Skip to main content

Prisma CLI reference

This document describes the Prisma CLI commands, arguments, and options.

Commands​

version (-v)​

The version command outputs information about your current prisma version, platform, and engine binaries.

Options​

The version command recognizes the following options to modify its behavior:

OptionRequiredDescription
--jsonNoOutputs version information in JSON format.

Examples​

Output version information​
prisma version
Show CLI results
Environment variables loaded from .env
prisma               : 2.21.0-dev.4
@prisma/client       : 2.21.0-dev.4
Current platform     : windows
Query Engine         : query-engine 2fb8f444d9cdf7c0beee7b041194b42d7a9ce1e6 (at C:\Users\veroh\AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules\@prisma\cli\query-engine-windows.exe)
Migration Engine     : migration-engine-cli 2fb8f444d9cdf7c0beee7b041194b42d7a9ce1e6 (at C:\Users\veroh\AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules\@prisma\cli\migration-engine-windows.exe)
Format Binary        : prisma-fmt 60ba6551f29b17d7d6ce479e5733c70d9c00860e (at node_modules\@prisma\engines\prisma-fmt-windows.exe)
Default Engines Hash : 60ba6551f29b17d7d6ce479e5733c70d9c00860e
Studio               : 0.365.0
Output version information (-v)​
prisma -v
Show CLI results
Environment variables loaded from .env
prisma               : 2.21.0-dev.4
@prisma/client       : 2.21.0-dev.4
Current platform     : windows
Query Engine         : query-engine 2fb8f444d9cdf7c0beee7b041194b42d7a9ce1e6 (at C:\Users\veroh\AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules\@prisma\cli\query-engine-windows.exe)
Migration Engine     : migration-engine-cli 2fb8f444d9cdf7c0beee7b041194b42d7a9ce1e6 (at C:\Users\veroh\AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules\@prisma\cli\migration-engine-windows.exe)
Format Binary        : prisma-fmt 60ba6551f29b17d7d6ce479e5733c70d9c00860e (at node_modules\@prisma\engines\prisma-fmt-windows.exe)
Default Engines Hash : 60ba6551f29b17d7d6ce479e5733c70d9c00860e
Studio               : 0.365.0
Output version information as JSON​
prisma version --json
Show CLI results
Environment variables loaded from .env
{
  "prisma": "2.21.0-dev.4",
  "@prisma/client": "2.21.0-dev.4",
  "current-platform": "windows",
  "query-engine": "query-engine 60ba6551f29b17d7d6ce479e5733c70d9c00860e (at node_modules\\@prisma\\engines\\query-engine-windows.exe)",
  "migration-engine": "migration-engine-cli 60ba6551f29b17d7d6ce479e5733c70d9c00860e (at node_modules\\@prisma\\engines\\migration-engine-windows.exe)",
  "format-binary": "prisma-fmt 60ba6551f29b17d7d6ce479e5733c70d9c00860e (at node_modules\\@prisma\\engines\\prisma-fmt-windows.exe)",
  "default-engines-hash": "60ba6551f29b17d7d6ce479e5733c70d9c00860e",
  "studio": "0.365.0"
}

init​

Bootstraps a fresh Prisma ORM project within the current directory.

The init command does not interpret any existing files. Instead, it creates a prisma directory containing a bare-bones schema.prisma file within your current directory.

Arguments​

ArgumentRequiredDescriptionDefault
--datasource-providerNoSpecifies the value for the provider field in the datasource block. Options are prisma+postgres, sqlite, postgresql, mysql, sqlserver, mongodb and cockroachdb.postgresql
--dbNoShorthand syntax for --datasource-provider prisma+postgres; creates a new Prisma Postgres instance. Requires authentication in the .
--prompt (or --vibe)NoScaffolds a Prisma schema based on the prompt and deploys it to a fresh Prisma Postgres instance. Requires authentication in the .
--urlNoDefine a custom datasource url.
--generator-providerNoDefine the generator provider to use.prisma-client-js
--preview-featureNoDefine the Preview features to use. To define multiple Preview features, you have to provide the flag multiple times for each Preview feature. See examples.
--outputNoSpecifies the output location for the generated client.node_modules/.prisma/client
--with-modelNoAdds a simple User model to the initial Prisma schema. Available since version 5.14.0.

