Merge pull request #12140 from ziglang/macho-gc-sections

macho: add support for `-dead_strip` (GC sections) and simplify symbol resolution

15 files changed, 3395 insertions, 2863 deletions

diff --git a/src/arch/aarch64/CodeGen.zig b/src/arch/aarch64/CodeGen.zig
index 64d49f2508..ba7c56e2bd 100644
--- a/src/arch/aarch64/CodeGen.zig
+++ b/src/arch/aarch64/CodeGen.zig
@@ -3174,7 +3174,7 @@ fn airCall(self: *Self, inst: Air.Inst.Index, modifier: std.builtin.CallOptions.
                 const func = func_payload.data;
                 const fn_owner_decl = mod.declPtr(func.owner_decl);
                 try self.genSetReg(Type.initTag(.u64), .x30, .{
-                    .got_load = fn_owner_decl.link.macho.local_sym_index,
+                    .got_load = fn_owner_decl.link.macho.sym_index,
                 });
                 // blr x30
                 _ = try self.addInst(.{
@@ -3190,14 +3190,14 @@ fn airCall(self: *Self, inst: Air.Inst.Index, modifier: std.builtin.CallOptions.
                         lib_name,
                     });
                 }
-                const n_strx = try macho_file.getGlobalSymbol(mem.sliceTo(decl_name, 0));
+                const sym_index = try macho_file.getGlobalSymbol(mem.sliceTo(decl_name, 0));
 
                 _ = try self.addInst(.{
                     .tag = .call_extern,
                     .data = .{
-                        .extern_fn = .{
-                            .atom_index = mod.declPtr(self.mod_fn.owner_decl).link.macho.local_sym_index,
-                            .sym_name = n_strx,
+                        .relocation = .{
+                            .atom_index = mod.declPtr(self.mod_fn.owner_decl).link.macho.sym_index,
+                            .sym_index = sym_index,
                         },
                     },
                 });
@@ -4157,7 +4157,7 @@ fn genSetStack(self: *Self, ty: Type, stack_offset: u32, mcv: MCValue) InnerErro
                             .data = .{
                                 .payload = try self.addExtra(Mir.LoadMemoryPie{
                                     .register = @enumToInt(src_reg),
-                                    .atom_index = mod.declPtr(self.mod_fn.owner_decl).link.macho.local_sym_index,
+                                    .atom_index = mod.declPtr(self.mod_fn.owner_decl).link.macho.sym_index,
                                     .sym_index = sym_index,
                                 }),
                             },
@@ -4270,7 +4270,7 @@ fn genSetReg(self: *Self, ty: Type, reg: Register, mcv: MCValue) InnerError!void
                 .data = .{
                     .payload = try self.addExtra(Mir.LoadMemoryPie{
                         .register = @enumToInt(reg),
-                        .atom_index = mod.declPtr(self.mod_fn.owner_decl).link.macho.local_sym_index,
+                        .atom_index = mod.declPtr(self.mod_fn.owner_decl).link.macho.sym_index,
                         .sym_index = sym_index,
                     }),
                 },
@@ -4578,8 +4578,8 @@ fn lowerDeclRef(self: *Self, tv: TypedValue, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index) Inne
     } else if (self.bin_file.cast(link.File.MachO)) |_| {
         // Because MachO is PIE-always-on, we defer memory address resolution until
         // the linker has enough info to perform relocations.
-        assert(decl.link.macho.local_sym_index != 0);
-        return MCValue{ .got_load = decl.link.macho.local_sym_index };
+        assert(decl.link.macho.sym_index != 0);
+        return MCValue{ .got_load = decl.link.macho.sym_index };
     } else if (self.bin_file.cast(link.File.Coff)) |coff_file| {
         const got_addr = coff_file.offset_table_virtual_address + decl.link.coff.offset_table_index * ptr_bytes;
         return MCValue{ .memory = got_addr };
diff --git a/src/arch/aarch64/Emit.zig b/src/arch/aarch64/Emit.zig
index 8ea6ab91e2..47a0c08893 100644
--- a/src/arch/aarch64/Emit.zig
+++ b/src/arch/aarch64/Emit.zig
@@ -649,7 +649,7 @@ fn mirDebugEpilogueBegin(self: *Emit) !void {
 
 fn mirCallExtern(emit: *Emit, inst: Mir.Inst.Index) !void {
     assert(emit.mir.instructions.items(.tag)[inst] == .call_extern);
-    const extern_fn = emit.mir.instructions.items(.data)[inst].extern_fn;
+    const relocation = emit.mir.instructions.items(.data)[inst].relocation;
 
     if (emit.bin_file.cast(link.File.MachO)) |macho_file| {
         const offset = blk: {
@@ -659,10 +659,13 @@ fn mirCallExtern(emit: *Emit, inst: Mir.Inst.Index) !void {
             break :blk offset;
         };
         // Add relocation to the decl.
-        const atom = macho_file.atom_by_index_table.get(extern_fn.atom_index).?;
+        const atom = macho_file.atom_by_index_table.get(relocation.atom_index).?;
         try atom.relocs.append(emit.bin_file.allocator, .{
             .offset = offset,
-            .target = .{ .global = extern_fn.sym_name },
+            .target = .{
+                .sym_index = relocation.sym_index,
+                .file = null,
+            },
             .addend = 0,
             .subtractor = null,
             .pcrel = true,
@@ -864,7 +867,7 @@ fn mirLoadMemoryPie(emit: *Emit, inst: Mir.Inst.Index) !void {
         // Page reloc for adrp instruction.
         try atom.relocs.append(emit.bin_file.allocator, .{
             .offset = offset,
-            .target = .{ .local = data.sym_index },
+            .target = .{ .sym_index = data.sym_index, .file = null },
             .addend = 0,
             .subtractor = null,
             .pcrel = true,
@@ -882,7 +885,7 @@ fn mirLoadMemoryPie(emit: *Emit, inst: Mir.Inst.Index) !void {
         // Pageoff reloc for adrp instruction.
         try atom.relocs.append(emit.bin_file.allocator, .{
             .offset = offset + 4,
-            .target = .{ .local = data.sym_index },
+            .target = .{ .sym_index = data.sym_index, .file = null },
             .addend = 0,
             .subtractor = null,
             .pcrel = false,
diff --git a/src/arch/aarch64/Mir.zig b/src/arch/aarch64/Mir.zig
index 1d66a69c8e..2fef069f7a 100644
--- a/src/arch/aarch64/Mir.zig
+++ b/src/arch/aarch64/Mir.zig
@@ -225,14 +225,16 @@ pub const Inst = struct {
         ///
         /// Used by e.g. b
         inst: Index,
-        /// An extern function
+        /// Relocation for the linker where:
+        /// * `atom_index` is the index of the source
+        /// * `sym_index` is the index of the target
         ///
         /// Used by e.g. call_extern
-        extern_fn: struct {
+        relocation: struct {
             /// Index of the containing atom.
             atom_index: u32,
             /// Index into the linker's string table.
-            sym_name: u32,
+            sym_index: u32,
         },
         /// A 16-bit immediate value.
         ///
diff --git a/src/arch/riscv64/CodeGen.zig b/src/arch/riscv64/CodeGen.zig
index 1d4108a77e..e52dd4ec08 100644
--- a/src/arch/riscv64/CodeGen.zig
+++ b/src/arch/riscv64/CodeGen.zig
@@ -2563,7 +2563,7 @@ fn lowerDeclRef(self: *Self, tv: TypedValue, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index) Inne
     } else if (self.bin_file.cast(link.File.MachO)) |_| {
         // TODO I'm hacking my way through here by repurposing .memory for storing
         // index to the GOT target symbol index.
-        return MCValue{ .memory = decl.link.macho.local_sym_index };
+        return MCValue{ .memory = decl.link.macho.sym_index };
     } else if (self.bin_file.cast(link.File.Coff)) |coff_file| {
         const got_addr = coff_file.offset_table_virtual_address + decl.link.coff.offset_table_index * ptr_bytes;
         return MCValue{ .memory = got_addr };
diff --git a/src/arch/x86_64/CodeGen.zig b/src/arch/x86_64/CodeGen.zig
index 8616c4ac5c..b35db3e97a 100644
--- a/src/arch/x86_64/CodeGen.zig
+++ b/src/arch/x86_64/CodeGen.zig
@@ -2644,8 +2644,8 @@ fn loadMemPtrIntoRegister(self: *Self, reg: Register, ptr_ty: Type, ptr: MCValue
                     .flags = flags,
                 }),
                 .data = .{
-                    .load_reloc = .{
-                        .atom_index = fn_owner_decl.link.macho.local_sym_index,
+                    .relocation = .{
+                        .atom_index = fn_owner_decl.link.macho.sym_index,
                         .sym_index = sym_index,
                     },
                 },
@@ -3977,7 +3977,7 @@ fn airCall(self: *Self, inst: Air.Inst.Index, modifier: std.builtin.CallOptions.
                 const func = func_payload.data;
                 const fn_owner_decl = mod.declPtr(func.owner_decl);
                 try self.genSetReg(Type.initTag(.usize), .rax, .{
-                    .got_load = fn_owner_decl.link.macho.local_sym_index,
+                    .got_load = fn_owner_decl.link.macho.sym_index,
                 });
                 // callq *%rax
                 _ = try self.addInst(.{
@@ -3997,14 +3997,14 @@ fn airCall(self: *Self, inst: Air.Inst.Index, modifier: std.builtin.CallOptions.
                         lib_name,
                     });
                 }
-                const n_strx = try macho_file.getGlobalSymbol(mem.sliceTo(decl_name, 0));
+                const sym_index = try macho_file.getGlobalSymbol(mem.sliceTo(decl_name, 0));
                 _ = try self.addInst(.{
                     .tag = .call_extern,
                     .ops = undefined,
                     .data = .{
-                        .extern_fn = .{
-                            .atom_index = mod.declPtr(self.mod_fn.owner_decl).link.macho.local_sym_index,
-                            .sym_name = n_strx,
+                        .relocation = .{
+                            .atom_index = mod.declPtr(self.mod_fn.owner_decl).link.macho.sym_index,
+                            .sym_index = sym_index,
                         },
                     },
                 });
@@ -6771,8 +6771,8 @@ fn lowerDeclRef(self: *Self, tv: TypedValue, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index) Inne
     } else if (self.bin_file.cast(link.File.MachO)) |_| {
         // Because MachO is PIE-always-on, we defer memory address resolution until
         // the linker has enough info to perform relocations.
-        assert(decl.link.macho.local_sym_index != 0);
-        return MCValue{ .got_load = decl.link.macho.local_sym_index };
+        assert(decl.link.macho.sym_index != 0);
+        return MCValue{ .got_load = decl.link.macho.sym_index };
     } else if (self.bin_file.cast(link.File.Coff)) |coff_file| {
         const got_addr = coff_file.offset_table_virtual_address + decl.link.coff.offset_table_index * ptr_bytes;
         return MCValue{ .memory = got_addr };
diff --git a/src/arch/x86_64/Emit.zig b/src/arch/x86_64/Emit.zig
index cc5b54fb55..52d68e81ec 100644
--- a/src/arch/x86_64/Emit.zig
+++ b/src/arch/x86_64/Emit.zig
@@ -982,7 +982,7 @@ fn mirLeaPie(emit: *Emit, inst: Mir.Inst.Index) InnerError!void {
     const tag = emit.mir.instructions.items(.tag)[inst];
     assert(tag == .lea_pie);
     const ops = emit.mir.instructions.items(.ops)[inst].decode();
-    const load_reloc = emit.mir.instructions.items(.data)[inst].load_reloc;
+    const relocation = emit.mir.instructions.items(.data)[inst].relocation;
 
     // lea reg1, [rip + reloc]
     // RM
@@ -1001,11 +1001,11 @@ fn mirLeaPie(emit: *Emit, inst: Mir.Inst.Index) InnerError!void {
             0b01 => @enumToInt(std.macho.reloc_type_x86_64.X86_64_RELOC_SIGNED),
             else => return emit.fail("TODO unused LEA PIE variants 0b10 and 0b11", .{}),
         };
-        const atom = macho_file.atom_by_index_table.get(load_reloc.atom_index).?;
-        log.debug("adding reloc of type {} to local @{d}", .{ reloc_type, load_reloc.sym_index });
+        const atom = macho_file.atom_by_index_table.get(relocation.atom_index).?;
+        log.debug("adding reloc of type {} to local @{d}", .{ reloc_type, relocation.sym_index });
         try atom.relocs.append(emit.bin_file.allocator, .{
             .offset = @intCast(u32, end_offset - 4),
-            .target = .{ .local = load_reloc.sym_index },
+            .target = .{ .sym_index = relocation.sym_index, .file = null },
             .addend = 0,
             .subtractor = null,
             .pcrel = true,
@@ -1116,7 +1116,7 @@ fn mirCmpFloatAvx(emit: *Emit, tag: Tag, inst: Mir.Inst.Index) InnerError!void {
 fn mirCallExtern(emit: *Emit, inst: Mir.Inst.Index) InnerError!void {
     const tag = emit.mir.instructions.items(.tag)[inst];
     assert(tag == .call_extern);
-    const extern_fn = emit.mir.instructions.items(.data)[inst].extern_fn;
+    const relocation = emit.mir.instructions.items(.data)[inst].relocation;
 
     const offset = blk: {
         // callq
@@ -1126,10 +1126,13 @@ fn mirCallExtern(emit: *Emit, inst: Mir.Inst.Index) InnerError!void {
 
     if (emit.bin_file.cast(link.File.MachO)) |macho_file| {
         // Add relocation to the decl.
-        const atom = macho_file.atom_by_index_table.get(extern_fn.atom_index).?;
+        const atom = macho_file.atom_by_index_table.get(relocation.atom_index).?;
         try atom.relocs.append(emit.bin_file.allocator, .{
             .offset = offset,
-            .target = .{ .global = extern_fn.sym_name },
+            .target = .{
+                .sym_index = relocation.sym_index,
+                .file = null,
+            },
             .addend = 0,
             .subtractor = null,
             .pcrel = true,
diff --git a/src/arch/x86_64/Mir.zig b/src/arch/x86_64/Mir.zig
index 74b0ca0d12..f67b48a271 100644
--- a/src/arch/x86_64/Mir.zig
+++ b/src/arch/x86_64/Mir.zig
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ pub const Inst = struct {
         ///      0b00  reg1, [rip + reloc] // via GOT emits X86_64_RELOC_GOT relocation
         ///      0b01  reg1, [rip + reloc] // direct load emits X86_64_RELOC_SIGNED relocation
         /// Notes:
-        /// * `Data` contains `load_reloc`
+        /// * `Data` contains `relocation`
         lea_pie,
 
         /// ops flags: form:
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ pub const Inst = struct {
         /// Pseudo-instructions
         /// call extern function
         /// Notes:
-        ///   * target of the call is stored as `extern_fn` in `Data` union.
+        ///   * target of the call is stored as `relocation` in `Data` union.
         call_extern,
 
         /// end of prologue
@@ -439,15 +439,10 @@ pub const Inst = struct {
             /// A condition code for use with EFLAGS register.
             cc: bits.Condition,
         },
-        /// An extern function.
-        extern_fn: struct {
-            /// Index of the containing atom.
-            atom_index: u32,
-            /// Index into the linker's string table.
-            sym_name: u32,
-        },
-        /// PIE load relocation.
-        load_reloc: struct {
+        /// Relocation for the linker where:
+        /// * `atom_index` is the index of the source
+        /// * `sym_index` is the index of the target
+        relocation: struct {
             /// Index of the containing atom.
             atom_index: u32,
             /// Index into the linker's symbol table.
diff --git a/src/link.zig b/src/link.zig
index aa37589ff5..a69dcc4c6e 100644
--- a/src/link.zig
+++ b/src/link.zig
@@ -544,12 +544,7 @@ pub const File = struct {
         switch (base.tag) {
             .coff => return @fieldParentPtr(Coff, "base", base).allocateDeclIndexes(decl_index),
             .elf => return @fieldParentPtr(Elf, "base", base).allocateDeclIndexes(decl_index),
-            .macho => return @fieldParentPtr(MachO, "base", base).allocateDeclIndexes(decl_index) catch |err| switch (err) {
-                // remap this error code because we are transitioning away from
-                // `allocateDeclIndexes`.
-                error.Overflow => return error.OutOfMemory,
-                error.OutOfMemory => return error.OutOfMemory,
-            },
+            .macho => return @fieldParentPtr(MachO, "base", base).allocateDeclIndexes(decl_index),
             .wasm => return @fieldParentPtr(Wasm, "base", base).allocateDeclIndexes(decl_index),
             .plan9 => return @fieldParentPtr(Plan9, "base", base).allocateDeclIndexes(decl_index),
             .c, .spirv, .nvptx => {},
diff --git a/src/link/MachO.zig b/src/link/MachO.zig
index d659d994eb..0f2cbfa844 100644
--- a/src/link/MachO.zig
+++ b/src/link/MachO.zig
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ const std = @import("std");
 const build_options = @import("build_options");
 const builtin = @import("builtin");
 const assert = std.debug.assert;
+const dwarf = std.dwarf;
 const fmt = std.fmt;
 const fs = std.fs;
 const log = std.log.scoped(.link);
@@ -15,6 +16,7 @@ const meta = std.meta;
 const aarch64 = @import("../arch/aarch64/bits.zig");
 const bind = @import("MachO/bind.zig");
 const codegen = @import("../codegen.zig");
+const dead_strip = @import("MachO/dead_strip.zig");
 const link = @import("../link.zig");
 const llvm_backend = @import("../codegen/llvm.zig");
 const target_util = @import("../target.zig");
@@ -35,8 +37,7 @@ const LibStub = @import("tapi.zig").LibStub;
 const Liveness = @import("../Liveness.zig");
 const LlvmObject = @import("../codegen/llvm.zig").Object;
 const Module = @import("../Module.zig");
-const StringIndexAdapter = std.hash_map.StringIndexAdapter;
-const StringIndexContext = std.hash_map.StringIndexContext;
+const StringTable = @import("strtab.zig").StringTable;
 const Trie = @import("MachO/Trie.zig");
 const Type = @import("../type.zig").Type;
 const TypedValue = @import("../TypedValue.zig");
@@ -52,6 +53,8 @@ pub const SearchStrategy = enum {
     dylibs_first,
 };
 
