truffle

Ethereum smart contract development framework

TLDR

Initialize project

$ truffle init

Compile contracts

$ truffle compile

Run migrations

$ truffle migrate

Run tests

$ truffle test

Start console

$ truffle console

Deploy to network

$ truffle migrate --network [mainnet]

Start development blockchain

$ truffle develop

Create a new contract boilerplate

$ truffle create contract [ContractName]

Create a new migration script

$ truffle create migration [MigrationName]

Run a specific test file

$ truffle test [test/MyContract.test.js]

Compile with optimizer enabled

$ truffle compile --all

SYNOPSIS

truffle command [--network network] [options]

Truffle is a development framework for Ethereum smart contracts that provides a complete workflow from compilation through deployment and testing. It compiles Solidity contracts into bytecode and ABI artifacts, manages deployment through ordered migration scripts, and supports both JavaScript and Solidity test suites.The built-in development blockchain (truffle develop) provides a local Ethereum environment with instant transactions and pre-funded accounts, eliminating gas costs during development. The interactive console connects to any configured network and allows direct interaction with deployed contracts.Projects are organized with a standard directory structure including contracts, migrations, and test directories. Network configurations in truffle-config.js define deployment targets from local development to public testnets and mainnet.

PARAMETERS

init

Initialize project.

compile

Compile contracts.

migrate

Deploy contracts.

test

Run tests.

console

Interactive console.

develop

Local blockchain.

create TYPE NAME

Generate a new contract, migration, or test boilerplate.

unbox boxname_

Download a pre-built Truffle project (Truffle Box).

networks

Show addresses of deployed contracts on each network.

debug txHash

Interactively debug a transaction.

--network NAME

Target network (defined in truffle-config.js).

--reset

Re-run all migrations from the beginning.

--compile-all

Recompile all contracts even if unchanged.

--verbose-rpc

Log RPC communication with the Ethereum client.

CONFIGURATION

truffle-config.js

Main project configuration defining network endpoints, compiler settings, and migration options.

contracts/

Directory containing Solidity smart contract source files.

migrations/

Directory containing numbered deployment scripts executed in order.

CAVEATS

Truffle was sunset in September 2023 and is no longer actively maintained; consider migrating to Hardhat. Requires Node.js (v12 or later). Deploying to mainnet incurs real gas costs. Install via `npm install -g truffle`.

HISTORY

Truffle was originally created by Tim Coulter and later maintained by ConsenSys as part of the Truffle Suite. It was the dominant Ethereum development framework for several years. ConsenSys announced the sunsetting of Truffle in September 2023, recommending migration to Hardhat or other actively maintained frameworks.