---
title: "Database Reference Variables, Multiple Plugins, Railway Status"
date: 2023-03-17T15:00:00.000+00:00
number: 0125
url: https://railway.com/changelog/2023-03-17-database-reference-variables
---

# Database Reference Variables, Multiple Plugins, Railway Status

This week we’ve unlocked some exciting new features like multiple databases of the same type in a single project! This is made possible by Reference Variables, a new way to define variables shared between databases and services.

## Database Reference Variables

Since the beginning, Railway has auto-injected database variables into every deployment. Going forward, these links can be created explicitly by adding [Reference Variables](https://blog.railway.app/p/database-reference-variables) to the desired services.

📣 ***No action is required from you. We have created Reference Variables automatically for all existing services.***

[Video: Screencast showcasing database reference variables]

This brings a few major improvements:

- Database credentials can now be restricted to only the services that require them
- Multiple plugins of the same type can now exist in a single project
- A single service can connect to multiple databases

Which brings us to the next thing…

## Multiple DBs of the Same Type

The previous auto-injection behavior prevented us from allowing two databases of the same type within a project because the variables would collide. Now, since variables are referenced explicitly, collisions can be avoided and multiple DBs can be used with no issue. 

This means that you can have two services, each with its own database, within a single project!

[Image: Example project showcasing multiple Postgres databases]

For more information, be sure to [read the full blogpost](https://blog.railway.app/p/database-reference-variables). 

## Railway Status

Want to know if Railway is experiencing any service disruptions? Follow [@railway_status](https://twitter.com/railway_status) on Twitter for up-to-date information on every incident or disruption, no matter how small.

[Image: Untitled]

## Improvements and Fixes

- Nixpacks [upgraded to v.1.5.1](https://github.com/railwayapp/nixpacks/releases/tag/v1.5.1)