How to create, initialize, and delete a Upsun project from the command line

Matt Sinagra

Updated February 24, 2026 03:08

Goal

To fully manage the life cycle of sites on Upsun, including the creation of new projects, initializing from a hosted GitHub repository, and deleting projects.

Assumptions

SSH key configured on account
The Upsun CLI installed
Your default/production git branch is named main

Problems

You will need a public GitHub project that already has the required YAML files to work with Upsun.

Steps

1. Creating projects

To create a new project, use the upsun create command.

2. Initializing projects from a GitHub repository

The upsun environment:init command requires both the Project ID of the newly created project and the URL of the GitHub project. Note that as of version 3.40.8 of the Upsun CLI, the environment:init command is considered beta and not listed via upsun list.

upsun environment:init -p <Project ID> -e main <GitHub URL>

Note that the GitHub URL is the https: URL from the browser, not the git: URL.

Open the new site in your browser with the following command:

upsun url -p <Project ID>

upsun url -p ov4iu6fcb35jg

Environment ID [main]:

Enter a number to open a URL

[0] https://main-7rqtwti-ov4iu6fcb35jg.de-2.upsun.site/

[1] https://www.main-7rqtwti-ov4iu6fcb35jg.de-2.upsun.site/

[2] http://main-7rqtwti-ov4iu6fcb35jg.de-2.upsun.site/

[3] http://www.main-7rqtwti-ov4iu6fcb35jg.de-2.upsun.site/

> 0

https://main-7rqtwti-ov4iu6fcb35jg.de-2.upsun.site/

3. Deleting projects

Delete the project with the following command:

upsun project:delete -p <Project ID>

You will be prompted to type the name of the project as a security confirmation, since deleting a project is irreversible.

upsun project:delete -p ov4iu6fcb35jg

You are about to delete the project:

New Drupal Site (ov4iu6fcb35jg)

* This action is irreversible.

* Your site will no longer be accessible.

* All data associated with this project will be deleted, including backups.

* You will be charged at the end of the month for any remaining project costs.

Are you sure you want to delete this project? [y/N] y

Type the project title to confirm: New Drupal Site

Conclusion

The Upsun CLI enables full life cycle management of your sites. It is not even necessary to use Git directly when creating, initializing, and deleting sites.