prisma-database-setup-sqlite

SQLite Setup

Configure Prisma with SQLite.

Prerequisites

• None (file-based)

1. Schema Configuration

In prisma/schema.prisma:

datasource db {
  provider = "sqlite"
}

generator client {
  provider = "prisma-client"
  output   = "../generated"
}

2. Config Configuration (v7)

In prisma.config.ts:

import { defineConfig, env } from 'prisma/config'

export default defineConfig({
  schema: 'prisma/schema.prisma',
  datasource: {
    url: env('DATABASE_URL'),
  },
})

3. Environment Variable

In .env:

DATABASE_URL="file:./dev.db"

Connection String Format

file:PATH

• PATH: Relative path to the database file (from prisma/schema.prisma location usually, but in v7 check prisma.config.ts context). Usually relative to the schema file.

Driver Adapter (Prisma ORM 7 required)

Prisma ORM 7 uses the query compiler by default, so you must use a driver adapter.

1. Install adapter and driver:

   npm install @prisma/adapter-better-sqlite3 better-sqlite3
   

2. Instantiate Prisma Client with the adapter:

   import { PrismaClient } from '../generated/client'
   import { PrismaBetterSqlite3 } from '@prisma/adapter-better-sqlite3'
   
   const adapter = new PrismaBetterSqlite3({
     url: process.env.DATABASE_URL ?? 'file:./dev.db',
   })
   
   const prisma = new PrismaClient({ adapter })
   

Using Driver Adapter (LibSQL / Turso)

For edge compatibility or Turso:

1. Install:

   npm install @prisma/adapter-libsql @libsql/client
   

2. Instantiate:

   import { PrismaClient } from '../generated/client'
   import { PrismaLibSql } from '@prisma/adapter-libsql'
   
   const adapter = new PrismaLibSql({
     url: process.env.TURSO_DATABASE_URL,
     authToken: process.env.TURSO_AUTH_TOKEN,
   })
   const prisma = new PrismaClient({ adapter })
   

Limitations

• No Enums: SQLite doesn't support enums (Prisma polyfills them or treats as String).
• No Scalar Lists: String[] is not supported directly.
• Concurrency: Write operations lock the file.

Common Issues

"Database file not found"

Ensure the path in DATABASE_URL is correct relative to where Prisma is running or the schema file. file:./dev.db creates it next to schema.