Deploy your first contract

Animica contracts are plain Python files that import from stdlib. Save the following as counter.py somewhere convenient:

# counter.py
from stdlib import abi, events, storage

KEY = b"counter:value"
U128_MAX = (1 << 128) - 1

def _load() -> int:
    raw = storage.get(KEY)
    return int.from_bytes(raw.rjust(16, b"\x00"), "big") if raw else 0

def _store(value: int) -> None:
    abi.require(0 <= value <= U128_MAX, b"U128_OVERFLOW")
    storage.set(KEY, value.to_bytes(16, "big"))

def get() -> int:
    return _load()

def inc(by: int = 1) -> int:
    abi.require(by > 0, b"INC_MUST_BE_POSITIVE")
    new_value = _load() + by
    abi.require(new_value <= U128_MAX, b"U128_OVERFLOW")
    _store(new_value)
    events.emit(b"Inc", {b"by": by, b"value": new_value})
    return new_value

Two public methods: get() returns the current value, inc(by=1) increments and returns the new value.

Mark this step complete after counter.py exists on disk.

Compile the contract to Animica IR. The compiler also emits an ABI JSON describing the public methods:

animica contract compile counter.py

Output looks like:

artifact: ~/.animica/artifacts/counter-<code-hash>.ir
abi:      ~/.animica/artifacts/counter-<code-hash>.abi.json

Pass --overwrite if you tweak the source and recompile.

Mark this step complete once the compile reports artifact + ABI paths.

Deploy the source (the CLI compiles it on the fly if you pass the .py file directly). Use your default wallet and save the deployment under the name counter so later commands can use the friendly name:

animica contract deploy counter.py --from me --save --name counter

The CLI builds and signs the deploy transaction, broadcasts it, and waits for the receipt. On success it prints the contract address and the tx hash. The --save flag records the deployment under ~/.animica/deployments.json so you can refer to it by name.

Mark this step complete after a contract address is printed.

Send a state-changing call to inc(). Pass arguments as a JSON array:

animica contract send counter inc --args '[5]' --from me

This signs a real transaction, pays gas, and waits for the receipt.

Then read the current value with contract call — that’s a local eth_call-style simulation against the latest state, no transaction broadcast:

animica contract call counter get

You should see 5 (or higher if you called inc more than once).

You can also view the contract on the explorer — paste the contract address into the search bar.

Mark this step complete once get returns the expected value.