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Build portable Linux binaries with musl static linking - #17
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The release binaries were dynamically linked against Nix's glibc, making them non-portable to systems with older or different glibc versions. Users would see errors like: /lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libc.so.6: version 'GLIBC_2.38' not found This changes the Linux cross-compilation packages to use musl-based static linking: - x86_64-linux: Use pkgsStatic for musl static linking - aarch64-linux: Use aarch64-multiplatform-musl for cross-compiled musl static linking - Both builds now pass LDFLAGS="-static" to ensure fully static binaries The resulting binaries are fully self-contained with no runtime dependencies, matching the README's claim of "zero dependencies" and "single statically-linked binary". Tested with: nix build .#packages.x86_64-linux.x86_64-linux file ./result/bin/try # Shows "statically linked" nix build .#packages.x86_64-linux.aarch64-linux file ./result/bin/try # Shows "statically linked"
stephane-klein
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May 18, 2026
@tobi up 🙏 |
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Summary
Problem
The release binaries were dynamically linked against Nix's glibc 2.40, making them non-portable to systems with older glibc versions:
This contradicts the README's claim of "zero dependencies" and "single statically-linked binary".
Solution
pkgs.pkgsStaticfor x86_64-linux (musl-based static toolchain)pkgs.pkgsCross.aarch64-multiplatform-muslfor aarch64-linuxLDFLAGS="-static"to ensure fully static binariesBinary size comparison
The ~2x size increase is a reasonable tradeoff for true portability.
Test plan
Verified locally with Nix: