# quickjs-ng/quickjs

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2,703 stars · 256 forks · C · mit

## Links

- GitHub: https://github.com/quickjs-ng/quickjs
- Homepage: https://quickjs-ng.github.io/quickjs/
- awesome-repositories: https://awesome-repositories.com/repository/quickjs-ng-quickjs.md

## Description

QuickJS is a lightweight, embeddable ECMAScript runtime that executes JavaScript programs conforming to the latest specification. It is designed as a compact, standards-compliant JavaScript engine suitable for resource-constrained environments and embedded systems, available both as prebuilt binaries and as source code that can be compiled for custom integration.

The engine distinguishes itself through a minimal runtime footprint achieved by a single-pass compiler that produces compact bytecode, executed on a stack-based virtual machine. Memory management uses reference-counting garbage collection with cycle detection for deterministic cleanup, while a portable C-based embedding API provides direct memory control for host applications. The platform-agnostic build system compiles across operating systems and architectures without external dependencies.

The engine supports loading and executing JavaScript modules using ES module syntax through a built-in module loader. Prebuilt binaries are available for quick installation, and the source can be compiled for custom integration into host applications.

## Tags

### Programming Languages & Runtimes

- [ECMAScript Compliant Engines](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/ecmascript-compliant-engines.md) — An interpreter and compiler that executes JavaScript programs conforming to the latest ECMAScript specification. ([source](https://quickjs-ng.github.io/quickjs/))
- [C-Based Embedding APIs](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/c-based-embedding-apis.md) — Ships a minimal C API for embedding the engine with direct memory control.
- [JavaScript Engine Embedding](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/c-library-embedding/runtime-embedding/webassembly-engine-embedding/javascript-engine-embedding.md) — Provides a minimal C API for embedding a standards-compliant JavaScript runtime into host applications. ([source](https://quickjs-ng.github.io/quickjs/))
- [Single-Pass Compilation](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/bytecode-compilation/single-pass-compilation.md) — Compiles JavaScript source to bytecode in a single pass without intermediate representations.
- [Source-to-Bytecode Compilers](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/bytecode-compiled-languages/source-to-bytecode-compilers.md) — Compiles JavaScript source into compact bytecode for execution on a custom virtual machine.
- [ECMAScript Module Support](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/ecmascript-module-support.md) — Loads and executes JavaScript modules using a built-in module loader with ES module syntax.
- [Stack-Based Virtual Machines](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/programming-languages-runtimes/runtime-execution-environments/runtime-environments/runtimes/stack-based-virtual-machines.md) — Runs bytecode instructions using a stack-based architecture for simple and efficient execution.

### Development Tools & Productivity

- [Minimal Runtime Footprints](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/application-installers/installation-footprint-reducers/runtime-footprint-reducers/minimal-runtime-footprints.md) — Achieves a small binary size and low memory usage by omitting unnecessary runtime features.
- [Cross-Platform Build Systems](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/development-tools-productivity/build-automation-engines/cross-platform-build-systems.md) — Compiles across operating systems and architectures using a portable build system without external dependencies.

### Hardware & IoT

- [Lightweight Scripting Engines](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/hardware-iot/microcontroller-firmware-frameworks/lightweight-scripting-engines.md) — A small-footprint JavaScript engine suitable for resource-constrained environments and embedded systems.

### Operating Systems & Systems Programming

- [Reference-Counting Garbage Collectors](https://awesome-repositories.com/f/operating-systems-systems-programming/kernel-core-internals/process-and-memory-management/memory-management-systems/reference-counting-garbage-collectors.md) — Manages memory automatically using reference counting with cycle detection for deterministic cleanup.