Examples​

Run prisma init

prisma init
Show CLI results
✔ Your Prisma schema was created at prisma/schema.prisma.
  You can now open it in your favorite editor.

Next steps:
1. Set the DATABASE_URL in the .env file to point to your existing database. If your database has no tables yet, read https://pris.ly/d/getting-started
2. Set the provider of the datasource block in schema.prisma to match your database: postgresql, mysql, sqlite, sqlserver, mongodb or cockroachdb.
3. Run prisma db pull to turn your database schema into a Prisma schema.
4. Run prisma generate to generate Prisma Client. You can then start querying your database.

More information in our documentation:
https://pris.ly/d/getting-started

Run prisma init --datasource-provider sqlite

prisma init --datasource-provider sqlite

The command output contains helpful information on how to use the generated files and begin using Prisma ORM with your project.

Run prisma init --db

prisma init --db

The command creates a new Prisma Postgres instance. Note that it requires you to be authenticated with the , If you run it for the first time without being authenticated, the command will open the browser for you to log into Console.

Run prisma init --prompt "Simple habit tracker application"

prisma init --prompt "Simple habit tracker application"

The command scaffolds a Prisma schema and deploys it to a fresh Prisma Postgres instance. Note that it requires you to be authenticated with the , If you run it for the first time without being authenticated, the command will open the browser for you to log into Console.

Run prisma init --preview-feature

prisma init --preview-feature multiSchema
Show Prisma schema results
datasource db {
  provider = "postgresql"
  url      = env("DATABASE_URL")
}

generator client {
  provider        = "prisma-client-js"
  previewFeatures = ["multiSchema"]
}
prisma init --preview-feature multiSchema --preview-feature metrics
Show Prisma schema results
datasource db {
  provider = "postgresql"
  url      = env("DATABASE_URL")
}

generator client {
  provider        = "prisma-client-js"
  previewFeatures = ["multiSchema", "metrics"]
}

Generated Assets​

prisma/schema.prisma

An initial schema.prisma file to define your schema in:

// This is your Prisma schema file,
// learn more about it in the docs: https://pris.ly/d/prisma-schema

datasource db {
  provider = "sqlite"
  url      = env("DATABASE_URL")
}

generator client {
  provider = "prisma-client-js"
}

.env

A file to define environment variables for your project:

# Environment variables declared in this file are automatically made available to Prisma.
# See the documentation for more detail: https://pris.ly/d/prisma-schema#using-environment-variables

# Prisma supports the native connection string format for PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, SQL Server, MongoDB and CockroachDB.
# See the documentation for all the connection string options: https://pris.ly/d/connection-strings

DATABASE_URL="file:./dev.db"

Run prisma init --url mysql://user:password@localhost:3306/mydb

The init command with the --url argument allows you to specify a custom datasource URL during Prisma initialization, instead of relying on a placeholder database URL:

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

Generated Assets​

prisma/schema.prisma

A minimal schema.prisma file to define your schema in:

// This is your Prisma schema file,
// learn more about it in the docs: https://pris.ly/d/prisma-schema

datasource db {
  provider = "mysql"
  url      = env("DATABASE_URL")
}

generator client {
  provider = "prisma-client-js"
}

.env

A file to define environment variables for your project:

# Environment variables declared in this file are automatically made available to Prisma.
# See the documentation for more detail: https://pris.ly/d/prisma-schema#using-environment-variables

# Prisma supports the native connection string format for PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, SQL Server, MongoDB and CockroachDB.
# See the documentation for all the connection string options: https://pris.ly/d/connection-strings

DATABASE_URL="mysql://user:password@localhost:3306/mydb"

generate​

The generate command generates assets like Prisma Client based on the generator and data model blocks defined in your prisma/schema.prisma file.

