Scaffold Power BI projects instantly from templates.
Create ready-to-use Power BI Projects (.pbip) with intelligent renaming and path updates—all from a single command.
From template to working project in seconds.
Option 1: Use without installing (quickest)
uvx fastbi "My Project"
Option 2: Install globally (recommended for frequent use)
pip install fastbi
# Or with uv:
uv pip install fastbi
Option 3: Run directly with uvx
# No installation needed, runs in isolated environment
uvx fastbi "My Project"
The first time you run fastbi, a setup wizard will ask for your .pbip
template folder location.
First time setup: uvx fastbi "My Project" prompts for template configuration.
# Try creating your first project - the wizard launches automatically
fastbi "My First Report"
# 🪄 The wizard will start:
# 🚀 Welcome! Let's configure your .pbip project template.
# Drag your template folder here and press Enter: _
Once configured, just pass the project name:
Subsequent use: uvx fastbi "new project" creates a project without re-configuring the template.
# The main way (recommended):
fastbi "Q4 Sales Dashboard"
# ✓ Success! Project created at '202510 - Q4 Sales Dashboard'
Multiple ways to create projects:
# Shortcut (fastest):
fastbi "Annual Report"
# Explicit command:
fastbi create "Annual Report"
fastbi new "Annual Report"
# Using fbi alias (same functionality):
fbi "Annual Report"
fastbi doesn't just copy files—it performs intelligent scaffolding:
- 🔍 Discovery: Analyzes your
.pbip
template and automatically detects the base project structure - ✏️ Rename: Updates folder names,
.pbip
file, and.Report
/.SemanticModel
directories to match your new project - 🔄 Update: Edits internal JSON configs (
.pbip
,.pbir
,.platform
) so all paths and display names work correctly in Fabric
Result: Zero manual fixes. Your project just works.
The power of fastbi is that it works with your own template. Here's how:
-
Design Your Base Report: Open Power BI Desktop and create your ideal starting point—add logos, themes, common pages, standard visuals.
-
Save as Project: Go to
File > Save As
. In the file type dropdown, choosePower BI Project (*.pbip)
instead of.pbix
. -
That's Your Template: Power BI creates a folder with the project structure. Point the fastbi setup wizard to this folder.
Living Template: Update your base report anytime. Just save it as
.pbip
again in the same location. All future projects will inherit the changes automatically.
Command | Action |
---|---|
fastbi "Name" |
Create a new project (shortcut) |
fastbi create "Name" |
Create a new project (explicit) |
fastbi new "Name" |
Create a new project (alias) |
fastbi setup |
Configure or reconfigure template path |
fastbi --help |
Show all commands and options |
fbi "Name" |
Same as fastbi, just cooler 😎 |
- Zero Config Needed: Works with any
.pbip
template structure - Intelligent Updates: Automatically fixes all internal paths and references
- Date Prefixing: Auto-adds
YYYYMM -
prefix to keep projects organized - Error Prevention: Validates names and prevents overwrites
- Multiple Aliases: Use
fastbi
,create
,new
, orfbi
- whatever fits your style
# Install with uv (faster than pip)
uv pip install fastbi
# Or run without installing
uvx fastbi "Project Name"
Need to change your template location?
fastbi setup
The wizard will guide you through selecting a new template folder.
When you run fastbi "Sales Report"
, you get:
202410 - Sales Report/
├── Sales Report.pbip # Renamed project file
├── Sales Report.Report/ # Renamed report folder
│ ├── definition.pbir # Updated with new paths
│ └── .platform # Updated display name
└── Sales Report.SemanticModel/ # Renamed model folder
└── .platform # Updated display name
All internal references are automatically updated to match the new names.
"No .pbip file found in template"
- Make sure your template folder contains a
.pbip
file - The template must be saved as Power BI Project format, not
.pbix
"Directory already exists"
- A project with that name already exists for this month
- Choose a different name or delete the existing folder
Commands not working?
- Make sure you're using the latest version:
pip install --upgrade fastbi
- For uvx users:
uvx --refresh fastbi "Project"
Issues and pull requests are welcome! Visit the GitHub repository.
MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.
Built for analysts and developers who value their time.
Forge your Power BI projects. Don't fight with folder structures.