> This page location: APIs & SDKs > CLI > Setup and context > bootstrap
> Full Neon documentation index: https://neon.com/docs/llms.txt

> Summary: Covers the usage of the `bootstrap` command in the Neon CLI to scaffold a new application from a Neon starter template, including the interactive template picker, the `--default` quick start, and post-scaffold setup steps (dependency install, git init, agent tooling, and project linking).

# Neon CLI command: bootstrap

Scaffold a new project from a Neon starter template

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).

**Note: 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`](https://neon.com/docs/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`](https://neon.com/docs/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 docs (Setup and context)

- [login](https://neon.com/docs/cli/login)
- [init](https://neon.com/docs/cli/init)
- [ask](https://neon.com/docs/cli/ask)
- [mcp](https://neon.com/docs/cli/mcp)
- [skills](https://neon.com/docs/cli/skills)
- [plugins](https://neon.com/docs/cli/plugins)
- [claim](https://neon.com/docs/cli/claim)
- [link](https://neon.com/docs/cli/link)
- [checkout](https://neon.com/docs/cli/checkout)
- [env](https://neon.com/docs/cli/env)
- [set-context](https://neon.com/docs/cli/set-context)
- [open](https://neon.com/docs/cli/open)
- [me](https://neon.com/docs/cli/me)
- [profile](https://neon.com/docs/cli/profile)
- [api-keys](https://neon.com/docs/cli/api-keys)
- [completion](https://neon.com/docs/cli/completion)

---

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