+pub const N_DESC_GCED: u16 = @bitCast(u16, @as(i16, -1));
+
 const SystemLib = struct {
     needed: bool = false,
     weak: bool = false,
@@ -69,10 +72,10 @@ d_sym: ?DebugSymbols = null,
 /// For x86_64 that's 4KB, whereas for aarch64, that's 16KB.
 page_size: u16,
 
-/// If true, the linker will preallocate several sections and segments before starting the linking
-/// process. This is for example true for stage2 debug builds, however, this is false for stage1
-/// and potentially stage2 release builds in the future.
-needs_prealloc: bool = true,
+/// Mode of operation: incremental - will preallocate segments/sections and is compatible with
+/// watch and HCS modes of operation; one_shot - will link relocatables in a traditional, one-shot
+/// fashion (default for LLVM backend).
+mode: enum { incremental, one_shot },
 
 /// The absolute address of the entry point.
 entry_addr: ?u64 = null,
@@ -151,53 +154,48 @@ rustc_section_index: ?u16 = null,
 rustc_section_size: u64 = 0,
 
 locals: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(macho.nlist_64) = .{},
-globals: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(macho.nlist_64) = .{},
-undefs: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(macho.nlist_64) = .{},
-symbol_resolver: std.AutoHashMapUnmanaged(u32, SymbolWithLoc) = .{},
-unresolved: std.AutoArrayHashMapUnmanaged(u32, enum {
-    none,
-    stub,
-    got,
-}) = .{},
-tentatives: std.AutoArrayHashMapUnmanaged(u32, void) = .{},
+globals: std.StringArrayHashMapUnmanaged(SymbolWithLoc) = .{},
+// FIXME Jakub
+// TODO storing index into globals might be dangerous if we delete a global
+// while not having everything resolved. Actually, perhaps `unresolved`
+// should not be stored at the global scope? Is this possible?
+// Otherwise, audit if this can be a problem.
+// An alternative, which I still need to investigate for perf reasons is to
+// store all global names in an adapted with context strtab.
+unresolved: std.AutoArrayHashMapUnmanaged(u32, bool) = .{},
 
 locals_free_list: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(u32) = .{},
-globals_free_list: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(u32) = .{},
 
 dyld_stub_binder_index: ?u32 = null,
 dyld_private_atom: ?*Atom = null,
 stub_helper_preamble_atom: ?*Atom = null,
 
-mh_execute_header_sym_index: ?u32 = null,
-dso_handle_sym_index: ?u32 = null,
-
-strtab: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(u8) = .{},
-strtab_dir: std.HashMapUnmanaged(u32, void, StringIndexContext, std.hash_map.default_max_load_percentage) = .{},
+strtab: StringTable(.strtab) = .{},
 
+// TODO I think synthetic tables are a perfect match for some generic refactoring,
+// and probably reusable between linker backends too.
 tlv_ptr_entries: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(Entry) = .{},
 tlv_ptr_entries_free_list: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(u32) = .{},
-tlv_ptr_entries_table: std.AutoArrayHashMapUnmanaged(Atom.Relocation.Target, u32) = .{},
+tlv_ptr_entries_table: std.AutoHashMapUnmanaged(SymbolWithLoc, u32) = .{},
 
 got_entries: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(Entry) = .{},
 got_entries_free_list: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(u32) = .{},
-got_entries_table: std.AutoArrayHashMapUnmanaged(Atom.Relocation.Target, u32) = .{},
+got_entries_table: std.AutoHashMapUnmanaged(SymbolWithLoc, u32) = .{},
 
-stubs: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(*Atom) = .{},
+stubs: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(Entry) = .{},
 stubs_free_list: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(u32) = .{},
-stubs_table: std.AutoArrayHashMapUnmanaged(u32, u32) = .{},
+stubs_table: std.AutoHashMapUnmanaged(SymbolWithLoc, u32) = .{},
 
 error_flags: File.ErrorFlags = File.ErrorFlags{},
 
 load_commands_dirty: bool = false,
 sections_order_dirty: bool = false,
-has_dices: bool = false,
-has_stabs: bool = false,
+
 /// A helper var to indicate if we are at the start of the incremental updates, or
 /// already somewhere further along the update-and-run chain.
 /// TODO once we add opening a prelinked output binary from file, this will become
 /// obsolete as we will carry on where we left off.
-cold_start: bool = false,
-invalidate_relocs: bool = false,
+cold_start: bool = true,
 
 section_ordinals: std.AutoArrayHashMapUnmanaged(MatchingSection, void) = .{},
 
@@ -221,12 +219,10 @@ atom_free_lists: std.AutoHashMapUnmanaged(MatchingSection, std.ArrayListUnmanage
 /// Pointer to the last allocated atom
 atoms: std.AutoHashMapUnmanaged(MatchingSection, *Atom) = .{},
 
-/// List of atoms that are owned directly by the linker.
-/// Currently these are only atoms that are the result of linking
-/// object files. Atoms which take part in incremental linking are
-/// at present owned by Module.Decl.
-/// TODO consolidate this.
+/// List of atoms that are either synthetic or map directly to the Zig source program.
 managed_atoms: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(*Atom) = .{},
+
+/// Table of atoms indexed by the symbol index.
 atom_by_index_table: std.AutoHashMapUnmanaged(u32, *Atom) = .{},
 
 /// Table of unnamed constants associated with a parent `Decl`.
@@ -257,8 +253,25 @@ unnamed_const_atoms: UnnamedConstTable = .{},
 decls: std.AutoArrayHashMapUnmanaged(Module.Decl.Index, ?MatchingSection) = .{},
 
 const Entry = struct {
-    target: Atom.Relocation.Target,
-    atom: *Atom,
+    target: SymbolWithLoc,
+    // Index into the synthetic symbol table (i.e., file == null).
+    sym_index: u32,
+
+    pub fn getSymbol(entry: Entry, macho_file: *MachO) macho.nlist_64 {
+        return macho_file.getSymbol(.{ .sym_index = entry.sym_index, .file = null });
+    }
+
+    pub fn getSymbolPtr(entry: Entry, macho_file: *MachO) *macho.nlist_64 {
+        return macho_file.getSymbolPtr(.{ .sym_index = entry.sym_index, .file = null });
+    }
+
+    pub fn getAtom(entry: Entry, macho_file: *MachO) *Atom {
+        return macho_file.getAtomForSymbol(.{ .sym_index = entry.sym_index, .file = null }).?;
+    }
+
+    pub fn getName(entry: Entry, macho_file: *MachO) []const u8 {
+        return macho_file.getSymbolName(.{ .sym_index = entry.sym_index, .file = null });
+    }
 };
 
 const UnnamedConstTable = std.AutoHashMapUnmanaged(Module.Decl.Index, std.ArrayListUnmanaged(*Atom));
@@ -269,15 +282,12 @@ const PendingUpdate = union(enum) {
     add_got_entry: u32,
 };
 
-const SymbolWithLoc = struct {
-    // Table where the symbol can be found.
-    where: enum {
-        global,
-        undef,
-    },
-    where_index: u32,
-    local_sym_index: u32 = 0,
-    file: ?u16 = null, // null means Zig module
+pub const SymbolWithLoc = struct {
+    // Index into the respective symbol table.
+    sym_index: u32,
+
+    // null means it's a synthetic global.
+    file: ?u32 = null,
 };
 
 /// When allocating, the ideal_capacity is calculated by
@@ -385,7 +395,7 @@ pub fn openPath(allocator: Allocator, options: link.Options) !*MachO {
         .n_desc = 0,
         .n_value = 0,
     });
-    try self.strtab.append(allocator, 0);
+    try self.strtab.buffer.append(allocator, 0);
 
     try self.populateMissingMetadata();
 
@@ -406,7 +416,6 @@ pub fn createEmpty(gpa: Allocator, options: link.Options) !*MachO {
     const requires_adhoc_codesig = cpu_arch == .aarch64 and (os_tag == .macos or abi == .simulator);
     const use_llvm = build_options.have_llvm and options.use_llvm;
     const use_stage1 = build_options.is_stage1 and options.use_stage1;
-    const needs_prealloc = !(use_stage1 or use_llvm or options.cache_mode == .whole);
 
     const self = try gpa.create(MachO);
     errdefer gpa.destroy(self);
@@ -419,14 +428,22 @@ pub fn createEmpty(gpa: Allocator, options: link.Options) !*MachO {
             .file = null,
         },
         .page_size = page_size,
-        .code_signature = if (requires_adhoc_codesig) CodeSignature.init(page_size) else null,
-        .needs_prealloc = needs_prealloc,
+        .code_signature = if (requires_adhoc_codesig)
+            CodeSignature.init(page_size)
+        else
+            null,
+        .mode = if (use_stage1 or use_llvm or options.module == null or options.cache_mode == .whole)
+            .one_shot
+        else
+            .incremental,
     };
 
     if (use_llvm and !use_stage1) {
         self.llvm_object = try LlvmObject.create(gpa, options);
     }
 
+    log.debug("selected linker mode '{s}'", .{@tagName(self.mode)});
+
     return self;
 }
 
@@ -448,33 +465,209 @@ pub fn flush(self: *MachO, comp: *Compilation, prog_node: *std.Progress.Node) !v
             return error.TODOImplementWritingStaticLibFiles;
         }
     }
-    return self.flushModule(comp, prog_node);
+
+    switch (self.mode) {
+        .one_shot => return self.linkOneShot(comp, prog_node),
+        .incremental => return self.flushModule(comp, prog_node),
+    }
 }
 
 pub fn flushModule(self: *MachO, comp: *Compilation, prog_node: *std.Progress.Node) !void {
     const tracy = trace(@src());
     defer tracy.end();
 
-    const use_stage1 = build_options.is_stage1 and self.base.options.use_stage1;
-
-    if (build_options.have_llvm and !use_stage1) {
+    if (build_options.have_llvm) {
         if (self.llvm_object) |llvm_object| {
-            try llvm_object.flushModule(comp, prog_node);
-
-            llvm_object.destroy(self.base.allocator);
-            self.llvm_object = null;
-
-            if (self.base.options.output_mode == .Lib and self.base.options.link_mode == .Static) {
-                return;
-            }
+            return try llvm_object.flushModule(comp, prog_node);
         }
     }
 
+    var arena_allocator = std.heap.ArenaAllocator.init(self.base.allocator);
+    defer arena_allocator.deinit();
+    const arena = arena_allocator.allocator();
+
     var sub_prog_node = prog_node.start("MachO Flush", 0);
     sub_prog_node.activate();
     defer sub_prog_node.end();
 
-    var arena_allocator = std.heap.ArenaAllocator.init(self.base.allocator);
+    const module = self.base.options.module orelse return error.LinkingWithoutZigSourceUnimplemented;
+
+    if (self.d_sym) |*d_sym| {
+        try d_sym.dwarf.flushModule(&self.base, module);
+    }
+
+    var libs = std.StringArrayHashMap(SystemLib).init(arena);
+    try self.resolveLibSystem(arena, comp, &.{}, &libs);
+
+    const id_symlink_basename = "zld.id";
+
+    const cache_dir_handle = module.zig_cache_artifact_directory.handle;
+    var man: Cache.Manifest = undefined;
+    defer if (!self.base.options.disable_lld_caching) man.deinit();
+
+    var digest: [Cache.hex_digest_len]u8 = undefined;
+    man = comp.cache_parent.obtain();
+    self.base.releaseLock();
+
+    man.hash.addListOfBytes(libs.keys());
+
+    _ = try man.hit();
+    digest = man.final();
+
+    var prev_digest_buf: [digest.len]u8 = undefined;
+    const prev_digest: []u8 = Cache.readSmallFile(
+        cache_dir_handle,
+        id_symlink_basename,
+        &prev_digest_buf,
+    ) catch |err| blk: {
+        log.debug("MachO Zld new_digest={s} error: {s}", .{
+            std.fmt.fmtSliceHexLower(&digest),
+            @errorName(err),
+        });
+        // Handle this as a cache miss.
+        break :blk prev_digest_buf[0..0];
+    };
+    const cache_miss: bool = cache_miss: {
+        if (mem.eql(u8, prev_digest, &digest)) {
+            log.debug("MachO Zld digest={s} match", .{
+                std.fmt.fmtSliceHexLower(&digest),
+            });
+            if (!self.cold_start) {
+                log.debug("  skipping parsing linker line objects", .{});
+                break :cache_miss false;
+            } else {
+                log.debug("  TODO parse prelinked binary and continue linking where we left off", .{});
+            }
+        }
+        log.debug("MachO Zld prev_digest={s} new_digest={s}", .{
+            std.fmt.fmtSliceHexLower(prev_digest),
+            std.fmt.fmtSliceHexLower(&digest),
+        });
+        // We are about to change the output file to be different, so we invalidate the build hash now.
+        cache_dir_handle.deleteFile(id_symlink_basename) catch |err| switch (err) {
+            error.FileNotFound => {},
+            else => |e| return e,
+        };
+        break :cache_miss true;
+    };
+
+    if (cache_miss) {
+        for (self.dylibs.items) |*dylib| {
+            dylib.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+        }
+        self.dylibs.clearRetainingCapacity();
+        self.dylibs_map.clearRetainingCapacity();
+        self.referenced_dylibs.clearRetainingCapacity();
+
+        var dependent_libs = std.fifo.LinearFifo(struct {
+            id: Dylib.Id,
+            parent: u16,
+        }, .Dynamic).init(self.base.allocator);
+        defer dependent_libs.deinit();
+        try self.parseLibs(libs.keys(), libs.values(), self.base.options.sysroot, &dependent_libs);
+        try self.parseDependentLibs(self.base.options.sysroot, &dependent_libs);
+    }
+
+    try self.createMhExecuteHeaderSymbol();
+    try self.resolveDyldStubBinder();
+    try self.createDyldPrivateAtom();
+    try self.createStubHelperPreambleAtom();
+    try self.resolveSymbolsInDylibs();
+    try self.addCodeSignatureLC();
+
+    if (self.unresolved.count() > 0) {
+        return error.UndefinedSymbolReference;
+    }
+
+    try self.allocateSpecialSymbols();
+
+    if (build_options.enable_logging) {
+        self.logSymtab();
+        self.logSectionOrdinals();
+        self.logAtoms();
+    }
+
+    try self.writeAtomsIncremental();
+
+    try self.setEntryPoint();
+    try self.updateSectionOrdinals();
+    try self.writeLinkeditSegment();
+
+    if (self.d_sym) |*d_sym| {
+        // Flush debug symbols bundle.
+        try d_sym.flushModule(self.base.allocator, self.base.options);
+    }
+
+    // code signature and entitlements
+    if (self.base.options.entitlements) |path| {
+        if (self.code_signature) |*csig| {
+            try csig.addEntitlements(self.base.allocator, path);
+            csig.code_directory.ident = self.base.options.emit.?.sub_path;
+        } else {
+            var csig = CodeSignature.init(self.page_size);
+            try csig.addEntitlements(self.base.allocator, path);
+            csig.code_directory.ident = self.base.options.emit.?.sub_path;
+            self.code_signature = csig;
+        }
+    }
+
+    if (self.code_signature) |*csig| {
+        csig.clear(self.base.allocator);
+        csig.code_directory.ident = self.base.options.emit.?.sub_path;
+        // Preallocate space for the code signature.
+        // We need to do this at this stage so that we have the load commands with proper values
+        // written out to the file.
+        // The most important here is to have the correct vm and filesize of the __LINKEDIT segment
+        // where the code signature goes into.
+        try self.writeCodeSignaturePadding(csig);
+    }
+
+    try self.writeLoadCommands();
+    try self.writeHeader();
+
+    if (self.entry_addr == null and self.base.options.output_mode == .Exe) {
+        log.debug("flushing. no_entry_point_found = true", .{});
+        self.error_flags.no_entry_point_found = true;
+    } else {
+        log.debug("flushing. no_entry_point_found = false", .{});
+        self.error_flags.no_entry_point_found = false;
+    }
+
+    assert(!self.load_commands_dirty);
+
+    if (self.code_signature) |*csig| {
+        try self.writeCodeSignature(csig); // code signing always comes last
+    }
+
+    if (build_options.enable_link_snapshots) {
+        if (self.base.options.enable_link_snapshots)
+            try self.snapshotState();
+    }
+
+    if (cache_miss) {
+        // Update the file with the digest. If it fails we can continue; it only
+        // means that the next invocation will have an unnecessary cache miss.
+        Cache.writeSmallFile(cache_dir_handle, id_symlink_basename, &digest) catch |err| {
+            log.debug("failed to save linking hash digest file: {s}", .{@errorName(err)});
+        };
+        // Again failure here only means an unnecessary cache miss.
+        man.writeManifest() catch |err| {
+            log.debug("failed to write cache manifest when linking: {s}", .{@errorName(err)});
+        };
+        // We hang on to this lock so that the output file path can be used without
+        // other processes clobbering it.
+        self.base.lock = man.toOwnedLock();
+    }
+
+    self.cold_start = false;
+}
+
+fn linkOneShot(self: *MachO, comp: *Compilation, prog_node: *std.Progress.Node) !void {
+    const tracy = trace(@src());
+    defer tracy.end();
+
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+    var arena_allocator = std.heap.ArenaAllocator.init(gpa);
     defer arena_allocator.deinit();
     const arena = arena_allocator.allocator();
 
