22-25 April 2026 
Automating SQL Server Management with GitHub Actions and PowerShell
Proposed session for SQLBits 2026TL; DR
This talk demonstrates how GitHub Actions can be leveraged with PowerShell and SQL Server to streamline database operations and implement DevOps practices for your database environment.
Session Details
This talk demonstrates how GitHub Actions can be leveraged with PowerShell and SQL Server to streamline database operations and implement DevOps practices for your database environment.
What you'll learn:
• GitHub Actions – This powerful CI/CD platform enables automation triggered by code commits, issue creation and more.
• PowerShell and dbatools – We'll then add PowerShell and dbatools into the mix to extend the automation to managing SQL Server automation.
• Demos and Ideas – I'll show multiple demos, including using AI to summarise GitHub Issues, creating SQL Server databases and deploying database change with sqlpackage.
This session aims to give you a practical understanding of how to combine these technologies to reduce manual effort, minimize human error, and build more reliable and repeatable processes for your SQL Server environments.
What you'll learn:
• GitHub Actions – This powerful CI/CD platform enables automation triggered by code commits, issue creation and more.
• PowerShell and dbatools – We'll then add PowerShell and dbatools into the mix to extend the automation to managing SQL Server automation.
• Demos and Ideas – I'll show multiple demos, including using AI to summarise GitHub Issues, creating SQL Server databases and deploying database change with sqlpackage.
This session aims to give you a practical understanding of how to combine these technologies to reduce manual effort, minimize human error, and build more reliable and repeatable processes for your SQL Server environments.
3 things you'll get out of this session
- What GitHub Actions are
- How GitHub Actions can be used with PowerShell to automate processes
- Attendees will leave with ideas for what they can automate
Speakers
Jess Pomfret's other proposed sessions for 2026
Data API Builder – Create an API for Your Database in Seconds - 2026
dbatools - Wheel of Fortune - 2026
Jess Pomfret's previous sessions
Managing replication with dbatools
One of the most highly requested dbatools features was for commands to manage replication and now they're here.
In this session, we'll run through the available commands and how they can be used to build up and tear down replication.
Anyone can be an alphabet soup ally
Folks that belong to the queer community are often referred to as LGBTQ+, Jess and Linda represent a small portion of the letters within this alphabet soup and they will guide you through some common situations where you can be a good ally.
There is no one right answer, but there are ways for you to prepare for certain situations so you know what your best move might be to provide support and allyship.
This session will provide tips for people who are new to being an ally and for existing allies who want to add skills to their toolbelt.