Trigger.dev Setup

Get Trigger.dev running in your project in minutes.

When to Use

• Adding Trigger.dev to an existing project

• Creating your first task

• Setting up trigger.config.ts

• Connecting to Trigger.dev cloud

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18+ or Bun

• A Trigger.dev account (https://cloud.trigger.dev)

Quick Start

1. Install the SDK

npm install @trigger.dev/sdk

2. Initialize Your Project

npx trigger init

This creates:

• trigger.config.ts

• project configuration

• trigger/ directory - where your tasks live

• trigger/example.ts

• a sample task

3. Configure trigger.config.ts

import { defineConfig } from "@trigger.dev/sdk";

export default defineConfig({ project: "proj_xxxxx", // From dashboard dirs: ["./trigger"], });

4. Create Your First Task

// trigger/my-task.ts import { task } from "@trigger.dev/sdk";

export const myFirstTask = task({ id: "my-first-task", run: async (payload: { name: string }) => { console.log(Hello, ${payload.name}!); return { message: Processed ${payload.name} }; }, });

5. Start Development Server

npx trigger dev

6. Trigger Your Task

From your app code:

import { tasks } from "@trigger.dev/sdk"; import type { myFirstTask } from "./trigger/my-task";

await tasks.trigger<typeof myFirstTask>("my-first-task", { name: "World", });

Or from the Trigger.dev dashboard "Test" tab.

Project Structure

your-project/ ├── trigger.config.ts # Required - project config ├── trigger/ # Required - task files │ ├── my-task.ts │ └── another-task.ts ├── package.json └── ...

Environment Variables

Create .env or set in your environment:

TRIGGER_SECRET_KEY=tr_dev_xxxxx # From dashboard > API Keys

Common Issues

"No tasks found"

• Ensure tasks are exported from files in dirs folders

• Check trigger.config.ts points to correct directories

"Project not found"

• Verify project in config matches dashboard

• Check TRIGGER_SECRET_KEY is set

"Task not registered"

• Restart npx trigger dev after adding new tasks

• Tasks must use task() or schemaTask() from @trigger.dev/sdk

Next Steps

• Add retry logic → see tasks skill

• Configure build extensions → see config skill

• Build AI workflows → see agents skill

• Add real-time UI → see realtime skill