@@ -484,7 +677,7 @@ pub fn flushModule(self: *MachO, comp: *Compilation, prog_node: *std.Progress.No
     // If there is no Zig code to compile, then we should skip flushing the output file because it
     // will not be part of the linker line anyway.
     const module_obj_path: ?[]const u8 = if (self.base.options.module) |module| blk: {
-        if (use_stage1) {
+        if (self.base.options.use_stage1) {
             const obj_basename = try std.zig.binNameAlloc(arena, .{
                 .root_name = self.base.options.root_name,
                 .target = self.base.options.target,
@@ -501,48 +694,35 @@ pub fn flushModule(self: *MachO, comp: *Compilation, prog_node: *std.Progress.No
             }
         }
 
-        const obj_basename = self.base.intermediary_basename orelse break :blk null;
+        try self.flushModule(comp, prog_node);
 
         if (fs.path.dirname(full_out_path)) |dirname| {
-            break :blk try fs.path.join(arena, &.{ dirname, obj_basename });
+            break :blk try fs.path.join(arena, &.{ dirname, self.base.intermediary_basename.? });
         } else {
-            break :blk obj_basename;
+            break :blk self.base.intermediary_basename.?;
         }
     } else null;
 
-    if (self.d_sym) |*d_sym| {
-        if (self.base.options.module) |module| {
-            try d_sym.dwarf.flushModule(&self.base, module);
-        }
-    }
+    var sub_prog_node = prog_node.start("MachO Flush", 0);
+    sub_prog_node.activate();
+    sub_prog_node.context.refresh();
+    defer sub_prog_node.end();
 
     const is_lib = self.base.options.output_mode == .Lib;
     const is_dyn_lib = self.base.options.link_mode == .Dynamic and is_lib;
     const is_exe_or_dyn_lib = is_dyn_lib or self.base.options.output_mode == .Exe;
     const stack_size = self.base.options.stack_size_override orelse 0;
-    const allow_undef = is_dyn_lib and (self.base.options.allow_shlib_undefined orelse false);
+    const is_debug_build = self.base.options.optimize_mode == .Debug;
+    const gc_sections = self.base.options.gc_sections orelse !is_debug_build;
 
     const id_symlink_basename = "zld.id";
-    const cache_dir_handle = blk: {
-        if (use_stage1) {
-            break :blk directory.handle;
-        }
-        if (self.base.options.module) |module| {
-            break :blk module.zig_cache_artifact_directory.handle;
-        }
-        break :blk directory.handle;
-    };
 
     var man: Cache.Manifest = undefined;
     defer if (!self.base.options.disable_lld_caching) man.deinit();
 
     var digest: [Cache.hex_digest_len]u8 = undefined;
-    var needs_full_relink = true;
-
-    cache: {
-        if ((use_stage1 and self.base.options.disable_lld_caching) or self.base.options.cache_mode == .whole)
-            break :cache;
 
+    if (!self.base.options.disable_lld_caching) {
         man = comp.cache_parent.obtain();
 
         // We are about to obtain this lock, so here we give other processes a chance first.
@@ -565,7 +745,9 @@ pub fn flushModule(self: *MachO, comp: *Compilation, prog_node: *std.Progress.No
         man.hash.addOptional(self.base.options.search_strategy);
         man.hash.addOptional(self.base.options.headerpad_size);
         man.hash.add(self.base.options.headerpad_max_install_names);
+        man.hash.add(gc_sections);
         man.hash.add(self.base.options.dead_strip_dylibs);
+        man.hash.add(self.base.options.strip);
         man.hash.addListOfBytes(self.base.options.lib_dirs);
         man.hash.addListOfBytes(self.base.options.framework_dirs);
         link.hashAddSystemLibs(&man.hash, self.base.options.frameworks);
@@ -584,7 +766,7 @@ pub fn flushModule(self: *MachO, comp: *Compilation, prog_node: *std.Progress.No
 
         var prev_digest_buf: [digest.len]u8 = undefined;
         const prev_digest: []u8 = Cache.readSmallFile(
-            cache_dir_handle,
+            directory.handle,
             id_symlink_basename,
             &prev_digest_buf,
         ) catch |err| blk: {
@@ -597,23 +779,11 @@ pub fn flushModule(self: *MachO, comp: *Compilation, prog_node: *std.Progress.No
         };
         if (mem.eql(u8, prev_digest, &digest)) {
             // Hot diggity dog! The output binary is already there.
-
-            const use_llvm = build_options.have_llvm and self.base.options.use_llvm;
-            if (use_llvm or use_stage1) {
-                log.debug("MachO Zld digest={s} match - skipping invocation", .{std.fmt.fmtSliceHexLower(&digest)});
-                self.base.lock = man.toOwnedLock();
-                return;
-            } else {
-                log.debug("MachO Zld digest={s} match", .{std.fmt.fmtSliceHexLower(&digest)});
-                if (!self.cold_start) {
-                    log.debug("  no need to relink objects", .{});
-                    needs_full_relink = false;
-                } else {
-                    log.debug("  TODO parse prelinked binary and continue linking where we left off", .{});
-                    // TODO until such time however, perform a full relink of objects.
-                    needs_full_relink = true;
-                }
-            }
+            log.debug("MachO Zld digest={s} match - skipping invocation", .{
+                std.fmt.fmtSliceHexLower(&digest),
+            });
+            self.base.lock = man.toOwnedLock();
+            return;
         }
         log.debug("MachO Zld prev_digest={s} new_digest={s}", .{
             std.fmt.fmtSliceHexLower(prev_digest),
@@ -621,7 +791,7 @@ pub fn flushModule(self: *MachO, comp: *Compilation, prog_node: *std.Progress.No
         });
 
         // We are about to change the output file to be different, so we invalidate the build hash now.
-        cache_dir_handle.deleteFile(id_symlink_basename) catch |err| switch (err) {
+        directory.handle.deleteFile(id_symlink_basename) catch |err| switch (err) {
             error.FileNotFound => {},
             else => |e| return e,
         };
@@ -652,450 +822,350 @@ pub fn flushModule(self: *MachO, comp: *Compilation, prog_node: *std.Progress.No
             try fs.cwd().copyFile(the_object_path, fs.cwd(), full_out_path, .{});
         }
     } else {
-        if (use_stage1) {
-            const sub_path = self.base.options.emit.?.sub_path;
-            self.base.file = try cache_dir_handle.createFile(sub_path, .{
-                .truncate = true,
-                .read = true,
-                .mode = link.determineMode(self.base.options),
-            });
-            // Index 0 is always a null symbol.
-            try self.locals.append(self.base.allocator, .{
-                .n_strx = 0,
-                .n_type = 0,
-                .n_sect = 0,
-                .n_desc = 0,
-                .n_value = 0,
-            });
-            try self.strtab.append(self.base.allocator, 0);
-            try self.populateMissingMetadata();
-        }
+        const sub_path = self.base.options.emit.?.sub_path;
+        self.base.file = try directory.handle.createFile(sub_path, .{
+            .truncate = true,
+            .read = true,
+            .mode = link.determineMode(self.base.options),
+        });
+        // Index 0 is always a null symbol.
+        try self.locals.append(gpa, .{
+            .n_strx = 0,
+            .n_type = 0,
+            .n_sect = 0,
+            .n_desc = 0,
+            .n_value = 0,
+        });
+        try self.strtab.buffer.append(gpa, 0);
+        try self.populateMissingMetadata();
 
         var lib_not_found = false;
         var framework_not_found = false;
 
-        if (needs_full_relink) {
-            for (self.objects.items) |*object| {
-                object.free(self.base.allocator, self);
-                object.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-            }
-            self.objects.clearRetainingCapacity();
-
-            for (self.archives.items) |*archive| {
-                archive.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-            }
-            self.archives.clearRetainingCapacity();
+        // Positional arguments to the linker such as object files and static archives.
+        var positionals = std.ArrayList([]const u8).init(arena);
+        try positionals.ensureUnusedCapacity(self.base.options.objects.len);
 
-            for (self.dylibs.items) |*dylib| {
-                dylib.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-            }
-            self.dylibs.clearRetainingCapacity();
-            self.dylibs_map.clearRetainingCapacity();
-            self.referenced_dylibs.clearRetainingCapacity();
-
-            {
-                var to_remove = std.ArrayList(u32).init(self.base.allocator);
-                defer to_remove.deinit();
-                var it = self.symbol_resolver.iterator();
-                while (it.next()) |entry| {
-                    const key = entry.key_ptr.*;
-                    const value = entry.value_ptr.*;
-                    if (value.file != null) {
-                        try to_remove.append(key);
-                    }
-                }
+        var must_link_archives = std.StringArrayHashMap(void).init(arena);
+        try must_link_archives.ensureUnusedCapacity(self.base.options.objects.len);
 
-                for (to_remove.items) |key| {
-                    if (self.symbol_resolver.fetchRemove(key)) |entry| {
-                        const resolv = entry.value;
-                        switch (resolv.where) {
-                            .global => {
-                                self.globals_free_list.append(self.base.allocator, resolv.where_index) catch {};
-                                const sym = &self.globals.items[resolv.where_index];
-                                sym.n_strx = 0;
-                                sym.n_type = 0;
-                                sym.n_value = 0;
-                            },
-                            .undef => {
-                                const sym = &self.undefs.items[resolv.where_index];
-                                sym.n_strx = 0;
-                                sym.n_desc = 0;
-                            },
-                        }
-                        if (self.got_entries_table.get(.{ .global = entry.key })) |i| {
-                            self.got_entries_free_list.append(self.base.allocator, @intCast(u32, i)) catch {};
-                            self.got_entries.items[i] = .{ .target = .{ .local = 0 }, .atom = undefined };
-                            _ = self.got_entries_table.swapRemove(.{ .global = entry.key });
-                        }
-                        if (self.stubs_table.get(entry.key)) |i| {
-                            self.stubs_free_list.append(self.base.allocator, @intCast(u32, i)) catch {};
-                            self.stubs.items[i] = undefined;
-                            _ = self.stubs_table.swapRemove(entry.key);
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
+        for (self.base.options.objects) |obj| {
+            if (must_link_archives.contains(obj.path)) continue;
+            if (obj.must_link) {
+                _ = must_link_archives.getOrPutAssumeCapacity(obj.path);
+            } else {
+                _ = positionals.appendAssumeCapacity(obj.path);
             }
-            // Invalidate all relocs
-            // TODO we only need to invalidate the backlinks to the relinked atoms from
-            // the relocatable object files.
-            self.invalidate_relocs = true;
-
-            // Positional arguments to the linker such as object files and static archives.
-            var positionals = std.ArrayList([]const u8).init(arena);
-            try positionals.ensureUnusedCapacity(self.base.options.objects.len);
+        }
 
-            var must_link_archives = std.StringArrayHashMap(void).init(arena);
-            try must_link_archives.ensureUnusedCapacity(self.base.options.objects.len);
+        for (comp.c_object_table.keys()) |key| {
+            try positionals.append(key.status.success.object_path);
+        }
 
-            for (self.base.options.objects) |obj| {
-                if (must_link_archives.contains(obj.path)) continue;
-                if (obj.must_link) {
-                    _ = must_link_archives.getOrPutAssumeCapacity(obj.path);
-                } else {
-                    _ = positionals.appendAssumeCapacity(obj.path);
-                }
-            }
+        if (module_obj_path) |p| {
+            try positionals.append(p);
+        }
 
-            for (comp.c_object_table.keys()) |key| {
-                try positionals.append(key.status.success.object_path);
-            }
+        if (comp.compiler_rt_lib) |lib| {
+            try positionals.append(lib.full_object_path);
+        }
 
-            if (module_obj_path) |p| {
-                try positionals.append(p);
-            }
+        // libc++ dep
+        if (self.base.options.link_libcpp) {
+            try positionals.append(comp.libcxxabi_static_lib.?.full_object_path);
+            try positionals.append(comp.libcxx_static_lib.?.full_object_path);
+        }
 
-            if (comp.compiler_rt_lib) |lib| {
-                try positionals.append(lib.full_object_path);
-            }
+        // Shared and static libraries passed via `-l` flag.
+        var candidate_libs = std.StringArrayHashMap(SystemLib).init(arena);
 
-            // libc++ dep
-            if (self.base.options.link_libcpp) {
-                try positionals.append(comp.libcxxabi_static_lib.?.full_object_path);
-                try positionals.append(comp.libcxx_static_lib.?.full_object_path);
+        const system_lib_names = self.base.options.system_libs.keys();
+        for (system_lib_names) |system_lib_name| {
+            // By this time, we depend on these libs being dynamically linked libraries and not static libraries
+            // (the check for that needs to be earlier), but they could be full paths to .dylib files, in which
+            // case we want to avoid prepending "-l".
+            if (Compilation.classifyFileExt(system_lib_name) == .shared_library) {
+                try positionals.append(system_lib_name);
+                continue;
             }
 
-            // Shared and static libraries passed via `-l` flag.
-            var candidate_libs = std.StringArrayHashMap(SystemLib).init(arena);
-
-            const system_lib_names = self.base.options.system_libs.keys();
-            for (system_lib_names) |system_lib_name| {
-                // By this time, we depend on these libs being dynamically linked libraries and not static libraries
-                // (the check for that needs to be earlier), but they could be full paths to .dylib files, in which
-                // case we want to avoid prepending "-l".
-                if (Compilation.classifyFileExt(system_lib_name) == .shared_library) {
-                    try positionals.append(system_lib_name);
-                    continue;
-                }
-
-                const system_lib_info = self.base.options.system_libs.get(system_lib_name).?;
-                try candidate_libs.put(system_lib_name, .{
-                    .needed = system_lib_info.needed,
-                    .weak = system_lib_info.weak,
-                });
-            }
+            const system_lib_info = self.base.options.system_libs.get(system_lib_name).?;
+            try candidate_libs.put(system_lib_name, .{
+                .needed = system_lib_info.needed,
+                .weak = system_lib_info.weak,
+            });
+        }
 
-            var lib_dirs = std.ArrayList([]const u8).init(arena);
-            for (self.base.options.lib_dirs) |dir| {
-                if (try resolveSearchDir(arena, dir, self.base.options.sysroot)) |search_dir| {
-                    try lib_dirs.append(search_dir);
-                } else {
-                    log.warn("directory not found for '-L{s}'", .{dir});
-                }
+        var lib_dirs = std.ArrayList([]const u8).init(arena);
+        for (self.base.options.lib_dirs) |dir| {
+            if (try resolveSearchDir(arena, dir, self.base.options.sysroot)) |search_dir| {
+                try lib_dirs.append(search_dir);
+            } else {
+                log.warn("directory not found for '-L{s}'", .{dir});
             }
+        }
 
