# Creating a database using `ij`

You can create a Derby from within the `ij` tool.
To create a database with the `ij` tool, type the following command:

    ij> connect 'jdbc:derby:testdb;create=true';

This command creates a database called `testdb` in the current directory, populates the system tables, and connects to the database. You can then run any SQL statements from the `ij` command line.
Parent topic: Using ij
Related concepts
Getting started with ij
Related tasks
Starting ij
Starting ij using properties