diff --git a/packages/durable/README.md b/packages/durable/README.md
index 9d04bc3a5..1bb66cd35 100644
--- a/packages/durable/README.md
+++ b/packages/durable/README.md
@@ -417,7 +417,16 @@ const usage = await harness.usage(context); // { models: { "openai/gpt-6-sol": U
 | SQLite | `openNodeSqliteStorage(file)` from `@earendil-works/pi-durable/storage/sqlite/node` | One database file. WAL mode with `synchronous = NORMAL`: commits survive process crashes; the newest may be lost on power or host failure. |
 | JSONL | `openNodeJsonlStorage(directory, context)` from `@earendil-works/pi-durable/storage/jsonl/node` | Append-only files in one directory. Pass `{ fsync: true }` to flush before each commit marker. |
 
-One process owns a storage at a time; there is no cross-process locking. The portable SQLite and JSONL cores (`/storage/sqlite`, `/storage/jsonl`) run without Node APIs, for example on Bun or in Cloudflare Durable Objects, given a synchronous SQLite database or a `FileSystem` from `@earendil-works/pi-durable/env`.
+One process owns a storage at a time; there is no cross-process locking. The portable SQLite and JSONL cores (`/storage/sqlite`, `/storage/jsonl`) run without Node APIs, for example on Bun or in Cloudflare Durable Objects, given an asynchronous `SqliteDatabase` facade or a `FileSystem` from `@earendil-works/pi-durable/env`.
+
+SQLite adapters implement promise-based `exec`, `run`, `get`, `all`, `transaction`, and `close`. `run`, `get`, and `all` take SQL text plus positional bindings; adapters may cache prepared statements by SQL text. A transaction callback receives a transaction handle; all work in the transaction must use it, and the handle expires when the callback settles. Adapters must queue unrelated operations and other transactions until the transaction finishes:
+
+```typescript
+await database.transaction(async (transaction) => {
+	await transaction.exec("CREATE TABLE example (value TEXT)");
+	await transaction.run("INSERT INTO example (value) VALUES (?)", "stored atomically");
+});
+```
 
 Custom backends can run the shared conformance suite with any Vitest- or Jest-compatible runner:
 
diff --git a/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/database.ts b/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/database.ts
index f7dd4ed56..35a0f39b6 100644
--- a/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/database.ts
+++ b/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/database.ts
@@ -2,30 +2,35 @@
 export type SqliteValue = null | number | bigint | string | Uint8Array;
 
 /**
- * A prepared synchronous SQLite statement.
- * Implementations must support repeated execution with new bindings across transactions.
+ * Asynchronous SQL operations shared by a database and its transaction handles.
+ *
+ * `exec` runs SQL text without bindings and may contain several statements. `run`, `get`, and `all`
+ * execute one statement with positional bindings. Adapters may cache prepared statements by SQL text,
+ * so callers pass values as bindings instead of interpolating them.
  */
-export interface SqliteStatement {
-	run(...params: SqliteValue[]): void;
-	get<T extends object>(...params: SqliteValue[]): T | undefined;
-	all<T extends object>(...params: SqliteValue[]): T[];
+export interface SqliteExecutor {
+	exec(sql: string): Promise<void>;
+	run(sql: string, ...params: SqliteValue[]): Promise<void>;
+	get<T extends object>(sql: string, ...params: SqliteValue[]): Promise<T | undefined>;
+	all<T extends object>(sql: string, ...params: SqliteValue[]): Promise<T[]>;
 }
 
 /**
  * Minimal database facade required by `SqliteStorage`.
  *
- * Queries and transaction callbacks are synchronous so the same storage core can
- * run on Node, Bun, and Cloudflare Durable Object SQLite. An adapter may return a
- * promise from `transaction` while it waits for the transaction to settle.
- * When the callback throws, the adapter must roll the transaction back before
- * rethrowing that same error. If rollback fails, it must throw a different error
- * (for example an `AggregateError`) so callers cannot mistake the callback error
- * for a guaranteed rollback. Callers must not close the database while a
- * returned settlement is pending.
+ * All operations are asynchronous so adapters may execute outside the harness runtime.
+ *
+ * `transaction` passes the callback a transaction handle. All work in the transaction
+ * must use that handle; the handle is invalid after the callback settles. Adapters must
+ * queue unrelated operations and other transactions until the transaction finishes. The
+ * returned promise settles after commit or rollback.
+ *
+ * When the callback rejects, the adapter must roll the transaction back before rejecting
+ * with that same error. If rollback fails, it must reject with a different error (for
+ * example an `AggregateError`) so callers cannot mistake the callback error for a
+ * guaranteed rollback.
  */
-export interface SqliteDatabase {
-	exec(sql: string): void;
-	prepare(sql: string): SqliteStatement;
-	transaction<T>(callback: () => T): T | Promise<T>;
-	close(): void | Promise<void>;
+export interface SqliteDatabase extends SqliteExecutor {
+	transaction<T>(callback: (transaction: SqliteExecutor) => Promise<T>): Promise<T>;
+	close(): Promise<void>;
 }
diff --git a/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/index.ts b/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/index.ts
index 5d3a4d352..666541868 100644
--- a/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/index.ts
+++ b/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/index.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-export type { SqliteDatabase, SqliteStatement, SqliteValue } from "./database.ts";
+export type { SqliteDatabase, SqliteExecutor, SqliteValue } from "./database.ts";
 export {
 	applySqliteMigrations,
 	CURRENT_SQLITE_SCHEMA_VERSION,
diff --git a/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/migrations.ts b/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/migrations.ts
index 0e6f239a4..541422d53 100644
--- a/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/migrations.ts
+++ b/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/migrations.ts
@@ -102,13 +102,13 @@ export async function applySqliteMigrations(
 		}
 	}
 
-	await database.transaction(() => {
-		database.exec(`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS durable_schema (
+	await database.transaction(async (transaction) => {
+		await transaction.exec(`CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS durable_schema (
 			singleton INTEGER PRIMARY KEY CHECK (singleton = 1),
 			version INTEGER NOT NULL CHECK (version >= 0)
 		) STRICT`);
-		database.prepare("INSERT OR IGNORE INTO durable_schema (singleton, version) VALUES (1, 0)").run();
-		const row = database.prepare("SELECT version FROM durable_schema WHERE singleton = 1").get<SchemaRow>();
+		await transaction.run("INSERT OR IGNORE INTO durable_schema (singleton, version) VALUES (1, 0)");
+		const row = await transaction.get<SchemaRow>("SELECT version FROM durable_schema WHERE singleton = 1");
 		if (row === undefined) throw new Error("Durable SQLite schema metadata is missing");
 		const currentVersion = migrations.at(-1)?.version ?? 0;
 		if (row.version > currentVersion) {
@@ -118,8 +118,8 @@ export async function applySqliteMigrations(
 		}
 		for (const migration of migrations) {
 			if (migration.version <= row.version) continue;
-			for (const statement of migration.statements) database.exec(statement);
-			database.prepare("UPDATE durable_schema SET version = ? WHERE singleton = 1").run(migration.version);
+			for (const statement of migration.statements) await transaction.exec(statement);
+			await transaction.run("UPDATE durable_schema SET version = ? WHERE singleton = 1", migration.version);
 		}
 	});
 }
diff --git a/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/node.ts b/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/node.ts
index 2844fde27..74c3cdb1e 100644
--- a/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/node.ts
+++ b/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/node.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
+import { AsyncLocalStorage } from "node:async_hooks";
 import { mkdir } from "node:fs/promises";
 import { dirname } from "node:path";
-import type { SQLInputValue, StatementSync } from "node:sqlite";
+import type { StatementSync } from "node:sqlite";
 import { DatabaseSync } from "node:sqlite";
-import type { SqliteDatabase, SqliteStatement, SqliteValue } from "./database.ts";
+import type { SqliteDatabase, SqliteExecutor, SqliteValue } from "./database.ts";
 import { SqliteStorage } from "./storage.ts";
 
 /** Node SQLite connection settings for a durable storage file. */
@@ -16,74 +17,145 @@ export type NodeSqliteStorageOptions = {
 const DEFAULT_WAL_AUTO_CHECKPOINT_PAGES = 1_000;
 const DEFAULT_BUSY_TIMEOUT_MS = 5_000;
 
-class NodeSqliteStatement implements SqliteStatement {
-	private readonly statement: StatementSync;
+type TransactionScope = { active: boolean };
 
-	constructor(statement: StatementSync) {
-		this.statement = statement;
+class SerialOperationQueue {
+	private tail = Promise.resolve();
+
+	async run<T>(operation: () => T | Promise<T>): Promise<T> {
+		const previous = this.tail;
+		const { promise, resolve: release } = Promise.withResolvers<void>();
+		this.tail = promise;
+		await previous;
+		try {
+			return await operation();
+		} finally {
+			release();
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+/**
+ * Executes SQL on one connection. Prepared statements are cached per connection by SQL text, so the
+ * database and its transaction handles share them across transactions.
+ */
+abstract class NodeSqliteExecutor implements SqliteExecutor {
+	protected readonly database: DatabaseSync;
+	protected readonly statements: Map<string, StatementSync>;
+
+	constructor(database: DatabaseSync, statements: Map<string, StatementSync>) {
+		this.database = database;
+		this.statements = statements;
 	}
 
-	run(...params: SqliteValue[]): void {
-		this.statement.run(...(params as SQLInputValue[]));
+	exec(sql: string): Promise<void> {
+		return this.runOperation(() => {
+			this.database.exec(sql);
+		});
 	}
 
-	get<T extends object>(...params: SqliteValue[]): T | undefined {
-		return this.statement.get(...(params as SQLInputValue[])) as T | undefined;
+	run(sql: string, ...params: SqliteValue[]): Promise<void> {
+		return this.runOperation(() => {
+			this.statement(sql).run(...params);
+		});
 	}
 
-	all<T extends object>(...params: SqliteValue[]): T[] {
-		return this.statement.all(...(params as SQLInputValue[])) as T[];
+	get<T extends object>(sql: string, ...params: SqliteValue[]): Promise<T | undefined> {
+		return this.runOperation(() => this.statement(sql).get(...params) as T | undefined);
+	}
+
+	all<T extends object>(sql: string, ...params: SqliteValue[]): Promise<T[]> {
+		return this.runOperation(() => this.statement(sql).all(...params) as T[]);
+	}
+
+	protected abstract runOperation<T>(operation: () => T): Promise<T>;
+
+	private statement(sql: string): StatementSync {
+		let statement = this.statements.get(sql);
+		if (statement === undefined) {
+			statement = this.database.prepare(sql);
+			this.statements.set(sql, statement);
+		}
+		return statement;
+	}
+}
+
+class NodeSqliteTransaction extends NodeSqliteExecutor {
+	private readonly scope: TransactionScope;
+
+	constructor(database: DatabaseSync, statements: Map<string, StatementSync>, scope: TransactionScope) {
+		super(database, statements);
+		this.scope = scope;
+	}
+
+	protected async runOperation<T>(operation: () => T): Promise<T> {
+		if (!this.scope.active) throw new Error("SQLite transaction handle is no longer active");
+		return operation();
 	}
 }
 
 /** `SqliteDatabase` adapter backed by Node's built-in `node:sqlite`. */
-export class NodeSqliteDatabase implements SqliteDatabase {
-	private readonly database: DatabaseSync;
+export class NodeSqliteDatabase extends NodeSqliteExecutor implements SqliteDatabase {
+	private readonly access = new SerialOperationQueue();
+	/** Detects database calls from inside a transaction callback, which would otherwise wait for that transaction forever. */
+	private readonly transactionScope = new AsyncLocalStorage<TransactionScope>();
 	private closed = false;
 
 	constructor(database: DatabaseSync) {
-		this.database = database;
+		super(database, new Map());
 	}
 
-	exec(sql: string): void {
-		this.database.exec(sql);
-	}
-
-	prepare(sql: string): SqliteStatement {
-		return new NodeSqliteStatement(this.database.prepare(sql));
-	}
-
-	transaction<T>(callback: () => T): T {
-		this.database.exec("BEGIN IMMEDIATE");
-		try {
-			const result = callback();
-			if (
-				result !== null &&
-				(typeof result === "object" || typeof result === "function") &&
-				typeof Reflect.get(result, "then") === "function"
-			) {
-				throw new TypeError("SQLite transaction callbacks must be synchronous");
-			}
-			this.database.exec("COMMIT");
-			return result;
-		} catch (error) {
+	transaction<T>(callback: (transaction: SqliteExecutor) => Promise<T>): Promise<T> {
+		if (this.insideTransaction()) {
+			return Promise.reject(new Error("Nested SQLite transactions are not supported"));
+		}
+		return this.access.run(async () => {
+			this.database.exec("BEGIN IMMEDIATE");
+			const scope = { active: true };
 			try {
-				this.database.exec("ROLLBACK");
-			} catch (rollbackError) {
-				throw new AggregateError([error, rollbackError], "SQLite transaction failed and rollback failed");
+				const result = await this.transactionScope.run(scope, () =>
+					callback(new NodeSqliteTransaction(this.database, this.statements, scope)),
+				);
+				scope.active = false;
+				this.database.exec("COMMIT");
+				return result;
+			} catch (error) {
+				scope.active = false;
+				try {
+					this.database.exec("ROLLBACK");
+				} catch (rollbackError) {
+					throw new AggregateError([error, rollbackError], "SQLite transaction failed and rollback failed");
+				}
+				throw error;
 			}
-			throw error;
-		}
+		});
 	}
 
-	close(): void {
-		if (this.closed) return;
-		this.closed = true;
-		try {
-			this.database.exec("PRAGMA wal_checkpoint(TRUNCATE)");
-		} finally {
-			this.database.close();
+	close(): Promise<void> {
+		if (this.insideTransaction()) {
+			return Promise.reject(new Error("Cannot close SQLite during an active transaction"));
 		}
+		return this.access.run(() => {
+			if (this.closed) return;
+			this.closed = true;
+			this.statements.clear();
+			try {
+				this.database.exec("PRAGMA wal_checkpoint(TRUNCATE)");
+			} finally {
+				this.database.close();
+			}
+		});
+	}
+
+	protected runOperation<T>(operation: () => T): Promise<T> {
+		if (this.insideTransaction()) {
+			return Promise.reject(new Error("Use the transaction handle inside a transaction callback"));
+		}
+		return this.access.run(operation);
+	}
+
+	private insideTransaction(): boolean {
+		return this.transactionScope.getStore()?.active === true;
 	}
 }
 
@@ -98,13 +170,13 @@ export async function openNodeSqliteDatabase(
 	const database = new DatabaseSync(path, { timeout });
 	const adapter = new NodeSqliteDatabase(database);
 	try {
-		adapter.exec("PRAGMA journal_mode = WAL");
-		adapter.exec("PRAGMA synchronous = NORMAL");
-		adapter.exec(`PRAGMA wal_autocheckpoint = ${checkpointPages}`);
+		await adapter.exec("PRAGMA journal_mode = WAL");
+		await adapter.exec("PRAGMA synchronous = NORMAL");
+		await adapter.exec(`PRAGMA wal_autocheckpoint = ${checkpointPages}`);
 		return adapter;
 	} catch (error) {
 		try {
-			adapter.close();
+			await adapter.close();
 		} catch {
 			// Preserve the configuration failure.
 		}
diff --git a/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/storage.ts b/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/storage.ts
index c4ae7a550..0fe598352 100644
--- a/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/storage.ts
+++ b/packages/durable/src/storage/sqlite/storage.ts
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ import type {
 	TaskQuery,
 	TaskRecord,
 } from "../../types.ts";
-import type { SqliteDatabase, SqliteStatement, SqliteValue } from "./database.ts";
+import type { SqliteDatabase, SqliteExecutor, SqliteValue } from "./database.ts";
 import { applySqliteMigrations } from "./migrations.ts";
 
 type StoredTask = TaskRecord<JsonValue, JsonValue, JsonValue>;
@@ -63,12 +63,6 @@ const encodeJson = (value: unknown): string => JSON.stringify(value) as string;
 // Some SQLite bindings replace lone UTF-16 surrogates. JSON encoding keeps indexed identities lossless.
 const encodeIndexedString = (value: string): string => JSON.stringify(value);
 