The generate command is most often used to generate Prisma Client with the prisma-client-js generator. This does three things:

  1. Searches the current directory and parent directories to find the applicable npm project. It will create a package.json file in the current directory if it cannot find one.
  2. Installs the @prisma/client into the npm project if it is not already present.
  3. Inspects the current directory to find a Prisma Schema to process. It will then generate a customized Prisma Client for your project.

Prerequisites​

To use the generate command, you must add a generator definition in your schema.prisma file. The prisma-client-js generator, used to generate Prisma Client, can be added by including the following in your schema.prisma file:

generator client {
  provider = "prisma-client-js"
}

Options​

OptionRequiredDescriptionDefault
--data-proxyNoThe generate command will generate Prisma Client for use with Prisma Accelerate prior to Prisma 5.0.0. Mutually exclusive with --accelerate and --no-engine.
--accelerateNoThe generate command will generate Prisma Client for use with Prisma Accelerate. Mutually exclusive with --data-proxy and --no-engine. Available in Prisma 5.1.0 and later.
--no-engineNoThe generate command will generate Prisma Client without an accompanied engine for use with Prisma Accelerate. Mutually exclusive with --data-proxy and --accelerate. Available in Prisma ORM 5.2.0 and later.
--no-hintsNoThe generate command will generate Prisma Client without usage hints being printed to the terminal. Available in Prisma ORM 5.16.0 and later.
--allow-no-modelsNoThe generate command will generate Prisma Client without generating any models.
--watchNoThe generate command will continue to watch the schema.prisma file and re-generate Prisma Client on file changes.
warning

Deprecation Warning

As of Prisma 5.2.0, --data-proxy and --accelerate are deprecated in favor of --no-engine as Prisma Client no longer requires an option to work with Prisma Accelerate. All options are available and work similarly, but we recommend --no-engine as it prevents an engine from being downloaded which will greatly impact the size of apps deployed to serverless and edge functions.

Arguments​

ArgumentRequiredDescriptionDefault
--schemaNoSpecifies the path to the desired schema.prisma file to be processed instead of the default path. Both absolute and relative paths are supported../schema.prisma, ./prisma/schema.prisma
--generatorNoSpecifies which generator to use to generate assets. This option may be provided multiple times to include multiple generators. By default, all generators in the target schema will be run.

Examples​

Generate Prisma Client using the default schema.prisma path​
prisma generate
Show CLI results
✔ Generated Prisma Client to ./node_modules/.prisma/client in 61ms

You can now start using Prisma Client in your code:

import { PrismaClient } from '@prisma/client'
// or const { PrismaClient } = require('@prisma/client')

const prisma = new PrismaClient()

Explore the full API: https://pris.ly/d/client
Generate Prisma Client using a non-default schema.prisma path​
prisma generate --schema=./alternative/schema.prisma
Continue watching the schema.prisma file for changes to automatically re-generate Prisma Client​
prisma generate --watch
Show CLI results
Watching... /home/prismauser/prisma/prisma-play/prisma/schema.prisma

✔ Generated Prisma Client to ./node_modules/.prisma/client in 45ms
Run the generate command with only a specific generator​
prisma generate --generator client
Run the generate command with multiple specific generators​
prisma generate --generator client --generator zod_schemas

Generated Assets​

The prisma-client-js generator creates a customized client for working with your database within the ./node_modules/.prisma/client directory by default - you can customize the output folder.

validate​

Validates the Prisma Schema Language of the Prisma schema file.

