Reference Scripts

Reference scripts point to an already on-chain script rather than including it entirely. Without reference scripts, the full script code must be included in each transaction. By referring to a UTxO holding the reference script, it reduces transaction size and base fee (execution costs remain the same).

Deploy a Reference Script


// Deploy a script as a reference script
const deployScriptTx = await lucid
  .newTx()
  .pay.ToAddressWithData(
    scriptAddress,
    { kind: "inline", value: datum }, // or `undefined` if you just need to deploy the script
    { lovelace: 5_000_000n }, // or `undefined` if you just need to deploy the script
    script, // the script to be stored as a reference
  )
  .complete();

Using a Reference Script


// Find a UTxO containing the reference script
const allUTxOs = await lucid.utxosAt(scriptAddress);
const refScriptUTxO = allUTxOs.filter((utxo) => utxo.scriptRef)[0];
 
// Use the reference script instead of attaching the validator
const tx = await lucid
  .newTx()
  .collectFrom([utxoToSpend], redeemer)
  .readFrom([refScriptUTxO]) // reference the script UTxO
  .complete();