Selecting and Including Data

1. Selecting Specific Fields

await prisma.user.findMany({ select: { id: true, email: true } });

Tip	Detail
Reduce I/O	Reflects in `SELECT` column list
TypeScript narrows result	Only selected fields available

await prisma.user.findMany({ include: { posts: true, profile: true } });

Pattern	Use
include all	`include: { relation: true }`
include with options	`{ relation: { where, orderBy, take } }`

Choose	When
select	Need to trim scalars
include	Keep all scalars, add relations

await prisma.user.findUnique({
  where: { id: 1 },
  select: { posts: { select: { comments: { select: { body: true } } } } }
});

Aspect	Detail
Depth	Unlimited (watch N+1)
Mix	Use `select` + `include` at different levels

await prisma.user.findMany({
  select: { id: true, _count: { select: { posts: true, followers: true } } }
});

Aspect	Detail
Filter	`_count: { select: { posts: { where: {...} } } }`

Pattern	Use
Select + nested select	Granular projection
Include + nested select	All scalars + selective children

await prisma.user.findMany({
  include: { posts: { where: { published: true } } }
});

Use	Detail
Scoped relations	Apply per-query filter
Combine	With `take`/`orderBy`

Option	Effect
`take`	Per-parent limit
`skip`	Offset within relation
`cursor`	Cursor for paginated children

await prisma.user.findMany({
  include: { posts: { orderBy: { createdAt: "desc" }, take: 5 } }
});

Pattern	Detail
Single field	`{ field: "asc" }`
Multi-field	Array of orderBy objects

await prisma.order.findMany({ distinct: ["customerId"] });

Aspect	Detail
Behavior	Returns first row per distinct combination
Combine	With `orderBy` for deterministic results