Arguments​

ArgumentRequiredDescriptionDefault
--schemaNoSpecifies the path to the desired schema.prisma file to be processed instead of the default path. Both absolute and relative paths are supported../schema.prisma, ./prisma/schema.prisma

Examples​

Validate a schema without errors​
prisma validate
Show CLI results
Validate a schema with validation errors​
prisma validate
Show CLI results

format​

Formats the Prisma schema file, which includes validating, formatting, and persisting the schema.

Arguments​

ArgumentRequiredDescriptionDefault
--schemaNoSpecifies the path to the desired schema.prisma file to be processed instead of the default path. Both absolute and relative paths are supported../schema.prisma, ./prisma/schema.prisma
--checkNoFails if any files are unformatted. This can be used in CI to detect if the schema is formatted correctly

Examples​

Validate a schema without errors​
prisma format
Show CLI results
Formatting a schema with validation errors​
prisma format
Show CLI results

debug​

Prints information for debugging and bug reports.

info

This is available from version 5.6.0 and newer.

Arguments​

ArgumentRequiredDescriptionDefault
--schemaNoSpecifies the path to the desired schema.prisma file to be processed instead of the default path. Both absolute and relative paths are supported../schema.prisma, ./prisma/schema.prisma
--help / --hNoDisplays the help message

Example​

prisma debug
Show CLI results

If you're using an older version of Prisma, you can use this command by running:

npx prisma@latest debug

db​

db pull​

The db pull command connects to your database and adds Prisma models to your Prisma schema that reflect the current database schema.

warning

Warning: The command will overwrite the current schema.prisma file with the new schema. Some manual changes or customization can be lost. Be sure to back up your current schema.prisma file (or commit your current state to version control to be able to revert any changes) before running db pull if it contains important modifications.

info

Introspection with the db pull command on the MongoDB connector samples the data instead of reading a schema.

Prerequisites​

Before using the db pull command, you must define a valid datasource within your schema.prisma file.

For example, the following datasource defines a SQLite database file within the current directory:

datasource db {
  provider = "sqlite"
  url      = "file:my-database.db"
}

Options​

OptionRequiredDescriptionDefault
--forceNoForce overwrite of manual changes made to schema. The generated schema will be based on the introspected schema only.
--printNoPrints the created schema.prisma to the screen instead of writing it to the filesystem.

Arguments​

ArgumentRequiredDescriptionDefault
--schemaNoSpecifies the path to the desired schema.prisma file to be processed instead of the default path. Both absolute and relative paths are supported../schema.prisma, ./prisma/schema.prisma

Examples​

Analyze the database and write its schema to the schema.prisma file​
prisma db pull
Show CLI results
Introspecting based on datasource defined in schema.prisma …

✔ Introspected 2 models and wrote them into schema.prisma in 38ms

Run prisma generate to generate Prisma Client.
Specify an alternative schema.prisma file to read and write to​
prisma db pull --schema=./alternative/schema.prisma
Show CLI results
Introspecting based on datasource defined in alternative/schema.prisma …

✔ Introspected 2 models and wrote them into alternative/schema.prisma in 60ms

Run prisma generate to generate Prisma Client.
Display the generated schema.prisma file instead of writing it to the filesystem​
prisma db pull --print
Show CLI results
generator client {
  provider = "prisma-client-js"
}

datasource db {
  provider = "sqlite"
  url      = "file:./hello-prisma.db"
}

model User {
  email   String    @unique
  name    String?
  user_id Int       @id @default(autoincrement())
  post    Post[]
  profile Profile[]
}

model Post {
  content   String?
  post_id   Int     @id @default(autoincrement())
  title     String
  author    User?   @relation(fields: [author_id], references: [user_id])
  author_id Int?
}

model Profile {
  bio        String?
  profile_id Int     @id @default(autoincrement())
  user       User    @relation(fields: [user_id], references: [user_id])
  user_id    Int     @unique
}

db push​

The db push command pushes the state of your Prisma schema to the database without using migrations. It creates the database if the database does not exist.

