Prisma Postgres

Guidance for creating, managing, and integrating Prisma Postgres across interactive and programmatic workflows.

When to Apply

Reference this skill when:

• Setting up Prisma Postgres from Prisma Console
• Provisioning instant temporary databases with create-db
• Linking an existing local project with prisma postgres link
• Managing Prisma Postgres resources via Management API
• Using @prisma/management-api-sdk in TypeScript/JavaScript
• Handling claim URLs, connection strings, regions, and auth flows

Rule Categories by Priority

Quick Reference

• create-db-cli - instant databases and current CLI flags (--ttl, --copy, --quiet, --open)
• management-api - service token and OAuth API workflows
• management-api-sdk - typed SDK usage with token storage
• console-and-connections - Console operations, prisma postgres link, direct TCP connections, and serverless-driver choices

Core Workflows

1. Console-first workflow

Use Prisma Console for manual setup and operations:

• Open https://console.prisma.io
• Create/select workspace and project
• Use Studio in the project sidebar to view/edit data
• Retrieve direct connection details from the project UI

2. Quick provisioning with create-db

Use create-db when you need a database immediately:

npx create-db@latest

Aliases:

npx create-pg@latest
npx create-postgres@latest

For app integrations, you can also use the programmatic API (create() / regions()) from the create-db npm package.

Temporary databases auto-delete after ~24 hours unless claimed.

2b. Persistent databases with the Platform CLI

For databases that belong to a Project (not throwaway create-db databases), use @prisma/cli:

npx -y @prisma/cli@latest database create main --branch main
npx -y @prisma/cli@latest database list --json
npx -y @prisma/cli@latest database connection create db_123
npx -y @prisma/cli@latest database usage db_123
npx -y @prisma/cli@latest database backup list db_123

database create and database connection create print a one-time connection URL; store it immediately. Destructive commands (remove, restore) require exact --confirm <id>.

3. Link an existing local project

Use prisma postgres link when the database already exists and you want to wire a local project to it:

prisma postgres link

For CI or other non-interactive environments:

prisma postgres link --api-key "<your-api-key>" --database "db_..."

This flow updates your local .env with DATABASE_URL, then you can run prisma generate and prisma migrate dev.

4. Programmatic provisioning with Management API

Use API endpoints on:

https://api.prisma.io/v1

Explore the schema and endpoints using:

• OpenAPI docs: https://api.prisma.io/v1/doc
• Swagger Editor: https://api.prisma.io/v1/swagger-editor

Auth options:

• Service token (workspace server-to-server)
• OAuth 2.0 (act on behalf of users)

5. Type-safe integration with Management API SDK

Install and use:

npm install @prisma/management-api-sdk

Use createManagementApiClient for existing tokens, or createManagementApiSdk for OAuth + token refresh.

Rule Files

Detailed guidance lives in:

references/console-and-connections.md
references/create-db-cli.md
references/management-api.md
references/management-api-sdk.md

How to Use

Start with references/create-db-cli.md for fast setup, then switch to references/management-api.md or references/management-api-sdk.md when you need programmatic provisioning.