GNU binutils skill for binary manipulation and analysis. Use when using ar for static libraries, strip or objcopy for binary processing, addr2line for converting addresses to source locations, strings for text extraction, or c++filt for C++ name demangling. Activates on queries about ar, strip, objc

GNU Binutils Purpose Guide agents through the binutils toolset for binary manipulation: static libraries, stripping, address to source mapping, and symbol demangling. Triggers "How do I create a static library?" "How do I strip a binary but keep a debug file?" "I have an address from a crash — how do I find the source line?" "How do I demangle a C++ symbol name?" "How do I extract/replace sections in a binary?" Workflow 1. ar — static library management For LTO archives: use gcc ar / gcc ranlib or llvm ar instead of plain ar . 2. strip — remove debug info 3. objcopy — binary section manipulation 4. addr2line — address to source Requires the binary to have debug info (compiled with g ). For stripped binaries, use the unstripped version or a .debug file. 5. c++filt — demangle C++ symbols Alternative: nm C prog (demangle directly in nm). 6. strings — extract printable strings 7. readelf and objdump quick reference (Full coverage in skills/binaries/elf inspection ) 8. Cross binutils For cross compilation, use the target prefixed versions: For a complete command cheatsheet covering all tools (ar, strip, objcopy, addr2line, strings, c++filt), see [references/cheatsheet.md](references/cheatsheet.md). Related skills Use skills/binaries/elf inspection for readelf , nm , ldd , objdump inspection Use skills/binaries/linkers lto for linker flags and LTO Use skills/debuggers/core dumps for debug file management with objcopy add gnu debuglink