# start

The `prisma dev start` command starts existing [local Prisma Postgres](/guides/local-development-2-postgres) instances in the background.

## [Usage](#usage)

```
prisma dev start [options] <name>
```

## [Arguments](#arguments)

| Argument | Description                                          |
| -------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| `<name>` | Name(s) or glob pattern(s) of the server(s) to start |

## [Options](#options)

| Option    | Description          | Default |
| --------- | -------------------- | ------- |
| `--debug` | Enable debug logging | `false` |

:::callout{intent="note"}
This command only works with instances that already exist. Use `prisma dev` to create a new instance.
:::

## [Examples](#examples)

### [Start a specific database](#start-a-specific-database)

:::code-group
```title="bun"
bunx prisma dev start mydb
```

```bash title="pnpm"
pnpm prisma dev start mydb
```

```bash title="yarn"
yarn prisma dev start mydb
```

```bash title="npm"
npx prisma dev start mydb
```
:::

### [Start multiple databases with a pattern](#start-multiple-databases-with-a-pattern)

Start all databases starting with `mydb`:

:::code-group
```title="bun"
bunx prisma dev start mydb*
```

```bash title="pnpm"
pnpm prisma dev start mydb*
```

```bash title="yarn"
yarn prisma dev start mydb*
```

```bash title="npm"
npx prisma dev start mydb*
```
:::

## Related pages

- [Authentication & Tools](./authentication-tools-index.md)
- [Build](./build-index.md)
- [Changelog](../changelog.md)
- [Concepts](./concepts-index.md)
- [Console commands](./console-commands-index.md)
- [Contract Authoring](./contract-authoring-index.md)
- [Core Concepts](./core-concepts-index.md)
- [Data Modeling](./data-modeling-index.md)
- [Database](./database-index.md)
- [DB commands](./db-commands-index.md)

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