Problem Overview

If you're using Next.js with Prisma you might run into TypeScript errors during the development cycle. A common challenge is the TypeScript error

Typescript ts(2339): Property 'xyz' does not exist on type 'PrismaClient'.

indicating that a model property does not exist on the PrismaClient type. This article expands on resolving such errors, with a focus on a specific case involving the deployment to a production environment.

Diagnostic Steps and Solutions

Running Prisma Generate

Usually you just need to run npx prisma generate to ensure the Prisma client reflects the latest schema changes. This step is crucial after any modification to the schema and before deploying changes to production.

Migrating Databases

Careful when using prisma migrate dev for local development and prisma migrate deploy for production deployments. While both commands apply migrations, it's essential to note that prisma migrate deploy does not automatically regenerate the Prisma client. Hence, a manual run of npx prisma generate is necessary post-migration in production environments.

Restarting Development Tools

Try restarting the VSCode editor or the TypeScript server via the Command Palette (Ctrl + Shift + P, then select "Restart TypeScript Server"). This action can resolve discrepancies between the IDE's cached type definitions and the current state of the Prisma client.

Ensuring Await Usage

Check if you're forgetting to prefix calls with await. Ensuring the correct use of await with Prisma client methods can prevent runtime errors and inconsistencies.

Conclusion

Addressing TypeScript error

Typescript ts(2339): Property 'xyz' does not exist on type 'PrismaClient'

in a Next.js project utilizing Prisma involves a combination of ensuring schema and client synchronization, mindful usage of asynchronous patterns, and maintaining an updated development environment. By following the outlined steps and considerations, developers can mitigate and resolve such errors efficiently, ensuring smooth development and deployment cycles.