# Writing data (/docs/orm/fundamentals/writing-data)

Create, update, delete, and upsert records with Prisma ORM, one at a time or in bulk.

Location: ORM > Fundamentals > Writing data

This page shows how to write data with Prisma ORM: [creating](#create-one-record), [updating](#update-one-record), [deleting](#delete-one-record), and [upserting](#upsert-a-record) single records, and [writing many records at once](#write-many-records).

Every example imports `db`. In a new project run `npm create prisma@latest -- my-app`, and in an existing project run `npx prisma orm init`. Either way you get `src/prisma/db.ts`, which exports `db`, and the import is `./prisma/db` from a file in `src/`.

This page uses `db.orm`, which holds your models. The rest of `db` is `db.sql` for the SQL query builder, `db.raw.sql` for raw SQL, and `db.transaction` for running several writes together.

On PostgreSQL the path to a model is `db.orm.<schema>.<ModelName>`, so the `User` model is `db.orm.public.User`. `public` is the PostgreSQL schema that holds the model's table, and the path always includes the schema name. The schema is `public` unless you put the model inside a `namespace` block, as [Example schema](#example-schema) shows. On MongoDB there is no schema segment, and the path is `db.orm.<collectionName>`, where the collection name is the model's `@@map(...)` value, or the model name when there is no `@@map`. The MongoDB `User` model in the example schema maps to `users`, so it is `db.orm.users`.

## Example schema

Examples use this contract. In Prisma ORM 8 the schema file is `contract.prisma` instead of `schema.prisma`; the docs call it your contract. `@default(cuid(2))` means Prisma ORM generates the `id` for you, so you never pass one:

**Expand for sample schema**

#### PostgreSQL

```prisma
model User {
  id        String   @id @default(cuid(2))
  email     String   @unique
  name      String?
  createdAt DateTime @default(now())
  posts     Post[]
}

model Post {
  id        String   @id @default(cuid(2))
  title     String
  content   String?
  published Boolean
  authorId  String
  author    User     @relation(fields: [authorId], references: [id])
  createdAt DateTime @default(now())
}
```

#### MongoDB

```prisma
model User {
  id        ObjectId @id @map("_id")
  email     String   @unique
  name      String?
  createdAt Date
  posts     Post[]
  @@map("users")
}

model Post {
  id        ObjectId @id @map("_id")
  title     String
  content   String?
  published Bool
  tags      String[]
  author    User     @relation(fields: [authorId], references: [id])
  authorId  ObjectId
  createdAt Date
  @@map("posts")
}
```

To put models in another PostgreSQL schema, wrap them in a `namespace` block:

```prisma
namespace billing {
  model Invoice {
    id     String @id @default(cuid(2))
    amount Int
  }
}
```

The model is then only at `db.orm.billing.Invoice`, and the block name is the PostgreSQL schema name.

## Create one record

Use `.create(...)` to insert one record, and pass the fields directly. Prisma ORM returns the inserted record, including generated values such as IDs and database defaults:

#### PostgreSQL

```typescript
import { db } from "./prisma/db";

const user = await db.orm.public.User.create({
  email: "jane@prisma.io",
  name: "Jane",
});
// user.id and user.createdAt are filled in
```

#### MongoDB

```typescript
import { db } from "./prisma/db";

const user = await db.orm.users.create({
  email: "jane@prisma.io",
  name: "Jane",
  createdAt: new Date(),
});
// user._id is filled in by the server
```

The returned record is complete, so you can use the generated values right away (PostgreSQL shown; on MongoDB the key is `_id`):

```js no-copy
{ id: 'cuid20000000000000000003', email: 'jane@prisma.io', name: 'Jane', createdAt: 2026-07-06T09:09:56.119Z }
```

To get back only some fields, chain `.select(...)` before `.create(...)`: the record is still inserted in full, but you only get back the fields you listed:

```typescript
const account = await db.orm.public.User
  .select("id", "email")
  .create({ email: "jane@prisma.io", name: "Jane" });
```

```js no-copy
{ id: 'cuid20000000000000000003', email: 'jane@prisma.io' }
```

`.select(...)` works the same before `update`, `delete`, `upsert`, `createAll`, `updateAll`, and `deleteAll`. The `AndCount` methods give you back a number, so `.select(...)` has no effect on them.

When a write breaks a unique constraint, the call throws, and errors have no shared class: a PostgreSQL database error carries `sqlState` (a five-character SQL state code), a MongoDB driver error carries a numeric `code`, and a Prisma ORM error carries a string `code` such as `RUNTIME.ITERATOR_CONSUMED`. On PostgreSQL, `23505` is the SQL state code for a unique violation. The [error reference](/guides/reference-2-reference-error-reference) lists Prisma ORM's own codes:

```typescript
try {
  await db.orm.public.User.create({ email: "jane@prisma.io", name: "Jane" });
} catch (error) {
  if ((error as { sqlState?: string }).sqlState === "23505") {
    // that email is already taken
  }
}
```

On MongoDB the driver throws its own error, and a duplicate key gives you an error whose `error.code` is `11000`.

