+                f"Database schema not up to date (current: {current}, head: {head}). "
+                f"Waiting... (attempt {attempt + 1}/{max_retries})"
+            )
+
+            await asyncio.sleep(retry_delay)
+
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.warning(
+                f"Error checking database version (attempt {attempt + 1}/{max_retries}): {e}"
+            )
+            await asyncio.sleep(retry_delay)
+
+    logger.error(f"Database schema not up to date after {max_retries} attempts")
+    return False
+
+
+async def create_migration_status_table(engine: AsyncEngine) -> None:
+    """
+    Create a simple status table for migration coordination.
+
+    This table can be used to signal when migrations are in progress.
+
+    Args:
+        engine: Async SQLAlchemy engine
+    """
+    async with engine.begin() as conn:
+        await conn.execute(
+            text("""
+            CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS migration_status (
+                id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY CHECK (id = 1),
+                in_progress BOOLEAN NOT NULL DEFAULT 0,
+                updated_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
+            )
+        """)
+        )
+
+        # Insert initial row if not exists
+        await conn.execute(
+            text("""
+            INSERT OR IGNORE INTO migration_status (id, in_progress)
+            VALUES (1, 0)
+        """)
+        )
+
+
+async def set_migration_in_progress(engine: AsyncEngine, in_progress: bool) -> None:
+    """
+    Set the migration in-progress flag.
+
+    Args:
+        engine: Async SQLAlchemy engine
+        in_progress: True if migration is in progress, False otherwise
+    """
+    async with engine.begin() as conn:
+        await conn.execute(
+            text("""
+                UPDATE migration_status
+                SET in_progress = :in_progress,
+                    updated_at = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
+                WHERE id = 1
+            """),
+            {"in_progress": in_progress},
+        )
+
+
+async def is_migration_in_progress(engine: AsyncEngine) -> bool:
+    """
+    Check if a migration is currently in progress.
+
+    Args:
+        engine: Async SQLAlchemy engine
+
+    Returns:
+        True if migration is in progress, False otherwise
+    """
+    try:
+        async with engine.connect() as conn:
+            result = await conn.execute(
+                text("SELECT in_progress FROM migration_status WHERE id = 1")
+            )
+            row = result.fetchone()
+            return bool(row[0]) if row else False
+    except Exception:
+        # If table doesn't exist or query fails, assume no migration in progress
+        return False
diff --git a/meshview/web.py b/meshview/web.py
index ea145f5..bc17051 100644
--- a/meshview/web.py
+++ b/meshview/web.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ from markupsafe import Markup
 from pandas import DataFrame
 
 from meshtastic.protobuf.portnums_pb2 import PortNum
-from meshview import config, database, decode_payload, models, store
+from meshview import config, database, decode_payload, migrations, models, store
 
 logging.basicConfig(
     level=logging.INFO,
@@ -1768,6 +1768,21 @@ async def serve_page(request):
 
 
 async def run_server():
+    # Wait for database migrations to complete before starting web server
+    logger.info("Checking database schema status...")
+    database_url = CONFIG["database"]["connection_string"]
+
+    # Wait for migrations to complete (writer app responsibility)
+    migration_ready = await migrations.wait_for_migrations(
+        database.engine, database_url, max_retries=30, retry_delay=2
+    )
+
+    if not migration_ready:
+        logger.error("Database schema is not up to date. Cannot start web server.")
+        raise RuntimeError("Database schema version mismatch - migrations not complete")
+
+    logger.info("Database schema verified - starting web server")
+
     app = web.Application()
     app.add_routes(routes)
 
diff --git a/requirements.txt b/requirements.txt
index 4ce4803..0654f6a 100644
--- a/requirements.txt
+++ b/requirements.txt
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ aiosqlite~=0.21.0
 
 # Database + ORM
 sqlalchemy[asyncio]~=2.0.38
+alembic~=1.14.0
 
 # Serialization / security
 protobuf~=5.29.3
@@ -41,4 +42,4 @@ pillow~=11.1.0
 
 # Debugging / profiling
 psutil~=7.0.0
-objgraph~=3.6.2
+objgraph~=3.6.2
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/startdb.py b/startdb.py
index 06ecd25..01e3e63 100644
--- a/startdb.py
+++ b/startdb.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import logging
 
 from sqlalchemy import delete
 
-from meshview import models, mqtt_database, mqtt_reader, mqtt_store
+from meshview import migrations, models, mqtt_database, mqtt_reader, mqtt_store
 from meshview.config import CONFIG
 
 # -------------------------
@@ -134,9 +134,32 @@ async def load_database_from_mqtt(
 # Main function
 # -------------------------
 async def main():
+    logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
     # Initialize database
-    mqtt_database.init_database(CONFIG["database"]["connection_string"])
-    await mqtt_database.create_tables()
+    database_url = CONFIG["database"]["connection_string"]
+    mqtt_database.init_database(database_url)
+
+    # Create migration status table
+    await migrations.create_migration_status_table(mqtt_database.engine)
+
+    # Set migration in progress flag
+    await migrations.set_migration_in_progress(mqtt_database.engine, True)
+    logger.info("Migration status set to 'in progress'")
+
+    try:
+        # Run any pending migrations (synchronous operation)
+        logger.info("Checking for pending database migrations...")
+        migrations.run_migrations(database_url)
+        logger.info("Database migrations check complete")
+
+        # Create tables if needed (for backwards compatibility)
+        await mqtt_database.create_tables()
+
+    finally:
+        # Clear migration in progress flag
+        await migrations.set_migration_in_progress(mqtt_database.engine, False)
+        logger.info("Migration status cleared - database ready")
 
     mqtt_user = CONFIG["mqtt"].get("username") or None
     mqtt_passwd = CONFIG["mqtt"].get("password") or None
@@ -148,6 +171,7 @@ async def main():
     cleanup_hour = get_int(CONFIG, "cleanup", "hour", 2)
     cleanup_minute = get_int(CONFIG, "cleanup", "minute", 0)
 
+    logger.info("Starting MQTT ingestion and cleanup tasks...")
     async with asyncio.TaskGroup() as tg:
         tg.create_task(
             load_database_from_mqtt(