-            var libs = std.StringArrayHashMap(SystemLib).init(arena);
-
-            // Assume ld64 default -search_paths_first if no strategy specified.
-            const search_strategy = self.base.options.search_strategy orelse .paths_first;
-            outer: for (candidate_libs.keys()) |lib_name| {
-                switch (search_strategy) {
-                    .paths_first => {
-                        // Look in each directory for a dylib (stub first), and then for archive
-                        for (lib_dirs.items) |dir| {
-                            for (&[_][]const u8{ ".tbd", ".dylib", ".a" }) |ext| {
-                                if (try resolveLib(arena, dir, lib_name, ext)) |full_path| {
-                                    try libs.put(full_path, candidate_libs.get(lib_name).?);
-                                    continue :outer;
-                                }
+        var libs = std.StringArrayHashMap(SystemLib).init(arena);
+
+        // Assume ld64 default -search_paths_first if no strategy specified.
+        const search_strategy = self.base.options.search_strategy orelse .paths_first;
+        outer: for (candidate_libs.keys()) |lib_name| {
+            switch (search_strategy) {
+                .paths_first => {
+                    // Look in each directory for a dylib (stub first), and then for archive
+                    for (lib_dirs.items) |dir| {
+                        for (&[_][]const u8{ ".tbd", ".dylib", ".a" }) |ext| {
+                            if (try resolveLib(arena, dir, lib_name, ext)) |full_path| {
+                                try libs.put(full_path, candidate_libs.get(lib_name).?);
+                                continue :outer;
                             }
-                        } else {
-                            log.warn("library not found for '-l{s}'", .{lib_name});
-                            lib_not_found = true;
                         }
-                    },
-                    .dylibs_first => {
-                        // First, look for a dylib in each search dir
-                        for (lib_dirs.items) |dir| {
-                            for (&[_][]const u8{ ".tbd", ".dylib" }) |ext| {
-                                if (try resolveLib(arena, dir, lib_name, ext)) |full_path| {
-                                    try libs.put(full_path, candidate_libs.get(lib_name).?);
-                                    continue :outer;
-                                }
-                            }
-                        } else for (lib_dirs.items) |dir| {
-                            if (try resolveLib(arena, dir, lib_name, ".a")) |full_path| {
+                    } else {
+                        log.warn("library not found for '-l{s}'", .{lib_name});
+                        lib_not_found = true;
+                    }
+                },
+                .dylibs_first => {
+                    // First, look for a dylib in each search dir
+                    for (lib_dirs.items) |dir| {
+                        for (&[_][]const u8{ ".tbd", ".dylib" }) |ext| {
+                            if (try resolveLib(arena, dir, lib_name, ext)) |full_path| {
                                 try libs.put(full_path, candidate_libs.get(lib_name).?);
-                            } else {
-                                log.warn("library not found for '-l{s}'", .{lib_name});
-                                lib_not_found = true;
+                                continue :outer;
                             }
                         }
-                    },
-                }
-            }
-
-            if (lib_not_found) {
-                log.warn("Library search paths:", .{});
-                for (lib_dirs.items) |dir| {
-                    log.warn("  {s}", .{dir});
-                }
-            }
-
-            // If we were given the sysroot, try to look there first for libSystem.B.{dylib, tbd}.
-            var libsystem_available = false;
-            if (self.base.options.sysroot != null) blk: {
-                // Try stub file first. If we hit it, then we're done as the stub file
-                // re-exports every single symbol definition.
-                for (lib_dirs.items) |dir| {
-                    if (try resolveLib(arena, dir, "System", ".tbd")) |full_path| {
-                        try libs.put(full_path, .{ .needed = true });
-                        libsystem_available = true;
-                        break :blk;
-                    }
-                }
-                // If we didn't hit the stub file, try .dylib next. However, libSystem.dylib
-                // doesn't export libc.dylib which we'll need to resolve subsequently also.
-                for (lib_dirs.items) |dir| {
-                    if (try resolveLib(arena, dir, "System", ".dylib")) |libsystem_path| {
-                        if (try resolveLib(arena, dir, "c", ".dylib")) |libc_path| {
-                            try libs.put(libsystem_path, .{ .needed = true });
-                            try libs.put(libc_path, .{ .needed = true });
-                            libsystem_available = true;
-                            break :blk;
+                    } else for (lib_dirs.items) |dir| {
+                        if (try resolveLib(arena, dir, lib_name, ".a")) |full_path| {
+                            try libs.put(full_path, candidate_libs.get(lib_name).?);
+                        } else {
+                            log.warn("library not found for '-l{s}'", .{lib_name});
+                            lib_not_found = true;
                         }
                     }
-                }
+                },
             }
-            if (!libsystem_available) {
-                const libsystem_name = try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "libSystem.{d}.tbd", .{
-                    self.base.options.target.os.version_range.semver.min.major,
-                });
-                const full_path = try comp.zig_lib_directory.join(arena, &[_][]const u8{
-                    "libc", "darwin", libsystem_name,
-                });
-                try libs.put(full_path, .{ .needed = true });
+        }
+
+        if (lib_not_found) {
+            log.warn("Library search paths:", .{});
+            for (lib_dirs.items) |dir| {
+                log.warn("  {s}", .{dir});
             }
+        }
 
-            // frameworks
-            var framework_dirs = std.ArrayList([]const u8).init(arena);
-            for (self.base.options.framework_dirs) |dir| {
-                if (try resolveSearchDir(arena, dir, self.base.options.sysroot)) |search_dir| {
-                    try framework_dirs.append(search_dir);
-                } else {
-                    log.warn("directory not found for '-F{s}'", .{dir});
-                }
+        try self.resolveLibSystem(arena, comp, lib_dirs.items, &libs);
+
+        // frameworks
+        var framework_dirs = std.ArrayList([]const u8).init(arena);
+        for (self.base.options.framework_dirs) |dir| {
+            if (try resolveSearchDir(arena, dir, self.base.options.sysroot)) |search_dir| {
+                try framework_dirs.append(search_dir);
+            } else {
+                log.warn("directory not found for '-F{s}'", .{dir});
             }
+        }
 
-            outer: for (self.base.options.frameworks.keys()) |f_name| {
-                for (framework_dirs.items) |dir| {
-                    for (&[_][]const u8{ ".tbd", ".dylib", "" }) |ext| {
-                        if (try resolveFramework(arena, dir, f_name, ext)) |full_path| {
-                            const info = self.base.options.frameworks.get(f_name).?;
-                            try libs.put(full_path, .{
-                                .needed = info.needed,
-                                .weak = info.weak,
-                            });
-                            continue :outer;
-                        }
+        outer: for (self.base.options.frameworks.keys()) |f_name| {
+            for (framework_dirs.items) |dir| {
+                for (&[_][]const u8{ ".tbd", ".dylib", "" }) |ext| {
+                    if (try resolveFramework(arena, dir, f_name, ext)) |full_path| {
+                        const info = self.base.options.frameworks.get(f_name).?;
+                        try libs.put(full_path, .{
+                            .needed = info.needed,
+                            .weak = info.weak,
+                        });
+                        continue :outer;
                     }
-                } else {
-                    log.warn("framework not found for '-framework {s}'", .{f_name});
-                    framework_not_found = true;
                 }
+            } else {
+                log.warn("framework not found for '-framework {s}'", .{f_name});
+                framework_not_found = true;
             }
+        }
 
-            if (framework_not_found) {
-                log.warn("Framework search paths:", .{});
-                for (framework_dirs.items) |dir| {
-                    log.warn("  {s}", .{dir});
-                }
+        if (framework_not_found) {
+            log.warn("Framework search paths:", .{});
+            for (framework_dirs.items) |dir| {
+                log.warn("  {s}", .{dir});
             }
+        }
 
-            // rpaths
-            var rpath_table = std.StringArrayHashMap(void).init(arena);
-            for (self.base.options.rpath_list) |rpath| {
-                if (rpath_table.contains(rpath)) continue;
-                const cmdsize = @intCast(u32, mem.alignForwardGeneric(
-                    u64,
-                    @sizeOf(macho.rpath_command) + rpath.len + 1,
-                    @sizeOf(u64),
-                ));
-                var rpath_cmd = macho.emptyGenericCommandWithData(macho.rpath_command{
-                    .cmdsize = cmdsize,
-                    .path = @sizeOf(macho.rpath_command),
-                });
-                rpath_cmd.data = try self.base.allocator.alloc(u8, cmdsize - rpath_cmd.inner.path);
-                mem.set(u8, rpath_cmd.data, 0);
-                mem.copy(u8, rpath_cmd.data, rpath);
-                try self.load_commands.append(self.base.allocator, .{ .rpath = rpath_cmd });
-                try rpath_table.putNoClobber(rpath, {});
-                self.load_commands_dirty = true;
-            }
+        // rpaths
+        var rpath_table = std.StringArrayHashMap(void).init(arena);
+        for (self.base.options.rpath_list) |rpath| {
+            if (rpath_table.contains(rpath)) continue;
+            const cmdsize = @intCast(u32, mem.alignForwardGeneric(
+                u64,
+                @sizeOf(macho.rpath_command) + rpath.len + 1,
+                @sizeOf(u64),
+            ));
+            var rpath_cmd = macho.emptyGenericCommandWithData(macho.rpath_command{
+                .cmdsize = cmdsize,
+                .path = @sizeOf(macho.rpath_command),
+            });
+            rpath_cmd.data = try gpa.alloc(u8, cmdsize - rpath_cmd.inner.path);
+            mem.set(u8, rpath_cmd.data, 0);
+            mem.copy(u8, rpath_cmd.data, rpath);
+            try self.load_commands.append(gpa, .{ .rpath = rpath_cmd });
+            try rpath_table.putNoClobber(rpath, {});
+            self.load_commands_dirty = true;
+        }
 
-            // code signature and entitlements
-            if (self.base.options.entitlements) |path| {
-                if (self.code_signature) |*csig| {
-                    try csig.addEntitlements(self.base.allocator, path);
-                    csig.code_directory.ident = self.base.options.emit.?.sub_path;
-                } else {
-                    var csig = CodeSignature.init(self.page_size);
-                    try csig.addEntitlements(self.base.allocator, path);
-                    csig.code_directory.ident = self.base.options.emit.?.sub_path;
-                    self.code_signature = csig;
-                }
+        // code signature and entitlements
+        if (self.base.options.entitlements) |path| {
+            if (self.code_signature) |*csig| {
+                try csig.addEntitlements(gpa, path);
+                csig.code_directory.ident = self.base.options.emit.?.sub_path;
+            } else {
+                var csig = CodeSignature.init(self.page_size);
+                try csig.addEntitlements(gpa, path);
+                csig.code_directory.ident = self.base.options.emit.?.sub_path;
+                self.code_signature = csig;
             }
+        }
 
-            if (self.base.options.verbose_link) {
-                var argv = std.ArrayList([]const u8).init(arena);
-
-                try argv.append("zig");
-                try argv.append("ld");
-
-                if (is_exe_or_dyn_lib) {
-                    try argv.append("-dynamic");
-                }
+        if (self.base.options.verbose_link) {
+            var argv = std.ArrayList([]const u8).init(arena);
 
-                if (is_dyn_lib) {
-                    try argv.append("-dylib");
+            try argv.append("zig");
+            try argv.append("ld");
 
-                    if (self.base.options.install_name) |install_name| {
-                        try argv.append("-install_name");
-                        try argv.append(install_name);
-                    }
-                }
+            if (is_exe_or_dyn_lib) {
+                try argv.append("-dynamic");
+            }
 
-                if (self.base.options.sysroot) |syslibroot| {
-                    try argv.append("-syslibroot");
-                    try argv.append(syslibroot);
-                }
+            if (is_dyn_lib) {
+                try argv.append("-dylib");
 
-                for (rpath_table.keys()) |rpath| {
-                    try argv.append("-rpath");
-                    try argv.append(rpath);
+                if (self.base.options.install_name) |install_name| {
+                    try argv.append("-install_name");
+                    try argv.append(install_name);
                 }
+            }
 
-                if (self.base.options.pagezero_size) |pagezero_size| {
-                    try argv.append("-pagezero_size");
-                    try argv.append(try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "0x{x}", .{pagezero_size}));
-                }
+            if (self.base.options.sysroot) |syslibroot| {
+                try argv.append("-syslibroot");
+                try argv.append(syslibroot);
+            }
 
-                if (self.base.options.search_strategy) |strat| switch (strat) {
-                    .paths_first => try argv.append("-search_paths_first"),
-                    .dylibs_first => try argv.append("-search_dylibs_first"),
-                };
+            for (rpath_table.keys()) |rpath| {
+                try argv.append("-rpath");
+                try argv.append(rpath);
+            }
 
-                if (self.base.options.headerpad_size) |headerpad_size| {
-                    try argv.append("-headerpad_size");
-                    try argv.append(try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "0x{x}", .{headerpad_size}));
-                }
+            if (self.base.options.pagezero_size) |pagezero_size| {
+                try argv.append("-pagezero_size");
+                try argv.append(try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "0x{x}", .{pagezero_size}));
+            }
 
-                if (self.base.options.headerpad_max_install_names) {
-                    try argv.append("-headerpad_max_install_names");
-                }
+            if (self.base.options.search_strategy) |strat| switch (strat) {
+                .paths_first => try argv.append("-search_paths_first"),
+                .dylibs_first => try argv.append("-search_dylibs_first"),
+            };
 
-                if (self.base.options.dead_strip_dylibs) {
-                    try argv.append("-dead_strip_dylibs");
-                }
+            if (self.base.options.headerpad_size) |headerpad_size| {
+                try argv.append("-headerpad_size");
+                try argv.append(try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "0x{x}", .{headerpad_size}));
+            }
 
-                if (self.base.options.entry) |entry| {
-                    try argv.append("-e");
-                    try argv.append(entry);
-                }
+            if (self.base.options.headerpad_max_install_names) {
+                try argv.append("-headerpad_max_install_names");
+            }
 
-                for (self.base.options.objects) |obj| {
-                    try argv.append(obj.path);
-                }
+            if (gc_sections) {
+                try argv.append("-dead_strip");
+            }
 
-                for (comp.c_object_table.keys()) |key| {
-                    try argv.append(key.status.success.object_path);
-                }
+            if (self.base.options.dead_strip_dylibs) {
+                try argv.append("-dead_strip_dylibs");
+            }
 
-                if (module_obj_path) |p| {
-                    try argv.append(p);
-                }
+            if (self.base.options.entry) |entry| {
+                try argv.append("-e");
+                try argv.append(entry);
+            }
 
-                if (comp.compiler_rt_lib) |lib| {
-                    try argv.append(lib.full_object_path);
-                }
+            for (self.base.options.objects) |obj| {
+                try argv.append(obj.path);
+            }
 
-                if (self.base.options.link_libcpp) {
-                    try argv.append(comp.libcxxabi_static_lib.?.full_object_path);
-                    try argv.append(comp.libcxx_static_lib.?.full_object_path);
-                }
+            for (comp.c_object_table.keys()) |key| {
+                try argv.append(key.status.success.object_path);
+            }
 
-                try argv.append("-o");
-                try argv.append(full_out_path);
+            if (module_obj_path) |p| {
+                try argv.append(p);
+            }
 
-                try argv.append("-lSystem");
-                try argv.append("-lc");
+            if (comp.compiler_rt_lib) |lib| {
+                try argv.append(lib.full_object_path);
+            }
 
-                for (self.base.options.system_libs.keys()) |l_name| {
-                    const info = self.base.options.system_libs.get(l_name).?;
-                    const arg = if (info.needed)
-                        try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-needed-l{s}", .{l_name})
-                    else if (info.weak)
-                        try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-weak-l{s}", .{l_name})
-                    else
-                        try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-l{s}", .{l_name});
-                    try argv.append(arg);
-                }
+            if (self.base.options.link_libcpp) {
+                try argv.append(comp.libcxxabi_static_lib.?.full_object_path);
+                try argv.append(comp.libcxx_static_lib.?.full_object_path);
+            }
 
-                for (self.base.options.lib_dirs) |lib_dir| {
-                    try argv.append(try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-L{s}", .{lib_dir}));
-                }
+            try argv.append("-o");
+            try argv.append(full_out_path);
+
+            try argv.append("-lSystem");
+            try argv.append("-lc");
+
+            for (self.base.options.system_libs.keys()) |l_name| {
+                const info = self.base.options.system_libs.get(l_name).?;
+                const arg = if (info.needed)
+                    try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-needed-l{s}", .{l_name})
+                else if (info.weak)
+                    try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-weak-l{s}", .{l_name})
+                else
+                    try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-l{s}", .{l_name});
+                try argv.append(arg);
+            }
 
-                for (self.base.options.frameworks.keys()) |framework| {
-                    const info = self.base.options.frameworks.get(framework).?;
-                    const arg = if (info.needed)
-                        try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-needed_framework {s}", .{framework})
-                    else if (info.weak)
-                        try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-weak_framework {s}", .{framework})
-                    else
-                        try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-framework {s}", .{framework});
-                    try argv.append(arg);
-                }
+            for (self.base.options.lib_dirs) |lib_dir| {
+                try argv.append(try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-L{s}", .{lib_dir}));
+            }
 
-                for (self.base.options.framework_dirs) |framework_dir| {
-                    try argv.append(try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-F{s}", .{framework_dir}));
-                }
+            for (self.base.options.frameworks.keys()) |framework| {
+                const info = self.base.options.frameworks.get(framework).?;
+                const arg = if (info.needed)
+                    try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-needed_framework {s}", .{framework})
+                else if (info.weak)
+                    try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-weak_framework {s}", .{framework})
+                else
+                    try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-framework {s}", .{framework});
+                try argv.append(arg);
+            }
 
-                if (allow_undef) {
-                    try argv.append("-undefined");
-                    try argv.append("dynamic_lookup");
-                }
+            for (self.base.options.framework_dirs) |framework_dir| {
+                try argv.append(try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-F{s}", .{framework_dir}));
+            }
 
-                for (must_link_archives.keys()) |lib| {
-                    try argv.append(try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-force_load {s}", .{lib}));
-                }
+            if (is_dyn_lib and (self.base.options.allow_shlib_undefined orelse false)) {
+                try argv.append("-undefined");
+                try argv.append("dynamic_lookup");
+            }
 
-                Compilation.dump_argv(argv.items);
+            for (must_link_archives.keys()) |lib| {
+                try argv.append(try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "-force_load {s}", .{lib}));
             }
 
