# Elysia (/docs/guides/next/frameworks/elysia)

> 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.

Build an Elysia API on Prisma Next with the elysia template.

Location: Guides > Next > Frameworks > Elysia

## Introduction [#introduction]

In this guide, you scaffold an Elysia API backed by Prisma Next, initialize and seed a PostgreSQL database, and serve data over HTTP. The `elysia` template generates the server, so most of the work is understanding the pieces.

Every command and response below was run end to end against a live Prisma Postgres database.

## Prerequisites [#prerequisites]

* [Bun](https://bun.sh/) 1.1 or later (Elysia is Bun-first)
* A PostgreSQL connection string, or nothing at all: the scaffold can create a [Prisma Postgres](https://www.prisma.io/docs/postgres) database for you

## 1. Scaffold the project [#1-scaffold-the-project]

```bash
bunx create-prisma@next create my-elysia-api --provider postgres --template elysia
```

Pick your database at the prompt. The template generates an Elysia server in `src/index.ts` with `GET /` and `GET /users` routes, the Prisma Next setup in `src/prisma/`, and package scripts for the database steps.

```bash
cd my-elysia-api
```

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

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

```text no-copy
"summary": "Applied 5 operation(s) across 1 space(s), database signed"
Seeded 3 users.
```

> [!NOTE]
> Scaffolded with an older `create-prisma` and seeing `Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'where')`? Update `db.orm.User` to `db.orm.public.User` in `src/prisma/seed.ts` and `src/prisma/users.ts`. Current templates generate the qualified form.

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

```bash
bun run dev
```

The server starts on port 3000 (set `PORT` to change it):

```bash
curl http://localhost:3000/users
```

```json no-copy
[
  { "id": "1", "email": "alice@prisma.io", "username": "alice", "name": "Alice", "createdAt": "2026-07-07T08:51:14.054Z" },
  { "id": "2", "email": "bob@prisma.io", "username": "bob", "name": "Bob", "createdAt": "2026-07-07T08:51:14.089Z" },
  { "id": "3", "email": "carol@prisma.io", "username": "carol", "name": "Carol", "createdAt": "2026-07-07T08:51:14.122Z" }
]
```

The route handler is ordinary Elysia code calling an ordinary Prisma Next query; there is no framework adapter in between. To add write routes, follow the same pattern as the [Hono guide's POST route](https://www.prisma.io/docs/guides/next/frameworks/hono#4-add-a-post-route); the query code is identical.

## Common gotchas [#common-gotchas]

> [!WARNING]
> In a long-running server, don't call `db.close()` in route handlers; the client's connection pool is shared across requests. Close it only on process shutdown.

## Prompt your coding agent [#prompt-your-coding-agent]

The scaffold installs [Prisma Next skills](https://www.prisma.io/docs/ai/tools/skills#available-skills-for-prisma-next) for your coding agent. Prompts that map to this guide:

* "Using the prisma-next-queries skill, add GET /users/:id that returns one user or a 404."
* "Add a POST /users route that creates a user from the request body."

## Next steps [#next-steps]

* [Learn the fundamentals](https://www.prisma.io/docs/orm/next/fundamentals/reading-data): filtering, sorting, pagination, and writes.
* [Read the Prisma Next overview](https://www.prisma.io/docs/orm/next) for the concepts behind contracts and typed queries.
* [Use the Hono guide](https://www.prisma.io/docs/guides/next/frameworks/hono) for the tested POST route pattern.

## Related pages

- [`Astro`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/guides/next/frameworks/astro): Set up Prisma Next in a Astro app with create-prisma, from scaffold to rendered data.
- [`Hono`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/guides/next/frameworks/hono): Build a Hono API on Prisma Next with the hono template, then add your own routes.
- [`NestJS`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/guides/next/frameworks/nestjs): Set up Prisma Next in a NestJS app with create-prisma, from scaffold to rendered data.
- [`Next.js`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/guides/next/frameworks/nextjs): Set up Prisma Next in a Next.js app with create-prisma, from scaffold to rendered data.
- [`Nuxt`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/guides/next/frameworks/nuxt): Set up Prisma Next in a Nuxt app with create-prisma, from scaffold to rendered data.