remove sync alter true, add pending migration check

backend/server.js

@@ -165,10 +165,23 @@ app.use(sanitizeError);
 
 const PORT = process.env.PORT || 5000;
 
+const { checkPendingMigrations } = require("./utils/checkMigrations");
+
 sequelize
-  .sync({ alter: true })
+  .authenticate()
   .then(async () => {
-    logger.info("Database synced successfully");
+    logger.info("Database connection established successfully");
+
+    // Check for pending migrations
+    const pendingMigrations = await checkPendingMigrations(sequelize);
+    if (pendingMigrations.length > 0) {
+      logger.error(
+        `Found ${pendingMigrations.length} pending migration(s). Please run 'npm run db:migrate'`,
+        { pendingMigrations }
+      );
+      process.exit(1);
+    }
+    logger.info("All migrations are up to date");
 
     // Initialize email services and load templates
     try {
@@ -209,8 +222,9 @@ sequelize
     });
   })
   .catch((err) => {
-    logger.error("Unable to sync database", {
+    logger.error("Unable to connect to database", {
       error: err.message,
       stack: err.stack,
     });
+    process.exit(1);
   });