-            var dependent_libs = std.fifo.LinearFifo(struct {
-                id: Dylib.Id,
-                parent: u16,
-            }, .Dynamic).init(self.base.allocator);
-            defer dependent_libs.deinit();
-            try self.parseInputFiles(positionals.items, self.base.options.sysroot, &dependent_libs);
-            try self.parseAndForceLoadStaticArchives(must_link_archives.keys());
-            try self.parseLibs(libs.keys(), libs.values(), self.base.options.sysroot, &dependent_libs);
-            try self.parseDependentLibs(self.base.options.sysroot, &dependent_libs);
+            Compilation.dump_argv(argv.items);
         }
 
-        try self.createMhExecuteHeaderSymbol();
+        var dependent_libs = std.fifo.LinearFifo(struct {
+            id: Dylib.Id,
+            parent: u16,
+        }, .Dynamic).init(gpa);
+        defer dependent_libs.deinit();
+        try self.parseInputFiles(positionals.items, self.base.options.sysroot, &dependent_libs);
+        try self.parseAndForceLoadStaticArchives(must_link_archives.keys());
+        try self.parseLibs(libs.keys(), libs.values(), self.base.options.sysroot, &dependent_libs);
+        try self.parseDependentLibs(self.base.options.sysroot, &dependent_libs);
+
         for (self.objects.items) |*object, object_id| {
-            if (object.analyzed) continue;
-            try self.resolveSymbolsInObject(@intCast(u16, object_id));
+            try self.resolveSymbolsInObject(object, @intCast(u16, object_id));
         }
 
         try self.resolveSymbolsInArchives();
@@ -1103,46 +1173,11 @@ pub fn flushModule(self: *MachO, comp: *Compilation, prog_node: *std.Progress.No
         try self.createDyldPrivateAtom();
         try self.createStubHelperPreambleAtom();
         try self.resolveSymbolsInDylibs();
+        try self.createMhExecuteHeaderSymbol();
         try self.createDsoHandleSymbol();
         try self.addCodeSignatureLC();
+        try self.resolveSymbolsAtLoading();
 
-        {
-            var next_sym: usize = 0;
-            while (next_sym < self.unresolved.count()) {
-                const sym = &self.undefs.items[self.unresolved.keys()[next_sym]];
-                const sym_name = self.getString(sym.n_strx);
-                const resolv = self.symbol_resolver.get(sym.n_strx) orelse unreachable;
-
-                if (sym.discarded()) {
-                    sym.* = .{
-                        .n_strx = 0,
-                        .n_type = macho.N_UNDF,
-                        .n_sect = 0,
-                        .n_desc = 0,
-                        .n_value = 0,
-                    };
-                    _ = self.unresolved.swapRemove(resolv.where_index);
-                    continue;
-                } else if (allow_undef) {
-                    const n_desc = @bitCast(
-                        u16,
-                        macho.BIND_SPECIAL_DYLIB_FLAT_LOOKUP * @intCast(i16, macho.N_SYMBOL_RESOLVER),
-                    );
-                    // TODO allow_shlib_undefined is an ELF flag so figure out macOS specific flags too.
-                    sym.n_type = macho.N_EXT;
-                    sym.n_desc = n_desc;
-                    _ = self.unresolved.swapRemove(resolv.where_index);
-                    continue;
-                }
-
-                log.err("undefined reference to symbol '{s}'", .{sym_name});
-                if (resolv.file) |file| {
-                    log.err("  first referenced in '{s}'", .{self.objects.items[file].name});
-                }
-
-                next_sym += 1;
-            }
-        }
         if (self.unresolved.count() > 0) {
             return error.UndefinedSymbolReference;
         }
@@ -1154,46 +1189,42 @@ pub fn flushModule(self: *MachO, comp: *Compilation, prog_node: *std.Progress.No
         }
 
         try self.createTentativeDefAtoms();
-        try self.parseObjectsIntoAtoms();
 
-        const use_llvm = build_options.have_llvm and self.base.options.use_llvm;
-        if (use_llvm or use_stage1) {
-            try self.pruneAndSortSections();
-            try self.allocateSegments();
-            try self.allocateLocals();
+        for (self.objects.items) |*object, object_id| {
+            try object.splitIntoAtomsOneShot(self, @intCast(u32, object_id));
         }
 
+        if (gc_sections) {
+            try dead_strip.gcAtoms(self);
+        }
+
+        try self.pruneAndSortSections();
+        try self.allocateSegments();
+        try self.allocateSymbols();
+
         try self.allocateSpecialSymbols();
-        try self.allocateGlobals();
 
         if (build_options.enable_logging) {
             self.logSymtab();
             self.logSectionOrdinals();
+            self.logAtoms();
         }
 
-        if (use_llvm or use_stage1) {
-            try self.writeAllAtoms();
-        } else {
-            try self.writeAtoms();
-        }
+        try self.writeAtomsOneShot();
 
         if (self.rustc_section_index) |id| {
-            const seg = &self.load_commands.items[self.data_segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
-            const sect = &seg.sections.items[id];
+            const sect = self.getSectionPtr(.{
+                .seg = self.data_segment_cmd_index.?,
+                .sect = id,
+            });
             sect.size = self.rustc_section_size;
         }
 
         try self.setEntryPoint();
-        try self.updateSectionOrdinals();
         try self.writeLinkeditSegment();
 
-        if (self.d_sym) |*d_sym| {
-            // Flush debug symbols bundle.
-            try d_sym.flushModule(self.base.allocator, self.base.options);
-        }
-
         if (self.code_signature) |*csig| {
-            csig.clear(self.base.allocator);
+            csig.clear(gpa);
             csig.code_directory.ident = self.base.options.emit.?.sub_path;
             // Preallocate space for the code signature.
             // We need to do this at this stage so that we have the load commands with proper values
@@ -1206,32 +1237,17 @@ pub fn flushModule(self: *MachO, comp: *Compilation, prog_node: *std.Progress.No
         try self.writeLoadCommands();
         try self.writeHeader();
 
-        if (self.entry_addr == null and self.base.options.output_mode == .Exe) {
-            log.debug("flushing. no_entry_point_found = true", .{});
-            self.error_flags.no_entry_point_found = true;
-        } else {
-            log.debug("flushing. no_entry_point_found = false", .{});
-            self.error_flags.no_entry_point_found = false;
-        }
-
         assert(!self.load_commands_dirty);
 
         if (self.code_signature) |*csig| {
             try self.writeCodeSignature(csig); // code signing always comes last
         }
-
-        if (build_options.enable_link_snapshots) {
-            if (self.base.options.enable_link_snapshots)
-                try self.snapshotState();
-        }
     }
 
-    cache: {
-        if ((use_stage1 and self.base.options.disable_lld_caching) or self.base.options.cache_mode == .whole)
-            break :cache;
+    if (!self.base.options.disable_lld_caching) {
         // Update the file with the digest. If it fails we can continue; it only
         // means that the next invocation will have an unnecessary cache miss.
-        Cache.writeSmallFile(cache_dir_handle, id_symlink_basename, &digest) catch |err| {
+        Cache.writeSmallFile(directory.handle, id_symlink_basename, &digest) catch |err| {
             log.debug("failed to save linking hash digest file: {s}", .{@errorName(err)});
         };
         // Again failure here only means an unnecessary cache miss.
@@ -1242,8 +1258,49 @@ pub fn flushModule(self: *MachO, comp: *Compilation, prog_node: *std.Progress.No
         // other processes clobbering it.
         self.base.lock = man.toOwnedLock();
     }
+}
 
-    self.cold_start = false;
+fn resolveLibSystem(
+    self: *MachO,
+    arena: Allocator,
+    comp: *Compilation,
+    search_dirs: []const []const u8,
+    out_libs: anytype,
+) !void {
+    // If we were given the sysroot, try to look there first for libSystem.B.{dylib, tbd}.
+    var libsystem_available = false;
+    if (self.base.options.sysroot != null) blk: {
+        // Try stub file first. If we hit it, then we're done as the stub file
+        // re-exports every single symbol definition.
+        for (search_dirs) |dir| {
+            if (try resolveLib(arena, dir, "System", ".tbd")) |full_path| {
+                try out_libs.put(full_path, .{ .needed = true });
+                libsystem_available = true;
+                break :blk;
+            }
+        }
+        // If we didn't hit the stub file, try .dylib next. However, libSystem.dylib
+        // doesn't export libc.dylib which we'll need to resolve subsequently also.
+        for (search_dirs) |dir| {
+            if (try resolveLib(arena, dir, "System", ".dylib")) |libsystem_path| {
+                if (try resolveLib(arena, dir, "c", ".dylib")) |libc_path| {
+                    try out_libs.put(libsystem_path, .{ .needed = true });
+                    try out_libs.put(libc_path, .{ .needed = true });
+                    libsystem_available = true;
+                    break :blk;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    if (!libsystem_available) {
+        const libsystem_name = try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "libSystem.{d}.tbd", .{
+            self.base.options.target.os.version_range.semver.min.major,
+        });
+        const full_path = try comp.zig_lib_directory.join(arena, &[_][]const u8{
+            "libc", "darwin", libsystem_name,
+        });
+        try out_libs.put(full_path, .{ .needed = true });
+    }
 }
 
 fn resolveSearchDir(
@@ -1288,6 +1345,16 @@ fn resolveSearchDir(
     return null;
 }
 
+fn resolveSearchDirs(arena: Allocator, dirs: []const []const u8, syslibroot: ?[]const u8, out_dirs: anytype) !void {
+    for (dirs) |dir| {
+        if (try resolveSearchDir(arena, dir, syslibroot)) |search_dir| {
+            try out_dirs.append(search_dir);
+        } else {
+            log.warn("directory not found for '-L{s}'", .{dir});
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 fn resolveLib(
     arena: Allocator,
     search_dir: []const u8,
@@ -1337,9 +1404,15 @@ fn parseObject(self: *MachO, path: []const u8) !bool {
     const name = try self.base.allocator.dupe(u8, path);
     errdefer self.base.allocator.free(name);
 
+    const mtime: u64 = mtime: {
+        const stat = file.stat() catch break :mtime 0;
+        break :mtime @intCast(u64, @divFloor(stat.mtime, 1_000_000_000));
+    };
+
     var object = Object{
         .name = name,
         .file = file,
+        .mtime = mtime,
     };
 
     object.parse(self.base.allocator, self.base.options.target) catch |err| switch (err) {
@@ -1507,7 +1580,7 @@ fn parseInputFiles(self: *MachO, files: []const []const u8, syslibroot: ?[]const
             .syslibroot = syslibroot,
         })) continue;
 
-        log.warn("unknown filetype for positional input file: '{s}'", .{file_name});
+        log.debug("unknown filetype for positional input file: '{s}'", .{file_name});
     }
 }
 
@@ -1522,7 +1595,7 @@ fn parseAndForceLoadStaticArchives(self: *MachO, files: []const []const u8) !voi
         log.debug("parsing and force loading static archive '{s}'", .{full_path});
 
         if (try self.parseArchive(full_path, true)) continue;
-        log.warn("unknown filetype: expected static archive: '{s}'", .{file_name});
+        log.debug("unknown filetype: expected static archive: '{s}'", .{file_name});
     }
 }
 
@@ -1543,7 +1616,7 @@ fn parseLibs(
         })) continue;
         if (try self.parseArchive(lib, false)) continue;
 
-        log.warn("unknown filetype for a library: '{s}'", .{lib});
+        log.debug("unknown filetype for a library: '{s}'", .{lib});
     }
 }
 
@@ -1587,7 +1660,7 @@ fn parseDependentLibs(self: *MachO, syslibroot: ?[]const u8, dependent_libs: any
             });
             if (did_parse_successfully) break;
         } else {
-            log.warn("unable to resolve dependency {s}", .{dep_id.id.name});
+            log.debug("unable to resolve dependency {s}", .{dep_id.id.name});
         }
     }
 }
@@ -1595,6 +1668,15 @@ fn parseDependentLibs(self: *MachO, syslibroot: ?[]const u8, dependent_libs: any
 pub const MatchingSection = struct {
     seg: u16,
     sect: u16,
+
+    pub fn eql(this: MatchingSection, other: struct {
+        seg: ?u16,
+        sect: ?u16,
+    }) bool {
+        const seg = other.seg orelse return false;
+        const sect = other.sect orelse return false;
+        return this.seg == seg and this.sect == sect;
+    }
 };
 
 pub fn getMatchingSection(self: *MachO, sect: macho.section_64) !?MatchingSection {
@@ -2158,33 +2240,31 @@ pub fn getMatchingSection(self: *MachO, sect: macho.section_64) !?MatchingSectio
     return res;
 }
 
-pub fn createEmptyAtom(self: *MachO, local_sym_index: u32, size: u64, alignment: u32) !*Atom {
+pub fn createEmptyAtom(gpa: Allocator, sym_index: u32, size: u64, alignment: u32) !*Atom {
     const size_usize = math.cast(usize, size) orelse return error.Overflow;
-    const atom = try self.base.allocator.create(Atom);
-    errdefer self.base.allocator.destroy(atom);
+    const atom = try gpa.create(Atom);
+    errdefer gpa.destroy(atom);
     atom.* = Atom.empty;
-    atom.local_sym_index = local_sym_index;
+    atom.sym_index = sym_index;
     atom.size = size;
     atom.alignment = alignment;
 
-    try atom.code.resize(self.base.allocator, size_usize);
+    try atom.code.resize(gpa, size_usize);
     mem.set(u8, atom.code.items, 0);
 
-    try self.managed_atoms.append(self.base.allocator, atom);
     return atom;
 }
 
 pub fn writeAtom(self: *MachO, atom: *Atom, match: MatchingSection) !void {
-    const seg = self.load_commands.items[match.seg].segment;
-    const sect = seg.sections.items[match.sect];
-    const sym = self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
+    const sect = self.getSection(match);
+    const sym = atom.getSymbol(self);
     const file_offset = sect.offset + sym.n_value - sect.addr;
     try atom.resolveRelocs(self);
-    log.debug("writing atom for symbol {s} at file offset 0x{x}", .{ self.getString(sym.n_strx), file_offset });
+    log.debug("writing atom for symbol {s} at file offset 0x{x}", .{ atom.getName(self), file_offset });
     try self.base.file.?.pwriteAll(atom.code.items, file_offset);
 }
 
-fn allocateLocals(self: *MachO) !void {
+fn allocateSymbols(self: *MachO) !void {
     var it = self.atoms.iterator();
     while (it.next()) |entry| {
         const match = entry.key_ptr.*;
@@ -2194,37 +2274,25 @@ fn allocateLocals(self: *MachO) !void {
             atom = prev;
         }
 
-        const n_sect = @intCast(u8, self.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).? + 1);
-        const seg = self.load_commands.items[match.seg].segment;
-        const sect = seg.sections.items[match.sect];
+        const n_sect = self.getSectionOrdinal(match);
+        const sect = self.getSection(match);
         var base_vaddr = sect.addr;
 
-        log.debug("allocating local symbols in {s},{s}", .{ sect.segName(), sect.sectName() });
+        log.debug("allocating local symbols in sect({d}, '{s},{s}')", .{ n_sect, sect.segName(), sect.sectName() });
 
         while (true) {
             const alignment = try math.powi(u32, 2, atom.alignment);
             base_vaddr = mem.alignForwardGeneric(u64, base_vaddr, alignment);
 
-            const sym = &self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
+            const sym = atom.getSymbolPtr(self);
             sym.n_value = base_vaddr;
             sym.n_sect = n_sect;
 
-            log.debug("  {d}: {s} allocated at 0x{x}", .{
-                atom.local_sym_index,
-                self.getString(sym.n_strx),
-                base_vaddr,
-            });
-
-            // Update each alias (if any)
-            for (atom.aliases.items) |index| {
-                const alias_sym = &self.locals.items[index];
-                alias_sym.n_value = base_vaddr;
-                alias_sym.n_sect = n_sect;
-            }
+            log.debug("  ATOM(%{d}, '{s}') @{x}", .{ atom.sym_index, atom.getName(self), base_vaddr });
 
             // Update each symbol contained within the atom
             for (atom.contained.items) |sym_at_off| {
-                const contained_sym = &self.locals.items[sym_at_off.local_sym_index];
+                const contained_sym = self.getSymbolPtr(.{ .sym_index = sym_at_off.sym_index, .file = atom.file });
                 contained_sym.n_value = base_vaddr + sym_at_off.offset;
                 contained_sym.n_sect = n_sect;
             }
@@ -2242,16 +2310,11 @@ fn shiftLocalsByOffset(self: *MachO, match: MatchingSection, offset: i64) !void
     var atom = self.atoms.get(match) orelse return;
 
     while (true) {
-        const atom_sym = &self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
+        const atom_sym = atom.getSymbolPtr(self);
         atom_sym.n_value = @intCast(u64, @intCast(i64, atom_sym.n_value) + offset);
 
-        for (atom.aliases.items) |index| {
-            const alias_sym = &self.locals.items[index];
-            alias_sym.n_value = @intCast(u64, @intCast(i64, alias_sym.n_value) + offset);
-        }
-
         for (atom.contained.items) |sym_at_off| {
-            const contained_sym = &self.locals.items[sym_at_off.local_sym_index];
+            const contained_sym = self.getSymbolPtr(.{ .sym_index = sym_at_off.sym_index, .file = atom.file });
             contained_sym.n_value = @intCast(u64, @intCast(i64, contained_sym.n_value) + offset);
         }
 
