# Prisma ORM (/docs/prisma-postgres/quickstart/prisma-orm)

> 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.

Create a Prisma ORM app with Prisma Postgres.

Location: Prisma Postgres > Quickstart > Prisma ORM

Create a Prisma ORM app backed by Prisma Postgres.

## Quick start [#quick-start]

  

#### bun

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

#### pnpm

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

#### yarn

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

#### npm

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

Run this from a Node.js 22.18 or newer (on the 24 line, 24.11 or newer) environment; Node.js 24 is recommended. When prompted, choose PostgreSQL, and answer No to `Deploy to Prisma now?`.

Setup adds a starter contract, creates `prisma-8.md`, installs project-level Prisma ORM skills for your coding agent, and adds package scripts for the database steps below. Choose the minimal template if you want the fastest first run, or a framework template when you want the first query wired into an app route or page.

## 1. Create the database [#1-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.

## 2. Initialize the database [#2-initialize-the-database]

From the generated project directory, run `db:init` to apply the starter schema to Prisma Postgres and sign the database.

  

#### bun

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

#### pnpm

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

#### yarn

```bash
yarn db:init
```

#### npm

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

Sample users are seeded automatically the first time the app queries the database, so there is no separate seed step.

## 3. Run the app [#3-run-the-app]

Start the app and confirm the sample query runs successfully.

  

#### bun

```bash
bun run dev
```

#### pnpm

```bash
pnpm run dev
```

#### yarn

```bash
yarn dev
```

#### npm

```bash
npm run dev
```

Use the URL or terminal output shown by your template to confirm the sample query runs successfully.

## Next steps [#next-steps]

* Open the generated contract and change the starter model.
* Use [Import from PostgreSQL](https://www.prisma.io/docs/prisma-postgres/import-from-existing-database-postgresql) or [Import from MySQL](https://www.prisma.io/docs/prisma-postgres/import-from-existing-database-mysql) when you want to move an existing database to Prisma Postgres.
* Use the [PostgreSQL existing-project guide](https://www.prisma.io/docs/prisma-orm/add-to-existing-project/postgresql) when your app already has a Prisma Postgres database.

## Related pages

- [`Drizzle ORM`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/prisma-postgres/quickstart/drizzle-orm): Get started with Drizzle ORM and Prisma Postgres
- [`Kysely`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/prisma-postgres/quickstart/kysely): Get started with Kysely and Prisma Postgres by creating a type-safe SQL query builder for your database
- [`TypeORM`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/prisma-postgres/quickstart/typeorm): Get started with TypeORM and Prisma Postgres by connecting your TypeScript ORM to a managed PostgreSQL database