-const getRow = <T extends object>(statement: SqliteStatement, ...params: SqliteValue[]): T | undefined =>
-	statement.get<T>(...params);
-
-const allRows = <T extends object>(statement: SqliteStatement, ...params: SqliteValue[]): T[] =>
-	statement.all<T>(...params);
-
 const cursorId = <I extends Id<string>>(cursor: Cursor | undefined): I | undefined => {
 	const after = cursor?.after;
 	if (after === undefined) return undefined;
@@ -132,37 +126,6 @@ const writeId = (write: StorageWrite): Id<string> | undefined => {
 	}
 };
 
-class StatementCachingDatabase implements SqliteDatabase {
-	private readonly database: SqliteDatabase;
-	private readonly statements = new Map<string, SqliteStatement>();
-
-	constructor(database: SqliteDatabase) {
-		this.database = database;
-	}
-
-	exec(sql: string): void {
-		this.database.exec(sql);
-	}
-
-	prepare(sql: string): SqliteStatement {
-		let statement = this.statements.get(sql);
-		if (statement === undefined) {
-			statement = this.database.prepare(sql);
-			this.statements.set(sql, statement);
-		}
-		return statement;
-	}
-
-	transaction<T>(callback: () => T): T | Promise<T> {
-		return this.database.transaction(callback);
-	}
-
-	close(): void | Promise<void> {
-		this.statements.clear();
-		return this.database.close();
-	}
-}
-
 /** Portable SQLite implementation of the Pico storage contract. */
 export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 	private readonly db: SqliteDatabase;
@@ -170,7 +133,7 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 	private closed = false;
 
 	private constructor(db: SqliteDatabase, nextId: number) {
-		this.db = new StatementCachingDatabase(db);
+		this.db = db;
 		this.nextId = nextId;
 	}
 
@@ -178,8 +141,8 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 	static async open(db: SqliteDatabase): Promise<SqliteStorage> {
 		try {
 			await applySqliteMigrations(db);
-			const metadata = getRow<MetadataRow>(
-				db.prepare("SELECT next_id, next_seq FROM durable_metadata WHERE singleton = 1"),
+			const metadata = await db.get<MetadataRow>(
+				"SELECT next_id, next_seq FROM durable_metadata WHERE singleton = 1",
 			);
 			if (metadata === undefined) throw new Error("Durable SQLite metadata is missing");
 			return new SqliteStorage(db, Number(metadata.next_id));
@@ -197,19 +160,21 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 		this.assertOpen();
 		const documentActions = this.prepareDocumentActions(writes);
 		const candidateNextId = this.candidateNextId(writes);
-		const seq = await this.db.transaction(() => {
-			const metadata = getRow<MetadataRow>(
-				this.db.prepare("SELECT next_id, next_seq FROM durable_metadata WHERE singleton = 1"),
+		const seq = await this.db.transaction(async (transaction) => {
+			const metadata = await transaction.get<MetadataRow>(
+				"SELECT next_id, next_seq FROM durable_metadata WHERE singleton = 1",
 			);
 			if (metadata === undefined) throw new Error("Durable SQLite metadata is missing");
 			const committedSeq = seqFromNumber(metadata.next_seq);
-			this.checkGlobalIds(writes);
-			this.checkDocumentActions(documentActions);
-			for (const write of writes) this.applyTableWrite(write, committedSeq);
-			this.applyDocumentActions(documentActions, committedSeq);
-			this.db
-				.prepare("UPDATE durable_metadata SET next_id = ?, next_seq = ? WHERE singleton = 1")
-				.run(String(Math.max(Number(metadata.next_id), candidateNextId)), committedSeq + 1);
+			await this.checkGlobalIds(transaction, writes);
+			await this.checkDocumentActions(transaction, documentActions);
+			for (const write of writes) await this.applyTableWrite(transaction, write, committedSeq);
+			await this.applyDocumentActions(transaction, documentActions, committedSeq);
+			await transaction.run(
+				"UPDATE durable_metadata SET next_id = ?, next_seq = ? WHERE singleton = 1",
+				String(Math.max(Number(metadata.next_id), candidateNextId)),
+				committedSeq + 1,
+			);
 			return committedSeq;
 		});
 		this.nextId = Math.max(this.nextId, candidateNextId);
@@ -224,7 +189,7 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 
 	async conversation(id: ConversationId, _context: Context): Promise<ConversationRecord | undefined> {
 		this.assertOpen();
-		const row = getRow<JsonRow>(this.db.prepare("SELECT record FROM conversations WHERE id = ?"), id);
+		const row = await this.db.get<JsonRow>("SELECT record FROM conversations WHERE id = ?", id);
 		return row === undefined ? undefined : parseJson<ConversationRecord>(row.record);
 	}
 
@@ -246,8 +211,8 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 			params.push(query.ownerTaskId);
 		}
 		params.push(limit + 1);
-		const rows = allRows<JsonRow>(
-			this.db.prepare(`SELECT record FROM conversations WHERE ${clauses.join(" AND ")} ORDER BY id LIMIT ?`),
+		const rows = await this.db.all<JsonRow>(
+			`SELECT record FROM conversations WHERE ${clauses.join(" AND ")} ORDER BY id LIMIT ?`,
 			...params,
 		);
 		return page(
@@ -278,10 +243,10 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 		let conversation: ConversationRecord | undefined;
 		if (context !== undefined) {
 			const conversationId = idFromNumber<ConversationId>(idOrConversationId);
-			conversation = this.readConversation(conversationId);
+			conversation = await this.readConversation(conversationId);
 			if (conversation === undefined) throw new Error(`Unknown conversation: ${conversationId}`);
 		}
-		const row = getRow<EntryJsonRow>(this.db.prepare("SELECT record, commit_seq FROM entries WHERE id = ?"), id);
+		const row = await this.db.get<EntryJsonRow>("SELECT record, commit_seq FROM entries WHERE id = ?", id);
 		if (row === undefined) return undefined;
 		const entry = parseJson<EntryRecord>(row.record);
 		if (conversation !== undefined) {
@@ -289,7 +254,7 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 			while (conversation.id !== entry.conversationId) {
 				if (conversation.parent === undefined) return undefined;
 				upperEntryId = Math.min(upperEntryId, conversation.parent.at);
-				conversation = this.readConversation(conversation.parent.conversationId)!;
+				conversation = (await this.readConversation(conversation.parent.conversationId))!;
 			}
 			if (entry.id > upperEntryId) return undefined;
 		}
@@ -302,29 +267,25 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 		_context: Context,
 	): Promise<(EntryRecord & { readonly head: EntryId }) | undefined> {
 		this.assertOpen();
-		let conversation = this.readConversation(conversationId);
+		let conversation = await this.readConversation(conversationId);
 		if (conversation === undefined) throw new Error(`Unknown conversation: ${conversationId}`);
 		let upper: number | undefined = atOrBeforeEntryId;
 		while (true) {
 			const row =
 				upper === undefined
-					? getRow<JsonRow>(
-							this.db.prepare(
-								"SELECT record FROM entries WHERE conversation_id = ? AND head IS NOT NULL ORDER BY id DESC LIMIT 1",
-							),
+					? await this.db.get<JsonRow>(
+							"SELECT record FROM entries WHERE conversation_id = ? AND head IS NOT NULL ORDER BY id DESC LIMIT 1",
 							conversation.id,
 						)
-					: getRow<JsonRow>(
-							this.db.prepare(
-								"SELECT record FROM entries WHERE conversation_id = ? AND head IS NOT NULL AND id <= ? ORDER BY id DESC LIMIT 1",
-							),
+					: await this.db.get<JsonRow>(
+							"SELECT record FROM entries WHERE conversation_id = ? AND head IS NOT NULL AND id <= ? ORDER BY id DESC LIMIT 1",
 							conversation.id,
 							upper,
 						);
 			if (row !== undefined) return parseJson<EntryRecord & { readonly head: EntryId }>(row.record);
 			if (conversation.parent === undefined) return undefined;
 			upper = upper === undefined ? conversation.parent.at : Math.min(upper, conversation.parent.at);
-			conversation = this.readConversation(conversation.parent.conversationId)!;
+			conversation = (await this.readConversation(conversation.parent.conversationId))!;
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -335,7 +296,7 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 		_context: Context,
 	): Promise<Page<EntryRecord, Cursor>> {
 		this.assertOpen();
-		let conversation = this.readConversation(query.conversationId);
+		let conversation = await this.readConversation(query.conversationId);
 		if (conversation === undefined) throw new Error(`Unknown conversation: ${query.conversationId}`);
 		const after = cursorId(cursor);
 		let upper: number | undefined = query.maxEntryId;
@@ -353,22 +314,22 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 				params.push(upper);
 			}
 			params.push(limit + 1 - values.length);
-			const rows = allRows<JsonRow>(
-				this.db.prepare(`SELECT record FROM entries WHERE ${clauses.join(" AND ")} ORDER BY id DESC LIMIT ?`),
+			const rows = await this.db.all<JsonRow>(
+				`SELECT record FROM entries WHERE ${clauses.join(" AND ")} ORDER BY id DESC LIMIT ?`,
 				...params,
 			);
 			values.push(...rows.map((row) => parseJson<EntryRecord>(row.record)));
 			if (values.length > limit || conversation.parent === undefined) break;
 			upper = upper === undefined ? conversation.parent.at : Math.min(upper, conversation.parent.at);
 			if (query.minEntryId !== undefined && upper < query.minEntryId) break;
-			conversation = this.readConversation(conversation.parent.conversationId)!;
+			conversation = (await this.readConversation(conversation.parent.conversationId))!;
 		}
 		return page(values, limit);
 	}
 