@@ -2262,53 +2325,33 @@ fn shiftLocalsByOffset(self: *MachO, match: MatchingSection, offset: i64) !void
 }
 
 fn allocateSpecialSymbols(self: *MachO) !void {
-    for (&[_]?u32{
-        self.mh_execute_header_sym_index,
-        self.dso_handle_sym_index,
-    }) |maybe_sym_index| {
-        const sym_index = maybe_sym_index orelse continue;
-        const sym = &self.locals.items[sym_index];
+    for (&[_][]const u8{
+        "___dso_handle",
+        "__mh_execute_header",
+    }) |name| {
+        const global = self.globals.get(name) orelse continue;
+        if (global.file != null) continue;
+        const sym = self.getSymbolPtr(global);
         const seg = self.load_commands.items[self.text_segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
-        sym.n_sect = @intCast(u8, self.section_ordinals.getIndex(.{
+        sym.n_sect = self.getSectionOrdinal(.{
             .seg = self.text_segment_cmd_index.?,
             .sect = 0,
-        }).? + 1);
+        });
         sym.n_value = seg.inner.vmaddr;
 
         log.debug("allocating {s} at the start of {s}", .{
-            self.getString(sym.n_strx),
+            name,
             seg.inner.segName(),
         });
     }
 }
 
-fn allocateGlobals(self: *MachO) !void {
-    log.debug("allocating global symbols", .{});
+fn writeAtomsOneShot(self: *MachO) !void {
+    assert(self.mode == .one_shot);
 
-    var sym_it = self.symbol_resolver.valueIterator();
-    while (sym_it.next()) |resolv| {
-        if (resolv.where != .global) continue;
-
-        assert(resolv.local_sym_index != 0);
-        const local_sym = self.locals.items[resolv.local_sym_index];
-        const sym = &self.globals.items[resolv.where_index];
-        sym.n_value = local_sym.n_value;
-        sym.n_sect = local_sym.n_sect;
-
-        log.debug("  {d}: {s} allocated at 0x{x}", .{
-            resolv.where_index,
-            self.getString(sym.n_strx),
-            local_sym.n_value,
-        });
-    }
-}
-
-fn writeAllAtoms(self: *MachO) !void {
     var it = self.atoms.iterator();
     while (it.next()) |entry| {
-        const match = entry.key_ptr.*;
-        const seg = self.load_commands.items[match.seg].segment;
-        const sect = seg.sections.items[match.sect];
+        const sect = self.getSection(entry.key_ptr.*);
         var atom: *Atom = entry.value_ptr.*;
 
         if (sect.flags == macho.S_ZEROFILL or sect.flags == macho.S_THREAD_LOCAL_ZEROFILL) continue;
@@ -2324,20 +2367,28 @@ fn writeAllAtoms(self: *MachO) !void {
         }
 
         while (true) {
-            const atom_sym = self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
+            const this_sym = atom.getSymbol(self);
             const padding_size: usize = if (atom.next) |next| blk: {
-                const next_sym = self.locals.items[next.local_sym_index];
-                const size = next_sym.n_value - (atom_sym.n_value + atom.size);
+                const next_sym = next.getSymbol(self);
+                const size = next_sym.n_value - (this_sym.n_value + atom.size);
                 break :blk math.cast(usize, size) orelse return error.Overflow;
             } else 0;
 
-            log.debug("  (adding atom {s} to buffer: {})", .{ self.getString(atom_sym.n_strx), atom_sym });
+            log.debug("  (adding ATOM(%{d}, '{s}') from object({d}) to buffer)", .{
+                atom.sym_index,
+                atom.getName(self),
+                atom.file,
+            });
+            if (padding_size > 0) {
+                log.debug("    (with padding {x})", .{padding_size});
+            }
 
             try atom.resolveRelocs(self);
             buffer.appendSliceAssumeCapacity(atom.code.items);
 
             var i: usize = 0;
             while (i < padding_size) : (i += 1) {
+                // TODO with NOPs
                 buffer.appendAssumeCapacity(0);
             }
 
@@ -2381,12 +2432,13 @@ fn writePadding(self: *MachO, match: MatchingSection, size: usize, writer: anyty
     }
 }
 
-fn writeAtoms(self: *MachO) !void {
+fn writeAtomsIncremental(self: *MachO) !void {
+    assert(self.mode == .incremental);
+
     var it = self.atoms.iterator();
     while (it.next()) |entry| {
         const match = entry.key_ptr.*;
-        const seg = self.load_commands.items[match.seg].segment;
-        const sect = seg.sections.items[match.sect];
+        const sect = self.getSection(match);
         var atom: *Atom = entry.value_ptr.*;
 
         // TODO handle zerofill in stage2
@@ -2395,7 +2447,7 @@ fn writeAtoms(self: *MachO) !void {
         log.debug("writing atoms in {s},{s}", .{ sect.segName(), sect.sectName() });
 
         while (true) {
-            if (atom.dirty or self.invalidate_relocs) {
+            if (atom.dirty) {
                 try self.writeAtom(atom, match);
                 atom.dirty = false;
             }
@@ -2407,17 +2459,19 @@ fn writeAtoms(self: *MachO) !void {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn createGotAtom(self: *MachO, target: Atom.Relocation.Target) !*Atom {
-    const local_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
-    try self.locals.append(self.base.allocator, .{
+pub fn createGotAtom(self: *MachO, target: SymbolWithLoc) !*Atom {
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+    const sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
+    try self.locals.append(gpa, .{
         .n_strx = 0,
         .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
         .n_sect = 0,
         .n_desc = 0,
         .n_value = 0,
     });
-    const atom = try self.createEmptyAtom(local_sym_index, @sizeOf(u64), 3);
-    try atom.relocs.append(self.base.allocator, .{
+
+    const atom = try MachO.createEmptyAtom(gpa, sym_index, @sizeOf(u64), 3);
+    try atom.relocs.append(gpa, .{
         .offset = 0,
         .target = target,
         .addend = 0,
@@ -2430,35 +2484,60 @@ pub fn createGotAtom(self: *MachO, target: Atom.Relocation.Target) !*Atom {
             else => unreachable,
         },
     });
-    switch (target) {
-        .local => {
-            try atom.rebases.append(self.base.allocator, 0);
-        },
-        .global => |n_strx| {
-            try atom.bindings.append(self.base.allocator, .{
-                .n_strx = n_strx,
-                .offset = 0,
-            });
-        },
+
+    const target_sym = self.getSymbol(target);
+    if (target_sym.undf()) {
+        const global = self.globals.get(self.getSymbolName(target)).?;
+        try atom.bindings.append(gpa, .{
+            .target = global,
+            .offset = 0,
+        });
+    } else {
+        try atom.rebases.append(gpa, 0);
     }
+
+    try self.managed_atoms.append(gpa, atom);
+    try self.atom_by_index_table.putNoClobber(gpa, sym_index, atom);
+
+    try self.allocateAtomCommon(atom, .{
+        .seg = self.data_const_segment_cmd_index.?,
+        .sect = self.got_section_index.?,
+    });
+
     return atom;
 }
 
-pub fn createTlvPtrAtom(self: *MachO, target: Atom.Relocation.Target) !*Atom {
-    const local_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
-    try self.locals.append(self.base.allocator, .{
+pub fn createTlvPtrAtom(self: *MachO, target: SymbolWithLoc) !*Atom {
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+    const sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
+    try self.locals.append(gpa, .{
         .n_strx = 0,
         .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
         .n_sect = 0,
         .n_desc = 0,
         .n_value = 0,
     });
-    const atom = try self.createEmptyAtom(local_sym_index, @sizeOf(u64), 3);
-    assert(target == .global);
-    try atom.bindings.append(self.base.allocator, .{
-        .n_strx = target.global,
+
+    const atom = try MachO.createEmptyAtom(gpa, sym_index, @sizeOf(u64), 3);
+    const target_sym = self.getSymbol(target);
+    assert(target_sym.undf());
+
+    const global = self.globals.get(self.getSymbolName(target)).?;
+    try atom.bindings.append(gpa, .{
+        .target = global,
         .offset = 0,
     });
+
+    try self.managed_atoms.append(gpa, atom);
+    try self.atom_by_index_table.putNoClobber(gpa, sym_index, atom);
+
+    const match = (try self.getMatchingSection(.{
+        .segname = makeStaticString("__DATA"),
+        .sectname = makeStaticString("__thread_ptrs"),
+        .flags = macho.S_THREAD_LOCAL_VARIABLE_POINTERS,
+    })).?;
+    try self.allocateAtomCommon(atom, match);
+
     return atom;
 }
 
@@ -2466,34 +2545,32 @@ fn createDyldPrivateAtom(self: *MachO) !void {
     if (self.dyld_stub_binder_index == null) return;
     if (self.dyld_private_atom != null) return;
 
-    const local_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
-    const sym = try self.locals.addOne(self.base.allocator);
-    sym.* = .{
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+    const sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
+    try self.locals.append(gpa, .{
         .n_strx = 0,
         .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
         .n_sect = 0,
         .n_desc = 0,
         .n_value = 0,
-    };
-    const atom = try self.createEmptyAtom(local_sym_index, @sizeOf(u64), 3);
+    });
+    const atom = try MachO.createEmptyAtom(gpa, sym_index, @sizeOf(u64), 3);
     self.dyld_private_atom = atom;
-    const match = MatchingSection{
+
+    try self.allocateAtomCommon(atom, .{
         .seg = self.data_segment_cmd_index.?,
         .sect = self.data_section_index.?,
-    };
-    if (self.needs_prealloc) {
-        const vaddr = try self.allocateAtom(atom, @sizeOf(u64), 8, match);
-        log.debug("allocated {s} atom at 0x{x}", .{ self.getString(sym.n_strx), vaddr });
-        sym.n_value = vaddr;
-    } else try self.addAtomToSection(atom, match);
+    });
 
-    sym.n_sect = @intCast(u8, self.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).? + 1);
+    try self.managed_atoms.append(gpa, atom);
+    try self.atom_by_index_table.putNoClobber(gpa, sym_index, atom);
 }
 
 fn createStubHelperPreambleAtom(self: *MachO) !void {
     if (self.dyld_stub_binder_index == null) return;
     if (self.stub_helper_preamble_atom != null) return;
 
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
     const arch = self.base.options.target.cpu.arch;
     const size: u64 = switch (arch) {
         .x86_64 => 15,
@@ -2505,17 +2582,16 @@ fn createStubHelperPreambleAtom(self: *MachO) !void {
         .aarch64 => 2,
         else => unreachable,
     };
-    const local_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
-    const sym = try self.locals.addOne(self.base.allocator);
-    sym.* = .{
+    const sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
+    try self.locals.append(gpa, .{
         .n_strx = 0,
         .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
         .n_sect = 0,
         .n_desc = 0,
         .n_value = 0,
-    };
-    const atom = try self.createEmptyAtom(local_sym_index, size, alignment);
-    const dyld_private_sym_index = self.dyld_private_atom.?.local_sym_index;
+    });
+    const atom = try MachO.createEmptyAtom(gpa, sym_index, size, alignment);
+    const dyld_private_sym_index = self.dyld_private_atom.?.sym_index;
     switch (arch) {
         .x86_64 => {
             try atom.relocs.ensureUnusedCapacity(self.base.allocator, 2);
@@ -2525,7 +2601,7 @@ fn createStubHelperPreambleAtom(self: *MachO) !void {
             atom.code.items[2] = 0x1d;
             atom.relocs.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
                 .offset = 3,
-                .target = .{ .local = dyld_private_sym_index },
+                .target = .{ .sym_index = dyld_private_sym_index, .file = null },
                 .addend = 0,
                 .subtractor = null,
                 .pcrel = true,
@@ -2540,7 +2616,7 @@ fn createStubHelperPreambleAtom(self: *MachO) !void {
             atom.code.items[10] = 0x25;
             atom.relocs.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
                 .offset = 11,
-                .target = .{ .global = self.undefs.items[self.dyld_stub_binder_index.?].n_strx },
+                .target = .{ .sym_index = self.dyld_stub_binder_index.?, .file = null },
                 .addend = 0,
                 .subtractor = null,
                 .pcrel = true,
@@ -2554,7 +2630,7 @@ fn createStubHelperPreambleAtom(self: *MachO) !void {
             mem.writeIntLittle(u32, atom.code.items[0..][0..4], aarch64.Instruction.adrp(.x17, 0).toU32());
             atom.relocs.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
                 .offset = 0,
-                .target = .{ .local = dyld_private_sym_index },
+                .target = .{ .sym_index = dyld_private_sym_index, .file = null },
                 .addend = 0,
                 .subtractor = null,
                 .pcrel = true,
@@ -2565,7 +2641,7 @@ fn createStubHelperPreambleAtom(self: *MachO) !void {
             mem.writeIntLittle(u32, atom.code.items[4..][0..4], aarch64.Instruction.add(.x17, .x17, 0, false).toU32());
             atom.relocs.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
                 .offset = 4,
-                .target = .{ .local = dyld_private_sym_index },
+                .target = .{ .sym_index = dyld_private_sym_index, .file = null },
                 .addend = 0,
                 .subtractor = null,
                 .pcrel = false,
@@ -2583,7 +2659,7 @@ fn createStubHelperPreambleAtom(self: *MachO) !void {
             mem.writeIntLittle(u32, atom.code.items[12..][0..4], aarch64.Instruction.adrp(.x16, 0).toU32());
             atom.relocs.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
                 .offset = 12,
-                .target = .{ .global = self.undefs.items[self.dyld_stub_binder_index.?].n_strx },
+                .target = .{ .sym_index = self.dyld_stub_binder_index.?, .file = null },
                 .addend = 0,
                 .subtractor = null,
                 .pcrel = true,
@@ -2598,7 +2674,7 @@ fn createStubHelperPreambleAtom(self: *MachO) !void {
             ).toU32());
             atom.relocs.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
                 .offset = 16,
-                .target = .{ .global = self.undefs.items[self.dyld_stub_binder_index.?].n_strx },
+                .target = .{ .sym_index = self.dyld_stub_binder_index.?, .file = null },
                 .addend = 0,
                 .subtractor = null,
                 .pcrel = false,
@@ -2611,22 +2687,18 @@ fn createStubHelperPreambleAtom(self: *MachO) !void {
         else => unreachable,
     }
     self.stub_helper_preamble_atom = atom;
-    const match = MatchingSection{
+
+    try self.allocateAtomCommon(atom, .{
         .seg = self.text_segment_cmd_index.?,
         .sect = self.stub_helper_section_index.?,
-    };
-
-    if (self.needs_prealloc) {
-        const alignment_pow_2 = try math.powi(u32, 2, atom.alignment);
-        const vaddr = try self.allocateAtom(atom, atom.size, alignment_pow_2, match);
-        log.debug("allocated {s} atom at 0x{x}", .{ self.getString(sym.n_strx), vaddr });
-        sym.n_value = vaddr;
-    } else try self.addAtomToSection(atom, match);
+    });
 
-    sym.n_sect = @intCast(u8, self.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).? + 1);
+    try self.managed_atoms.append(gpa, atom);
+    try self.atom_by_index_table.putNoClobber(gpa, sym_index, atom);
 }
 
 pub fn createStubHelperAtom(self: *MachO) !*Atom {
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
     const arch = self.base.options.target.cpu.arch;
     const stub_size: u4 = switch (arch) {
         .x86_64 => 10,
@@ -2638,16 +2710,16 @@ pub fn createStubHelperAtom(self: *MachO) !*Atom {
         .aarch64 => 2,
         else => unreachable,
     };
-    const local_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
-    try self.locals.append(self.base.allocator, .{
+    const sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
+    try self.locals.append(gpa, .{
         .n_strx = 0,
         .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
         .n_sect = 0,
         .n_desc = 0,
         .n_value = 0,
     });
-    const atom = try self.createEmptyAtom(local_sym_index, stub_size, alignment);
-    try atom.relocs.ensureTotalCapacity(self.base.allocator, 1);
+    const atom = try MachO.createEmptyAtom(gpa, sym_index, stub_size, alignment);
+    try atom.relocs.ensureTotalCapacity(gpa, 1);
 
     switch (arch) {
         .x86_64 => {
@@ -2658,7 +2730,7 @@ pub fn createStubHelperAtom(self: *MachO) !*Atom {
             atom.code.items[5] = 0xe9;
             atom.relocs.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
                 .offset = 6,
-                .target = .{ .local = self.stub_helper_preamble_atom.?.local_sym_index },
+                .target = .{ .sym_index = self.stub_helper_preamble_atom.?.sym_index, .file = null },
                 .addend = 0,
                 .subtractor = null,
                 .pcrel = true,
@@ -2680,7 +2752,7 @@ pub fn createStubHelperAtom(self: *MachO) !*Atom {
             mem.writeIntLittle(u32, atom.code.items[4..8], aarch64.Instruction.b(0).toU32());
             atom.relocs.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
                 .offset = 4,
-                .target = .{ .local = self.stub_helper_preamble_atom.?.local_sym_index },
+                .target = .{ .sym_index = self.stub_helper_preamble_atom.?.sym_index, .file = null },
                 .addend = 0,
                 .subtractor = null,
                 .pcrel = true,
@@ -2692,22 +2764,31 @@ pub fn createStubHelperAtom(self: *MachO) !*Atom {
         else => unreachable,
     }
 
