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Overview

The generator block defines how Prisma Client is generated from your schema. You can have multiple generator blocks for different outputs or configurations.

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Basic Syntax

generator client {
  provider = "prisma-client-js"
}

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Required Fields

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provider

Specifies which generator to use: 
generator client {
  provider = "prisma-client-js"
}
Common providers:
  • prisma-client-js - JavaScript/TypeScript client (most common)
  • Custom generators can be referenced by package name or path

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Optional Fields

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output

Customize the output directory for generated files: 
generator client {
  provider = "prisma-client-js"
  output   = "../generated/client"
}
Path resolution:
  • Relative paths are resolved from the schema file location
  • Default output: node_modules/.prisma/client

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previewFeatures

Enable experimental Prisma features: 
generator client {
  provider        = "prisma-client-js"
  previewFeatures = ["postgresqlExtensions", "fullTextSearch"]
}
Preview features are experimental and may change. Check the Prisma documentation for available features.

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binaryTargets

Specify target platforms for engine binaries: 
generator client {
  provider      = "prisma-client-js"
  binaryTargets = ["native", "linux-musl"]
}
Useful for:
  • Docker containers
  • AWS Lambda
  • Different deployment platforms

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Multiple Generators

You can define multiple generators in a single schema: 
generator client {
  provider = "prisma-client-js"
  output   = "./generated/client"
}

generator custom {
  provider = "./custom-generator"
  output   = "./custom-output"
}

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Example Configurations

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Standard Setup

generator client {
  provider = "prisma-client-js"
}

datasource db {
  provider = "postgresql"
}

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Custom Output

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

datasource db {
  provider = "sqlite"
}

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With Preview Features

generator client {
  provider        = "prisma-client-js"
  previewFeatures = ["postgresqlExtensions"]
}

datasource db {
  provider   = "postgresql"
  extensions = [citext]
}

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Docker Deployment

generator client {
  provider      = "prisma-client-js"
  binaryTargets = ["native", "linux-musl"]
}

datasource db {
  provider = "postgresql"
}

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Best Practices

  1. Use descriptive generator names (e.g., client, typegen)
  2. Commit custom output paths to version control
  3. Use binaryTargets when deploying to different platforms
  4. Test preview features in development before production use
  5. Keep generator configuration minimal unless specific customization is needed