# Getting Started (/docs/console/getting-started)

> For the complete Prisma documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.prisma.io/docs/llms.txt). A markdown version of any docs page is available by appending `.md` to its URL.

Quick start guide for setting up and using the Prisma Console

Location: Console > Getting Started

This guide walks you through setting up your Console account and creating your first project.

## Prerequisites [#prerequisites]

* A GitHub account (for authentication)
* A Prisma project (optional, but recommended)

## Step 1: Create your account [#step-1-create-your-account]

1. Go to [console.prisma.io/login](https://console.prisma.io/login?utm_source=docs\&utm_medium=content\&utm_content=console)
2. Click **Sign in with GitHub**
3. Authorize Prisma Console to access your GitHub account

You now have a Console account with a default workspace.

## Step 2: Set up a workspace [#step-2-set-up-a-workspace]

When you create an account, a default workspace is automatically created for you. You can create additional workspaces for different teams or organizations.

### Create a workspace (optional) [#create-a-workspace-optional]

To create an additional workspace:

1. Click the workspace dropdown in the top navigation
2. Click **Create Workspace**
3. Enter a name for your workspace
4. Click **Create**

## Step 3: Create a project [#step-3-create-a-project]

Projects organize your databases and environments within a workspace.

### Using the Console web interface [#using-the-console-web-interface]

1. Navigate to your workspace
2. Click **Create Project**
3. Enter a project name
4. Click **Create**

## Step 4: Create a resource [#step-4-create-a-resource]

Resources are the actual databases or environments within your project.

### For Prisma Postgres [#for-prisma-postgres]

1. Navigate to your project
2. Click **Create Database**
3. Enter a database name
4. Select a region
5. Click **Create**

### For Accelerate [#for-accelerate]

> [!WARNING]
> Accelerate retirement
> 
> Prisma Accelerate will be retired on December 1, 2026, so new Accelerate environments are not recommended. Create a Prisma Postgres database instead, as described above. If you already run Accelerate, choose the path that matches your setup:
> 
> * [Migrate a PostgreSQL database to Prisma Postgres](https://www.prisma.io/docs/prisma-postgres/import-from-existing-database-postgresql)
> * [Keep your existing database and remove Accelerate](https://www.prisma.io/docs/accelerate/keep-your-database)
> * [Connect to Prisma Postgres without Accelerate](https://www.prisma.io/docs/postgres/database/switch-from-accelerate)

1. Navigate to your project
2. Click **Create Environment**
3. Enter an environment name (e.g., "production")
4. Click **Create**

## Step 5: Generate a connection string [#step-5-generate-a-connection-string]

Connection strings authenticate your application's requests to Prisma products.

### Using the Console web interface [#using-the-console-web-interface-1]

1. Navigate to your resource (database or environment)
2. Click **Connection Strings** tab
3. Click **Create Connection String**
4. Enter a name for the connection string
5. Copy the connection string and store it securely
6. Click **Done**

## Step 6: Use the connection string in your application [#step-6-use-the-connection-string-in-your-application]

Add the connection string to your `.env` file. For Prisma Postgres, use the pooled connection string for application queries and the direct connection string for migrations, introspection and Prisma Studio:

```bash
# Application traffic over pooled TCP
DATABASE_URL="postgres://USER:PASSWORD@pooled.db.prisma.io:5432/postgres?sslmode=require"

# Prisma CLI commands and administrative tooling
DIRECT_URL="postgres://USER:PASSWORD@db.prisma.io:5432/postgres?sslmode=require"
```

In a Node.js runtime, pass the pooled connection string to Prisma Client through the [`@prisma/adapter-pg`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/postgres/database/connecting-to-your-database) driver adapter. In an edge or TCP-constrained runtime, use the [Prisma Postgres serverless driver](https://www.prisma.io/docs/postgres/database/serverless-driver) with the direct connection string instead.

> [!WARNING]
> Accelerate retirement
> 
> Prisma Accelerate will be retired on December 1, 2026. This covers both the Accelerate environments from Step 4, which use `prisma://accelerate.prisma-data.net/?api_key=YOUR_API_KEY` connection strings, and hosted Accelerate connections for Prisma Postgres, which use `prisma+postgres://accelerate.prisma-data.net/?api_key=YOUR_API_KEY`. Choose the path that matches your setup:
> 
> * [Connect to Prisma Postgres without Accelerate](https://www.prisma.io/docs/postgres/database/switch-from-accelerate)
> * [Keep your existing database and remove Accelerate](https://www.prisma.io/docs/accelerate/keep-your-database)

## Next steps [#next-steps]

* Learn more about [Console concepts](https://www.prisma.io/docs/console/concepts)
* Explore [database metrics](https://www.prisma.io/docs/console/features/metrics)
* Check out the [CLI reference](https://www.prisma.io/docs/cli/v7/console)

## Related pages

- [`Concepts`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/console/concepts): Understand the core concepts of the Prisma Console: user accounts, workspaces, projects, and resources