prisma/prisma-cli-db-push

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.