Circuit Options

Options for the circuit command.

Usage

ach circuit <path> [options]

Input Values

Flag	Description
`--inputs <vals>`	Comma-separated `key=value` pairs (e.g., `--inputs "a=6,b=7,c=42"`)
`--input-file <path>`	TOML file with input values (arrays supported natively)

Values are parsed as BN254 field elements. Supports decimal, hex (0xFF), and negative values. The two flags are mutually exclusive.

TOML input file

For circuits with array parameters, --input-file avoids the _N naming convention:

# inputs.toml
root = "7853200120375982..."
leaf = "1"
path = ["2", "3"]
indices = ["0", "1"]

ach circuit merkle.ach --input-file inputs.toml

TOML arrays expand to path_0, path_1, etc. internally. Both string ("42") and integer (42) values are accepted.

Backend Selection

Flag	Description
`--backend <backend>`	Constraint backend: `r1cs` (default) or `plonkish`

R1CS backend (default)

Generates .r1cs and .wtns files compatible with snarkjs.

Plonkish backend

Generates Plonkish gates, lookups, and copy constraints. Verifies locally (no binary export yet).

Proof Generation

Flag	Description
`--prove`	Generate a cryptographic proof after compiling and verifying
`--solidity`	Generate a Solidity verifier contract (R1CS/Groth16 only)

Optimization

Flag	Description
`--no-optimize`	Skip SSA IR optimization passes (constant folding, DCE, boolean propagation)

Examples

# R1CS output
ach circuit circuit.ach --inputs "x=42,y=7"

# Plonkish backend
ach circuit circuit.ach --backend plonkish --inputs "x=42"

# Generate Groth16 proof
ach circuit circuit.ach --inputs "x=42,y=7" --prove

# Generate Solidity verifier
ach circuit circuit.ach --inputs "x=42,y=7" --solidity

# Unoptimized compilation
ach circuit circuit.ach --inputs "x=42" --no-optimize

Output Files (R1CS)

File	Description
`circuit.r1cs`	R1CS constraint system (iden3 binary format v1)
`witness.wtns`	Witness values (iden3 binary format v2)

Both files are compatible with snarkjs:

snarkjs r1cs info circuit.r1cs
snarkjs wtns check circuit.r1cs witness.wtns