# Neon CLI command: bootstrap

The `bootstrap` command scaffolds a new application from a Neon starter template. By default it runs interactively: it prompts you to pick a template, scaffolds it into the target directory, then offers the usual setup steps (install dependencies, initialize git, install agent tooling, and link the directory to a Neon project).

:::callout{intent="note" title="Behavior changed in Neon CLI 5.0.0"}
Before 5.0.0, `bootstrap --default` prompted for a project and left the branch unpinned. From 5.0.0, the [`neon link`](/guides/apis-sdks-cli-link) step writes a complete context (org, project, and branch), and `--default` uses your only org and project or, when you have several, prints the IDs and exits. Pass `--org-id`/`--project-id` in unattended runs.
:::

## Usage

```bash
neon bootstrap [directory] [options]
```

The directory argument is optional. Use `.` to scaffold into the current directory, or leave it out and bootstrap prompts you for one. The target directory must be empty unless you pass `--force`.

## Options

| Option                               | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | Type    | Default | Required |
| ------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------- | ------- | -------- |
| `--agent`, `-a`                      | Coding agent to install into (repeatable). Forwarded to plugins, or to skills and mcp. Skips agent selection. Values listed below                                                                                                                                                             | array   | —       | No       |
| `--agent-setup`                      | After scaffolding, install the Neon plugin or skills and MCP. Use --no-agent-setup to skip                                                                                                                                                                                                    | boolean | `true`  | No       |
| `--default`, `-y`                    | Quick start: scaffold the default template (or --template), then install, git, agent tooling (project folders, else the host CLI agent; if none, pass --agent or omit --default in a terminal), and link with defaults. If several organizations or projects exist, link prints IDs and exits | boolean | `false` | No       |
| `--force`                            | Scaffold into the target directory even if it is not empty (colliding files are overwritten).                                                                                                                                                                                                 | boolean | `false` | No       |
| `--git`                              | Initialize a git repository after scaffolding. In interactive mode this is offered as a prompt; use --no-git to skip without being asked.                                                                                                                                                     | boolean | `true`  | No       |
| `--install`                          | Install dependencies after scaffolding. In interactive mode this is offered as a prompt; use --no-install to skip without being asked.                                                                                                                                                        | boolean | `true`  | No       |
| `--link`                             | Link a Neon project after scaffolding. Templates with neon.ts link after install so env pull works; otherwise linking happens before install. In interactive mode this is offered as a prompt; use --no-link to skip without being asked.                                                     | boolean | `true`  | No       |
| `--list-templates`, `--list`, `--ls` | List available templates and exit. --output json and --output yaml print a machine-readable catalog.                                                                                                                                                                                          | boolean | `false` | No       |
| `--template`                         | Template to use (skips the interactive picker). Run with --list-templates to see available templates.                                                                                                                                                                                         | string  | —       | No       |

Run with `--list-templates` to see the available templates (add `--output json` for a machine-readable catalog), and pass one with `--template` to skip the interactive picker.

The post-scaffold steps all default to on. In interactive mode, bootstrap asks about each one; pass the negated flag to skip it without being asked:

- `--install` / `--no-install`: install dependencies.
- `--git` / `--no-git`: initialize a git repository.
- `--agent-setup` / `--no-agent-setup`: install agent tooling, either the Neon plugin, or agent skills and the MCP server. Pass `--agent` (alias `-a`, repeatable) to name the agents and skip the picker, for example `neon bootstrap my-app --agent cursor`.
- `--link` / `--no-link`: run [`neon link`](/guides/apis-sdks-cli-link) in the scaffolded directory.

Use `--default` (alias `-y`) for a quick start: it scaffolds the default template (or the one you pass with `--template`), then runs dependency install, git init, agent tooling, and `neon link --yes` without prompting. `link --yes` selects your only organization and project, or prints the IDs and exits when you have several (pass `--org-id`/`--project-id` to choose).

## Examples

Create `./my-app` from an interactively chosen template:

```bash
neon bootstrap my-app
```

Scaffold a specific template into the current directory:

```bash
neon bootstrap . --template hono
```

Quick start: scaffold the default template and run setup without prompting:

```bash
neon bootstrap my-app --default
```

List the template catalog as JSON, for scripting or driving `bootstrap` from an agent. Each entry's `id` is what you pass to `--template`:

```bash
neon bootstrap --list-templates --output json
```

The command prints an array of template objects, each shaped like:

```json
{
  "id": "hono",
  "title": "REST API",
  "description": "A Hono REST API on Neon Functions, backed by Lakebase Postgres via Drizzle.",
  "services": ["Postgres", "Functions"]
}
```

## Related pages

- [Neon CLI command: login](./apis-sdks-cli-login.md)
- [Neon CLI command: init](./apis-sdks-cli-init.md)
- [Neon CLI command: ask](./apis-sdks-cli-ask.md)
- [Neon CLI command: mcp](./apis-sdks-cli-mcp.md)
- [Neon CLI command: skills](./apis-sdks-cli-skills.md)
- [Neon CLI command: plugins](./apis-sdks-cli-plugins.md)
- [Neon CLI command: claim](./apis-sdks-cli-claim.md)
- [Neon CLI command: link](./apis-sdks-cli-link.md)
- [Neon CLI command: checkout](./apis-sdks-cli-checkout.md)
- [Neon CLI command: git](./apis-sdks-cli-git.md)

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