 	async task(id: TaskId, _context: Context): Promise<StoredTask | undefined> {
 		this.assertOpen();
-		const row = getRow<JsonRow>(this.db.prepare("SELECT record FROM tasks WHERE id = ?"), id);
+		const row = await this.db.get<JsonRow>("SELECT record FROM tasks WHERE id = ?", id);
 		return row === undefined ? undefined : parseJson<StoredTask>(row.record);
 	}
 
@@ -402,8 +363,8 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 			params.push(query.background ? 1 : 0);
 		}
 		params.push(limit + 1);
-		const rows = allRows<JsonRow>(
-			this.db.prepare(`SELECT record FROM tasks WHERE ${clauses.join(" AND ")} ORDER BY id LIMIT ?`),
+		const rows = await this.db.all<JsonRow>(
+			`SELECT record FROM tasks WHERE ${clauses.join(" AND ")} ORDER BY id LIMIT ?`,
 			...params,
 		);
 		return page(
@@ -414,7 +375,7 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 
 	async submission(id: SubmissionId, _context: Context): Promise<SubmissionRecord | undefined> {
 		this.assertOpen();
-		const row = getRow<JsonRow>(this.db.prepare("SELECT record FROM submissions WHERE id = ?"), id);
+		const row = await this.db.get<JsonRow>("SELECT record FROM submissions WHERE id = ?", id);
 		return row === undefined ? undefined : parseJson<SubmissionRecord>(row.record);
 	}
 
@@ -436,8 +397,8 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 			params.push(query.status);
 		}
 		params.push(limit + 1);
-		const rows = allRows<JsonRow>(
-			this.db.prepare(`SELECT record FROM submissions WHERE ${clauses.join(" AND ")} ORDER BY id LIMIT ?`),
+		const rows = await this.db.all<JsonRow>(
+			`SELECT record FROM submissions WHERE ${clauses.join(" AND ")} ORDER BY id LIMIT ?`,
 			...params,
 		);
 		return page(
@@ -452,8 +413,8 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 		_context: Context,
 	): Promise<SubmissionRecord | undefined> {
 		this.assertOpen();
-		const row = getRow<JsonRow>(
-			this.db.prepare("SELECT record FROM submissions WHERE conversation_id = ? AND request_id = ?"),
+		const row = await this.db.get<JsonRow>(
+			"SELECT record FROM submissions WHERE conversation_id = ? AND request_id = ?",
 			conversationId,
 			encodeIndexedString(requestId),
 		);
@@ -467,24 +428,25 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 	): Promise<DocumentRecord | undefined> {
 		this.assertOpen();
 		const parts = addressParts(address);
-		const statement =
+		const sql =
 			at === "current"
-				? this.db.prepare(`SELECT record FROM documents
+				? `SELECT record FROM documents
 					WHERE kind = ? AND scope_kind = ? AND owner_id = ? AND family = ? AND key_value = ?
-					AND retired_at IS NULL ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 1`)
-				: this.db.prepare(`SELECT record FROM documents
+					AND retired_at IS NULL ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 1`
+				: `SELECT record FROM documents
 					WHERE kind = ? AND scope_kind = ? AND owner_id = ? AND family = ? AND key_value = ?
 					AND created_at <= ? AND (retired_at IS NULL OR retired_at > ?)
-					ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 1`);
+					ORDER BY created_at DESC LIMIT 1`;
 		const params: SqliteValue[] = [parts.kind, parts.scopeKind, parts.ownerId, parts.family, parts.keyValue];
 		if (at !== "current") params.push(at, at);
-		const row = getRow<JsonRow>(statement, ...params);
+		const row = await this.db.get<JsonRow>(sql, ...params);
 		return row === undefined ? undefined : parseJson<DocumentRecord>(row.record);
 	}
 
 	async document(id: DocumentId, at: DocumentPoint, _context: Context): Promise<StoredDocument | undefined> {
 		this.assertOpen();
-		return this.materializeDocument(id, at);
+		// The record and revision queries must observe one committed state; a commit between them can replace the base.
+		return this.db.transaction((transaction) => this.materializeDocument(transaction, id, at));
 	}
 
 	async scanDocuments(
@@ -508,8 +470,8 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 			params.push(query.at, query.at);
 		}
 		params.push(limit + 1);
-		const rows = allRows<JsonRow>(
-			this.db.prepare(`SELECT record FROM documents WHERE ${clauses.join(" AND ")} ORDER BY id LIMIT ?`),
+		const rows = await this.db.all<JsonRow>(
+			`SELECT record FROM documents WHERE ${clauses.join(" AND ")} ORDER BY id LIMIT ?`,
 			...params,
 		);
 		return page(
@@ -524,13 +486,17 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 		await this.db.close();
 	}
 
-	private readConversation(id: ConversationId): ConversationRecord | undefined {
-		const row = getRow<JsonRow>(this.db.prepare("SELECT record FROM conversations WHERE id = ?"), id);
+	private async readConversation(id: ConversationId): Promise<ConversationRecord | undefined> {
+		const row = await this.db.get<JsonRow>("SELECT record FROM conversations WHERE id = ?", id);
 		return row === undefined ? undefined : parseJson<ConversationRecord>(row.record);
 	}
 
-	private materializeDocument(id: DocumentId, at: DocumentPoint): StoredDocument | undefined {
-		const row = getRow<JsonRow>(this.db.prepare("SELECT record FROM documents WHERE id = ?"), id);
+	private async materializeDocument(
+		executor: SqliteExecutor,
+		id: DocumentId,
+		at: DocumentPoint,
+	): Promise<StoredDocument | undefined> {
+		const row = await executor.get<JsonRow>("SELECT record FROM documents WHERE id = ?", id);
 		if (row === undefined) return undefined;
 		const record = parseJson<DocumentRecord>(row.record);
 		if (at !== "current" && isCurrentOnly(record)) {
@@ -538,17 +504,17 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 		}
 		if (!isAliveAt(record, at)) return undefined;
 		const upper = at === "current" ? Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER : at;
-		const base = getRow<RevisionRow>(
-			this.db.prepare(`SELECT seq, kind, version, content FROM document_revisions
-				WHERE document_id = ? AND kind = 'base' AND seq <= ? ORDER BY seq DESC LIMIT 1`),
+		const base = await executor.get<RevisionRow>(
+			`SELECT seq, kind, version, content FROM document_revisions
+				WHERE document_id = ? AND kind = 'base' AND seq <= ? ORDER BY seq DESC LIMIT 1`,
 			id,
 			upper,
 		);
 		if (base === undefined) throw new Error(`Document ${id} is missing a required base`);
 		let value = parseJson<JsonObject>(base.content);
-		const tail = allRows<RevisionRow>(
-			this.db.prepare(`SELECT seq, kind, version, content FROM document_revisions
-				WHERE document_id = ? AND seq > ? AND seq <= ? ORDER BY seq`),
+		const tail = await executor.all<RevisionRow>(
+			`SELECT seq, kind, version, content FROM document_revisions
+				WHERE document_id = ? AND seq > ? AND seq <= ? ORDER BY seq`,
 			id,
 			base.seq,
 			upper,
@@ -571,15 +537,15 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 		return nextId;
 	}
 
