strip

Strip all symbols from a file (in place)

$ strip [path/to/file]

$ strip [path/to/input] -o [path/to/output]

$ strip -d [path/to/file.o]

$ strip --strip-unneeded [path/to/file]

$ strip -K [symbol_name] [path/to/file]

$ strip -R [section_name] [path/to/file]

$ strip --only-keep-debug [path/to/file]

strip [OPTIONS] objfile...

strip removes symbols and other data from object files and executables, reducing file size and making reverse engineering more difficult. It modifies files in-place by default. Archives (.a files) can also be stripped.
Stripping debug symbols is common for release builds to reduce binary size while retaining functionality. The --only-keep-debug option creates separate debug files that can be used with debuggers while keeping production binaries small.

-s, --strip-all

Remove all symbols (default)

Remove debugging symbols only

Remove unneeded symbols for relocation

Keep only debugging sections

Preserve specific symbol (repeatable)

Remove specific symbol (repeatable)

Remove named section (wildcards allowed)

Retain matching sections

Remove all non-global symbols

Remove compiler-generated local symbols

Write output to file (single input only)

Keep access/modification timestamps

Use zero for UID/GID/timestamps in archives

Allow regex in symbol names

List processed files

Display help

Display version

Stripping modifies files in place; back up originals if needed. Over-stripping can break dynamic linking or debugging capabilities. Use --strip-debug for libraries that may be linked against. Static analysis and debugging become difficult after stripping.

strip is part of GNU binutils, the collection of binary tools maintained by the Free Software Foundation. The command originated in early Unix at Bell Labs in the 1970s as a way to reduce executable size on systems with limited storage. GNU binutils provides the modern implementation used on Linux.

objcopy(1), objdump(1), readelf(1), nm(1)