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The init command creates a .env file with your database and server configuration through an interactive prompt.

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Usage

oforum init

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Interactive Prompts

The command prompts you for two configuration values:

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Database URL

Database URL (default: postgres://localhost:5432/oforum?sslmode=disable)
>
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Database URL
string
PostgreSQL connection string in the format:
postgres://[user[:password]@]host[:port]/database[?options]
Press Enter to use the default value for local development.

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Port

Port (default: 8080)
>
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Port
string
default:"8080"
HTTP server port number. Press Enter to use the default port 8080.

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Output Format

The generated .env file contains:
.env
DATABASE_URL=postgres://localhost:5432/oforum?sslmode=disable
PORT=8080

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Overwrite Behavior

If a .env file already exists, you’ll be prompted for confirmation: 
⚠ .env already exists. Overwrite? [y/N]

⚠ .env already exists. Overwrite? [y/N] y

  oforum init

Database URL (default: postgres://localhost:5432/oforum?sslmode=disable)
> postgres://db.example.com:5432/prod_forum

Port (default: 8080)
> 3000

✓ Created .env

DATABASE_URL=postgres://db.example.com:5432/prod_forum
PORT=3000

Run oforum to start the server.

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Examples

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Local Development

Use defaults for local PostgreSQL: 
oforum init
# Press Enter twice to accept defaults
Output: 
  oforum init

Database URL (default: postgres://localhost:5432/oforum?sslmode=disable)
>
Port (default: 8080)
>

✓ Created .env

DATABASE_URL=postgres://localhost:5432/oforum?sslmode=disable
PORT=8080

Run oforum to start the server.

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Production Deployment

Configure for remote database: 
oforum init
Enter values: 
Database URL: postgres://user:[email protected]:5432/oforum_prod?sslmode=require
Port: 8080

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Custom Port

Use local database on different port: 
oforum init
Enter: 
Database URL: [press Enter for default]
Port: 3000

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Manual Configuration

You can also create or edit .env manually:
.env
DATABASE_URL=postgres://localhost:5432/oforum?sslmode=disable
PORT=8080
The .env file is loaded automatically by oforum serve and other commands. You don’t need to export variables manually.

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Connection String Format

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Basic Format

postgres://localhost:5432/oforum

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With Authentication

postgres://username:password@localhost:5432/oforum

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With SSL

postgres://user:[email protected]:5432/oforum?sslmode=require

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Without SSL (Local Development)

postgres://localhost:5432/oforum?sslmode=disable
Always use sslmode=require in production to encrypt database connections.

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SSL Mode Options

The sslmode parameter controls PostgreSQL SSL behavior:
  • disable - No SSL (local development only)
  • require - Require SSL but don’t verify certificate
  • verify-ca - Require SSL and verify CA certificate
  • verify-full - Require SSL and verify certificate + hostname
If your connection string doesn’t include sslmode, oForum automatically appends sslmode=disable for local connections. In production, explicitly set sslmode=require.

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Next Steps

After creating your .env file:
  1. Start the server (migrations run automatically): 
    oforum
  2. Seed demo data (optional for development): 
    oforum seed
  3. Access the forum at http://localhost:8080

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