​# Building Native Image

Prerequisites

• Set JAVA_HOME to a GraalVM distribution if your Java program uses the Native Image SDK. If you do not know the path, ask the user to provide it. ​

Build and Run

1. Compile your Java file with javac.
2. Build the Native Image:

   $JAVA_HOME/bin/native-image <app-name>

3. Run the resulting executable:

   ./app-name

4. If Native Image cannot find your class file, set the classpath explicitly with the -cp option. ​

Troubleshooting

Reachability Metadata

If you encounter runtime errors related to reflection, JNI, resources, serialization, or dynamic proxies, consult references/reachability-metadata.md before attempting a fix. Use this reference for:

• NoClassDefFoundError or MissingReflectionRegistrationError
• MissingJNIRegistrationError
• MissingResourceException (missing resource bundle)
• Any user question about reflection, JNI, proxies, resources, resource bundles, or serialization in Native Image. ​

Native Image Options

To configure classpath, optimization level, output name, platform target, monitoring, or other CLI flags, see references/native-image-options.md.

Reference Files