Standalone Applications

Create standalone applications from MATLAB^® functions

You can deploy MATLAB code as a standalone application using MATLAB Compiler™ and share it royalty-free with other users. A standalone application can be an app designed using MATLAB App Designer or GUIDE, or it can be a command-line executable. The target system running a standalone application requires a MATLAB Runtime installation to run the application. It does not require a licensed copy of MATLAB. For details, see Download and Install MATLAB Runtime.

To create standalone applications from Simulink^® simulations, use Simulink Compiler.

Standalone applications can be created using the compiler.build.standaloneApplication function, or the mcc command, or the Standalone Application Compiler app.

Apps

Standalone Application Compiler

Package MATLAB programs for deployment as standalone applications (Since R2025a)

Functions

expand all

Build

`mcc`	Compile MATLAB functions for deployment
`createDeploymentScript`	Create a deployment script from a MATLAB Compiler `PRJ` file (Since R2022b)
`compiler.build.standaloneApplication`	Create standalone application for deployment outside MATLAB (Since R2020b)
`compiler.build.standaloneWindowsApplication`	Create a standalone application for deployment outside MATLAB that does not launch a Windows command shell (Since R2020b)
`compiler.build.StandaloneApplicationOptions`	Options for building standalone applications (Since R2020b)
`compiler.build.Results`	Compiler build results object (Since R2020b)

Package

`compiler.package.installer`	Create an installer for files generated by MATLAB Compiler
`compiler.package.InstallerOptions`	Options for creating MATLAB Compiler package installers
`compiler.runtime.customInstaller`	Create a MATLAB Runtime installer for the specified files generated by MATLAB Compiler (Since R2024b)

Docker

`compiler.package.docker`	Create a Docker image for files generated by MATLAB Compiler on Linux operating systems (Since R2020b)
`compiler.package.DockerOptions`	Create a Docker options object (Since R2020b)
`compiler.runtime.createDockerImage`	Create a Docker image that contains MATLAB Runtime (Since R2023b)

Code Tools

compiler.codetools.deployableSupportPackages Determine support packages used by files (Since R2021b)

Path, State Detection, and Version

`ctfroot`	Location of files related to deployed application
`isdeployed`	Determine whether code is running in deployed or MATLAB mode
`ismcc`	Test if code is running during compilation process (using `mcc`)
`mcrversion`	Return MATLAB Runtime version number that matches MATLAB version

Pragmas

`%#function`	Pragma to help MATLAB Compiler locate functions called through `feval`, `eval`, Handle Graphics callback, or objects loaded from MAT files
`%#exclude`	Ignore file or function dependencies during MATLAB Compiler dependency analysis

Topics

Create Standalone Applications

Create Standalone Application from MATLAB
Try an example on creating, installing, and running a standalone MATLAB application.
Create Standalone Application Using Standalone Application Compiler App
Create a standalone application using the Standalone Application Compiler app.
Install Deployed Application
Deploy and install a generated application.

Customize Applications

Manage Support Packages
Including support packages when packaging MATLAB applications.
Deploy Applications and MATLAB Runtime on Network Drives
Run MATLAB Compiler generated applications from a network drive.
Include and Access Files in Packaged Applications
Include and access additional files in packaged applications.
Access Sensitive Information in Standalone Application
Retrieve sensitive information in a deployed application using the getSecret function. (Since R2024a)

Package to Docker

Package MATLAB Standalone Applications into Docker Images
Package a MATLAB standalone application into a Docker^® image.

Packaging

mcc Command Arguments Listed Alphabetically
Quick reference table of MATLAB Compiler options, listed alphabetically.
mcc Command Line Arguments Grouped by Task
Quick reference table of MATLAB Compiler options, grouped by functionality.

Parallel Computing

Deploy Parallel-Enabled MATLAB Function as Standalone Application
This example shows how to deploy a parallel-enabled MATLAB function as a standalone application using a cluster profile.
Use Parallel Computing Toolbox in Deployed Applications
Pass a cluster profile to an application that uses the Parallel Computing Toolbox™.

Dependency Analysis

Dependency Analysis Using MATLAB Compiler
MATLAB Compiler uses a dependency analysis function to find and include files.
Dependency Analysis Function and User Interaction with the Compilation Path
MATLAB Compiler uses the MATLAB search path to analyze dependencies.

Best Practices

Write Deployable MATLAB Code
Write flexible MATLAB code that can be packaged and deployed.
Standalone Applications and Arguments
Create standalone applications that use arguments.
Include and Access Files in Packaged Applications
Include and access additional files in packaged applications.
Protect Code and Data in Deployable Archive
Protect deployed code, data, and configuration using one or more security packaging options.
Calling Shared Libraries in Deployed Applications
The loadlibrary function in MATLAB allows you to load shared library into MATLAB.
Handle Sensitive Information in Deployed Applications
Use secrets to remove sensitive information from deployed code. (Since R2024a)

Troubleshooting

Functions Not Supported for Compilation by MATLAB Compiler and MATLAB Compiler SDK
Refer to functions not able to be compiled with MATLAB Compiler or MATLAB Compiler SDK™.
Limitations
MATLAB Compiler has limitations regarding what can be compiled.
Testing Failures
If you encounter errors testing your application, ensure MATLAB Runtime is installed correctly.
Investigate Deployed Application Failures
Diagnose application failure during end-user deployment.