This command is a good choice when you do not need to version schema changes, such as during prototyping and local development.

See also:

Prerequisites​

Before using the db push command, you must define a valid datasource within your schema.prisma file.

For example, the following datasource defines a SQLite database file within the current directory:

datasource db {
  provider = "sqlite"
  url      = "file:my-database.db"
}

Options​

OptionsRequiredDescription
--skip-generateNoSkip generation of artifacts such as Prisma Client
--force-resetNoResets the database and then updates the schema - useful if you need to start from scratch due to unexecutable migrations.
--accept-data-lossNoIgnore data loss warnings. This option is required if as a result of making the schema changes, data may be lost.
--help / --hNoDisplays the help message

Arguments​

ArgumentRequiredDescriptionDefault
--schemaNoSpecifies the path to the desired schema.prisma file to be processed instead of the default path. Both absolute and relative paths are supported../schema.prisma
./prisma/schema.prisma

Examples​

Push the schema:

prisma db push

Push the schema, accepting data loss:

prisma db push --accept-data-loss

Push the schema with a custom schema location:

prisma db push --schema=/tmp/schema.prisma

db seed​

db seed changed from Preview to Generally Available (GA) in 3.0.1.

See Seeding your database

Options​

OptionsRequiredDescription
--help / --hNoDisplays the help message
--NoAllows the use of custom arguments defined in a seed file

The -- argument/ delimiter/ double-dash is available from version 4.15.0 or later.

Examples​

prisma db seed

db execute​

info

The db execute command is Generally Available in versions 3.13.0 and later. If you're using a version between 3.9.0 and 3.13.0, it is available behind a --preview-feature CLI flag.

warning

This command is currently not supported on MongoDB.

This command applies a SQL script to the database without interacting with the Prisma migrations table. The script takes two inputs:

  • the SQL script, which can be provided either on standard input or in a file
  • the data source, which can either be the URL of the data source or the path to your Prisma schema file

The output of the command is connector-specific, and is not meant for returning data, but only to report success or failure.

See also:

Prerequisites​

Before using the db execute command, if you do not use the --url option you must define a valid datasource within your schema.prisma file.

For example, the following datasource defines a SQLite database file within the current directory:

datasource db {
  provider = "sqlite"
  url      = "file:my-database.db"
}

Options​

One of the following data source inputs is required:

OptionsDescription
--urlURL of the data source to run the command on
--schemaPath to a Prisma schema file, uses the URL in the datasource block

One of the following script inputs is required:

OptionsDescription
--stdinUse the terminal standard input as the script to be executed
--filePath to a file. The content will be sent as the script to be executed

Other options:

OptionsRequiredDescription
--helpNoDisplays the help message.

Examples​

  • Take the content of a SQL file located at ./script.sql and execute it on the database specified by the URL in the datasource block of your schema.prisma file:

    prisma db execute --file ./script.sql --schema schema.prisma

  • Take the SQL script from standard input and execute it on the database specified by the data source URL given in the DATABASE_URL environment variable:

    echo 'TRUNCATE TABLE dev;' | prisma db execute --stdin --url="$DATABASE_URL"

Prisma Migrate​

Prisma Migrate changed from Preview to Generally Available (GA) in 2.19.0.

info

Does not apply for MongoDB
Instead of migrate dev and related commands, db push is used for MongoDB.

migrate dev​

For use in development environments only, requires shadow database

The migrate dev command:

  1. Reruns the existing migration history in the shadow database in order to detect schema drift (edited or deleted migration file, or a manual changes to the database schema)
  2. Applies pending migrations to the shadow database (for example, new migrations created by colleagues)
  3. Generates a new migration from any changes you made to the Prisma schema before running migrate dev
  4. Applies all unapplied migrations to the development database and updates the _prisma_migrations table
  5. Triggers the generation of artifacts (for example, Prisma Client)
warning

This command is not supported on MongoDB. Use db push instead.

