# Running ij

You can use the ij tool to connect to a Derby database.

You must add the DERBY_HOME/bin directory in your PATH environment variable before you can run the ij tool.

- To start the ij tool, run the ij script from the command line. For example:

      ij

  The ij script starts the ij tool and sets up the environment variables like CLASSPATH.
- 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.
- When you are ready to leave the ij tool, type:

      ij> exit;

See the Java DB Tools and Utilities Guide for more information about ij.
Parent topic: Using the Derby tools and startup utilities
Related concepts
Using the sysinfo tool
Related tasks
Setting the classpath