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

Set up a new Prisma project in the current directory

Location: CLI > v7 > init

The `prisma init` command bootstraps a fresh Prisma project within the current directory.

## Usage

```bash
prisma init [options]
```

The command creates a `prisma` directory containing a `schema.prisma` file. By default, the project is configured for [local Prisma Postgres](/guides/local-development-2-postgres), but you can choose a different database using the `--datasource-provider` option.

## Options

| Option                  | Description                                                                                               |
| ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `-h`, `--help`          | Display help message                                                                                      |
| `--db`                  | Provision a fully managed Prisma Postgres database on the Prisma Data Platform                            |
| `--datasource-provider` | Define the datasource provider: `postgresql`, `mysql`, `sqlite`, `sqlserver`, `mongodb`, or `cockroachdb` |
| `--generator-provider`  | Define the generator provider to use (default: `prisma-client`)                                           |
| `--preview-feature`     | Define a preview feature to use (can be specified multiple times)                                         |
| `--output`              | Define Prisma Client generator output path                                                                |
| `--url`                 | Define a custom datasource URL                                                                            |

## Flags

| Flag           | Description                                     |
| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| `--with-model` | Add an example model to the created schema file |

## Examples

### Set up a new Prisma project (default)

Sets up a new project configured for local Prisma Postgres:

#### bun

```bash
bunx --bun prisma init
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm prisma init
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn prisma init
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma init
```

### Specify a datasource provider

Set up a new project with MySQL as the datasource provider:

#### bun

```bash
bunx --bun prisma init --datasource-provider mysql
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm prisma init --datasource-provider mysql
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn prisma init --datasource-provider mysql
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma init --datasource-provider mysql
```

### Specify a generator provider

Set up a project with the legacy `prisma-client-js` generator instead of the default `prisma-client` generator:

#### bun

```bash
bunx --bun prisma init --generator-provider prisma-client-js
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm prisma init --generator-provider prisma-client-js
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn prisma init --generator-provider prisma-client-js
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma init --generator-provider prisma-client-js
```

### Specify preview features

Set up a project with specific preview features enabled:

#### bun

```bash
bunx --bun prisma init --preview-feature metrics
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm prisma init --preview-feature metrics
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn prisma init --preview-feature metrics
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma init --preview-feature metrics
```

Multiple preview features:

#### bun

```bash
bunx --bun prisma init --preview-feature views --preview-feature metrics
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm prisma init --preview-feature views --preview-feature metrics
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn prisma init --preview-feature views --preview-feature metrics
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma init --preview-feature views --preview-feature metrics
```

### Specify a custom output path

Set up a project with a custom output path for Prisma Client:

#### bun

```bash
bunx --bun prisma init --output ./generated-client
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm prisma init --output ./generated-client
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn prisma init --output ./generated-client
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma init --output ./generated-client
```

### Specify a custom datasource URL

Set up a project with a specific database URL:

#### bun

```bash
bunx --bun prisma init --url mysql://user:password@localhost:3306/mydb
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm prisma init --url mysql://user:password@localhost:3306/mydb
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn prisma init --url mysql://user:password@localhost:3306/mydb
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma init --url mysql://user:password@localhost:3306/mydb
```

### Add an example model

Set up a project with an example `User` model:

#### bun

```bash
bunx --bun prisma init --with-model
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm prisma init --with-model
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn prisma init --with-model
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma init --with-model
```

### Provision a Prisma Postgres database

Create a new project with a managed Prisma Postgres database:

#### bun

```bash
bunx --bun prisma init --db
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm prisma init --db
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn prisma init --db
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma init --db
```

This requires authentication with the [Prisma Data Platform Console](https://console.prisma.io/?utm_source=docs\&utm_medium=content\&utm_content=cli).

## Generated files

After running `prisma init`, you'll have the following files:

### `prisma/schema.prisma`

The Prisma schema file where you define your data model:

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

datasource db {
  provider = "postgresql"
}
```

### `prisma.config.ts`

A TypeScript configuration file for Prisma:

```typescript
import "dotenv/config";
import { defineConfig, env } from "prisma/config";

export default defineConfig({
  schema: "prisma/schema.prisma",
  migrations: {
    path: "prisma/migrations",
  },
  datasource: {
    url: env("DATABASE_URL"),
  },
});
```

### `.env`

Environment variables file for your project:

```bash
DATABASE_URL="postgresql://user:password@localhost:5432/mydb"
```

### `.gitignore`

Git ignore file configured for Prisma projects:

```bash
node_modules
.env
/generated/prisma
```

## 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
- [`generate`](/guides/standalone-commands-generate): Generate artifacts like Prisma Client based on your Prisma schema

## 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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