# Generating Prisma Client (Prisma ORM v7) (/docs/orm/v7/prisma-client/setup-and-configuration/generating-prisma-client)

Learn when and how to run prisma generate, configure the generator output, and import the generated client in your app.

Location: ORM > v7 > Prisma Client > Setup and Configuration > Generating Prisma Client

`prisma generate` creates Prisma Client from the models and generator configuration in your `schema.prisma` file.

## Define a generator

In Prisma ORM v7, the `output` field is required:

```prisma title="schema.prisma"
generator client {
  provider = "prisma-client"
  output   = "./generated"
}
```

## Generate the client

Run the following command whenever you add models, change fields, or update generator settings:

#### bun

```bash
bunx prisma generate
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm prisma generate
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn prisma generate
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma generate
```

If you want the CLI-specific options such as `--watch` or `--generator`, see the [`prisma generate` command reference](/guides/standalone-commands-generate).

## Import the generated client

Import Prisma Client from the output path you configured:

```ts
import { PrismaClient } from "./generated/client";

const prisma = new PrismaClient();
```

## When to run generate

You should run `prisma generate` after:

- changing your Prisma schema
- updating generator configuration
- enabling features that affect the client API
- pulling schema changes from another branch or teammate

In many projects it also makes sense to run `prisma generate` in `postinstall` or before your production build so deployments always use a current client.

## Related pages

- [Introduction to Prisma Client](/guides/prisma-client-v7-setup-and-configuration-introduction)
- [Generators in the Prisma schema](/guides/prisma-schema-v7-overview-generators)
- [Prisma CLI reference for generate](/guides/standalone-commands-generate)

## Related pages

- [`Configuring error formatting`](/guides/prisma-client-v7-setup-and-configuration-error-formatting): This page explains how to configure the formatting of errors when using Prisma Client
- [`Custom model and field names`](/guides/prisma-client-v7-setup-and-configuration-custom-model-and-field-names): Learn how you can decouple the naming of Prisma models from database tables to improve the ergonomics of the generated Prisma Client API
- [`Database connections`](/guides/prisma-client-v7-setup-and-configuration-databases-connections): Learn how to manage database connections and configure connection pools
- [`Database polyfills`](/guides/prisma-client-v7-setup-and-configuration-database-polyfills): Prisma Client provides features that are not achievable with relational databases. These features are referred to as "polyfills" and explained on this page.
- [`Introduction to Prisma Client`](/guides/prisma-client-v7-setup-and-configuration-introduction): Learn how to set up and configure Prisma Client in your project

## 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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