-	private checkGlobalIds(writes: readonly StorageWrite[]): void {
+	private async checkGlobalIds(executor: SqliteExecutor, writes: readonly StorageWrite[]): Promise<void> {
 		const claimed = new Map<Id<string>, TableName>();
-		const lookup = this.db.prepare("SELECT record_type FROM record_ids WHERE id = ?");
 		for (const write of writes) {
 			if (write.type === "document.change" || write.type === "document.retire") continue;
 			const document = write.type === "document.create" || write.type === "document.copy";
 			const table: TableName = document ? "document" : write.type;
 			const id = document ? write.record.id : write.value.id;
-			const existing = getRow<RecordIdRow>(lookup, id)?.record_type;
+			const existing = (await executor.get<RecordIdRow>("SELECT record_type FROM record_ids WHERE id = ?", id))
+				?.record_type;
 			const earlier = claimed.get(id);
 			if (table === "conversation" || table === "entry" || table === "document") {
 				if (existing !== undefined) throw new Error(`ID ${id} already belongs to ${existing}`);
@@ -640,22 +606,23 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 		return actions;
 	}
 
-	private checkDocumentActions(actions: ReadonlyMap<DocumentId, DocumentAction>): void {
+	private async checkDocumentActions(
+		executor: SqliteExecutor,
+		actions: ReadonlyMap<DocumentId, DocumentAction>,
+	): Promise<void> {
 		const liveCounts = new Map<string, number>();
 		for (const [id, action] of actions) {
 			if (action.copy !== undefined && actions.has(action.copy.id)) {
 				throw new StorageRejected(`Document copy ${id} source is changed in the copy batch`);
 			}
-			const row = getRow<JsonRow>(this.db.prepare("SELECT record FROM documents WHERE id = ?"), id);
+			const row = await executor.get<JsonRow>("SELECT record FROM documents WHERE id = ?", id);
 			const existing = row === undefined ? undefined : parseJson<DocumentRecord>(row.record);
 			if (action.create === undefined && existing === undefined) throw new Error(`Unknown document: ${id}`);
 			if (action.create !== undefined && existing !== undefined) throw new Error(`Document ${id} already exists`);
 			if (existing?.retiredAt !== undefined) throw new Error(`Document ${id} is retired`);
 			if (action.content?.kind === "delta") {
-				const previous = getRow<{ readonly version: number }>(
-					this.db.prepare(
-						"SELECT version FROM document_revisions WHERE document_id = ? ORDER BY seq DESC LIMIT 1",
-					),
+				const previous = await executor.get<{ readonly version: number }>(
+					"SELECT version FROM document_revisions WHERE document_id = ? ORDER BY seq DESC LIMIT 1",
 					id,
 				);
 				if (previous === undefined) throw new Error(`Document ${id} delta has no base`);
@@ -666,7 +633,7 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 			const record = action.create ?? existing!;
 			const key = addressKey(record);
 			let live = liveCounts.get(key);
-			if (live === undefined) live = this.currentDocumentId(record) === undefined ? 0 : 1;
+			if (live === undefined) live = (await this.currentDocumentId(executor, record)) === undefined ? 0 : 1;
 			if (action.retire && existing !== undefined) live--;
 			if (action.create !== undefined && !action.retire) live++;
 			liveCounts.set(key, live);
@@ -676,73 +643,78 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 		}
 	}
 
-	private currentDocumentId(address: DocumentAddress | DocumentCreate | DocumentRecord): DocumentId | undefined {
+	private async currentDocumentId(
+		executor: SqliteExecutor,
+		address: DocumentAddress | DocumentCreate | DocumentRecord,
+	): Promise<DocumentId | undefined> {
 		const parts = addressParts(address);
-		const id = getRow<IdRow>(
-			this.db.prepare(`SELECT id FROM documents
+		const id = (
+			await executor.get<IdRow>(
+				`SELECT id FROM documents
 				WHERE kind = ? AND scope_kind = ? AND owner_id = ? AND family = ? AND key_value = ? AND retired_at IS NULL
-				LIMIT 1`),
-			parts.kind,
-			parts.scopeKind,
-			parts.ownerId,
-			parts.family,
-			parts.keyValue,
+				LIMIT 1`,
+				parts.kind,
+				parts.scopeKind,
+				parts.ownerId,
+				parts.family,
+				parts.keyValue,
+			)
 		)?.id;
 		return id === undefined ? undefined : idFromNumber<DocumentId>(id);
 	}
 
-	private applyTableWrite(write: StorageWrite, seq: Seq): void {
+	private async applyTableWrite(executor: SqliteExecutor, write: StorageWrite, seq: Seq): Promise<void> {
 		switch (write.type) {
 			case "conversation":
-				this.claimId(write.value.id, "conversation");
-				this.db
-					.prepare(
-						"INSERT INTO conversations (id, owner_conversation_id, owner_task_id, record) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?)",
-					)
-					.run(
-						write.value.id,
-						write.value.owner?.conversationId ?? null,
-						write.value.owner?.taskId ?? null,
-						encodeJson(write.value),
-					);
+				await this.claimId(executor, write.value.id, "conversation");
+				await executor.run(
+					"INSERT INTO conversations (id, owner_conversation_id, owner_task_id, record) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?)",
+					write.value.id,
+					write.value.owner?.conversationId ?? null,
+					write.value.owner?.taskId ?? null,
+					encodeJson(write.value),
+				);
 				break;
 			case "entry":
-				this.claimId(write.value.id, "entry");
-				this.db
-					.prepare("INSERT INTO entries (id, conversation_id, head, commit_seq, record) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?)")
-					.run(write.value.id, write.value.conversationId, write.value.head ?? null, seq, encodeJson(write.value));
+				await this.claimId(executor, write.value.id, "entry");
+				await executor.run(
+					"INSERT INTO entries (id, conversation_id, head, commit_seq, record) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?)",
+					write.value.id,
+					write.value.conversationId,
+					write.value.head ?? null,
+					seq,
+					encodeJson(write.value),
+				);
 				break;
 			case "task":
-				this.claimId(write.value.id, "task");
-				this.db
-					.prepare(`INSERT INTO tasks (id, conversation_id, kind, status, abort_requested, background, record)
+				await this.claimId(executor, write.value.id, "task");
+				await executor.run(
+					`INSERT INTO tasks (id, conversation_id, kind, status, abort_requested, background, record)
 						VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
 						ON CONFLICT(id) DO UPDATE SET conversation_id = excluded.conversation_id, kind = excluded.kind,
 						status = excluded.status, abort_requested = excluded.abort_requested,
-						background = excluded.background, record = excluded.record`)
-					.run(
-						write.value.id,
-						write.value.conversationId,
-						encodeIndexedString(write.value.kind),
-						write.value.state.status,
-						write.value.abortRequested ? 1 : 0,
-						write.value.background ? 1 : 0,
-						encodeJson(write.value),
-					);
+						background = excluded.background, record = excluded.record`,
+					write.value.id,
+					write.value.conversationId,
+					encodeIndexedString(write.value.kind),
+					write.value.state.status,
+					write.value.abortRequested ? 1 : 0,
+					write.value.background ? 1 : 0,
+					encodeJson(write.value),
+				);
 				break;
 			case "submission":
-				this.claimId(write.value.id, "submission");
-				this.db
-					.prepare(`INSERT INTO submissions (id, conversation_id, request_id, status, record) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
+				await this.claimId(executor, write.value.id, "submission");
+				await executor.run(
+					`INSERT INTO submissions (id, conversation_id, request_id, status, record) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?)
 						ON CONFLICT(id) DO UPDATE SET conversation_id = excluded.conversation_id,
-						request_id = excluded.request_id, status = excluded.status, record = excluded.record`)
-					.run(
-						write.value.id,
-						write.value.conversationId,
-						write.value.requestId === undefined ? null : encodeIndexedString(write.value.requestId),
-						write.value.status,
-						encodeJson(write.value),
-					);
+						request_id = excluded.request_id, status = excluded.status, record = excluded.record`,
+					write.value.id,
+					write.value.conversationId,
+					write.value.requestId === undefined ? null : encodeIndexedString(write.value.requestId),
+					write.value.status,
+					encodeJson(write.value),
+				);
 				break;
 			case "document.create":
 			case "document.copy":
@@ -752,16 +724,20 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 		}
 	}
 
