FAQ
Quick answers to common questions about Prisma Compute.
Which package do I install?
You install @prisma/cli, which provides an executable called prisma-cli. The quickest way to run it without installing anything is:
bunx @prisma/cli@latest app deployWhy prisma-cli and not prisma?
It avoids shadowing the prisma binary from Prisma ORM, which many projects already have installed. To set up a shorter command, add your own package script; see A shorter command in the getting started guide.
What's the difference between a project and an app?
A project groups the resources for one product or codebase. An app is a single HTTP service inside a project's branch. The full hierarchy:
What's a branch?
A branch is an isolated environment for one line of work. It usually matches a Git branch name, but in Prisma it is a real resource that owns its own apps and databases. To learn more, see the Branching docs.
Does git connect deploy my app?
No, it links a project to a GitHub repository and turns on automation for future branch and push events. It does not deploy anything by itself, so if you want to ship right now, run app deploy. To set the connection up, see the GitHub integration docs.
What does a GitHub push do?
When a project is connected to GitHub, each push creates or resolves the matching branch and builds the pushed commit.
Why can't I read my environment variable values back?
In beta, variable values are encrypted and never returned by any surface. project env list shows only the keys and their metadata, so keep your own copy of each value in a secret manager. To learn more, see Values are write-only.
How do I rotate a secret?
Update it, then redeploy to production:
bunx @prisma/cli@latest project env update DATABASE_URL=postgresql://new --role production
bunx @prisma/cli@latest app deploy --prod --yes--prod signals intent to deploy to production, and --yes accepts the confirmation up front.
Does changing a variable redeploy my app?
No. Variables resolve at deploy time, so you need to redeploy for the app to pick up a new value.
How do I deploy from CI?
Use a service token and explicit targets:
PRISMA_SERVICE_TOKEN=... npx @prisma/cli@latest app deploy \
--project my-app \
--app web \
--branch "$GITHUB_HEAD_REF" \
--json \
--no-interactivePassing every target explicitly keeps the run self-contained; --json makes the result parseable, and --no-interactive turns any would-be prompt into a structured error.
Why did my production deploy fail with PROD_DEPLOY_REQUIRES_FLAG?
Your first deploy is promoted to production automatically. After that, deploying to the production branch needs an explicit --prod flag. Re-run with npx @prisma/cli@latest app deploy --prod, or deploy from a preview branch instead.
Why did my production deploy fail with CONFIRMATION_REQUIRED?
A --prod deploy asks you to confirm before replacing the live deployment, and that prompt can't run in non-interactive mode. Pass both flags, --prod --yes, to accept the confirmation up front. (app remove uses the same --yes confirmation.)
Why PROJECT_SETUP_REQUIRED?
This means the CLI couldn't work out which project to deploy to, because the current directory isn't linked to one yet. Create or link a project first with project create or project link, or name one directly on the command with --project or --create-project.
Why APP_AMBIGUOUS?
This means your project holds more than one app, so the CLI can't tell which one you meant. Tell it explicitly by passing --app <name> with the name of the app you want to deploy.
How do I add a custom domain?
Promote a production app, then:
bunx @prisma/cli@latest app domain add shop.acme.com --app web
bunx @prisma/cli@latest app domain wait shop.acme.com --app webAdd the CNAME record the command returns at your DNS provider. To learn more, see the Domains docs.
Can preview branches have custom domains?
No. In beta, custom domains are production-only, so they cannot be attached to preview branches.
Does Prisma clone my production database for previews?
You should not assume it does. These docs cover app deployment and runtime configuration only, so pass database URLs through environment variables and manage data and migrations yourself.
Do I need Prisma Postgres to use Compute?
No. Your app connects to a database through a connection string you set as an environment variable, such as DATABASE_URL. Compute and Prisma Postgres are designed to work well together, and running both keeps your app next to your database.
Can I use the Console instead?
Yes. Use it to inspect projects, branches, apps, deployments, integrations, env var names, and domain status.
Is Prisma Compute free?
Yes, Compute is free during public beta. We've published the rates we expect to charge once we enable production billing, so you can estimate future usage now. See Pricing for the rates, worked examples, and what is not billed separately. For how those rates compare to Vercel's for the same workload, see Prisma Compute vs Vercel pricing.
What does Public Beta mean for Compute?
The core model and documented happy paths are stable enough for evaluation, staging, internal tools, and low-risk apps; details like limits, pricing, and some CLI, API, and Console behavior can still change before general availability. See Public Beta on the feature maturity page.
What are the current limits?
See Known limitations for what the beta can and can't do.