In GNU Smalltalk, an image is used mostly as a cache of preloaded packages. In general, if you plan to use a package in a script, development will be quicker if you preload packages into your image.

Creating an image

Start GNU Smalltalk, and save a snapshot of the running system

st> ObjectMemory snapshot: 'my-image.im'

Loading a package into an image

Use the gst-load script bundled with GNU Smalltalk. For example, to load NetClients, use this:

$ gst-load --image-file=my-image.im NetClients