> \[!NOTE]
> MongoDB contracts do not support `@default`. For a timestamp, type the field `temporal.createdAt()` or `temporal.updatedAt()` and a client created by `mongo()` fills it in, as [Field types](/guides/data-modeling-mongodb#field-types) shows. Pass any other value yourself.
>
> `@map("_id")` renames the id field to `_id` everywhere, so the returned document has an `_id` key and not an `id` key.

## Create a record and its related records

To write related records in the same call, pass a callback for the relation field. The callback's argument, named `p` below, is the relation builder, which holds the methods that link or insert related records:

```typescript
const user = await db.orm.public.User.create({
  email: "jane@prisma.io",
  name: "Jane",
  posts: (p) =>
    p.create([{ title: "First post", content: null, published: false }]),
});
```

You do not pass `authorId` on the nested posts, because Prisma ORM fills it in from the user it just inserted.

`connect` links a record that already exists, and works in `.update(...)` too:

```typescript
await db.orm.public.User
  .where({ email: "jane@prisma.io" })
  .update({ posts: (p) => p.connect([{ id: existingPostId }]) });
```

`p.disconnect(...)` unlinks a related record, but it applies on `.update(...)` only, not on `.create(...)`.

`connectOrCreate`, the relation `set`, and nested updates, upserts, and deletes do not exist: see [Not available](/guides/introduction-2-orm-coming-from-prisma-orm-7#not-available). For the full picture of relations, see [Relations and joins](/guides/fundamentals-relations-and-joins).

## Update one record

Use `.where(...)` to pick the record, then `.update(...)` with the fields to change, which updates **one** matching record and returns it:

#### PostgreSQL

```typescript
const updatedUser = await db.orm.public.User
  .where({ email: "jane@prisma.io" })
  .update({ name: "Jane Doe" });
```

#### MongoDB

```typescript
const updatedUser = await db.orm.users
  .where({ email: "jane@prisma.io" })
  .update({ name: "Jane Doe" });
```

```js no-copy
{ id: 'cuid20000000000000000003', email: 'jane@prisma.io', name: 'Jane Doe', createdAt: 2026-07-06T09:09:56.119Z }
```

When nothing matches the filter, `.update(...)` returns `null` rather than throwing.

When the filter matches more than one record, `.update(...)` still changes only one of the matching records, with no guaranteed order. Use [`updateAll` or `updateAndCount`](#write-many-records) if you mean all of them.

On MongoDB you can also pass a callback instead of an object, and change a field with an operation rather than a value. The callback's argument, named `p` here, gives you one entry per field, and each field carries the operations you can apply to it:

```typescript
await db.orm.posts
  .where({ title: "Draft thoughts" })
  .update((p) => [p.content.set("Now filled in"), p.published.set(true)]);
```

The callback returns an array, so you can apply several operations in one update.

`set` and `unset` work on any field, while `inc` and `mul` are on number fields only. `push`, `pull`, `addToSet`, and `pop` are for array fields, and you call them the same way: `p.tags.push("news")`. These field operations are MongoDB only: PostgreSQL has no callback form of `update`, so on PostgreSQL you pass an object. See [Field update operations](/guides/reference-2-reference-orm-client#field-update-operations) in the reference.

There is no `increment` on PostgreSQL, so to add to a number in place, write the update as raw SQL. For a `views Int` column added to `Post`, `db.raw.sql` writes a raw statement, `.affectedCount()` says you want the row count back as `{ affectedRows }`, `.build()` finishes it, and `db.runtime().execute(...)` runs it; [Advanced queries](/guides/fundamentals-advanced-queries) explains raw SQL:

```typescript
const query = db.raw.sql`UPDATE post SET views = views + 1 WHERE id = ${postId}`
  .affectedCount()
  .build();
const { affectedRows } = await db.runtime().execute(query);
```

## Delete one record

Use `.where(...)` then `.delete()`, which deletes **one** matching record and returns it:

#### PostgreSQL

```typescript
const deletedUser = await db.orm.public.User
  .where({ email: "jane@prisma.io" })
  .delete();
```

#### MongoDB

```typescript
const deletedUser = await db.orm.users
  .where({ email: "jane@prisma.io" })
  .delete();
```

`.delete()` returns `null` when nothing matches, and deletes only one record when several match. See [Update one record](#update-one-record). To delete every match, use [`deleteAll` or `deleteAndCount`](#write-many-records).

