# init

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## init

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/documentation/reference-guide/how-it-works/developing-on-forest-admin/forest-cli-commands/login)
* set up your own 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.
```

{% hint style="danger" %}
`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/documentation/getting-started/setup-guide).
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
`forest init` should be run from your project's root directory
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**Login**

All Forest 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/documentation/reference-guide/how-it-works/developing-on-forest-admin/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 have **1** project only in your Forest Admin account, this step will be automatically skipped.

If you have **2** projects or more, you'll be asked to choose one: it should **match the project from your current directory!**

{% hint style="warning" %}
`forest init` requires your project to run on the latest version of Forest Admin:

```
$ forest init
✓ Selecting your project
✖ Analyzing your setup
> This project does not support branches yet. Please migrate your environments from your Project settings first.
```

If you're seeing the above message, please refer to this [migration guide](https://github.com/ForestAdmin/documentation/blob/main/how-tos/maintain/migrate-to-the-new-development-workflow.md).
{% endhint %}

**Endpoint selection**

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

Since we need to know your project's local endpoint in order to create your development environment, we've left the same default values. You can just hit "Enter" to use those; otherwise simply fill the *host* and *port* to fit your situation.

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

{% hint style="success" %}
At this point, your **development environment** will be **created**! 🎉
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Note that your new development environment is identified by the `FOREST_ENV_SECRET` in your `.env` file. If you had no such file, it will have been automatically created.
{% endhint %}

**(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` (and potentially [other environment variables](https://docs.forestadmin.com/documentation/getting-started/setup-guide#available-installation-options-for-the-above-step)) will be generated and added to your `.env` file.