+    try self.managed_atoms.append(gpa, atom);
+    try self.atom_by_index_table.putNoClobber(gpa, sym_index, atom);
+
+    try self.allocateAtomCommon(atom, .{
+        .seg = self.text_segment_cmd_index.?,
+        .sect = self.stub_helper_section_index.?,
+    });
+
     return atom;
 }
 
-pub fn createLazyPointerAtom(self: *MachO, stub_sym_index: u32, n_strx: u32) !*Atom {
-    const local_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
-    try self.locals.append(self.base.allocator, .{
+pub fn createLazyPointerAtom(self: *MachO, stub_sym_index: u32, target: SymbolWithLoc) !*Atom {
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+    const sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
+    try self.locals.append(gpa, .{
         .n_strx = 0,
         .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
         .n_sect = 0,
         .n_desc = 0,
         .n_value = 0,
     });
-    const atom = try self.createEmptyAtom(local_sym_index, @sizeOf(u64), 3);
-    try atom.relocs.append(self.base.allocator, .{
+    const atom = try MachO.createEmptyAtom(gpa, sym_index, @sizeOf(u64), 3);
+    try atom.relocs.append(gpa, .{
         .offset = 0,
-        .target = .{ .local = stub_sym_index },
+        .target = .{ .sym_index = stub_sym_index, .file = null },
         .addend = 0,
         .subtractor = null,
         .pcrel = false,
@@ -2718,15 +2799,27 @@ pub fn createLazyPointerAtom(self: *MachO, stub_sym_index: u32, n_strx: u32) !*A
             else => unreachable,
         },
     });
-    try atom.rebases.append(self.base.allocator, 0);
-    try atom.lazy_bindings.append(self.base.allocator, .{
-        .n_strx = n_strx,
+    try atom.rebases.append(gpa, 0);
+
+    const global = self.globals.get(self.getSymbolName(target)).?;
+    try atom.lazy_bindings.append(gpa, .{
+        .target = global,
         .offset = 0,
     });
+
+    try self.managed_atoms.append(gpa, atom);
+    try self.atom_by_index_table.putNoClobber(gpa, sym_index, atom);
+
+    try self.allocateAtomCommon(atom, .{
+        .seg = self.data_segment_cmd_index.?,
+        .sect = self.la_symbol_ptr_section_index.?,
+    });
+
     return atom;
 }
 
 pub fn createStubAtom(self: *MachO, laptr_sym_index: u32) !*Atom {
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
     const arch = self.base.options.target.cpu.arch;
     const alignment: u2 = switch (arch) {
         .x86_64 => 0,
@@ -2738,23 +2831,23 @@ pub fn createStubAtom(self: *MachO, laptr_sym_index: u32) !*Atom {
         .aarch64 => 3 * @sizeOf(u32),
         else => unreachable, // unhandled architecture type
     };
-    const local_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
-    try self.locals.append(self.base.allocator, .{
+    const sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
+    try self.locals.append(gpa, .{
         .n_strx = 0,
         .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
         .n_sect = 0,
         .n_desc = 0,
         .n_value = 0,
     });
-    const atom = try self.createEmptyAtom(local_sym_index, stub_size, alignment);
+    const atom = try MachO.createEmptyAtom(gpa, sym_index, stub_size, alignment);
     switch (arch) {
         .x86_64 => {
             // jmp
             atom.code.items[0] = 0xff;
             atom.code.items[1] = 0x25;
-            try atom.relocs.append(self.base.allocator, .{
+            try atom.relocs.append(gpa, .{
                 .offset = 2,
-                .target = .{ .local = laptr_sym_index },
+                .target = .{ .sym_index = laptr_sym_index, .file = null },
                 .addend = 0,
                 .subtractor = null,
                 .pcrel = true,
@@ -2763,12 +2856,12 @@ pub fn createStubAtom(self: *MachO, laptr_sym_index: u32) !*Atom {
             });
         },
         .aarch64 => {
-            try atom.relocs.ensureTotalCapacity(self.base.allocator, 2);
+            try atom.relocs.ensureTotalCapacity(gpa, 2);
             // adrp x16, pages
             mem.writeIntLittle(u32, atom.code.items[0..4], aarch64.Instruction.adrp(.x16, 0).toU32());
             atom.relocs.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
                 .offset = 0,
-                .target = .{ .local = laptr_sym_index },
+                .target = .{ .sym_index = laptr_sym_index, .file = null },
                 .addend = 0,
                 .subtractor = null,
                 .pcrel = true,
@@ -2783,7 +2876,7 @@ pub fn createStubAtom(self: *MachO, laptr_sym_index: u32) !*Atom {
             ).toU32());
             atom.relocs.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
                 .offset = 4,
-                .target = .{ .local = laptr_sym_index },
+                .target = .{ .sym_index = laptr_sym_index, .file = null },
                 .addend = 0,
                 .subtractor = null,
                 .pcrel = false,
@@ -2795,101 +2888,179 @@ pub fn createStubAtom(self: *MachO, laptr_sym_index: u32) !*Atom {
         },
         else => unreachable,
     }
+
+    try self.managed_atoms.append(gpa, atom);
+    try self.atom_by_index_table.putNoClobber(gpa, sym_index, atom);
+
+    try self.allocateAtomCommon(atom, .{
+        .seg = self.text_segment_cmd_index.?,
+        .sect = self.stubs_section_index.?,
+    });
+
     return atom;
 }
 
 fn createTentativeDefAtoms(self: *MachO) !void {
-    if (self.tentatives.count() == 0) return;
-    // Convert any tentative definition into a regular symbol and allocate
-    // text blocks for each tentative definition.
-    while (self.tentatives.popOrNull()) |entry| {
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+
+    for (self.globals.values()) |global| {
+        const sym = self.getSymbolPtr(global);
+        if (!sym.tentative()) continue;
+
+        log.debug("creating tentative definition for ATOM(%{d}, '{s}') in object({d})", .{
+            global.sym_index, self.getSymbolName(global), global.file,
+        });
+
+        // Convert any tentative definition into a regular symbol and allocate
+        // text blocks for each tentative definition.
         const match = MatchingSection{
             .seg = self.data_segment_cmd_index.?,
             .sect = self.bss_section_index.?,
         };
-        _ = try self.section_ordinals.getOrPut(self.base.allocator, match);
+        _ = try self.section_ordinals.getOrPut(gpa, match);
 
-        const global_sym = &self.globals.items[entry.key];
-        const size = global_sym.n_value;
-        const alignment = (global_sym.n_desc >> 8) & 0x0f;
+        const size = sym.n_value;
+        const alignment = (sym.n_desc >> 8) & 0x0f;
 
-        global_sym.n_value = 0;
-        global_sym.n_desc = 0;
-        global_sym.n_sect = @intCast(u8, self.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).? + 1);
-
-        const local_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
-        const local_sym = try self.locals.addOne(self.base.allocator);
-        local_sym.* = .{
-            .n_strx = global_sym.n_strx,
-            .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
-            .n_sect = global_sym.n_sect,
+        sym.* = .{
+            .n_strx = sym.n_strx,
+            .n_type = macho.N_SECT | macho.N_EXT,
+            .n_sect = 0,
             .n_desc = 0,
             .n_value = 0,
         };
 
-        const resolv = self.symbol_resolver.getPtr(local_sym.n_strx) orelse unreachable;
-        resolv.local_sym_index = local_sym_index;
+        const atom = try MachO.createEmptyAtom(gpa, global.sym_index, size, alignment);
+        atom.file = global.file;
 
-        const atom = try self.createEmptyAtom(local_sym_index, size, alignment);
+        try self.allocateAtomCommon(atom, match);
 
-        if (self.needs_prealloc) {
-            const alignment_pow_2 = try math.powi(u32, 2, alignment);
-            const vaddr = try self.allocateAtom(atom, size, alignment_pow_2, match);
-            local_sym.n_value = vaddr;
-            global_sym.n_value = vaddr;
-        } else try self.addAtomToSection(atom, match);
+        if (global.file) |file| {
+            const object = &self.objects.items[file];
+            try object.managed_atoms.append(gpa, atom);
+            try object.atom_by_index_table.putNoClobber(gpa, global.sym_index, atom);
+        } else {
+            try self.managed_atoms.append(gpa, atom);
+            try self.atom_by_index_table.putNoClobber(gpa, global.sym_index, atom);
+        }
     }
 }
 
-fn createDsoHandleSymbol(self: *MachO) !void {
-    if (self.dso_handle_sym_index != null) return;
-
-    const n_strx = self.strtab_dir.getKeyAdapted(@as([]const u8, "___dso_handle"), StringIndexAdapter{
-        .bytes = &self.strtab,
-    }) orelse return;
-
-    const resolv = self.symbol_resolver.getPtr(n_strx) orelse return;
-    if (resolv.where != .undef) return;
+fn createMhExecuteHeaderSymbol(self: *MachO) !void {
+    if (self.base.options.output_mode != .Exe) return;
+    if (self.globals.get("__mh_execute_header")) |global| {
+        const sym = self.getSymbol(global);
+        if (!sym.undf() and !(sym.pext() or sym.weakDef())) return;
+    }
 
-    const undef = &self.undefs.items[resolv.where_index];
-    const local_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
-    var nlist = macho.nlist_64{
-        .n_strx = undef.n_strx,
-        .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+    const n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(gpa, "__mh_execute_header");
+    const sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
+    try self.locals.append(gpa, .{
+        .n_strx = n_strx,
+        .n_type = macho.N_SECT | macho.N_EXT,
         .n_sect = 0,
-        .n_desc = 0,
+        .n_desc = macho.REFERENCED_DYNAMICALLY,
         .n_value = 0,
-    };
-    try self.locals.append(self.base.allocator, nlist);
-    const global_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.globals.items.len);
-    nlist.n_type |= macho.N_EXT;
-    nlist.n_desc = macho.N_WEAK_DEF;
-    try self.globals.append(self.base.allocator, nlist);
-    self.dso_handle_sym_index = local_sym_index;
+    });
 
-    assert(self.unresolved.swapRemove(resolv.where_index));
+    const name = try gpa.dupe(u8, "__mh_execute_header");
+    const gop = try self.globals.getOrPut(gpa, name);
+    defer if (gop.found_existing) gpa.free(name);
+    gop.value_ptr.* = .{
+        .sym_index = sym_index,
+        .file = null,
+    };
+}
 
-    undef.* = .{
-        .n_strx = 0,
-        .n_type = macho.N_UNDF,
+fn createDsoHandleSymbol(self: *MachO) !void {
+    const global = self.globals.getPtr("___dso_handle") orelse return;
+    const sym = self.getSymbolPtr(global.*);
+    if (!sym.undf()) return;
+
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+    const n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(gpa, "___dso_handle");
+    const sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
+    try self.locals.append(gpa, .{
+        .n_strx = n_strx,
+        .n_type = macho.N_SECT | macho.N_EXT,
         .n_sect = 0,
-        .n_desc = 0,
+        .n_desc = macho.N_WEAK_DEF,
         .n_value = 0,
+    });
+    global.* = .{
+        .sym_index = sym_index,
+        .file = null,
     };
-    resolv.* = .{
-        .where = .global,
-        .where_index = global_sym_index,
-        .local_sym_index = local_sym_index,
-    };
+    _ = self.unresolved.swapRemove(@intCast(u32, self.globals.getIndex("___dso_handle").?));
 }
 
-fn resolveSymbolsInObject(self: *MachO, object_id: u16) !void {
-    const object = &self.objects.items[object_id];
+fn resolveGlobalSymbol(self: *MachO, current: SymbolWithLoc) !void {
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+    const sym = self.getSymbol(current);
+    const sym_name = self.getSymbolName(current);
+
+    const name = try gpa.dupe(u8, sym_name);
+    const global_index = @intCast(u32, self.globals.values().len);
+    const gop = try self.globals.getOrPut(gpa, name);
+    defer if (gop.found_existing) gpa.free(name);
+
+    if (!gop.found_existing) {
+        gop.value_ptr.* = current;
+        if (sym.undf() and !sym.tentative()) {
+            try self.unresolved.putNoClobber(gpa, global_index, false);
+        }
+        return;
+    }
+
+    const global = gop.value_ptr.*;
+    const global_sym = self.getSymbol(global);
+
+    // Cases to consider: sym vs global_sym
+    // 1.  strong(sym) and strong(global_sym) => error
+    // 2.  strong(sym) and weak(global_sym) => sym
+    // 3.  strong(sym) and tentative(global_sym) => sym
+    // 4.  strong(sym) and undf(global_sym) => sym
+    // 5.  weak(sym) and strong(global_sym) => global_sym
+    // 6.  weak(sym) and tentative(global_sym) => sym
+    // 7.  weak(sym) and undf(global_sym) => sym
+    // 8.  tentative(sym) and strong(global_sym) => global_sym
+    // 9.  tentative(sym) and weak(global_sym) => global_sym
+    // 10. tentative(sym) and tentative(global_sym) => pick larger
+    // 11. tentative(sym) and undf(global_sym) => sym
+    // 12. undf(sym) and * => global_sym
+    //
+    // Reduces to:
+    // 1. strong(sym) and strong(global_sym) => error
+    // 2. * and strong(global_sym) => global_sym
+    // 3. weak(sym) and weak(global_sym) => global_sym
+    // 4. tentative(sym) and tentative(global_sym) => pick larger
+    // 5. undf(sym) and * => global_sym
+    // 6. else => sym
+
+    const sym_is_strong = sym.sect() and !(sym.weakDef() or sym.pext());
+    const global_is_strong = global_sym.sect() and !(global_sym.weakDef() or global_sym.pext());
+    const sym_is_weak = sym.sect() and (sym.weakDef() or sym.pext());
+    const global_is_weak = global_sym.sect() and (global_sym.weakDef() or global_sym.pext());
+
+    if (sym_is_strong and global_is_strong) return error.MultipleSymbolDefinitions;
+    if (global_is_strong) return;
+    if (sym_is_weak and global_is_weak) return;
+    if (sym.tentative() and global_sym.tentative()) {
+        if (global_sym.n_value >= sym.n_value) return;
+    }
+    if (sym.undf() and !sym.tentative()) return;
+
+    _ = self.unresolved.swapRemove(@intCast(u32, self.globals.getIndex(name).?));
+
+    gop.value_ptr.* = current;
+}
 
+fn resolveSymbolsInObject(self: *MachO, object: *Object, object_id: u16) !void {
     log.debug("resolving symbols in '{s}'", .{object.name});
 
-    for (object.symtab.items) |sym, id| {
-        const sym_id = @intCast(u32, id);
+    for (object.symtab.items) |sym, index| {
+        const sym_index = @intCast(u32, index);
         const sym_name = object.getString(sym.n_strx);
 
         if (sym.stab()) {
@@ -2913,170 +3084,27 @@ fn resolveSymbolsInObject(self: *MachO, object_id: u16) !void {
             return error.UnhandledSymbolType;
         }
 
