LIBTOOL(1)

📦
version 2.6.2 · 2 versions
, in nixpkgs unstable

💖 LIBTOOL(1) 💖

okay so bestie, you know how building libraries is literally the whole vibe of Unix but also kind of a nightmare? that's where libtool comes in. it's the main character of library-building support services, and honestly? it slays. ✨

🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

libtool [OPTION]... [MODE-ARG]...

like, you give it some options and some mode-args and it just handles things. no cap.

🎀 DESCRIPTION 🎀

So libtool provides generalized library-building support services. that's the whole aesthetic. it's giving "I can build libraries anywhere" energy and we're obsessed. 💅

✨ OPTIONS ✨

okay bestie, here's the full menu of flags. every single one. I'm not skipping any because that would be lowkey disrespectful. 🫶

  • --config — shows you ALL the configuration variables, like it's spilling all the tea about itself
  • --debug — enables verbose shell tracing, so you can watch every little thing it does like it's a reality TV show
  • -n, --dry-run — displays the commands without actually modifying any files, it's a rehearsal bestie, a dress rehearsal 💃
  • --features — displays basic configuration information, the quick vibe check
  • --finish — uses operation --mode=finish, like it's wrapping things up
  • --mode=MODE — use operation mode MODE, you pick the vibe
  • --no-finish — don't update the shared library cache, it's giving lazy energy and tbh same
  • --no-quiet, --no-silent — prints default informational messages, like it's actually talking to you
  • --no-warnings — equivalent to -Wnone, see no evil, hear no evil
  • --preserve-dup-deps — don't remove duplicate dependency libraries, keeps the duplicates like they're limited edition
  • --quiet, --silent — don't print informational messages, the introvert mode
  • --reorder-cache=DIRS — reorder the shared library cache for preferred DIRS, like organizing your playlist
  • --tag=TAG — use configuration variables from tag TAG, customizing the experience
  • -v, --verbose — print more informational messages than default, it's giving "tell me everything" energy
  • --version — print version information, the classic "who even am I" moment
  • -W, --warnings=CATEGORY — report the warnings falling in CATEGORY [all], pick your warning flavor
  • -h, --help, --help-all — print short, long, or detailed help message, the ultimate "bestie explain" button

🔥 Warning categories include: 🔥

  • 'all' — show all warnings, literally all of them, no filter
  • 'none' — turn off all the warnings, ignorance is bliss bestie
  • 'error' — warnings are treated as fatal errors, so like, drama mode activated 💀

🦋 If a TAG is supplied, it must use one of the tag names below: 🦋

  • Tag Name — Language Name
  • CC — C
  • CXX — C++
  • OBJC — Objective-C
  • OBJCXX — Objective-C++
  • GCJ — Java
  • F77 — Fortran 77
  • FC — Fortran
  • GO — Go
  • RC — Windows Resource

if you do not see a tag name associated with your programming language, then you are using a compiler that libtool does not support. it's not you bestie, it's them. 😭

⭐ MODE must be one of the following: ⭐

  • clean — remove files from the build directory, self-care era 🧹
  • compile — compile a source file into a libtool object
  • execute — automatically set library path, then run a program
  • finish — complete the installation of libtool libraries, the grand finale
  • install — install libraries or executables
  • link — create a library or an executable
  • uninstall — remove libraries from an installed directory, the breakup era

MODE-ARGS vary depending on the MODE. When passed as first option, --mode=MODE may be abbreviated as MODE or a unique abbreviation of that. so like, shortcuts bestie. 🎀

GNU libtool home page: https://www.gnu.org/software/libtool/. that's the link, go get your life.

When reporting a bug, please describe a test case to reproduce it and include the following information. like, give them the whole story, don't leave out the details:

  • host-triplet: x86_64-pc-linux-gnu
  • shell: /bin/bash
  • compiler: gcc -std=gnu23
  • compiler flags: -g -O2
  • linker: /usr/bin/ld -m elf_x86_64 (gnu? yes)
  • version: libtool (GNU libtool) 2.6.2
  • automake: automake (GNU automake) 1.18.1
  • autoconf: autoconf (GNU Autoconf) 2.73

💅 REPORTING BUGS 💅

Report bugs to bug-libtool@gnu.org. they wanna hear from you bestie, don't be shy. 🫶

Copyright © 2026 Free Software Foundation, Inc. License GPLv2+: GNU GPL version 2 or later https://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html

This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it. There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law. no guarantees, no promises, it's giving "use at your own risk" energy but make it legal. 💀

Originally written by Gordon Matzigkeit, 1996 (See AUTHORS for complete contributor listing). iconic behavior honestly, we stan a pioneer. 🌟

🌈 SEE ALSO 🌈

The full documentation for libtool is maintained as a Texinfo manual. If the info and libtool programs are properly installed at your site, the command

info libtool

should give you access to the complete manual. it's the whole encyclopedia of libtool knowledge, go off. 📚✨

GNU libtool 2.6.2 · July 2026 · that's the version and the date bestie, now go build something iconic 💖🎀✨

📦 where this page comes from