deno compile, standalone executables

deno compile allows you to create self-contained executables from a TypeScript or JavaScript file.

This feature allows distribution of a Deno application to systems that do not have Deno installed. Under the hood, deno compile bundles a slimmed down version of the Deno runtime along with your JavaScript or TypeScript code.

deno compile --allow-read --allow-net jsr:@std/http@1.0.0/file-server

deno compile --output ./game game.tsx

If you omit the --output flag, the name of the executable file will be inferred from the package or script name.

Flags Jump to heading#

As with deno install, the runtime flags used to execute the script must be specified at compilation time. This includes permission flags.

deno compile --allow-read --allow-net jsr:@std/http@1.0.0/file-server

Script arguments can be partially embedded.

deno compile --allow-read --allow-net jsr:@std/http@1.0.0/file-server -p 8080

./file_server --help

Cross Compilation Jump to heading#

You can cross-compile binaries for other platforms by using the --target flag.

# Cross compile for Apple Silicon
deno compile --target aarch64-apple-darwin main.ts

# Cross compile for Windows with an icon
deno compile --target x86_64-pc-windows-msvc --icon ./icon.ico main.ts

Supported Targets Jump to heading#

Deno supports cross compiling to all targets regardless of the host platform.

Icons Jump to heading#

It is possible to add an icon to the executable by using the --icon flag when targeting Windows. The icon must be in the .ico format.

deno compile --icon icon.ico main.ts

# Cross compilation with icon
deno compile --target x86_64-pc-windows-msvc --icon ./icon.ico main.ts

Dynamic Imports Jump to heading#

By default, statically analyzable dynamic imports (imports that have the string literal within the import("...") call expression) will be included in the output.

// calculator.ts and its dependencies will be included in the binary
const calculator = await import("./calculator.ts");

But non-statically analyzable dynamic imports won't:

const specifier = condition ? "./calc.ts" : "./better_calc.ts";
const calculator = await import(specifier);

To include non-statically analyzable dynamic imports, specify an --include <path> flag.

deno compile --include calc.ts --include better_calc.ts main.ts

Workers Jump to heading#

Similarly to non-statically analyzable dynamic imports, code for workers is not included in the compiled executable by default. There are two ways to include workers:

1. Use the --include <path> flag to include the worker code.

deno compile --include worker.ts main.ts

2. Import worker module using a statically analyzable import.

// main.ts
import "./worker.ts";

deno compile main.ts

Code Signing Jump to heading#

macOS Jump to heading#

By default, on macOS, the compiled executable will be signed using an ad-hoc signature which is the equivalent of running codesign -s -:

$ deno compile -o main main.ts
$ codesign --verify -vv ./main

./main: valid on disk
./main: satisfies its Designated Requirement

You can specify a signing identity when code signing the executable just like you would do with any other macOS executable:

codesign -s "Developer ID Application: Your Name" ./main

Refer to the official documentation for more information on codesigning and notarization on macOS.

Windows Jump to heading#

On Windows, the compiled executable can be signed using the SignTool.exe utility.

$ deno compile -o main.exe main.ts
$ signtool sign /fd SHA256 main.exe

Unavailable in executables Jump to heading#

• Web Storage API