GitHub - jart/cosmopolitan: build-once run-anywhere c library

Cosmopolitan Libc enables cross-platform development through its APE format, creating universal binaries compatible with Linux, Windows, macOS, and BSD systems. Its build system allows customization, such as the ‘tiny’ configuration to shrink binaries (e.g., from 60KB to ~16KB). Prebuilt tiny amalgamations are available for quick use.

Key features include debugging tools like --strace (system call logging) and --ftrace (function tracing), aiding troubleshooting. Developers can compile APE binaries using GCC or clang, with objcopy for format conversion. For macOS, Homebrew’s x86_64-elf-gcc is recommended; Windows requires a Linux toolchain (e.g., cross9), though native support is experimental.

Supported platforms span AMD Intel CPUs from 2005 onward and OS versions like Linux 2.6.18, Windows 8+, macOS 10.15+, and modern BSD variants. A legacy branch supports older systems like Windows Vista/7.

The community collaborates on Discord (https://discord.gg/FwAVVu7eJ4), and documentation covers troubleshooting and setup across environments. Funding comes from GitHub Sponsors, Patreon, and corporate sponsors like Wasmer, with recognition for contributors such as Joe Drumgoole and Rob Figueiredo.

In summary, Cosmopolitan simplifies universal binary development with flexible build options, robust debugging tools, cross-platform compatibility, and active community support, while relying on crowd-funded resources to sustain its open-source mission.