prisma-cli-db-push

by prisma

prisma db push. Reference when using this Prisma feature. npx skills add https://github.com/prisma/cursor-plugin --skill prisma-cli-db-push Download ZIPGitHub8

prisma db push

Pushes schema changes directly to database without creating migrations. Ideal for prototyping.

Command

prisma db push [options]

What It Does

• Syncs your Prisma schema to the database

• Creates database if it doesn't exist

• Does NOT create migration files

• Does NOT track migration history

Options

Option Description --force-reset Force a reset of the database before push --accept-data-loss Ignore data loss warnings --schema Custom path to your Prisma schema --config Custom path to your Prisma config file --url Override the datasource URL from the Prisma config file

Removed in v7

• --skip-generate - Run prisma generate explicitly

Examples

Basic push

prisma db push

Accept data loss

prisma db push --accept-data-loss

Required when changes would delete data (dropping columns, etc.)

Force reset

prisma db push --force-reset

Completely resets database and applies schema.

Full workflow (v7)

prisma db push
prisma generate # Must run explicitly in v7

When to Use

• Prototyping - Rapid schema iteration

• Local development - Quick schema changes

• MongoDB - Primary workflow (migrations not supported)

• Testing - Setting up test databases

When NOT to Use

• Production - Use migrate deploy

• Team collaboration - Use migrations for trackable changes

• When you need rollback - Migrations provide history

Comparison with migrate dev

Feature db push migrate dev Creates migration files No Yes Tracks history No Yes Requires shadow database No Yes Speed Faster Slower Rollback capability No Yes Best for Prototyping Development

MongoDB Workflow

MongoDB doesn't support migrations. Use db push exclusively:

# Schema changes for MongoDB
prisma db push
prisma generate

Common Patterns

Prototyping workflow

# Make schema changes
# ...

# Push to database
prisma db push

# Generate client
prisma generate

# Test your changes
# Repeat as needed

Reset and start fresh

prisma db push --force-reset
prisma db seed

Handling conflicts

If db push can't apply changes safely:

Error: The following changes cannot be applied:
 - Removing field `email` would cause data loss
 
Use --accept-data-loss to proceed

Decide whether data loss is acceptable, then:

prisma db push --accept-data-loss

Transition to Migrations

When ready for production, switch to migrations:

# Create baseline migration from current schema
prisma migrate dev --name init

Then use migrate dev for future changes.