min-sized-rust is a guide that documents techniques for reducing the size of compiled Rust binaries.
The project addresses the problem that Rust binaries can be substantially larger than necessary for deployment, particularly in resource-constrained environments like containers and embedded systems. It works by collecting and explaining practical optimization strategies that developers can apply during compilation and post-processing. The guide covers approaches including link-time optimization, stripping symbols, using no-std environments, and binary compression tools.
Developers working on containerized applications, WebAssembly targets, or embedded systems where binary size directly impacts deployment costs or runtime constraints should find this guide most relevant. It suits projects where reducing artifact size is a concrete requirement rather than a minor optimization. The guide is structured as a reference resource rather than a framework or library, making it useful for anyone building Rust applications who needs to understand the tradeoffs between different size-reduction techniques.
The project maintains a focused scope on binary size optimization without attempting to cover the broader Rust ecosystem. Documentation is organized around specific techniques with explanations of their effects and applicability. The repository serves as a living reference that collects established practices in this domain rather than introducing novel approaches.
