diff --git a/ai/backend-context.md b/ai/backend-context.md
index f3b5ddd..dd69678 100644
--- a/ai/backend-context.md
+++ b/ai/backend-context.md
@@ -35,6 +35,15 @@ intentionally omitted here - update this section as entities land.
     `new Set(...)`) instead of creating them through their fake
     repositories
 
+## Migrations
+
+- This project is not in production. By default, schema changes should update
+  the relevant create-table migration so migrations describe the current desired
+  schema from scratch.
+- Do not add alter-table or data-backfill migrations unless the user explicitly
+  asks for production-style migration safety.
+- Put seed data in seeders, not migrations.
+
 ## PHP rules
 
 - Imports: always put `use` statements at the top of the file, never use
diff --git a/backend/database/migrations/2026_05_24_000001_elements_table.php b/backend/database/migrations/2026_05_24_000001_elements_table.php
index 377ba38..f09b3b0 100644
--- a/backend/database/migrations/2026_05_24_000001_elements_table.php
+++ b/backend/database/migrations/2026_05_24_000001_elements_table.php
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ return new class extends Migration
             $table->id();
             $table->foreignId('set_id')->constrained('sets');
             $table->string('title');
+            $table->text('description')->default('');
             $table->foreignId('parent_element_id')
                 ->nullable()
                 ->constrained('elements');
diff --git a/backend/database/migrations/2026_05_26_000000_add_description_to_elements_table.php b/backend/database/migrations/2026_05_26_000000_add_description_to_elements_table.php
deleted file mode 100644
index 704311b..0000000
--- a/backend/database/migrations/2026_05_26_000000_add_description_to_elements_table.php
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,22 +0,0 @@
-<?php
-
-use Illuminate\Database\Migrations\Migration;
-use Illuminate\Database\Schema\Blueprint;
-use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Schema;
-
-return new class extends Migration
-{
-    public function up(): void
-    {
-        Schema::table('elements', function (Blueprint $table) {
-            $table->text('description')->default('');
-        });
-    }
-
-    public function down(): void
-    {
-        Schema::table('elements', function (Blueprint $table) {
-            $table->dropColumn('description');
-        });
-    }
-};
diff --git a/backend/database/migrations/2026_05_26_000001_backfill_element_descriptions.php b/backend/database/migrations/2026_05_26_000001_backfill_element_descriptions.php
deleted file mode 100644
index 68ee685..0000000
--- a/backend/database/migrations/2026_05_26_000001_backfill_element_descriptions.php
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,41 +0,0 @@
-<?php
-
-use Illuminate\Database\Migrations\Migration;
-use Illuminate\Support\Facades\DB;
-
-return new class extends Migration
-{
-    public function up(): void
-    {
-        $descriptionsByTitle = [
-            'Baderech HaAvodah' => 'Baderech HaAvodah is a way of living - '
-                . 'a structured path for inner and outer growth, '
-                . 'spiritual refinement, and personal development.',
-            'Avodah Foundations' => 'Core foundations for building a steady '
-                . 'avodah practice.',
-            'Daily Practice' => 'Practical steps for consistent daily growth.',
-        ];
-
-        foreach ($descriptionsByTitle as $title => $description) {
-            DB::table('elements')
-                ->where('title', $title)
-                ->where('description', '')
-                ->update(['description' => $description]);
-        }
-    }
-
-    public function down(): void
-    {
-        $titles = [
-            'Baderech HaAvodah',
-            'Avodah Foundations',
-            'Daily Practice',
-        ];
-
-        foreach ($titles as $title) {
-            DB::table('elements')
-                ->where('title', $title)
-                ->update(['description' => '']);
-        }
-    }
-};