> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.tonic.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.tonic.ai/app/setting-up-your-database/snowflake/before-you-create-a-snowflake-workspace/snowflake-init-skip-db.md).

# Configuring whether Structural creates the Snowflake destination database schema

By default, during each data generation job, Structural creates the database schema for the destination database tables, then populates the database tables based on the workspace configuration.

If you prefer to manage the destination database schema yourself, then set the [environment setting](/app/admin/environment-variables-setting.md) `TONIC_SNOWFLAKE_SKIP_CREATE_DB` to `true`. You can add this setting manually from the **Environment Settings** list on **Structural Settings**.

When `TONIC_SNOWFLAKE_SKIP_CREATE_DB` is `true`, then Structural does not create the destination database schema. Before you run data generation, you must create the destination database with the full schema.

Note that you can override this setting in individual workspaces. For more information, go to [Advanced workspace overrides](/app/workspace/workspace-configuration-settings/advanced-overrides.md).

During data generation, Structural deletes the data from the destination database tables, except for tables that use Preserve Destination mode. It then populates the tables with the new destination data.

For a diagram of the data generation process when you manage the destination schema, go to [Data generation process](/app/workflows/data-generation-run-job/data-generation-process.md#data-process-customer-schema).


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