-	private claimId(id: Id<string>, table: TableName): void {
-		this.db.prepare("INSERT OR IGNORE INTO record_ids (id, record_type) VALUES (?, ?)").run(id, table);
+	private async claimId(executor: SqliteExecutor, id: Id<string>, table: TableName): Promise<void> {
+		await executor.run("INSERT OR IGNORE INTO record_ids (id, record_type) VALUES (?, ?)", id, table);
 	}
 
-	private applyDocumentActions(actions: ReadonlyMap<DocumentId, DocumentAction>, seq: Seq): void {
+	private async applyDocumentActions(
+		executor: SqliteExecutor,
+		actions: ReadonlyMap<DocumentId, DocumentAction>,
+		seq: Seq,
+	): Promise<void> {
 		for (const [id, action] of actions) {
 			let content = action.content;
 			if (action.copy !== undefined) {
 				try {
-					const stored = this.materializeDocument(action.copy.id, action.copy.at);
+					const stored = await this.materializeDocument(executor, action.copy.id, action.copy.at);
 					if (stored === undefined) throw new Error(`Fork source document ${action.copy.id} cannot be read`);
 					const create = action.create!;
 					if (
@@ -788,47 +764,54 @@ export class SqliteStorage implements Storage {
 					...(action.retire ? { retiredAt: seq } : {}),
 				};
 				const parts = addressParts(record);
-				this.claimId(id, "document");
-				this.db
-					.prepare(`INSERT INTO documents
+				await this.claimId(executor, id, "document");
+				await executor.run(
+					`INSERT INTO documents
 						(id, kind, family, key_value, scope_kind, owner_id, created_at, retired_at, record)
-						VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)`)
-					.run(
-						id,
-						parts.kind,
-						parts.family,
-						parts.keyValue,
-						parts.scopeKind,
-						parts.ownerId,
-						seq,
-						action.retire ? seq : null,
-						encodeJson(record),
-					);
+						VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)`,
+					id,
+					parts.kind,
+					parts.family,
+					parts.keyValue,
+					parts.scopeKind,
+					parts.ownerId,
+					seq,
+					action.retire ? seq : null,
+					encodeJson(record),
+				);
 			} else {
-				const row = getRow<JsonRow>(this.db.prepare("SELECT record FROM documents WHERE id = ?"), id)!;
+				const row = (await executor.get<JsonRow>("SELECT record FROM documents WHERE id = ?", id))!;
 				record = parseJson<DocumentRecord>(row.record);
 			}
 
 			if (content !== undefined) {
 				if (content.kind === "base" && isCurrentOnly(record)) {
-					this.db.prepare("DELETE FROM document_revisions WHERE document_id = ?").run(id);
+					await executor.run("DELETE FROM document_revisions WHERE document_id = ?", id);
 				}
 				const encodedContent = content.kind === "base" ? encodeJson(content.value) : encodeJson(content.ops);
-				this.db
-					.prepare(
-						"INSERT INTO document_revisions (document_id, seq, kind, version, content) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?)",
-					)
-					.run(id, seq, content.kind, content.version, encodedContent);
+				await executor.run(
+					"INSERT INTO document_revisions (document_id, seq, kind, version, content) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?)",
+					id,
+					seq,
+					content.kind,
+					content.version,
+					encodedContent,
+				);
 			}
 
 			if (action.retire) {
 				if (action.create === undefined) {
 					record = { ...record, retiredAt: seq };
-					this.db
-						.prepare("UPDATE documents SET retired_at = ?, record = ? WHERE id = ?")
-						.run(seq, encodeJson(record), id);
+					await executor.run(
+						"UPDATE documents SET retired_at = ?, record = ? WHERE id = ?",
+						seq,
+						encodeJson(record),
+						id,
+					);
+				}
+				if (isCurrentOnly(record)) {
+					await executor.run("DELETE FROM document_revisions WHERE document_id = ?", id);
 				}
-				if (isCurrentOnly(record)) this.db.prepare("DELETE FROM document_revisions WHERE document_id = ?").run(id);
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/packages/durable/test/sqlite-facade.test.ts b/packages/durable/test/sqlite-facade.test.ts
index fe24eeaf2..b9a311b26 100644
--- a/packages/durable/test/sqlite-facade.test.ts
+++ b/packages/durable/test/sqlite-facade.test.ts
@@ -1,11 +1,12 @@
+import { DatabaseSync, type StatementSync } from "node:sqlite";
 import { BACKGROUND_CONTEXT } from "@earendil-works/chord/context";
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 import { StorageRejected } from "../src/errors.ts";
 import { idFromNumber } from "../src/ids.ts";
-import type { SqliteDatabase, SqliteStatement } from "../src/storage/sqlite/index.ts";
+import type { SqliteDatabase, SqliteExecutor, SqliteValue } from "../src/storage/sqlite/index.ts";
 import { SqliteStorage } from "../src/storage/sqlite/index.ts";
-import { type NodeSqliteDatabase, openNodeSqliteDatabase } from "../src/storage/sqlite/node.ts";
-import { type EntryId, ROOT_CONVERSATION_ID } from "../src/types.ts";
+import { NodeSqliteDatabase, openNodeSqliteDatabase } from "../src/storage/sqlite/node.ts";
+import { type DocumentId, type EntryId, ROOT_CONVERSATION_ID } from "../src/types.ts";
 
 type SettlementMode = "immediate" | "delay" | "reject";
 
@@ -13,47 +14,43 @@ class ControlledSettlementDatabase implements SqliteDatabase {
 	private readonly delegate: NodeSqliteDatabase;
 	private mode: SettlementMode = "immediate";
 	private pendingSettlement: (() => void) | undefined;
-	private readonly prepareCounts = new Map<string, number>();
 
 	constructor(delegate: NodeSqliteDatabase) {
 		this.delegate = delegate;
 	}
 
-	exec(sql: string): void {
-		this.delegate.exec(sql);
+	exec(sql: string): Promise<void> {
+		return this.delegate.exec(sql);
 	}
 
-	prepare(sql: string): SqliteStatement {
-		this.prepareCounts.set(sql, (this.prepareCounts.get(sql) ?? 0) + 1);
-		return this.delegate.prepare(sql);
+	run(sql: string, ...params: SqliteValue[]): Promise<void> {
+		return this.delegate.run(sql, ...params);
 	}
 
-	transaction<T>(callback: () => T): T | Promise<T> {
+	get<T extends object>(sql: string, ...params: SqliteValue[]): Promise<T | undefined> {
+		return this.delegate.get<T>(sql, ...params);
+	}
+
+	all<T extends object>(sql: string, ...params: SqliteValue[]): Promise<T[]> {
+		return this.delegate.all<T>(sql, ...params);
+	}
+
+	transaction<T>(callback: (transaction: SqliteExecutor) => Promise<T>): Promise<T> {
 		const mode = this.mode;
 		this.mode = "immediate";
 		if (mode === "immediate") return this.delegate.transaction(callback);
-		try {
-			const result = this.delegate.transaction(() => {
-				const value = callback();
-				if (mode === "reject") throw new Error("controlled settlement rejection");
-				return value;
-			});
-			return new Promise<T>((resolve) => {
-				this.pendingSettlement = () => resolve(result);
-			});
-		} catch (error) {
-			return new Promise<T>((_resolve, reject) => {
-				this.pendingSettlement = () => reject(error);
-			});
-		}
+		const settlement = this.delegate.transaction(async (transaction) => {
+			const value = await callback(transaction);
+			if (mode === "reject") throw new Error("controlled settlement rejection");
+			return value;
+		});
+		return new Promise<T>((resolve, reject) => {
+			this.pendingSettlement = () => void settlement.then(resolve, reject);
+		});
 	}
 
