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The deno init command scaffolds a new Deno project with a basic file structure.

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Usage

deno init [OPTIONS] [DIR]

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Description

Initialize a new Deno project with starter files including a main module, test file, and configuration file.

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Flags

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--lib
boolean
Initialize a library project with module exports and JSR publishing configuration
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--serve
boolean
Initialize a server project with HTTP server example
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--empty
boolean
Initialize an empty project with minimal setup
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--package
string
Initialize from a template package (npm: or jsr: prefix)
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--yes
boolean
Skip interactive prompts when using —package flag

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Project Types

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Default Project

Creates a basic project with:
  • main.ts - Main module with example function
  • main_test.ts - Test file
  • deno.json - Configuration file with tasks
deno init
deno init my-project

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Library Project

Creates a library project ready for publishing to JSR:
  • mod.ts - Module entry point
  • mod_test.ts - Test file
  • deno.json - Configuration with name, version, and exports
deno init --lib
deno init --lib my-library

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Server Project

Creates an HTTP server project:
  • main.ts - Server with routing examples
  • main_test.ts - Server tests
  • static/ - Static file directory
  • deno.json - Configuration with serve task
deno init --serve
deno init --serve my-server

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Empty Project

Creates a minimal project:
  • main.ts - Simple hello world
  • deno.json - Basic configuration
deno init --empty

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Initialize from Package

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From npm

Initialize a project using an npm create package: 
deno init --package npm:create-vite
deno init --package npm:create-next-app

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From JSR

Initialize from a JSR template: 
deno init --package jsr:@fresh/init

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With arguments

Pass additional arguments to the initialization script: 
deno init --package npm:create-vite -- my-app --template react

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Examples

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Initialize in current directory

deno init

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Initialize in new directory

deno init my-project
cd my-project

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Initialize a library

deno init --lib my-library
cd my-library
deno test

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Initialize a server

deno init --serve my-server
cd my-server
deno task dev

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Use a template without prompts

deno init --package npm:create-vite --yes

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After Initialization

Once initialized, you can: 
# Run the program
deno run main.ts

# Run with watch mode
deno task dev

# Run tests
deno test

# For library projects, publish to JSR
deno publish --dry-run

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