# generate (Prisma CLI v7) (/docs/cli/v7/generate)

Generate artifacts like Prisma Client based on your Prisma schema

Location: CLI > v7 > generate

The `prisma generate` command generates assets like Prisma Client based on the [`generator`](/guides/prisma-schema-v7-overview-generators) and [`data model`](/guides/prisma-schema-v7-data-model-models) blocks defined in your `schema.prisma` file.

## Usage

```bash
prisma generate [options]
```

## How it works

1. Inspects the current directory to find a Prisma schema
2. Generates a customized Prisma Client based on your schema into the output directory specified in the generator block

## Prerequisites

Add a generator definition in your `schema.prisma` file:

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

## Options

| Option             | Description                                            |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| `-h`, `--help`     | Display help message                                   |
| `--config`         | Custom path to your Prisma config file                 |
| `--schema`         | Custom path to your Prisma schema                      |
| `--sql`            | Generate typed SQL module                              |
| `--watch`          | Watch the Prisma schema and regenerate after changes   |
| `--generator`      | Generator to use (can be provided multiple times)      |
| `--no-hints`       | Hide hint messages (still outputs errors and warnings) |
| `--require-models` | Do not allow generating a client without models        |

## Examples

### Generate Prisma Client

#### bun

```bash
bunx prisma generate
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm prisma generate
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn prisma generate
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma generate
```

Output:

```text
✔ Generated Prisma Client to ./node_modules/.prisma/client in 61ms

You can now start using Prisma Client in your code:

import { PrismaClient } from '../prisma/generated/client'

const prisma = new PrismaClient()
```

### Generate with a custom schema path

#### bun

```bash
bunx prisma generate --schema=./alternative/schema.prisma
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm prisma generate --schema=./alternative/schema.prisma
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn prisma generate --schema=./alternative/schema.prisma
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma generate --schema=./alternative/schema.prisma
```

### Watch mode

Automatically regenerate when the schema changes:

#### bun

```bash
bunx prisma generate --watch
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm prisma generate --watch
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn prisma generate --watch
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma generate --watch
```

Output:

```text
Watching... /home/prismauser/prisma/schema.prisma

✔ Generated Prisma Client to ./node_modules/.prisma/client in 45ms
```

### Generate specific generators

Run only specific generators:

#### bun

```bash
bunx prisma generate --generator client
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm prisma generate --generator client
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn prisma generate --generator client
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma generate --generator client
```

Multiple generators:

#### bun

```bash
bunx prisma generate --generator client --generator zod_schemas
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm prisma generate --generator client --generator zod_schemas
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn prisma generate --generator client --generator zod_schemas
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma generate --generator client --generator zod_schemas
```

## Generated assets

The `prisma-client` generator creates a customized client for working with your database. You can [customize the output folder](/guides/reference-6-v7-reference-prisma-schema-reference#fields-for-prisma-client-provider) using the `output` field in the generator block.

## Related pages

- [`db`](/guides/db-commands-db): Manage your database schema and lifecycle during development
- [`debug`](/guides/standalone-commands-debug): Display Prisma debug information including schema paths, engine binaries, environment variables, and cache directories for troubleshooting
- [`dev`](/guides/dev-commands-dev): Start a local Prisma Postgres server for development
- [`format`](/guides/standalone-commands-format): Format and validate your Prisma schema file with consistent structure
- [`init`](/guides/standalone-commands-init): Set up a new Prisma project in the current directory

## 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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