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What this error means

FOREIGN_KEYS_NONEXISTENT_TABLE means a foreign key references a table that does not exist in the resulting schema. A common underlying message is: 
table `posts` foreign key references nonexistent table `users`

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Why PlanetScale rejects it

MySQL foreign keys must reference an existing base table. During a deploy request, PlanetScale validates the final schema. If the parent table is missing, the child table cannot be created or preserved with that constraint.

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How to fix it

Make sure the referenced table exists before the foreign key is created.
  • Fix spelling or keyspace/schema qualification mistakes.
  • Create the parent table before creating the child foreign key.
  • Do not drop a parent table while a child foreign key still references it.
  • Split complex changes into multiple deploy requests.
Invalid: 
CREATE TABLE posts (
  id bigint unsigned NOT NULL,
  author_id bigint unsigned NOT NULL,
  PRIMARY KEY (id),
  CONSTRAINT posts_author_fk FOREIGN KEY (author_id) REFERENCES users(id)
);
If users is missing, create it first or remove the constraint until the parent exists.

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