Data Modeling — Azure DocumentDB

Guiding principle: "Data that is accessed together should be stored together."

Each rule follows the same shape — why it matters → incorrect example → correct example → references.

Rules

• model-embed-vs-reference — Embed data accessed together; reference unbounded N-sides.
• model-16mb-limit — Stay well under the 16 MB BSON document limit; plan for steady-state growth.
• model-denormalize-reads — Denormalize for read-heavy workloads; pre-compute aggregates to avoid $lookup.
• model-schema-versioning — Add a schemaVersion field and migrate documents lazily.

Decision framework