# TOMB Compiler

## Description <a href="#description" id="description"></a>

The current Phantasma smart-contract compiler is `pha-tomb`.

Use it to compile `.tomb` source files into:

* `.pvm` VM bytecode
* `.abi` interface metadata
* optional debug and assembly artifacts

`pha-tomb` targets the current Phantasma VM and is the compiler used by the current contract lifecycle tooling.

## What you can build

* standalone custom VM contracts
* token-backed contracts
* NFT submodules inside token modules
* transaction scripts
* ABI-bearing modules for deployment and tooling

## Deployment model

Compiling a contract is only the first step. After compilation, deployment depends on what you are trying to create:

* standalone custom contract -> deploy with `contract deploy`
* new token-backed contract -> create with `--create-token`
* existing token + new VM code -> attach with `contract attach`
* later code update -> `contract upgrade`

For the current deployment tooling, see:

* [pha-deploy](https://phantasma.gitbook.io/main/developers/tools/pha-deploy)
* [How to Deploy](https://phantasma.gitbook.io/main/developers/blockchain/smart-contracts/how-to-deploy)

## Want to jump right in?

Jump in to the quick start docs and get making your first smart contract:

{% content-ref url="compiler/quick-start" %}
[quick-start](https://phantasma.gitbook.io/main/developers/compiler/quick-start)
{% endcontent-ref %}

## Want to deep dive?

Dive deeper into the language surface and standard libraries:

{% content-ref url="compiler/features" %}
[features](https://phantasma.gitbook.io/main/developers/compiler/features)
{% endcontent-ref %}