---
name: "lua5.3"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "lua53"
version: "5.3.6-4"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/lua5.3"
---

# lua5.3(1)

Lua interpreter

## NAME

lua - Lua interpreter

## SYNOPSIS

**lua** \[ *options* \] \[ *script* \[ *args* \] \]

## DESCRIPTION

**lua** is the standalone Lua interpreter. It loads and executes Lua programs, either in textual source form or in precompiled binary form. (Precompiled binaries are output by **luac**, the Lua compiler.) **lua** can be used as a batch interpreter and also interactively.

The given *options* are handled in order and then the Lua program in file *script* is loaded and executed. The given *args* are available to *script* as strings in a global table named **arg**. If no options or arguments are given, then **-v -i** is assumed when the standard input is a terminal; otherwise, **-** is assumed.

In interactive mode, **lua** prompts the user, reads lines from the standard input, and executes them as they are read. If the line contains an expression or list of expressions, then the line is evaluated and the results are printed. If a line does not contain a complete statement, then a secondary prompt is displayed and lines are read until a complete statement is formed or a syntax error is found.

At the very start, before even handling the command line, **lua** checks the contents of the environment variables **LUA\_INIT\_5\_3** or **LUA\_INIT**, in that order. If the contents is of the form '@*filename*', then *filename* is executed. Otherwise, the string is assumed to be a Lua statement and is executed.

## OPTIONS

- **-e** *stat*

  execute statement *stat*.

- **-i**

  enter interactive mode after executing *script*.

- **-l** *name*

  execute the equivalent of *name***=require('***name***')** before executing *script*.

- **-v**

  show version information.

- **-E**

  ignore environment variables.

- **--**

  stop handling options.

- **-**

  stop handling options and execute the standard input as a file.

## SEE ALSO

[**luac**(1)](/luac/1.md)\
 The documentation at lua.org, especially section 7 of the reference manual.

## DIAGNOSTICS

Error messages should be self explanatory.

## AUTHORS

R. Ierusalimschy, L. H. de Figueiredo, W. Celes