# Adding Fields to PocketBase Collection Schema

PocketBase silently drops fields not defined in the collection schema — HTTP 200, no error, data just disappears. When you add new fields to the data model, you MUST also add them to the PocketBase schema via API.

## The problem

Services saved with `recommendation` and `explanation` fields appeared to save successfully, but the fields were missing when read back. Root cause: the `services` collection schema only had `name`, `price`, `description`, `category`, `duration` — unknown fields were silently stripped on create/update.

## Detection

Query the collection schema to see current fields:

```python
# Auth + list collections
auth = api("POST", "/api/collections/_superusers/auth-with-password", {
    "identity": "admin@example.com",
    "password": "password"
})
token = auth["token"]
cols = api("GET", "/api/collections", token=token)
svc = next(c for c in cols["items"] if c["name"] == "services")
print([f["name"] for f in svc["fields"]])
# ['id', 'userId', 'name', 'description', 'price', 'category', ...]
```

## Fix: PATCH the collection

Add missing fields by PATCHing the complete fields array (including existing fields):

```python
existing_fields = svc["fields"]
new_fields = [
    {"autogeneratePattern":"","hidden":False,"id":"text_rec_new","max":0,"min":0,
     "name":"recommendation","pattern":"","presentable":False,"primaryKey":False,
     "required":False,"system":False,"type":"text"},
    {"autogeneratePattern":"","hidden":False,"id":"text_exp_new","max":0,"min":0,
     "name":"explanation","pattern":"","presentable":False,"primaryKey":False,
     "required":False,"system":False,"type":"text"},
]
result = api("PATCH", f"/api/collections/{svc['id']}", 
              {"fields": existing_fields + new_fields}, token=token)
```

**Important**: You must send the COMPLETE fields array, not just the new fields. PocketBase replaces the entire schema. Each field needs a unique `id` string — use descriptive names like `text_rec_001` or UUIDs.

## Full script

See `scripts/pb_add_fields.py` for a reusable script that auths, lists collections, and adds specified fields.