# From the CLI (/docs/prisma-postgres/from-the-cli)

> 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.

Start a Prisma ORM app with Prisma Postgres from the command line.

Location: Prisma Postgres > From the CLI

Use the CLI when you want Prisma ORM and Prisma Postgres set up without leaving the terminal.

## Start a new app [#start-a-new-app]

You need Node.js 22.18 or newer (on the 24 line, 24.11 or newer); Node.js 24 is recommended. If you use npm, you also need npm 11.6.0 or newer: Node.js 22 comes with npm 10, so run `npm install --global npm@11` first. The [create-prisma prerequisites](https://www.prisma.io/docs/prisma-orm/create-prisma#prerequisites) explain why.

  

#### bun

```bash
bun create prisma@latest
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm create prisma@latest
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn create prisma@latest
```

#### npm

```bash
npm create prisma@latest
```

Choose PostgreSQL when prompted, and answer No to `Deploy to Prisma now?`. Setup adds `prisma-8.md`, installs project-level Prisma ORM skills for your coding agent, and writes the generated scripts used below.

## Create the database [#create-the-database]

Create a Prisma Postgres database from the terminal and export its connection string. The generated scripts read the environment variable, not `.env`:

  

#### bun

```bash
bunx create-db@latest
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm dlx create-db@latest
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn dlx create-db@latest
```

#### npm

```bash
npx create-db@latest
```

```bash
export DATABASE_URL="<the connection string create-db printed>"
```

The command also prints a claim URL; open it within 24 hours to keep the database in your account.

## Initialize the database [#initialize-the-database]

From the generated project directory, run:

  

#### bun

```bash
bun run db:init
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm run db:init
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn db:init
```

#### npm

```bash
npm run db:init
```

## Run the app [#run-the-app]

Sample users are seeded automatically on the app's first query.

  

#### bun

```bash
bun run dev
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm run dev
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn dev
```

#### npm

```bash
npm run dev
```

## Add Prisma ORM to an existing app [#add-prisma-orm-to-an-existing-app]

If the app already exists, run Prisma ORM from the project root:

  

#### bun

```bash
bunx prisma@latest orm init
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm dlx prisma@latest orm init
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn dlx prisma@latest orm init
```

#### npm

```bash
npx prisma@latest orm init
```

Choose PostgreSQL and set `DATABASE_URL` to your Prisma Postgres connection string. Init adds `prisma-8.md`, package scripts, and the Prisma ORM skills for your coding agent. Then follow [Add Prisma ORM to an existing PostgreSQL database](https://www.prisma.io/docs/prisma-orm/add-to-existing-project/postgresql).

## Import an existing database [#import-an-existing-database]

* Use [Import from PostgreSQL](https://www.prisma.io/docs/prisma-postgres/import-from-existing-database-postgresql) when your source database is PostgreSQL.
* Use [Import from MySQL](https://www.prisma.io/docs/prisma-postgres/import-from-existing-database-mysql) when your source database is MySQL.

## Related pages

- [`Import from MySQL`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/prisma-postgres/import-from-existing-database-mysql): Import an existing MySQL database into Prisma Postgres, then use it with Prisma ORM.
- [`Import from PostgreSQL`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/prisma-postgres/import-from-existing-database-postgresql): Move an existing PostgreSQL database to Prisma Postgres without changing your ORM version.