-	close(): void {
-		this.delegate.close();
-	}
-
-	prepareCount(sql: string): number {
-		return this.prepareCounts.get(sql) ?? 0;
+	close(): Promise<void> {
+		return this.delegate.close();
 	}
 
 	controlNextSettlement(mode: Exclude<SettlementMode, "immediate">): void {
@@ -69,10 +66,23 @@ class ControlledSettlementDatabase implements SqliteDatabase {
 	}
 }
 
+class PrepareCountingDatabaseSync extends DatabaseSync {
+	private readonly prepareCounts = new Map<string, number>();
+
+	override prepare(sql: string): StatementSync {
+		this.prepareCounts.set(sql, (this.prepareCounts.get(sql) ?? 0) + 1);
+		return super.prepare(sql);
+	}
+
+	repeatedPrepares(): string[] {
+		return [...this.prepareCounts].filter(([, count]) => count > 1).map(([sql]) => sql);
+	}
+}
+
 describe("portable SQLite facade settlement", () => {
-	it("prepares each storage statement once and rebinds it across commits", async () => {
-		const database = new ControlledSettlementDatabase(await openNodeSqliteDatabase(":memory:"));
-		const storage = await SqliteStorage.open(database);
+	it("prepares each storage statement once per connection and reuses it across transactions", async () => {
+		const connection = new PrepareCountingDatabaseSync(":memory:");
+		const storage = await SqliteStorage.open(new NodeSqliteDatabase(connection));
 		await storage.commit([{ type: "conversation", value: { id: ROOT_CONVERSATION_ID } }], BACKGROUND_CONTEXT);
 		await storage.commit(
 			Array.from({ length: 100 }, (_, index) => ({
@@ -96,37 +106,135 @@ describe("portable SQLite facade settlement", () => {
 			storage.commit([{ type: "conversation", value: { id: ROOT_CONVERSATION_ID } }], BACKGROUND_CONTEXT),
 		).rejects.toThrow("ID 1 already belongs to conversation");
 		expect((await storage.entry(idFromNumber<EntryId>(2), BACKGROUND_CONTEXT))?.entry.kind).toBe("cached");
-		expect(database.prepareCount("SELECT record, commit_seq FROM entries WHERE id = ?")).toBe(1);
-		expect(database.prepareCount("INSERT OR IGNORE INTO record_ids (id, record_type) VALUES (?, ?)")).toBe(1);
-		expect(
-			database.prepareCount(
-				"INSERT INTO entries (id, conversation_id, head, commit_seq, record) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?)",
-			),
-		).toBe(1);
+		expect(connection.repeatedPrepares()).toEqual([]);
 		await storage.close(BACKGROUND_CONTEXT);
 	});
 
-	it("rejects asynchronous Node transaction callbacks and closes idempotently", async () => {
+	it("commits work done through the transaction handle and closes idempotently", async () => {
 		const database = await openNodeSqliteDatabase(":memory:");
-		expect(() => database.transaction(() => Promise.resolve())).toThrow(
-			"SQLite transaction callbacks must be synchronous",
+		await database.transaction(async (transaction) => {
+			await transaction.exec("CREATE TABLE async_probe (value INTEGER)");
+			await transaction.run("INSERT INTO async_probe (value) VALUES (?)", 1);
+		});
+		expect(await database.get("SELECT value FROM async_probe")).toEqual({ value: 1 });
+		await database.close();
+		await database.close();
+	});
+
+	it("serializes concurrent transactions", async () => {
+		const database = await openNodeSqliteDatabase(":memory:");
+		await database.exec("CREATE TABLE transaction_queue (value INTEGER)");
+		let markFirstStarted!: () => void;
+		const firstStarted = new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+			markFirstStarted = resolve;
+		});
+		let releaseFirst!: () => void;
+		const firstGate = new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+			releaseFirst = resolve;
+		});
+		const first = database.transaction(async (transaction) => {
+			await transaction.exec("INSERT INTO transaction_queue (value) VALUES (1)");
+			markFirstStarted();
+			await firstGate;
+		});
+		await firstStarted;
+
+		let secondStarted = false;
+		const second = database.transaction(async (transaction) => {
+			secondStarted = true;
+			await transaction.exec("INSERT INTO transaction_queue (value) VALUES (2)");
+		});
+		await Promise.resolve();
+		expect(secondStarted).toBe(false);
+
+		releaseFirst();
+		await Promise.all([first, second]);
+		expect(await database.all("SELECT value FROM transaction_queue ORDER BY value")).toEqual([
+			{ value: 1 },
+			{ value: 2 },
+		]);
+		await database.close();
+	});
+
+	it("queues ordinary operations behind an active transaction", async () => {
+		const database = await openNodeSqliteDatabase(":memory:");
+		await database.exec("CREATE TABLE operation_queue (value INTEGER)");
+		let markTransactionStarted!: () => void;
+		const transactionStarted = new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+			markTransactionStarted = resolve;
+		});
+		let releaseTransaction!: () => void;
+		const transactionGate = new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+			releaseTransaction = resolve;
+		});
+		const pending = database.transaction(async (transaction) => {
+			await transaction.exec("INSERT INTO operation_queue (value) VALUES (1)");
+			markTransactionStarted();
+			await transactionGate;
+		});
+		await transactionStarted;
+
+		let writeSettled = false;
+		const write = database.exec("INSERT INTO operation_queue (value) VALUES (2)").finally(() => {
+			writeSettled = true;
+		});
+		let readSettled = false;
+		const read = database.all("SELECT value FROM operation_queue ORDER BY value").finally(() => {
+			readSettled = true;
+		});
+		await Promise.resolve();
+		expect(writeSettled).toBe(false);
+		expect(readSettled).toBe(false);
+
+		releaseTransaction();
+		await pending;
+		await write;
+		await expect(read).resolves.toEqual([{ value: 1 }, { value: 2 }]);
+		await database.close();
+	});
+
+	it("rejects database operations from inside a transaction callback instead of waiting forever", async () => {
+		const database = await openNodeSqliteDatabase(":memory:");
+		await database.exec("CREATE TABLE misuse_probe (value INTEGER)");
+		const misuse = "Use the transaction handle inside a transaction callback";
+		await expect(database.transaction(() => database.exec("SELECT 1"))).rejects.toThrow(misuse);
+		await expect(database.transaction(() => database.all("SELECT value FROM misuse_probe"))).rejects.toThrow(misuse);
+		await expect(database.transaction(() => database.transaction(async () => undefined))).rejects.toThrow(
+			"Nested SQLite transactions are not supported",
 		);
-		database.close();
-		database.close();
+		await expect(database.transaction(() => database.close())).rejects.toThrow(
+			"Cannot close SQLite during an active transaction",
+		);
+		await database.close();
+	});
+
+	it("rejects a transaction handle used after its transaction settles", async () => {
+		const database = await openNodeSqliteDatabase(":memory:");
+		await database.exec("CREATE TABLE stale_probe (value INTEGER)");
+		let handle!: SqliteExecutor;
+		await database.transaction(async (transaction) => {
+			handle = transaction;
+			await transaction.run("INSERT INTO stale_probe (value) VALUES (?)", 1);
+		});
+		const stale = "SQLite transaction handle is no longer active";
+		await expect(handle.exec("INSERT INTO stale_probe (value) VALUES (2)")).rejects.toThrow(stale);
+		await expect(handle.run("INSERT INTO stale_probe (value) VALUES (?)", 3)).rejects.toThrow(stale);
+		expect(await database.all("SELECT value FROM stale_probe")).toEqual([{ value: 1 }]);
+		await database.close();
 	});
 
