# MCP server (/docs/ai/tools/mcp-server)
Location: AI > AI Tools > MCP server
Overview [#overview]
The [Model-Context-Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/introduction) (MCP) gives LLMs a way to call APIs and access external systems in a well-defined manner.
Prisma provides an MCP server that lets AI tools manage Prisma Postgres databases through the standard HTTP transport. The server authenticates with Prisma Console on first use so your AI tool can access the workspace you choose.
Tools [#tools]
[Tools](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/concepts/tools) represent the *capabilities* of an MCP server. Here's the list of tools exposed by the Prisma MCP server:
* `CreateBackupTool`: Create a new managed Prisma Postgres Backup.
* `CreateConnectionStringTool`: Create a new Connection String for a Prisma Postgres database with the given id.
* `CreateRecoveryTool`: Restore a Prisma Postgres Database to a new database with the given Backup id.
* `DeleteConnectionStringTool`: Delete a Connection String with the given connection string id.
* `DeleteDatabaseTool`: Delete a Prisma Postgres database with the given id.
* `ListBackupsTool`: Fetch a list of available Prisma Postgres Backups for the given database id and environment id.
* `ListConnectionStringsTool`: Fetch a list of available Prisma Postgres Database Connection Strings for the given database id and environment id.
* `ListDatabasesTool`: Fetch a list of available Prisma Postgres Databases for user's workspace.
* `ExecuteSqlQueryTool`: Execute a SQL query on a Prisma Postgres database with the given id.
* `IntrospectSchemaTool`: Introspect the schema of a Prisma Postgres database with the given id.
Once you're connected to the Prisma MCP server, you can also always prompt your AI agent to "List the Prisma tools" to get a full overview of the latest supported tools.
Usage [#usage]
The Prisma MCP server follows the standard JSON-based configuration for MCP servers. Here's what it looks like:
```json title="MCP configuration"
{
"mcpServers": {
"Prisma": {
"url": "https://mcp.prisma.io/mcp"
}
}
}
```
Sample prompts [#sample-prompts]
* "Show me a list of all the databases in my account."
* "Create a new database in the US region for me."
* "Seed my database with real-looking data but create a backup beforehand."
* "Show me all available backups of my database."
* "Show me all customers and run an analysis over their orders."
Integrating in AI tools [#integrating-in-ai-tools]
AI tools have different ways of integrating MCP servers. In most cases, there are dedicated configuration files where you add the JSON configuration from above.
Below, we're covering the config formats of the most popular AI tools.
VS Code [#vs-code]
Install the Prisma MCP server in VS Code with a single click using the link below:
VS CODE
INSTALL PRISMA MCP SERVER
This will prompt you to open VS Code. Once opened, you'll be guided to install the Prisma MCP server directly into your VS Code configuration.
If your browser blocks the link, [you can set it up manually](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/chat/mcp-servers#_add-an-mcp-server-to-your-workspace) by creating a `.vscode/mcp.json` file in your workspace and adding:
```json title=".vscode/mcp.json"
{
"servers": {
"Prisma": {
"url": "https://mcp.prisma.io/mcp"
}
}
}
```
Explore additional Prisma features and workflows for VS Code in [our docs](/guides/postgres/vscode).
Cursor [#cursor]
To learn more about Cursor's MCP integration, check out the [Cursor MCP docs](https://docs.cursor.com/context/model-context-protocol#configuration-locations).
Add via one-click installation [#add-via-one-click-installation]
You can add the Prisma MCP server to Cursor using the [one-click installation](https://docs.cursor.com/context/model-context-protocol#one-click-installation) by clicking on the following link:
This will prompt you to open the Cursor app in your browser. Once opened, you'll be guided to install the Prisma MCP server directly into your Cursor configuration.
