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npm / better-sqlite3

better-sqlite3

What changed in better-sqlite3 12 to 13, from its official release notes, upgrade guides and advisories. Also covers @types/better-sqlite3. Sources checked 2026-10-20.

4 breaking2 new APIs and options3 behavior and defaults4 tooling9 fixes and other

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better-sqlite3 137 changes

New APIs and options 1

Behavior and default changes 2

  • Updates SQLite to version 3.53.4, which may affect SQLite behavior available to developers.

    13.0.2release notes

  • better-sqlite3 now runs on the N-API, so prebuilt binaries should theoretically work across different versions of Node.js and Electron, and perhaps Bun.

    13.0.0release notes

Fixes and other changes 4

  • Fixes validation of table parameters.

    13.0.2release notes

  • Fixes the process aborting when worker threads are terminated.

    13.0.2release notes

  • Fixed a regression that caused parameter binding to reject plain objects from other realms, such as in jest tests.

    13.0.1release notes

  • Fixed cross-realm and Error.isError compatibility for SqliteError.

    13.0.0release notes

better-sqlite3 1215 changes

Breaking changes 4

  • Starting with Electron v43, binary assets require glibc 2.41 or higher on Linux hosts.

    12.12.0release notes

  • Temporarily rolls back support for Electron v42 prebuilds.

    12.10.0release notes

  • Adds prebuilds for Node.js v26 and removes EOL builds for Node.js v20 and v23.

    12.10.0release notes

  • Node.js v20 or later is required.

    12.8.0release notes

New APIs and options 1

Behavior and default changes 1

  • Updates the SQLite version to 3.51.0, which may affect database behavior available to applications.

    12.4.2release notes

Tooling 4

  • Adds prebuild support for Electron v43, so developers can use better-sqlite3 with that Electron release.

    12.11.2release notes

  • Support was added for Electron v42 prebuilds, but Electron v39+ prebuilds are not building successfully; the notes recommend staying on v12.9.0 for now.

    12.9.1release notes

  • Prebuilds are now available for Node v25 and Electron 39+, so developers using those runtimes can install the package without building it themselves.

    12.4.5release notes

  • Adds a prebuild for Electron 39, allowing developers to use a prebuilt package with that Electron version.

    12.4.2release notes

Fixes and other changes 5

  • Fixes Electron v42 build errors on Windows.

    12.11.1release notes

  • Adds a build target for Electron v42.

    12.11.0release notes

  • Fixes V8 external API usage for Electron 42.

    12.10.1release notes

  • Updates the bundled SQLite version to 3.53.1.

    12.10.0release notes

  • Uses Holder() instead of This() for Electron 41 compatibility.

    12.7.1release notes