# dev

The `prisma migrate dev` command creates and applies migrations during development. It requires a [shadow database](/guides/prisma-migrate-v7-understanding-prisma-migrate-shadow-database).

**For use in development environments only.**

:::callout{intent="warning"}
This command is not supported on [MongoDB](/guides/core-concepts-v7-supported-databases-mongodb). Use [`db push`](/guides/db-commands-db-push) instead.
:::

## [Usage](#usage)

```
prisma migrate dev [options]
```

The datasource URL configuration is read from the Prisma config file (e.g., `prisma.config.ts`).

## [How it works](#how-it-works)

1. Reruns the existing migration history in the shadow database to detect schema drift
2. Applies pending migrations to the shadow database
3. Generates a new migration from any changes you made to the Prisma schema
4. Applies all unapplied migrations to the development database and updates the `_prisma_migrations` table

:::callout{intent="note"}
**Prisma v7**: `migrate dev` no longer automatically triggers `prisma generate` or seed scripts. Run them explicitly if needed.
:::

## [Options](#options)

| Option          | Description                                             |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| `-h`, `--help`  | Display help message                                    |
| `--config`      | Custom path to your Prisma config file                  |
| `--schema`      | Custom path to your Prisma schema                       |
| `--url`         | Override the datasource URL from the Prisma config file |
| `-n`, `--name`  | Name the migration                                      |
| `--create-only` | Create a new migration but do not apply it              |

:::callout{intent="note"}
If a [schema drift](/guides/prisma-migrate-v7-understanding-prisma-migrate-shadow-database#detecting-schema-drift) is detected while running with `--create-only`, you will be prompted to reset your database.
:::

## [Examples](#examples)

### [Create and apply migrations](#create-and-apply-migrations)

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

```bash title="pnpm"
pnpm prisma migrate dev
```

```bash title="yarn"
yarn prisma migrate dev
```

```bash title="npm"
npx prisma migrate dev
```
:::

### [Name the migration](#name-the-migration)

:::code-group
```title="bun"
bunx prisma migrate dev --name added_job_title
```

```bash title="pnpm"
pnpm prisma migrate dev --name added_job_title
```

```bash title="yarn"
yarn prisma migrate dev --name added_job_title
```

```bash title="npm"
npx prisma migrate dev --name added_job_title
```
:::

### [Create migration without applying](#create-migration-without-applying)

:::code-group
```title="bun"
bunx prisma migrate dev --create-only
```

```bash title="pnpm"
pnpm prisma migrate dev --create-only
```

```bash title="yarn"
yarn prisma migrate dev --create-only
```

```bash title="npm"
npx prisma migrate dev --create-only
```
:::

This creates the migration file but doesn't apply it. Run `prisma migrate dev` again to apply.

### [Specify a schema path](#specify-a-schema-path)

:::code-group
```title="bun"
bunx prisma migrate dev --schema=./alternative/schema.prisma
```

```bash title="pnpm"
pnpm prisma migrate dev --schema=./alternative/schema.prisma
```

```bash title="yarn"
yarn prisma migrate dev --schema=./alternative/schema.prisma
```

```bash title="npm"
npx prisma migrate dev --schema=./alternative/schema.prisma
```
:::

## [See also](#see-also)

- [Conceptual overview of Prisma Migrate](/guides/prisma-migrate-v7-prisma-migrate)
- [Developing with Prisma Migrate](/guides/prisma-migrate-v7-prisma-migrate)

## 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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