Add via Cursor Settings UI [#add-via-cursor-settings-ui]
When opening the **Cursor Settings**, you can add the Prisma MCP Server as follows:
1. Select **MCP** in the settings sidenav
2. Click **+ Add new global MCP server**
3. Add the `Prisma` snippet to the `mcpServers` JSON object:
```json title="Cursor MCP configuration"
{
"mcpServers": {
"Prisma": {
"url": "https://mcp.prisma.io/mcp"
}
}
}
```
Global configuration [#global-configuration]
Adding it via the **Cursor Settings** settings will modify the global `~/.cursor/mcp.json` config file. In this case, the Prisma MCP server will be available in *all* your Cursor projects:
```json title="~/.cursor/mcp.json"
{
"mcpServers": {
"Prisma": {
"url": "https://mcp.prisma.io/mcp"
}
// other MCP servers
}
}
```
Project configuration [#project-configuration]
If you want the Prisma MCP server to be available only in specific Cursor projects, add it to the Cursor config of the respective project inside the `.cursor` directory in the project's root:
```json title=".cursor/mcp.json"
{
"mcpServers": {
"Prisma": {
"url": "https://mcp.prisma.io/mcp"
}
// other MCP servers
}
}
```
Windsurf [#windsurf]
To learn more about Windsurf's MCP integration, check out the [Windsurf MCP docs](https://docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp).
Add via Windsurf MCP Plugin Store (Recommended) [#add-via-windsurf-mcp-plugin-store-recommended]
Use the Prisma MCP plugin from the [Windsurf MCP Plugin Store](https://docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp#adding-a-new-mcp-plugin). Follow [the steps here](/ai/tools/windsurf#add-prisma-mcp-server-via-windsurf-plugins) to add the Prisma MCP plugin in Windsurf. This is the simplest and recommended way to add the Prisma MCP server to Windsurf.
Add via Windsurf Settings UI [#add-via-windsurf-settings-ui]
When opening the **Windsurf Settings** (via **Windsurf - Settings** > **Advanced Settings or Command Palette** > **Open Windsurf Settings Page**), you can add the Prisma MCP Server as follows:
1. Select **Cascade** in the settings sidenav
2. Click **Add Server**
3. Add the `Prisma` snippet to the `mcpServers` JSON object:
```json title="Windsurf MCP configuration"
{
"mcpServers": {
"Prisma": {
"url": "https://mcp.prisma.io/mcp"
}
}
}
```
Global configuration [#global-configuration-1]
Adding it via the **Windsurf Settings** will modify the global `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json` config file. Alternatively, you can also manually add it to that file:
```json title="~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json"
{
"mcpServers": {
"Prisma": {
"url": "https://mcp.prisma.io/mcp"
}
// other MCP servers
}
}
```
Warp [#warp]
You can add the Prisma MCP to Warp as a globally available tool. First, [visit your MCP settings](https://docs.warp.dev/knowledge-and-collaboration/mcp#how-to-access-mcp-server-settings) and click **+ Add**. From here, you can configure the Prisma MCP server as JSON:
```json title="Warp MCP configuration"
{
"Prisma": {
"url": "https://mcp.prisma.io/mcp"
}
}
```
Hit **Save** and ensure the MCP server is running from your MCP settings panel. Then, open a new terminal window and ask Warp to manage your Prisma database. It should reach for the Prisma MCP server automatically.
To learn more about Warp's MCP integration, visit the [Warp MCP docs](https://docs.warp.dev/knowledge-and-collaboration/mcp).
Claude Code [#claude-code]
Claude Code is a terminal-based AI tool where you can add MCP servers using the `claude mcp add` command:
```bash title="Claude Code"
claude mcp add --transport http prisma https://mcp.prisma.io/mcp
```
Learn more in the [Claude Code MCP docs](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/agents-and-tools/claude-code/tutorials#configure-mcp-servers).