See also:

Options​

OptionRequiredDescriptionDefault
--create-onlyNoCreates a new migration but does not apply it. This also works if you haven't made any changes to your schema (in that case, an empty migration is created). Run migrate dev to apply migration.
--skip-seedNoSkip triggering seed
--skip-generateNoSkip triggering generators (for example, Prisma Client)
--name / -nNoName the migration (e.g. prisma migrate dev --name added_job_title)
--help / -hNoDisplays the help message
info

If a schema drift is detected while running prisma migrate dev using --create-only, you will be prompted to reset your database.

Arguments​

ArgumentRequiredDescriptionDefault
--nameNoThe name of the migration. If no name is provided, the CLI will prompt you.
--schemaNoSpecifies the path to the desired schema.prisma file to be processed instead of the default path. Both absolute and relative paths are supported../schema.prisma
./prisma/schema.prisma

Examples​

Apply all migrations, then create and apply any new migrations:

prisma migrate dev

Apply all migrations and create a new migration if there are schema changes, but do not apply it:

prisma migrate dev --create-only

migrate reset​

For use in development environments only

This command:

  1. Drops the database/schema if possible, or performs a soft reset if the environment does not allow deleting databases/schemas
  2. Creates a new database/schema with the same name if the database/schema was dropped
  3. Applies all migrations
  4. Runs seed scripts
warning

This command is not supported on MongoDB. Use db push instead.

Options​

OptionRequiredDescriptionDefault
--forceNoSkip the confirmation prompt
--skip-generateNoSkip triggering generators (for example, Prisma Client)
--skip-seedNoSkip triggering seed
--help / --hNoDisplays the help message

Arguments​

ArgumentRequiredDescriptionDefault
--schemaNoSpecifies the path to the desired schema.prisma file to be processed instead of the default path. Both absolute and relative paths are supported../schema.prisma
./prisma/schema.prisma

Examples​

prisma migrate reset

migrate deploy​

The migrate deploy command applies all pending migrations, and creates the database if it does not exist. Primarily used in non-development environments. This command:

  • Does not look for drift in the database or changes in the Prisma schema
  • Does not reset the database or generate artifacts
  • Does not rely on a shadow database
warning

This command is not supported on MongoDB. Use db push instead.

Options​

OptionRequiredDescriptionDefault
--help / --hNoDisplays the help message

Arguments​

ArgumentRequiredDescriptionDefault
--schemaNoSpecifies the path to the desired schema.prisma file to be processed instead of the default path. Both absolute and relative paths are supported../schema.prisma
./prisma/schema.prisma

Examples​

prisma migrate deploy

migrate resolve​

The migrate resolve command allows you to solve migration history issues in production by marking a failed migration as already applied (supports baselining) or rolled back.

Note that this command can only be used with a failed migration. If you try to use it with a successful migration you will receive an error.

warning

This command is not supported on MongoDB. Use db push instead.

Options​

OptionRequiredDescriptionDefault
--help / --hNoDisplays the help message

Arguments​

ArgumentRequiredDescriptionDefault
--appliedNo*Record a specific migration as applied - for example --applied "20201231000000_add_users_table"
--rolled-backNo*Record a specific migration as rolled back - for example --rolled-back "20201231000000_add_users_table"./schema.prisma
./prisma/schema.prisma
--schemaNoSpecifies the path to the desired schema.prisma file to be processed instead of the default path. Both absolute and relative paths are supported../schema.prisma
./prisma/schema.prisma

You must specify either --rolled-back or --applied.

Examples​

prisma migrate resolve --applied 20201231000000_add_users_table
prisma migrate resolve --rolled-back 20201231000000_add_users_table

migrate status​

The prisma migrate status command looks up the migrations in ./prisma/migrations/* folder and the entries in the _prisma_migrations table and compiles information about the state of the migrations in your database.

warning

This command is not supported on MongoDB. Use db push instead.

