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name: mongodb description: MongoDB best practices including schema design, indexing, and query optimization. globs: ["/models//.js", "/schemas//.js", "**/*.mongodb"] priority: 75 tags: ["database"]

MongoDB Best Practices

Schema Design

• Embed data for 1:few relationships
• Reference data for 1:many relationships
• Avoid unbounded arrays
• Use meaningful field names
• Plan for your query patterns

Indexing

• Index fields used in queries
• Use compound indexes wisely
• Monitor index size
• Use TTL indexes for expiring data
• Text indexes for search

Queries

• Use projection to limit fields
• Use aggregation pipeline for complex queries
• Avoid $where and $regex when possible
• Use explain() to analyze queries
• Paginate with skip/limit or cursor

Performance

• Use connection pooling
• Shard for horizontal scaling
• Use read preferences
• Enable compression
• Monitor with mongotop/mongostat

Security

• Enable authentication
• Use role-based access control
• Encrypt data at rest
• Use TLS for connections
• Validate input data