/prisma-orm-setup

SQLite Setup

Configure Prisma ORM 7 with SQLite. For an existing Prisma 6 app, keep its configuration and use the Prisma 6 docs; the configuration and adapter examples below are for 7.

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

In prisma.config.ts:

import 'dotenv/config'
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. Check prisma.config.ts if you need to confirm how your app resolves it.

Driver Adapter

Use a driver adapter for the standard SQL workflow.

1. Install adapter and driver:

   npm install @prisma/adapter-better-sqlite3@7 better-sqlite3

2. Instantiate Prisma Client with the adapter:

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

Using Driver Adapter (LibSQL / Turso)

For edge compatibility or Turso:

1. Install:

   npm install @prisma/adapter-libsql@7 @libsql/client

2. Instantiate:

   import 'dotenv/config'
   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

• Enums: Prisma supports enum fields, but SQLite does not enforce enum values at the database level.
• No Scalar Lists: String[] is not supported directly.
• Concurrency: Write operations lock the file.

Common Issues

"Database file not found"

Check the resolved file path for both the CLI and the runtime adapter; relative paths can resolve differently. Use an explicit path to the intended file rather than silently creating a second database.

References

• Prisma 7 SQLite documentation