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Ckb VM

Ckb VM is a Rust software implementation of the RISC-V instruction set used as the scripting virtual machine for Nervos CKB. It supports IMCB instructions with 32-bit and 64-bit registers and provides Rust and assembly-based interpreter modes.

Explore the practical guide ↓

Independent OpenViST project profile, based on linked sources.

Ckb VM — OpenViST project profile in Developer Tools.
OpenViST project illustration. See the linked sources for product details.
Understand the project

Practical overview

When it fits

Use CKB VM when developing or examining script execution for Nervos CKB and a software implementation of RISC-V is needed.

Who it is for

  • Developers building or working with Nervos CKB scripts and contracts.
  • Engineers who need a software RISC-V execution environment for CKB-related development.

Documented uses

  • Build the CKB VM library from source with Cargo.
  • Run CKB scripts through its RISC-V-based virtual machine.
  • Use the included RISC-V binaries when building the project's tests.
  • Work with custom RISC-V binaries, with a RISC-V compiler if one is needed to produce them.
Before you choose

Requirements & limits

The repository is public and identifies the MIT license. The README documents builds with stable Rust and says the project is mainly tested on 64-bit Linux, macOS, and Windows.

  • The VM implements RISC-V IMCB instructions with 32-bit and 64-bit register sizes.
  • The README recommends ASM mode for consistent behavior and describes Rust mode as a development aid that may differ if bugs occur.
  • The develop branch is not guaranteed to be completely stable; the README distinguishes it from released versions used by CKB.
  • A RISC-V compiler is unnecessary for building the included test binaries but may be needed for custom binaries.

Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.

Source-based practical guide

Build CKB VM from source

Clone the repository and compile CKB VM with Cargo.

Before you start

  • Stable Rust, the version documented as mainly tested by the project
  • A 64-bit Linux, macOS, or Windows environment

Steps

  1. Clone https://github.com/nervosnetwork/ckb-vm.

  2. Change into the ckb-vm directory.

  3. Run cargo build.

Expected outcome

Cargo builds the CKB VM project from the cloned repository.

Guide limitations

  • The README says the develop branch is regularly built and tested but is not guaranteed to be completely stable.
  • The documented build prerequisites describe the project's main test environments, not a compatibility guarantee.
Documentation 1 ↗
Evidence and transparency

Sources & review

Official repository ↗
Source record details
Source availability
Active
Sources checked
10 October 2026
Original website title
nervosnetwork/ckb-vm · Official homepage title · retained in its source language
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