---
name: prisma-cli-dev
description: prisma dev. Reference when using this Prisma feature.
license: MIT
metadata:
author: prisma
version: "7.0.0"
---
# prisma dev
Starts a local Prisma Postgres database for development. Provides a PostgreSQL-compatible database that runs entirely on your machine.
## Command
```bash
prisma dev [options]
```
## What It Does
- Starts a local PostgreSQL-compatible database
- Runs in your terminal or as a background process
- Perfect for development and testing
- Easy migration to Prisma Postgres cloud in production
## Options
| Option | Description | Default |
|--------|-------------|---------|
| `--name` / `-n` | Name for the database instance | `default` |
| `--port` / `-p` | HTTP server port | `51213` |
| `--db-port` / `-P` | Database server port | `51214` |
| `--shadow-db-port` | Shadow database port (for migrations) | `51215` |
| `--detach` / `-d` | Run in background | `false` |
| `--debug` | Enable debug logging | `false` |
## Examples
### Start local database
```bash
prisma dev
```
Interactive mode with keyboard shortcuts:
- `q` - Quit
- `h` - Show HTTP URL
- `t` - Show TCP URLs
### Named instance
```bash
prisma dev --name myproject
```
Useful for multiple projects.
### Background mode
```bash
prisma dev --detach
```
Frees your terminal for other commands.
### Custom ports
```bash
prisma dev --port 5000 --db-port 5432
```
## Instance Management
### List all instances
```bash
prisma dev ls
```
Shows all local Prisma Postgres instances with status.
### Start existing instance
```bash
prisma dev start myproject
```
Starts a previously created instance in background.
### Stop instance
```bash
prisma dev stop myproject
```
### Stop with glob pattern
```bash
prisma dev stop "myproject*"
```
Stops all instances matching pattern.
### Remove instance
```bash
prisma dev rm myproject
```
Removes instance data from filesystem.
### Force remove (stops first)
```bash
prisma dev rm myproject --force
```
## Configuration
Configure your `prisma.config.ts` to use local Prisma Postgres:
```typescript
import 'dotenv/config'
import { defineConfig, env } from 'prisma/config'
export default defineConfig({
schema: 'prisma/schema.prisma',
migrations: {
path: 'prisma/migrations',
},
datasource: {
// Local Prisma Postgres URL (from prisma dev output)
url: env('DATABASE_URL'),
},
})
```
## Workflow
1. Start local database:
```bash
prisma dev
```
2. In another terminal, run migrations:
```bash
prisma migrate dev
```
3. Generate client:
```bash
prisma generate
```
4. Run your application
## Production Migration
When ready for production, switch to Prisma Postgres cloud:
```bash
prisma init --db
```
Update your `DATABASE_URL` to the cloud connection string.
