diff --git a/prisma.config.ts b/prisma.config.ts
index 66f433e..5c29f5e 100644
--- a/prisma.config.ts
+++ b/prisma.config.ts
@@ -20,12 +20,14 @@ function loadEnvFile(filename: string) {
 loadEnvFile(".env");
 loadEnvFile(".env.local"); // Next.js convention — takes priority
 
-const databaseUrl = process.env.DATABASE_URL;
-if (!databaseUrl) throw new Error("DATABASE_URL is not set in .env or .env.local");
+// Prisma CLI (db push, migrate) needs the DIRECT connection (port 5432).
+// The pooled URL (PgBouncer, port 6543) hangs on schema operations.
+const directUrl = process.env.DIRECT_URL ?? process.env.DATABASE_URL;
+if (!directUrl) throw new Error("DIRECT_URL (or DATABASE_URL) is not set in .env or .env.local");
 
 export default defineConfig({
   schema: "prisma/schema.prisma",
   datasource: {
-    url: databaseUrl,
+    url: directUrl,
   },
 });