# From the CLI (/docs/prisma-postgres/from-the-cli)

Start a Prisma ORM app with Prisma Postgres from the command line.

Location: Prisma Postgres > From the CLI

Use the CLI when you want Prisma ORM and Prisma Postgres set up without leaving the terminal.

## Start a new app

#### bun

```bash
bun create prisma@latest
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm create prisma@latest
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn create prisma@latest
```

#### npm

```bash
npm create prisma@latest
```

Choose PostgreSQL when prompted, and answer No to `Deploy to Prisma now?`. Setup adds `prisma-8.md`, installs project-level Prisma ORM skills for your coding agent, and writes the generated scripts used below.

## Create the database

Create a Prisma Postgres database from the terminal and export its connection string. The generated scripts read the environment variable, not `.env`:

#### bun

```bash
bunx create-db@latest
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm dlx create-db@latest
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn dlx create-db@latest
```

#### npm

```bash
npx create-db@latest
```

```bash
export DATABASE_URL="<the connection string create-db printed>"
```

The command also prints a claim URL; open it within 24 hours to keep the database in your account.

## Initialize the database

From the generated project directory, run:

#### bun

```bash
bun run db:init
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm run db:init
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn db:init
```

#### npm

```bash
npm run db:init
```

## Run the app

Sample users are seeded automatically on the app's first query.

#### bun

```bash
bun run dev
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm run dev
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn dev
```

#### npm

```bash
npm run dev
```

## Add Prisma ORM to an existing app

If the app already exists, run Prisma ORM from the project root:

#### bun

```bash
bunx prisma@latest orm init
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm dlx prisma@latest orm init
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn dlx prisma@latest orm init
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma@latest orm init
```

Choose PostgreSQL and set `DATABASE_URL` to your Prisma Postgres connection string. Init adds `prisma-8.md`, package scripts, and the Prisma ORM skills for your coding agent. Then follow the [PostgreSQL existing-project guide](/guides/prisma-orm-2-prisma-orm-add-to-existing-project-postgresql).

## Import an existing database

- Use [Import from PostgreSQL](/guides/migrating-off-accelerate-prisma-postgres-import-from-existing-database-postgresql) when your source database is PostgreSQL.
- Use [Import from MySQL](/guides/prisma-postgres-import-from-existing-database-mysql) when your source database is MySQL.

## Related pages

- [`Import from MySQL`](/guides/prisma-postgres-import-from-existing-database-mysql): Import an existing MySQL database into Prisma Postgres, then use it with Prisma ORM.
- [`Import from PostgreSQL`](/guides/migrating-off-accelerate-prisma-postgres-import-from-existing-database-postgresql): Move an existing PostgreSQL database to Prisma Postgres without changing your ORM version.

## 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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