## Upsert a record

Use `.upsert(...)` to update a record if it exists and create it otherwise, and pass the two branches separately:

#### PostgreSQL

```typescript
await db.orm.public.User.upsert({
  create: { email: "eve@prisma.io", name: "Eve" },
  update: { name: "Eve Exists" },
  conflictOn: { email: "eve@prisma.io" },
});
```

#### MongoDB

```typescript
await db.orm.users.where({ email: "eve@prisma.io" }).upsert({
  create: { email: "eve@prisma.io", name: "Eve", createdAt: new Date() },
  update: { name: "Eve Exists" },
});
```

`conflictOn` repeats the unique field and its value from `create`; Prisma ORM uses it to look for an existing row. For a unique constraint over several columns, pass them all in one object: `conflictOn: { tenantId, email }`. Without `conflictOn` on PostgreSQL, the upsert looks for a row by primary key, which a new record does not have, so the insert runs and fails on the unique constraint. Always pass `conflictOn`.

On MongoDB, there is no `conflictOn`, so put the match in `.where(...)` before `.upsert(...)`.

## Write many records

Use the `All` and `AndCount` methods when you intend to write every record you pass, or change every record the filter matches:

```typescript
const user = await db.orm.public.User.first({ email: "jane@prisma.io" });
if (!user) throw new Error("no such user");
// Insert many records
const newPosts = await db.orm.public.Post.createAll([
  { title: "One", content: null, published: false, authorId: user.id },
  { title: "Two", content: null, published: false, authorId: user.id },
]);

// Insert many, get back only the number inserted
const insertedCount = await db.orm.public.Post.createAndCount([
  { title: "Three", content: null, published: false, authorId: user.id },
]);

// Update every match, get back only the number updated
const updatedCount = await db.orm.public.Post.where({ published: false }).updateAndCount({ published: true });

// Delete every match, get back the deleted records
const deletedPosts = await db.orm.public.Post.where({ published: false }).deleteAll();

// Delete every match, get back only the number deleted
const deletedCount = await db.orm.public.Post.where((p) => p.title.ilike("draft%")).deleteAndCount();
```

`createAll` gives you back the inserted records, with their generated IDs:

```js no-copy
[{ id: 'cuid20000000000000000101', title: 'One', published: false, /* ... */ }, { id: 'cuid20000000000000000102', title: 'Two', published: false, /* ... */ }]
```

The `AndCount` methods return a plain number, so if three posts match, `updatedCount` is `3`, not an object.

To insert many records and skip the ones that would break a unique constraint, pass `{ onConflict: "skip" }` as the second argument to `createAll` or `createAndCount`. That skips a record that breaks any unique constraint on the table. To skip only the records that clash on one constraint, add `conflictOn` to the same object with the names of that constraint's fields, as in `createAll(users, { onConflict: "skip", conflictOn: ["email"] })`. A record that clashes on any other unique constraint is not skipped, so the database rejects the insert and the call throws a unique-constraint error. Here `conflictOn` takes field names, while in [`.upsert(...)`](#upsert-a-record) it takes the fields and their values. This replaces Prisma ORM 7's `skipDuplicates`, and it works on PostgreSQL and SQLite. On MongoDB, `createAll` and `createAndCount` take only the records, with no second argument. `createAll` returns only the records the database wrote, and `createAndCount` counts only those. [`createAll()`](/guides/reference-2-reference-orm-client#createall) in the reference covers the details.

`.where((p) => p.title.ilike("draft%"))` is the callback form of a filter, for conditions an object cannot express. Its argument gives you one entry per field, and each field carries the comparisons you can apply to it. [Reading data](/guides/fundamentals-reading-data) covers the filters you can write.

The bulk methods work the same on MongoDB, on the collection: `db.orm.posts`. Pass `createdAt` in every object you give `createAll`, as with `create`.

## Return rows or counts

Each write comes in three forms, and you pick by what you need back:

| Form                                                 | What it writes                        | What you get back             |
| ---------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- |
| `create`, `update`, `delete`                         | one record                            | that record                   |
| `createAll`, `updateAll`, `deleteAll`                | every record you pass, or every match | those records                 |
| `createAndCount`, `updateAndCount`, `deleteAndCount` | every record you pass, or every match | the number of records written |

`update` and `delete` return `null` when nothing matches. Use the `AndCount` forms when the number is all you need, because they do not send the records back.

