How can I compile Move Scripts?

Move scripts can be compiled with the already existing Aptos Move compiler in the Aptos CLI. For more on how to install and use the Aptos CLI with Move contracts, go to the Working With Move Contracts page.

Once you have the Aptos CLI installed, you can compile a script by running the following command from within the script package:

Terminal

aptos move compile

There will then be compiled bytecode files under build/ with the same name as the function in Move.

For example this script in package transfer_half, would compile to build/transfer_half/bytecode_scripts/transfer_half.mv

script {
  use std::signer;
  use aptos_framework::coin;
  use aptos_framework::aptos_account;
 
  fun transfer_half<Coin>(caller: &signer, receiver_address: address) {
    // Retrieve the balance of the caller
    let caller_address: address = signer::address_of(caller);
    let balance: u64 = coin::balance<Coin>(caller_address);
 
    // Send half to the receiver
    let half = balance / 2;
    aptos_account::transfer_coins<Coin>(caller, receiver_address, half);
  }
}

Additionally, there is a convenience function for a package with exactly one script with the below command:

Terminal

aptos move compile-script

Providing output like below returning the exact location of the script and a hash for convenience

Terminal

Compiling, may take a little while to download git dependencies...
UPDATING GIT DEPENDENCY https://github.com/aptos-labs/aptos-framework.git
INCLUDING DEPENDENCY AptosFramework
INCLUDING DEPENDENCY AptosStdlib
INCLUDING DEPENDENCY MoveStdlib
BUILDING transfer_half
{
  "Result": {
    "script_location": "/opt/git/developer-docs/apps/docusaurus/static/move-examples/scripts/transfer_half/script.mv",
    "script_hash": "9b57ffa952da2a35438e2cf7e941ef2120bb6c2e4674d4fcefb51d5e8431a148"
  }
}

Writing Move Scripts Running Move Scripts