Lambda Smalltalk

The Master Surgeon — A fast, modern Smalltalk with JIT compilation

High Performance

Cranelift JIT compilation delivers performance comparable to LuaJIT and Node.js V8.

Pure Smalltalk

Classic Smalltalk syntax with modern conveniences. Everything is an object, everything is a message.

Batteries Included

JSON, YAML, TOML, CSV, HTTP, SQLite, regex, and more. PostgreSQL, Redis, Excel, Git, DataFrame, compression, and encryption via plugins.

Portable

One executable. Plugins optional.

Code Surgery in Action

"Extract all function calls from JavaScript source"
| grammar source matches |

grammar := Grammar from: '
    call: IDENT "(" args? ")"
    args: arg ("," arg)*
    arg: IDENT | NUMBER | STRING
    IDENT: /[a-zA-Z_]\w*/
    NUMBER: /\d+/
    STRING: /"[^"]*"/
    %ignore /\s+|./
'.

source := File read: 'app.js'.
matches := Grammar findAll: grammar in: source.

matches do: [:m |
    ('Found: ', (m at: 'text')) printNl.
].

Learn more about Code Surgery.

Not Smalltalk-80

Lambda Smalltalk is not a traditional Smalltalk-80 implementation:

No image - Source files (.st), not a persistent image
No GUI - Command-line focused, no Morphic or MVC
No IDE - Use your editor of choice (VSCode extension available)
File-based - Scripts and modules, not a live environment

If you want Smalltalk-80 with a graphical environment, see Squeak or Pharo.

Lambda Smalltalk is designed for CLI tools, serverless backends, and scripting - tasks where you want Smalltalk's elegance without the image-based workflow.

Licensing & Engagement

Lambda Smalltalk is proprietary software, all rights reserved. Copying, modification, or redistribution of any part of Lambda Smalltalk requires the prior written permission of Lambda LLC. It is not open source.

Binaries (the lambda-st runtime, the standard plugins, and the developer tools) are provided free of charge, strictly as-is, with no warranty and no liability of any kind. You may evaluate and use the binaries at your own risk; we do not guarantee fitness for any purpose, do not provide support unless separately contracted, and accept no responsibility for damages arising from their use.

Source code is disclosed only to partner companies that have signed an NDA — the NDA and the accompanying agreement constitute the "prior written permission" required by the license. Source access is bundled with a paid engagement (joint development, customization, integration); it is not sold as a standalone product.

If you are evaluating Lambda Smalltalk for a product or production application, please get in touch. We typically engage in one of three ways:

Joint development — we work alongside your engineering team on plugins, integrations, or domain-specific extensions for your stack.
Customization — custom plugins, tuned builds, or proprietary protocol bindings for your runtime environment.
Source disclosure under NDA — full source access for in-house extension, audit, and long-term maintenance.

Contact: Lambda LLC