The `All` forms return a result you can use two ways. Nothing is sent to the database until you `await` the result or loop over it, so an `updateAll` you never await changes nothing. `await` it for an array of records:

```typescript
const publishedPosts = await db.orm.public.Post
  .where({ published: false })
  .updateAll({ published: true });
```

```js no-copy
[{ id: 'cuid20000000000000000101', title: 'One', published: true, /* ... */ }, { id: 'cuid20000000000000000102', title: 'Two', published: true, /* ... */ }]
```

Or [iterate it with `for await`](/guides/fundamentals-reading-data#iterate-a-large-result) to handle records as they arrive:

```typescript
const updated = db.orm.public.Post.where({ published: false }).updateAll({ published: true });

for await (const post of updated) {
  console.log(post.id);
}
```

Pick one: `await` it or loop it with `for await`. Mixing the two throws an error whose `error.code` is `RUNTIME.ITERATOR_CONSUMED`.

## Common mistakes

### Updating or deleting more than one record

You filtered on a non-unique field and expected every match to change:

```typescript
await db.orm.public.Post.where({ published: false }).update({ published: true });
```

`.update(...)` and `.delete()` only change one record, even when the filter matches many. See [Update one record](#update-one-record).

When you intend to affect every match, say so with the bulk methods:

```typescript
const updatedCount = await db.orm.public.Post
  .where({ published: false })
  .updateAndCount({ published: true });
```

Use `updateAll` or `deleteAll` when you also need the changed records back, and `updateAndCount` or `deleteAndCount` when the number is enough. `update` and `delete` never change more than one record, so they stay safe for the one-record case.

### Wrapping create fields in a data object

You wrote the Prisma ORM 7 shape, which fails type-checking because there is no field named `data` on your models:

```diff
- await db.orm.public.User.create({ data: { email, name } });
+ await db.orm.public.User.create({ email, name });
```

You pass the record's own fields, and you get the record back.

### Updating or deleting without a filter

You called `.update(...)` or `.delete()` straight on the model:

```typescript
await db.orm.public.User.delete();
```

Both need a `.where(...)` first, and the call does not type-check without one. If you truly mean every record, pass an empty filter, which adds no condition and so matches everything. `.delete()` needs a `.where(...)` for the same reason, and `.where({})` satisfies it there too:

```typescript
await db.orm.public.User.where({}).deleteAll();
```

### Running related writes back to back

You created a user, then created their first post as a second await:

```typescript
const user = await db.orm.public.User.create({ email, name });
const post = await db.orm.public.Post.create({ title, published: false, authorId: user.id });
```

If the second write fails, the first has already committed, and you're left with half the operation. When writes must succeed together, run them in a [transaction](/guides/fundamentals-transactions), and inside the callback, query through `tx` instead of `db`:

```typescript
await db.transaction(async (tx) => {
  const user = await tx.orm.public.User.create({ email, name });
  await tx.orm.public.Post.create({ title, published: false, authorId: user.id });
});
```

### Passing an array of queries to a transaction

Prisma ORM 7 supported `$transaction([query1, query2])`, but Prisma ORM 8 does not: there is no `$transaction`, and queries don't queue up in arrays. Put the calls inside one `db.transaction(...)` callback instead, and the [Transactions page](/guides/fundamentals-transactions) shows the pattern.

## Prompt your coding agent

Projects created with `npm create prisma@latest` include the [Prisma ORM skills](/guides/tools-skills#available-skills-for-prisma-orm-8) for your coding agent, and in an existing project you run `npx prisma skills sync` to add them. Skills are instruction files that tell the agent how Prisma ORM 8 works, and the `prisma-8` skill covers everything on this page, so try prompts that map to each section:

- "Using the prisma-8 skill, add a signup function that creates a User and returns only its id and email."
- "Write an upsert that creates a user by email or updates their name if they exist."
- "This cleanup script must delete every draft older than 30 days. Use the bulk delete method and log how many records were removed."
- "Review my mutations for places where .update() should be updateAll or updateAndCount."

## Next

- [Run several writes atomically](/guides/fundamentals-transactions) with `db.transaction(...)`.
- [Read data](/guides/fundamentals-reading-data) to filter, sort, paginate, and select fields from your models.
- [Use the SQL builder](/guides/fundamentals-advanced-queries#postgresql-sql-query-builder) for inserts and updates with explicit `RETURNING` clauses.

## Related pages

- [`Advanced queries`](/guides/fundamentals-advanced-queries): Use the SQL query builder on PostgreSQL and the pipeline builder on MongoDB for queries the ORM API can't express.
- [`Reading data`](/guides/fundamentals-reading-data): Fetch one record or many with Prisma ORM, then filter, select, sort, paginate, and iterate the results.
- [`Relations and joins`](/guides/fundamentals-relations-and-joins): Read related records in one query with .include(), and understand how one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many relationships work.
- [`Transactions`](/guides/fundamentals-transactions): Run several writes so they all succeed or all fail together with db.transaction().

## 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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