diff --git a/REFINED_SCHEMA_PLAN.md b/REFINED_SCHEMA_PLAN.md
index d610746..e6801b2 100644
--- a/REFINED_SCHEMA_PLAN.md
+++ b/REFINED_SCHEMA_PLAN.md
@@ -726,10 +726,38 @@ podman compose up -d
 ## 📚 Documentation
 
 Create documentation explaining the automatic schema initialization:
-- **docs/contributing/database-schema.md** - How schema initialization works, how to modify schema safely, PostgreSQL version requirements
+- **docs/contributing/database-schema.md** - How schema initialization works, how to modify schema safely, PostgreSQL version requirements, future schema changes guidance
 - **README.md** - Add "Database Initialization" section documenting first-run behavior and PostgreSQL version requirements
 - **internal/database/schema_test.go** - Unit tests for schema parsing and verification functions
 
+### Future Schema Changes
+
+This plan handles **initialization** only (ensuring database is ready for first run or existing deployments). For future schema modifications:
+
+**Safe changes (additive, handled by this plan):**
+- ✅ Add new tables: `CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS` - handled automatically
+- ✅ Add new columns: `ALTER TABLE ... ADD COLUMN IF NOT EXISTS` - handled automatically
+- ✅ Add new indexes: `CREATE INDEX IF NOT EXISTS` - handled automatically
+- ✅ Add new functions: `CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION` - handled automatically
+- ✅ Insert default data: Use `ON CONFLICT DO NOTHING` - handled automatically
+
+**Breaking changes (require manual migration planning):**
+- ⚠️ Drop columns: Requires manual migration script
+- ⚠️ Rename tables/columns: Requires coordinated deployment with code changes
+- ⚠️ Change column types: Requires data migration and potential downtime
+- ⚠️ Modify constraints: Requires careful planning and testing
+- ⚠️ Remove functions: Ensure no dependencies exist before removal
+
+**Migration strategy for breaking changes:**
+1. Create dedicated migration script in `database/migrations/`
+2. Version the migration (e.g., `001_drop_legacy_column.sql`)
+3. Test migration on backup database first
+4. Deploy with application code that handles both old and new schema
+5. Run migration during maintenance window or use online schema change tools
+6. Verify application compatibility after migration
+
+**Best practice:** Prefer additive changes over breaking changes whenever possible to leverage automatic initialization.
+
 ---
 
 **End of Refined Implementation Plan**