 	it("does not preserve a guaranteed rejection when rollback itself fails", async () => {
 		const database = await openNodeSqliteDatabase(":memory:");
-		database.exec("CREATE TABLE rollback_probe (value INTEGER)");
-		expect(() =>
-			database.transaction(() => {
-				database.exec("INSERT INTO rollback_probe (value) VALUES (1)");
-				database.exec("COMMIT");
+		await database.exec("CREATE TABLE rollback_probe (value INTEGER)");
+		await expect(
+			database.transaction(async (transaction) => {
+				await transaction.exec("INSERT INTO rollback_probe (value) VALUES (1)");
+				await transaction.exec("COMMIT");
 				throw new StorageRejected("rejected after an escaped commit");
 			}),
-		).toThrow(AggregateError);
-		expect(database.prepare("SELECT value FROM rollback_probe").get()).toEqual({ value: 1 });
-		database.close();
+		).rejects.toThrow(AggregateError);
+		expect(await database.get("SELECT value FROM rollback_probe")).toEqual({ value: 1 });
+		await database.close();
 	});
 
 	it("awaits async transaction settlement and adopts IDs only after success", async () => {
@@ -180,4 +288,31 @@ describe("portable SQLite facade settlement", () => {
 		expect(await storage.entry(idFromNumber<EntryId>(200), BACKGROUND_CONTEXT)).toBeUndefined();
 		await storage.close(BACKGROUND_CONTEXT);
 	});
+
+	it("reads a document from one committed state while a commit replaces its base", async () => {
+		const id = idFromNumber<DocumentId>(5);
+		// Each yield count starts the commit at a different point of the read's record and revision queries.
+		for (let yields = 0; yields < 16; yields++) {
+			const storage = await SqliteStorage.open(await openNodeSqliteDatabase(":memory:"));
+			await storage.commit(
+				[
+					{
+						type: "document.create",
+						record: { id, kind: "replaced", scope: { kind: "session" } },
+						content: { kind: "base", version: 1, value: { value: 1 } },
+					},
+				],
+				BACKGROUND_CONTEXT,
+			);
+			const read = storage.document(id, "current", BACKGROUND_CONTEXT);
+			for (let index = 0; index < yields; index++) await Promise.resolve();
+			const replace = storage.commit(
+				[{ type: "document.change", id, content: { kind: "base", version: 1, value: { value: 2 } } }],
+				BACKGROUND_CONTEXT,
+			);
+			const [stored] = await Promise.all([read, replace]);
+			expect([{ value: 1 }, { value: 2 }]).toContainEqual(stored?.value);
+			await storage.close(BACKGROUND_CONTEXT);
+		}
+	});
 });
diff --git a/packages/durable/test/sqlite-migrations.test.ts b/packages/durable/test/sqlite-migrations.test.ts
index 0e2e0665e..c55117ea6 100644
--- a/packages/durable/test/sqlite-migrations.test.ts
+++ b/packages/durable/test/sqlite-migrations.test.ts
@@ -32,15 +32,15 @@ describe("durable SQLite migrations", () => {
 		try {
 			await applySqliteMigrations(database);
 			await applySqliteMigrations(database);
-			expect(database.prepare("SELECT version FROM durable_schema WHERE singleton = 1").get()).toEqual({
+			expect(await database.get("SELECT version FROM durable_schema WHERE singleton = 1")).toEqual({
 				version: CURRENT_SQLITE_SCHEMA_VERSION,
 			});
-			expect(database.prepare("SELECT next_id, next_seq FROM durable_metadata WHERE singleton = 1").get()).toEqual({
+			expect(await database.get("SELECT next_id, next_seq FROM durable_metadata WHERE singleton = 1")).toEqual({
 				next_id: "2",
 				next_seq: 1,
 			});
 		} finally {
-			database.close();
+			await database.close();
 		}
 	});
 
@@ -48,10 +48,11 @@ describe("durable SQLite migrations", () => {
 		const path = await databasePath();
 		const database = await openNodeSqliteDatabase(path);
 		await applySqliteMigrations(database);
-		database
-			.prepare("UPDATE durable_schema SET version = ? WHERE singleton = 1")
-			.run(CURRENT_SQLITE_SCHEMA_VERSION + 1);
-		database.close();
+		await database.run(
+			"UPDATE durable_schema SET version = ? WHERE singleton = 1",
+			CURRENT_SQLITE_SCHEMA_VERSION + 1,
+		);
+		await database.close();
 
 		await expect(openNodeSqliteStorage(path)).rejects.toThrow("is newer than supported version");
 	});
@@ -74,23 +75,23 @@ describe("durable SQLite migrations", () => {
 			];
 			await expect(applySqliteMigrations(database, failed)).rejects.toThrow();
 			expect(
-				database
-					.prepare(
-						"SELECT count(*) AS count FROM sqlite_schema WHERE name IN ('durable_schema', 'migration_first', 'migration_second')",
-					)
-					.get(),
+				await database.get(
+					"SELECT count(*) AS count FROM sqlite_schema WHERE name IN ('durable_schema', 'migration_first', 'migration_second')",
+				),
 			).toEqual({ count: 0 });
 
 			await applySqliteMigrations(database, [
 				failed[0],
 				{ version: 2, statements: ["CREATE TABLE migration_second (value TEXT) STRICT"] },
 			]);
-			expect(database.prepare("SELECT version FROM durable_schema WHERE singleton = 1").get()).toEqual({
+			expect(await database.get("SELECT version FROM durable_schema WHERE singleton = 1")).toEqual({
 				version: 2,
 			});
-			expect(database.prepare("SELECT value FROM migration_first").get()).toEqual({ value: "retained" });
+			expect(await database.get("SELECT value FROM migration_first")).toEqual({
+				value: "retained",
+			});
 		} finally {
-			database.close();
+			await database.close();
 		}
 	});
 
@@ -124,13 +125,13 @@ describe("durable SQLite migrations", () => {
 			},
 		];
 		await expect(applySqliteMigrations(database, failedMigrations)).rejects.toThrow();
-		expect(database.prepare("SELECT version FROM durable_schema WHERE singleton = 1").get()).toEqual({
+		expect(await database.get("SELECT version FROM durable_schema WHERE singleton = 1")).toEqual({
 			version: CURRENT_SQLITE_SCHEMA_VERSION,
 		});
 		expect(
-			database
-				.prepare("SELECT count(*) AS count FROM sqlite_schema WHERE type = 'table' AND name = 'migration_probe'")
-				.get(),
+			await database.get(
+				"SELECT count(*) AS count FROM sqlite_schema WHERE type = 'table' AND name = 'migration_probe'",
+			),
 		).toEqual({ count: 0 });
 
 		const successfulMigrations: readonly SqliteMigration[] = [
@@ -138,10 +139,10 @@ describe("durable SQLite migrations", () => {
 			{ version: nextVersion, statements: ["CREATE TABLE migration_probe (value TEXT) STRICT"] },
 		];
 		await applySqliteMigrations(database, successfulMigrations);
-		expect(database.prepare("SELECT version FROM durable_schema WHERE singleton = 1").get()).toEqual({
+		expect(await database.get("SELECT version FROM durable_schema WHERE singleton = 1")).toEqual({
 			version: nextVersion,
 		});
-		expect(database.prepare("SELECT record, commit_seq FROM entries WHERE id = 2").get()).toEqual({
+		expect(await database.get("SELECT record, commit_seq FROM entries WHERE id = 2")).toEqual({
 			record: JSON.stringify({
 				id: 2,
 				conversationId: ROOT_CONVERSATION_ID,
@@ -150,10 +151,10 @@ describe("durable SQLite migrations", () => {
 			}),
 			commit_seq: 1,
 		});
-		expect(database.prepare("SELECT next_id, next_seq FROM durable_metadata WHERE singleton = 1").get()).toEqual({
+		expect(await database.get("SELECT next_id, next_seq FROM durable_metadata WHERE singleton = 1")).toEqual({
 			next_id: "3",
 			next_seq: 2,
 		});
-		database.close();
+		await database.close();
 	});
 });