For example:

Status
3 migrations found in prisma/migrations

Your local migration history and the migrations table from your database are different:

The last common migration is: 20201127134938_new_migration

The migration have not yet been applied:
20201208100950_test_migration

The migrations from the database are not found locally in prisma/migrations:
20201208100950_new_migration

In versions 4.3.0 and later, prisma migrate status exits with exit code 1 in the following cases:

  • a database connection error occurs
  • there are migration files in the migrations directory that have not been applied to the database
  • the migration history in the migrations directory has diverged from the state of the database
  • no migration table is found
  • failed migrations are found

Options​

OptionRequiredDescriptionDefault
--help / --hNoDisplays the help message

Arguments​

ArgumentRequiredDescriptionDefault
--schemaNoSpecifies the path to the desired schema.prisma file to be processed instead of the default path. Both absolute and relative paths are supported../schema.prisma
./prisma/schema.prisma

Examples​

prisma migrate status

migrate diff​

info

This command is only partially supported for MongoDB. See the command options below for details.

This command compares two database schema sources and outputs a description of a migration taking the first to the state of the second.

The output can be given either as a human-readable summary (the default) or an executable script.

warning

The migrate diff command can only compare database features that are supported by Prisma. If two databases differ only in unsupported features, such as views or triggers, then migrate diff will not show any difference between them.

The format of the command is:

prisma migrate diff --from-... <source1> --to-... <source2>

where the --from-... and --to-... options are selected based on the type of database schema source. The supported types of sources are:

  • live databases
  • migration histories
  • Prisma schema data models
  • an empty schema

Both schema sources must use the same database provider. For example, a diff comparing a PostgreSQL data source with a SQLite data source is not supported.

See also:

Prerequisites​

Before using the migrate diff command, if you are using the --from-schema-datasource or --to-schema-datasource you must define a valid datasource within your schema.prisma file.

For example, the following datasource defines a SQLite database file within the current directory:

datasource db {
  provider = "sqlite"
  url      = "file:my-database.db"
}

Options​

One of the following --from-... options is required:

OptionsDescriptionNotes
--from-urlA data source URL
--from-migrationsPath to the Prisma Migrate migrations directoryNot supported in MongoDB
--from-schema-datamodelPath to a Prisma schema file, uses the data model for the diff
--from-schema-datasourcePath to a Prisma schema file, uses the URL in the datasource block for the diff
--from-emptyAssume that you the data model you are migrating from is empty
--from-local-d1Path to a local D1 instance (learn more)Available since 5.12.0

One of the following --to-... options is required:

OptionsDescriptionNotes
--to-urlA data source URL
--to-migrationsPath to the Prisma Migrate migrations directoryNot supported in MongoDB
--to-schema-datamodelPath to a Prisma schema file, uses the data model for the diff
--to-schema-datasourcePath to a Prisma schema file, uses the URL in the datasource block for the diff
--to-emptyAssume that you the data model you are migrating to is empty
--to-local-d1Path to a local D1 instance (learn more)Available since 5.12.0

Other options:

OptionsRequiredDescriptionNotes
--shadow-database-urlNoURL for the shadow databaseOnly required if using --to-migrations or --from-migrations
--scriptNoOutputs a SQL script instead of the default human-readable summaryNot supported in MongoDB
-o, --outputNoWrites to a file instead of stdoutAvailable since 5.12.1
--exit-codeNoChange the exit code behavior to signal if the diff is empty or not (Empty: 0, Error: 1, Not empty: 2). Default behavior is Success: 0, Error: 1.
--helpNoDisplays the help message.

