Use this checklist before creating a new index.
Section: Quick checklist
Index decision checklist
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1. Is the query slow enough to matter?
2. Is the pattern common in production?
3. Is the filter selective?
4. Can one composite index cover multiple common queries?
5. Does EXPLAIN show scans or expensive sorts?
6. What write and storage cost will this add?Explanation
Good indexing starts with workload evidence rather than intuition alone.
Learn the surrounding workflow
Compare similar commands or jump into common fixes when this command is part of a bigger troubleshooting path.
Related commands
Same sheet · prioritizing Quick checklist
Measure with EXPLAIN before and after
Validate improvement instead of guessing.
Prefer high-selectivity columns
Columns with many distinct values tend to benefit more.
Remember the write cost
Every extra index must be maintained during inserts, updates, and deletes.