> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://documentation.hak5.org/signal-owl/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://documentation.hak5.org/signal-owl/payload-development/payload-development-basics.md).

# Payload Development Basics

Signal Owl payloads can be written in any standard text editor, such as notepad or vi.

Payloads are written in bash with Ducky Script and must be named payload.sh or payload.txt

All payloads should begin with an interpreter directive. For example, bash payloads should begin with the typical shebang /bin/bash

```
#!/bin/bash
```