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# Contract Instances

## Overview

[`Contract.from`](/docs/contract/instances) creates an interface bound to an ABI, address, and Client.
Its `read`, `write`, `simulate`, `estimateGas`, and event methods are derived from the ABI.

This binding removes repeated configuration from code that uses the same contract many times. The
`write` group requires an [Account](/docs/accounts) on the Client or per call.

## Recipes

These recipes assume you have [set up a Client](/docs). Configure an Account before using write
methods.

### Create an Instance

The instance retains the literal ABI and the capabilities of the supplied Client.

:::code-group
```ts twoslash [example.ts]
import { Contract } from 'viem'
import { Abis } from 'viem/utils'
import { client } from './viem.config'

const usdc = Contract.from({ // [!code focus]
  abi: Abis.erc20, // [!code focus]
  address: '0xA0b86991c6218b36c1d19D4a2e9Eb0cE3606eB48', // [!code focus]
  client, // [!code focus]
}) // [!code focus]

const balance = await usdc.read.balanceOf([
  '0xA0Cf798816D4b9b9866b5330EEa46a18382f251e',
])
```

```ts twoslash [viem.config.ts] filename="viem.config.ts"
// [!include ~/snippets/docs/viem.config.ts:setup]
```
:::

### Simulate Through an Instance

Instance methods omit the ABI, address, and function name that are already bound.

:::code-group
```ts twoslash [example.ts]
import { Contract } from 'viem'
import { Abis, Value } from 'viem/utils'
import { client } from './viem.config'

const usdc = Contract.from({
  abi: Abis.erc20,
  address: '0xA0b86991c6218b36c1d19D4a2e9Eb0cE3606eB48',
  client,
})

const { result } = await usdc.simulate.transfer([ // [!code focus]
  '0x70997970c51812dc3a010c7d01b50e0d17dc79c8', // [!code focus]
  Value.from('1', 6), // [!code focus]
]) // [!code focus]
```

```ts twoslash [viem.config.ts] filename="viem.config.ts"
// [!include ~/snippets/docs/viem.config.ts:setup]
```
:::

## Best Practices

### Use Instances for Repeated Interactions

Prefer direct Contract Actions for one-off calls. Use an instance when a module repeatedly uses the
same ABI and address or needs to expose a cohesive contract interface.

### Keep Client Ownership Outside

Pass a caller-owned Client into the module that creates the instance. This preserves the
application's Account, Transport, Chain, and extension configuration.

## See More

<Cards>
  <Card icon="lucide:file-code-2" title="Contract Module" description="See every method exposed by Contract.from." to="/docs/contract" />

  <Card icon="lucide:package-open" title="Distribute a Viem Library" description="Expose contract integrations without creating hidden Clients." to="/docs/guides/extending/libraries" />
</Cards>