# init

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This is the official documentation of the `forestadmin/laravel-forestadmin` v2+ and `forestadmin/symfony-forestadmin` PHP agents.
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The `forest init` command provides an all-in-one initialization command that will:

* allow you to log in if you haven't already done so with [forest login](https://docs.forestadmin.com/developer-guide-agents-php/deploying-to-production/forest-cli-commands/login)
* set up your Development Environment on a given project.

```
$ forest init --help
Set up your development environment in your current folder.

USAGE
  $ forest init

OPTIONS
  -p, --projectId=projectId  The id of the project you want to init.
```

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`forest init` is not meant to help you create a new project. If you don't have an existing project yet, please refer to [this guide](https://docs.forestadmin.com/developer-guide-agents-php/getting-started/quick-start).
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`forest init` should be run from your project's codebase root directory.
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**Login**

All Forest Admin CLI commands require to be **authenticated**. You can do this on the fly using `forest init` or use `forest login` first. Refer to the [forest login](https://docs.forestadmin.com/developer-guide-agents-php/deploying-to-production/forest-cli-commands/login) page if you need further details.

**Project selection**

The Development Environment you will initialize is unique per project and per developer. It is thus mandatory that we identify the right project to create your environment accordingly:

If you only have 1 project attached to your Forest Admin account, this step will be automatically skipped.

If you have more than 1 project, you'll be asked to choose one. **It must match the project from your current directory.**

**Endpoint selection**

If you're using `forest init`, it means your Agent should already be running **locally**. If you used the default values used during installation, your endpoint should be `http://localhost:3310`.

Since Forest Admin needs to know your project's local endpoint to create your Development Environment, we've left the same default values. You can just hit "Enter" to use those; otherwise, simply fill in the *host* and *port* to fit your configuration.

```
[? Enter your local agent host: (localhost) localhost
[? Enter your local agent port: (3310)
```

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At this point, your **Development Environment** will be **created**! 🎉
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Note that your new Development Environment is identified by the `FOREST_ENV_SECRET` in your `.env` file. If you do not have such file, it will be generated automatically during the command execution.
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**(Optional) Connecting your database**

To work properly in your local environment, your Forest Admin Project needs to be connected to the corresponding database (which could be local or remote, it's your choice).

As a result, we've added an extra step to the `forest init` command to help you set up your database. If you accept the help, you'll be taken through a few prompts and your `DATABASE_URL` will be generated and added to your `.env` file.