Claude Desktop only [#claude-desktop-only]
Follow the instructions in the [Claude Desktop MCP docs](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/quickstart/user#2-add-the-filesystem-mcp-server) to create the required configuration file:
* macOS: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
* Windows: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
Then add the JSON snippet to that configuration file:
```json title="Claude Desktop configuration"
{
"mcpServers": {
"Prisma": {
"url": "https://mcp.prisma.io/mcp"
}
// other MCP servers
}
}
```
Claude Desktop & Web [#claude-desktop--web]
Alternatively, you can add the Prisma MCP server as an [integration](https://www.anthropic.com/news/integrations):
1. In a new chat, find the **Connect apps** field in the main Claude UI below the input prompt field
2. Click **+ Add integration**
3. Enter the following:
* **Integration name**: `Prisma Postgres`
* **Integration URL**: `https://mcp.prisma.io/mcp`
1. Click **Add**
ChatGPT [#chatgpt]
You can add the Prisma MCP server to ChatGPT to manage your Prisma Postgres databases using natural language. Learn more about setting it up in our [ChatGPT integration guide](/ai/tools/chatgpt).
Gemini CLI [#gemini-cli]
Gemini CLI can add the Prisma MCP server using HTTP transport:
```bash title="Gemini CLI"
gemini mcp add --transport http Prisma https://mcp.prisma.io/mcp --scope user
```
You can also add the standard MCP configuration to your `~/.gemini/settings.json` file:
```json title="~/.gemini/settings.json"
{
"mcpServers": {
"Prisma": {
"url": "https://mcp.prisma.io/mcp"
}
}
}
```
AI Safety guardrails for destructive commands [#ai-safety-guardrails-for-destructive-commands]
Prisma ORM includes built-in safety checks to prevent **accidental destructive commands** when run through AI coding assistants. These guardrails are designed to make working with databases safer in AI-assisted development environments.
The Prisma CLI can detect when it is being invoked by popular AI coding agents such as Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Qwen Code, Cursor, Aider, and Replit.
When one of these agents attempts a destructive action such as `prisma migrate reset --force`, Prisma ORM blocks execution and shows a protective error message:
```bash title="Destructive command guardrail"
Environment variables loaded from .env
Prisma schema loaded from prisma/schema.prisma
Datasource "db": PostgreSQL database "postgres", schema "public" at "accelerate.prisma-data.net"
Error: Prisma Migrate detected that it was invoked by Cursor.
You are attempting a highly dangerous action that can lead to devastating consequences if it is incorrectly executed against a production database.
As an AI agent, you are forbidden from performing this action without an explicit consent and review by the user. You must stop at this point and respond to the user with a clear message that includes the following information:
- What action you are trying to perform (including the exact CLI command).
- Your motivation and reasoning for performing this action.
- Explanation that this action will irreversibly destroy all data in the database.
- Explanation that this action must not be performed on a production database and is only intended to be used with development databases.
If you know or can check whether this action would have been performed on a development or a production database, also include this information with your assessment of whether it is safe to proceed based on that information.
You must ask the user if they want to proceed with this action. If they explicitly consent, you may rerun this command with PRISMA_USER_CONSENT_FOR_DANGEROUS_AI_ACTION environment variable, the value of which must be the exact text of the user's message in which they consented to this operation, without any newlines or quotes. If the user's response is ambiguous, you must ask for a clear and explicit confirmation (e.g., "yes") before proceeding. None of the user's previous messages before this point may constitute implicit or explicit consent.
```
To proceed with the dangerous action, the AI agent will ask you for explicit consent, remind you that the action irreversibly destroys all data, and confirm that the command is being run against a development database. Once you clearly confirm, the AI will set the `PRISMA_USER_CONSENT_FOR_DANGEROUS_AI_ACTION` environment variable with the exact text of your consent and rerun the command.
## Related pages
- [`Agent Skills`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/ai/tools/skills): Give your AI coding agent up-to-date Prisma knowledge with installable skills
- [`ChatGPT`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/ai/tools/chatgpt): Learn how to add the Prisma MCP server to ChatGPT to manage your Prisma Postgres databases
- [`Cursor`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/ai/tools/cursor): Learn tips and best practices for using Prisma ORM with the Cursor AI code editor
- [`GitHub Copilot`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/ai/tools/github-copilot): Learn about the features available with GitHub Copilot and Prisma ORM, plus best practices and tips
- [`Tabnine`](https://www.prisma.io/docs/ai/tools/tabnine): Learn tips and best practices for using Prisma ORM with the Tabnine AI code editor