Examples​

  • Compare two databases specified by their data source URL, and output the default human-readable summary:

    prisma migrate diff \
      --from-url "$DATABASE_URL" \
      --to-url "postgresql://login:password@localhost:5432/db2"

  • Compare the state of a database with a URL of $DATABASE_URL to the schema defined by the migrations in the ./prisma/migrations directory, and output the differences to a script script.sql:

    prisma migrate diff \
     --from-url "$DATABASE_URL" \
     --to-migrations ./prisma/migrations \
     --shadow-database-url $SHADOW_DATABASE_URL \
     --script > script.sql

Prisma Data Platform​

platform (Early Access)​

The platform command provides access to the Prisma Data Platform through the Prisma CLI starting in version 5.10.0 or later.

  • Authentication:
    • platform auth login: Opens a browser window for login or account creation.
    • platform auth logout: Logs out of the platform.
    • platform auth show: Displays information about the currently authenticated user.
  • Workspace Management:
    • platform workspace show: Lists all workspaces available to your account.
  • Project Management:
    • platform project show: Lists all projects within the specified workspace.
    • platform project create: Creates a new project within the specified workspace.
    • platform project delete: Deletes the specified project.
  • Environment Management:
    • platform environment show: Lists all environments for the specified project.
    • platform environment create: Creates a new environment within the specified project.
    • platform environment delete: Deletes the specified environment.
  • API Key Management:
    • platform apikey show: Lists all API keys for the specified environment.
    • platform apikey create: Creates a new API key for the specified environment.
    • platform apikey delete: Deletes the specified API key.
  • Prisma Accelerate:
    • platform accelerate enable: Enables Prisma Accelerate for the specified environment.
    • platform accelerate disable: Disables Prisma Accelerate for the specified environment.

You can find the complete list of available commands with the arguments here.

mcp​

Starts the Prisma MCP server.

Studio​

studio​

The studio command allows you to interact with and manage your data interactively. It does this by starting a local web server with a web app configured with your project's data schema and records.

Prerequisites​

Before using the studio command, you must define a valid datasource within your schema.prisma file.

For example, the following datasource defines a SQLite database file within the current directory:

datasource db {
  provider = "sqlite"
  url      = "file:my-database.db"
}

Options​

The studio command recognizes the following options:

OptionRequiredDescriptionDefault
-b, --browserNoThe browser to auto-open Studio in.<your-default-browser>
-h, --helpNoShow all available options and exit
-p, --portNoThe port number to start Studio on.5555

Arguments​

ArgumentRequiredDescriptionDefault
--schemaNoSpecifies the path to the desired schema.prisma file to be processed instead of the default path. Both absolute and relative paths are supported../schema.prisma
./prisma/schema.prisma

Examples​

Start Studio on the default port and open a new browser tab to it​

prisma studio

Start Studio on a different port and open a new browser tab to it​

prisma studio --port 7777

Start Studio and open a Firefox tab to it​

prisma studio --browser firefox

Start Studio without opening a new browser tab to it​

prisma studio --browser none

package.json entry options​

schema​

The path to the desired schema.prisma file can be specified with the prisma.schema entry in the package.json file. The path defines the file the Prisma CLI should use when you run any of the CLI commands. Both absolute and relative paths are supported.

"package.json"
{
  "name": "my-project",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "prisma": {
    "schema": "./custom-path-to-schema/schema.prisma"
  }
}

This is available from version 2.7.0 and later.

seed​

The command used to populate the datasource is specified in the prisma.seed entry in the package.json file. It is used when prisma db seed is invoked or triggered.

See Seeding your database

"package.json"
{
  "name": "my-project",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "prisma": {
    "seed": "node ./prisma/seed.js"
  }
}

This is available from version 3.0.1 and later.

Using a HTTP proxy for the CLI​

Prisma CLI supports custom HTTP proxies. This is particularly relevant when being behind a corporate firewall.

To activate usage of the proxy, provide either of the following environment variables:

  • HTTP_PROXY or http_proxy: Proxy URL for http traffic, for example http://localhost:8080
  • HTTPS_PROXY or https_proxy: Proxy URL for https traffic, for example https://localhost:8080