Deploy

Now that we have developed our contract, tested it, we can now deploy it on a blockchain!

Local Deployment (default)

If no --url is provided, Pop CLI automatically launches a local ink-node in the background. If you omit --url, Pop CLI prompts you to choose a chain endpoint and defaults to ws://127.0.0.1:9944. If that endpoint is not running, Pop CLI offers to start a local ink-node (and Ethereum RPC) in the background. Use --skip-confirm to auto-select the local endpoint and auto-start the node when needed.

pop up -p ./path-to-contract \
  --constructor <constructor_name> \
  --args <arg_1> <arg_2> ... \
  --suri //Alice \

• --path: points to the contract directory

• --constructor: method name (default: new)

• --args: constructor arguments

• --value: balance transferred to the contract (default: 0)

• --execute: deploys the contract (otherwise Pop CLI runs a dry run)

• --suri: secret key URI (default: //Alice)

• No --url: defaults to the local endpoint and can start a local ink-node if needed

• --use-wallet: sign with a browser wallet (conflicts with --suri)

• --upload-only: upload without instantiating

• --gas and --proof-size: override the dry-run estimate (must be provided together)

• --skip-build: skip building (Pop CLI still builds if artifacts are missing)

• --skip-confirm: skip prompts and auto-start a local ink-node if needed

If at anytime you need to stop the node you can do the following:

1. Find the process ID by running the following command: lsof -i :9944

2. Kill the process by running the kill command and passing in the ID of the process:

   • kill -9 3537

Tip: Use pop up ink-node --detach to keep a local node running and follow the printed kill -9 command to shut it down.

When you have successfully deployed your contract you will get the following output:

pop up -p ./flipper --constructor new --args false --suri //Alice --url ws://127.0.0.1:9944

┌   Pop CLI : Deploy a smart contract
│
◐  Doing a dry run to estimate the gas...                                                                                                    
●  Gas limit Weight { ref_time: 264725731, proof_size: 16689 }
│  
◇  Contract deployed and instantiated: The Contract Address is "5CLPm1CeUvJhZ8GCDZCR7nWZ2m3XXe4X5MtAQK69zEjut36A"
│
└  Deployment complete

Save the Contract Address which you will need to interact with the contract.

Deploy to Custom or Public Network

To deploy on a specific network, supply a --url:

pop up --path ./my_contract \
  --url ws://<network-endpoint> \
  --constructor <name> \
  --args <arg_1> <arg_2> \
  --suri <your-SURI-or-use-wallet> 

Alternatively, use --use-wallet to sign via browser wallet (PolkadotJS, Talisman, SubWallet) instead of exposing private keys.

JSON mode

Use global --json for structured deployment output:

pop --json up --path ./my_contract --constructor new --args false --suri //Alice --execute

JSON mode constraints for contract deployment:

• --execute is required.

• --use-wallet is not supported (provide --suri).

• --upload-only is not supported.

Gas

Pop CLI performs a dry run to estimate gas before deployment. If you do not pass --execute, Pop CLI keeps the dry run result and prompts you before deploying. To find an estimate of how much gas you will need, you can do a "dry-run" of the contract:

pop up --constructor new --args false --suri //Alice --dry-run

This will perform a dry-run via an RPC call to estimate the gas usage. It does not submit a transaction unless you confirm or pass --execute.

┌   Pop CLI : Deploy a smart contract
│
◇  Gas limit estimate: Weight { ref_time: 146346224, proof_size: 16689 }

You can now see the estimate and make sure your account is properly funded with that amount.

To override the estimate, provide both --gas and --proof-size:

pop up --path ./my_contract --constructor new --args false --suri //Alice \
  --gas 1000000 --proof-size 20000 --execute

It is also possible to only upload the contract and not instantiate by adding --upload-only. More on this check out the ink! docs.

Need help?

Ask on Polkadot Stack Exchange (tag it pop) or drop by our Telegram. We're here to help!