-        if (sym.sect()) {
-            // Defined symbol regardless of scope lands in the locals symbol table.
-            const local_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
-            try self.locals.append(self.base.allocator, .{
-                .n_strx = if (symbolIsTemp(sym, sym_name)) 0 else try self.makeString(sym_name),
-                .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
-                .n_sect = 0,
-                .n_desc = 0,
-                .n_value = sym.n_value,
-            });
-            try object.symbol_mapping.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, sym_id, local_sym_index);
-            try object.reverse_symbol_mapping.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, local_sym_index, sym_id);
-
-            // If the symbol's scope is not local aka translation unit, then we need work out
-            // if we should save the symbol as a global, or potentially flag the error.
-            if (!sym.ext()) continue;
-
-            const n_strx = try self.makeString(sym_name);
-            const local = self.locals.items[local_sym_index];
-            const resolv = self.symbol_resolver.getPtr(n_strx) orelse {
-                const global_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.globals.items.len);
-                try self.globals.append(self.base.allocator, .{
-                    .n_strx = n_strx,
-                    .n_type = sym.n_type,
-                    .n_sect = 0,
-                    .n_desc = sym.n_desc,
-                    .n_value = sym.n_value,
-                });
-                try self.symbol_resolver.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, n_strx, .{
-                    .where = .global,
-                    .where_index = global_sym_index,
-                    .local_sym_index = local_sym_index,
-                    .file = object_id,
-                });
-                continue;
-            };
-
-            switch (resolv.where) {
-                .global => {
-                    const global = &self.globals.items[resolv.where_index];
-
-                    if (global.tentative()) {
-                        assert(self.tentatives.swapRemove(resolv.where_index));
-                    } else if (!(sym.weakDef() or sym.pext()) and !(global.weakDef() or global.pext())) {
-                        log.err("symbol '{s}' defined multiple times", .{sym_name});
-                        if (resolv.file) |file| {
-                            log.err("  first definition in '{s}'", .{self.objects.items[file].name});
-                        }
-                        log.err("  next definition in '{s}'", .{object.name});
-                        return error.MultipleSymbolDefinitions;
-                    } else if (sym.weakDef() or sym.pext()) continue; // Current symbol is weak, so skip it.
-
-                    // Otherwise, update the resolver and the global symbol.
-                    global.n_type = sym.n_type;
-                    resolv.local_sym_index = local_sym_index;
-                    resolv.file = object_id;
-
-                    continue;
-                },
-                .undef => {
-                    const undef = &self.undefs.items[resolv.where_index];
-                    undef.* = .{
-                        .n_strx = 0,
-                        .n_type = macho.N_UNDF,
-                        .n_sect = 0,
-                        .n_desc = 0,
-                        .n_value = 0,
-                    };
-                    assert(self.unresolved.swapRemove(resolv.where_index));
-                },
-            }
-
-            const global_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.globals.items.len);
-            try self.globals.append(self.base.allocator, .{
-                .n_strx = local.n_strx,
-                .n_type = sym.n_type,
-                .n_sect = 0,
-                .n_desc = sym.n_desc,
-                .n_value = sym.n_value,
+        if (sym.sect() and !sym.ext()) {
+            log.debug("symbol '{s}' local to object {s}; skipping...", .{
+                sym_name,
+                object.name,
             });
-            resolv.* = .{
-                .where = .global,
-                .where_index = global_sym_index,
-                .local_sym_index = local_sym_index,
-                .file = object_id,
-            };
-        } else if (sym.tentative()) {
-            // Symbol is a tentative definition.
-            const n_strx = try self.makeString(sym_name);
-            const resolv = self.symbol_resolver.getPtr(n_strx) orelse {
-                const global_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.globals.items.len);
-                try self.globals.append(self.base.allocator, .{
-                    .n_strx = try self.makeString(sym_name),
-                    .n_type = sym.n_type,
-                    .n_sect = 0,
-                    .n_desc = sym.n_desc,
-                    .n_value = sym.n_value,
-                });
-                try self.symbol_resolver.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, n_strx, .{
-                    .where = .global,
-                    .where_index = global_sym_index,
-                    .file = object_id,
-                });
-                _ = try self.tentatives.getOrPut(self.base.allocator, global_sym_index);
-                continue;
-            };
-
-            switch (resolv.where) {
-                .global => {
-                    const global = &self.globals.items[resolv.where_index];
-                    if (!global.tentative()) continue;
-                    if (global.n_value >= sym.n_value) continue;
-
-                    global.n_desc = sym.n_desc;
-                    global.n_value = sym.n_value;
-                    resolv.file = object_id;
-                },
-                .undef => {
-                    const undef = &self.undefs.items[resolv.where_index];
-                    const global_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.globals.items.len);
-                    try self.globals.append(self.base.allocator, .{
-                        .n_strx = undef.n_strx,
-                        .n_type = sym.n_type,
-                        .n_sect = 0,
-                        .n_desc = sym.n_desc,
-                        .n_value = sym.n_value,
-                    });
-                    _ = try self.tentatives.getOrPut(self.base.allocator, global_sym_index);
-                    assert(self.unresolved.swapRemove(resolv.where_index));
-
-                    resolv.* = .{
-                        .where = .global,
-                        .where_index = global_sym_index,
-                        .file = object_id,
-                    };
-                    undef.* = .{
-                        .n_strx = 0,
-                        .n_type = macho.N_UNDF,
-                        .n_sect = 0,
-                        .n_desc = 0,
-                        .n_value = 0,
-                    };
-                },
-            }
-        } else {
-            // Symbol is undefined.
-            const n_strx = try self.makeString(sym_name);
-            if (self.symbol_resolver.contains(n_strx)) continue;
-
-            const undef_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.undefs.items.len);
-            try self.undefs.append(self.base.allocator, .{
-                .n_strx = try self.makeString(sym_name),
-                .n_type = macho.N_UNDF,
-                .n_sect = 0,
-                .n_desc = sym.n_desc,
-                .n_value = 0,
-            });
-            try self.symbol_resolver.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, n_strx, .{
-                .where = .undef,
-                .where_index = undef_sym_index,
-                .file = object_id,
-            });
-            try self.unresolved.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, undef_sym_index, .none);
+            continue;
         }
+
+        const sym_loc = SymbolWithLoc{ .sym_index = sym_index, .file = object_id };
+        self.resolveGlobalSymbol(sym_loc) catch |err| switch (err) {
+            error.MultipleSymbolDefinitions => {
+                const global = self.globals.get(sym_name).?;
+                log.err("symbol '{s}' defined multiple times", .{sym_name});
+                if (global.file) |file| {
+                    log.err("  first definition in '{s}'", .{self.objects.items[file].name});
+                }
+                log.err("  next definition in '{s}'", .{self.objects.items[object_id].name});
+                return error.MultipleSymbolDefinitions;
+            },
+            else => |e| return e,
+        };
     }
 }
 
@@ -3085,8 +3113,8 @@ fn resolveSymbolsInArchives(self: *MachO) !void {
 
     var next_sym: usize = 0;
     loop: while (next_sym < self.unresolved.count()) {
-        const sym = self.undefs.items[self.unresolved.keys()[next_sym]];
-        const sym_name = self.getString(sym.n_strx);
+        const global = self.globals.values()[self.unresolved.keys()[next_sym]];
+        const sym_name = self.getSymbolName(global);
 
         for (self.archives.items) |archive| {
             // Check if the entry exists in a static archive.
@@ -3099,7 +3127,7 @@ fn resolveSymbolsInArchives(self: *MachO) !void {
             const object_id = @intCast(u16, self.objects.items.len);
             const object = try self.objects.addOne(self.base.allocator);
             object.* = try archive.parseObject(self.base.allocator, self.base.options.target, offsets.items[0]);
-            try self.resolveSymbolsInObject(object_id);
+            try self.resolveSymbolsInObject(object, object_id);
 
             continue :loop;
         }
@@ -3113,8 +3141,10 @@ fn resolveSymbolsInDylibs(self: *MachO) !void {
 
     var next_sym: usize = 0;
     loop: while (next_sym < self.unresolved.count()) {
-        const sym = self.undefs.items[self.unresolved.keys()[next_sym]];
-        const sym_name = self.getString(sym.n_strx);
+        const global_index = self.unresolved.keys()[next_sym];
+        const global = self.globals.values()[global_index];
+        const sym = self.getSymbolPtr(global);
+        const sym_name = self.getSymbolName(global);
 
         for (self.dylibs.items) |dylib, id| {
             if (!dylib.symbols.contains(sym_name)) continue;
@@ -3126,68 +3156,23 @@ fn resolveSymbolsInDylibs(self: *MachO) !void {
             }
 
             const ordinal = self.referenced_dylibs.getIndex(dylib_id) orelse unreachable;
-            const resolv = self.symbol_resolver.getPtr(sym.n_strx) orelse unreachable;
-            const undef = &self.undefs.items[resolv.where_index];
-            undef.n_type |= macho.N_EXT;
-            undef.n_desc = @intCast(u16, ordinal + 1) * macho.N_SYMBOL_RESOLVER;
+            sym.n_type |= macho.N_EXT;
+            sym.n_desc = @intCast(u16, ordinal + 1) * macho.N_SYMBOL_RESOLVER;
 
             if (dylib.weak) {
-                undef.n_desc |= macho.N_WEAK_REF;
+                sym.n_desc |= macho.N_WEAK_REF;
             }
 
-            if (self.unresolved.fetchSwapRemove(resolv.where_index)) |entry| outer_blk: {
-                switch (entry.value) {
-                    .none => {},
-                    .got => return error.TODOGotHint,
-                    .stub => {
-                        if (self.stubs_table.contains(sym.n_strx)) break :outer_blk;
-                        const stub_helper_atom = blk: {
-                            const match = MatchingSection{
-                                .seg = self.text_segment_cmd_index.?,
-                                .sect = self.stub_helper_section_index.?,
-                            };
-                            const atom = try self.createStubHelperAtom();
-                            const atom_sym = &self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
-                            const alignment = try math.powi(u32, 2, atom.alignment);
-                            const vaddr = try self.allocateAtom(atom, atom.size, alignment, match);
-                            atom_sym.n_value = vaddr;
-                            atom_sym.n_sect = @intCast(u8, self.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).? + 1);
-                            break :blk atom;
-                        };
-                        const laptr_atom = blk: {
-                            const match = MatchingSection{
-                                .seg = self.data_segment_cmd_index.?,
-                                .sect = self.la_symbol_ptr_section_index.?,
-                            };
-                            const atom = try self.createLazyPointerAtom(
-                                stub_helper_atom.local_sym_index,
-                                sym.n_strx,
-                            );
-                            const atom_sym = &self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
-                            const alignment = try math.powi(u32, 2, atom.alignment);
-                            const vaddr = try self.allocateAtom(atom, atom.size, alignment, match);
-                            atom_sym.n_value = vaddr;
-                            atom_sym.n_sect = @intCast(u8, self.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).? + 1);
-                            break :blk atom;
-                        };
-                        const stub_atom = blk: {
-                            const match = MatchingSection{
-                                .seg = self.text_segment_cmd_index.?,
-                                .sect = self.stubs_section_index.?,
-                            };
-                            const atom = try self.createStubAtom(laptr_atom.local_sym_index);
-                            const atom_sym = &self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
-                            const alignment = try math.powi(u32, 2, atom.alignment);
-                            const vaddr = try self.allocateAtom(atom, atom.size, alignment, match);
-                            atom_sym.n_value = vaddr;
-                            atom_sym.n_sect = @intCast(u8, self.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).? + 1);
-                            break :blk atom;
-                        };
-                        const stub_index = @intCast(u32, self.stubs.items.len);
-                        try self.stubs.append(self.base.allocator, stub_atom);
-                        try self.stubs_table.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, sym.n_strx, stub_index);
-                    },
-                }
+            if (self.unresolved.fetchSwapRemove(global_index)) |entry| blk: {
+                if (!entry.value) break :blk;
+                if (!sym.undf()) break :blk;
+                if (self.stubs_table.contains(global)) break :blk;
+
+                const stub_index = try self.allocateStubEntry(global);
+                const stub_helper_atom = try self.createStubHelperAtom();
+                const laptr_atom = try self.createLazyPointerAtom(stub_helper_atom.sym_index, global);
+                const stub_atom = try self.createStubAtom(laptr_atom.sym_index);
+                self.stubs.items[stub_index].sym_index = stub_atom.sym_index;
             }
 
             continue :loop;
@@ -3197,39 +3182,46 @@ fn resolveSymbolsInDylibs(self: *MachO) !void {
     }
 }
 
-fn createMhExecuteHeaderSymbol(self: *MachO) !void {
-    if (self.base.options.output_mode != .Exe) return;
-    if (self.mh_execute_header_sym_index != null) return;
+fn resolveSymbolsAtLoading(self: *MachO) !void {
+    const is_lib = self.base.options.output_mode == .Lib;
+    const is_dyn_lib = self.base.options.link_mode == .Dynamic and is_lib;
+    const allow_undef = is_dyn_lib and (self.base.options.allow_shlib_undefined orelse false);
 
-    const n_strx = try self.makeString("__mh_execute_header");
-    const local_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
-    var nlist = macho.nlist_64{
-        .n_strx = n_strx,
-        .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
-        .n_sect = 0,
-        .n_desc = 0,
-        .n_value = 0,
-    };
-    try self.locals.append(self.base.allocator, nlist);
-    self.mh_execute_header_sym_index = local_sym_index;
-
-    if (self.symbol_resolver.getPtr(n_strx)) |resolv| {
-        const global = &self.globals.items[resolv.where_index];
-        if (!(global.weakDef() or !global.pext())) {
-            log.err("symbol '__mh_execute_header' defined multiple times", .{});
-            return error.MultipleSymbolDefinitions;
+    var next_sym: usize = 0;
+    while (next_sym < self.unresolved.count()) {
+        const global_index = self.unresolved.keys()[next_sym];
+        const global = self.globals.values()[global_index];
+        const sym = self.getSymbolPtr(global);
+        const sym_name = self.getSymbolName(global);
+
+        if (sym.discarded()) {
+            sym.* = .{
+                .n_strx = 0,
+                .n_type = macho.N_UNDF,
+                .n_sect = 0,
+                .n_desc = 0,
+                .n_value = 0,
+            };
+            _ = self.unresolved.swapRemove(global_index);
+            continue;
+        } else if (allow_undef) {
+            const n_desc = @bitCast(
+                u16,
+                macho.BIND_SPECIAL_DYLIB_FLAT_LOOKUP * @intCast(i16, macho.N_SYMBOL_RESOLVER),
+            );
+            // TODO allow_shlib_undefined is an ELF flag so figure out macOS specific flags too.
+            sym.n_type = macho.N_EXT;
+            sym.n_desc = n_desc;
+            _ = self.unresolved.swapRemove(global_index);
+            continue;
         }
-        resolv.local_sym_index = local_sym_index;
-    } else {
-        const global_sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.globals.items.len);
-        nlist.n_type |= macho.N_EXT;
-        try self.globals.append(self.base.allocator, nlist);
-        try self.symbol_resolver.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, n_strx, .{
-            .where = .global,
-            .where_index = global_sym_index,
-            .local_sym_index = local_sym_index,
-            .file = null,
-        });
+
+        log.err("undefined reference to symbol '{s}'", .{sym_name});
+        if (global.file) |file| {
+            log.err("  first referenced in '{s}'", .{self.objects.items[file].name});
+        }
+
+        next_sym += 1;
     }
 }
 
@@ -3237,21 +3229,20 @@ fn resolveDyldStubBinder(self: *MachO) !void {
     if (self.dyld_stub_binder_index != null) return;
     if (self.unresolved.count() == 0) return; // no need for a stub binder if we don't have any imports
 
-    const n_strx = try self.makeString("dyld_stub_binder");
-    const sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.undefs.items.len);
-    try self.undefs.append(self.base.allocator, .{
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+    const n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(gpa, "dyld_stub_binder");
+    const sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
+    try self.locals.append(gpa, .{
         .n_strx = n_strx,
         .n_type = macho.N_UNDF,
         .n_sect = 0,
         .n_desc = 0,
         .n_value = 0,
     });
-    try self.symbol_resolver.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, n_strx, .{
-        .where = .undef,
-        .where_index = sym_index,
-    });
-    const sym = &self.undefs.items[sym_index];
-    const sym_name = self.getString(n_strx);
+    const sym_name = try gpa.dupe(u8, "dyld_stub_binder");
+    const global = SymbolWithLoc{ .sym_index = sym_index, .file = null };
+    try self.globals.putNoClobber(gpa, sym_name, global);
+    const sym = &self.locals.items[sym_index];
 
     for (self.dylibs.items) |dylib, id| {
         if (!dylib.symbols.contains(sym_name)) continue;
@@ -3276,205 +3267,9 @@ fn resolveDyldStubBinder(self: *MachO) !void {
     }
 
     // Add dyld_stub_binder as the final GOT entry.
-    const target = Atom.Relocation.Target{ .global = n_strx };
-    const atom = try self.createGotAtom(target);
-    const got_index = @intCast(u32, self.got_entries.items.len);
-    try self.got_entries.append(self.base.allocator, .{ .target = target, .atom = atom });
-    try self.got_entries_table.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, target, got_index);
-    const match = MatchingSection{
-        .seg = self.data_const_segment_cmd_index.?,
-        .sect = self.got_section_index.?,
-    };
-    const atom_sym = &self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
-
-    if (self.needs_prealloc) {
-        const vaddr = try self.allocateAtom(atom, @sizeOf(u64), 8, match);
-        log.debug("allocated {s} atom at 0x{x}", .{ self.getString(sym.n_strx), vaddr });
-        atom_sym.n_value = vaddr;
-    } else {
-        const seg = &self.load_commands.items[self.data_const_segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
-        const sect = &seg.sections.items[self.got_section_index.?];
-        sect.size += atom.size;
-        try self.addAtomToSection(atom, match);
-    }
-
-    atom_sym.n_sect = @intCast(u8, self.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).? + 1);
-}
-
-fn parseObjectsIntoAtoms(self: *MachO) !void {
-    // TODO I need to see if I can simplify this logic, or perhaps split it into two functions:
-    // one for non-prealloc traditional path, and one for incremental prealloc path.
-    const tracy = trace(@src());
-    defer tracy.end();
-
-    var parsed_atoms = std.AutoArrayHashMap(MatchingSection, *Atom).init(self.base.allocator);
-    defer parsed_atoms.deinit();
-
-    var first_atoms = std.AutoArrayHashMap(MatchingSection, *Atom).init(self.base.allocator);
-    defer first_atoms.deinit();
-
-    var section_metadata = std.AutoHashMap(MatchingSection, struct {
-        size: u64,
-        alignment: u32,
-    }).init(self.base.allocator);
-    defer section_metadata.deinit();
-
-    for (self.objects.items) |*object| {
-        if (object.analyzed) continue;
-
-        try object.parseIntoAtoms(self.base.allocator, self);
-
-        var it = object.end_atoms.iterator();
-        while (it.next()) |entry| {
-            const match = entry.key_ptr.*;
-            var atom = entry.value_ptr.*;
-
-            while (atom.prev) |prev| {
-                atom = prev;
-            }
-
-            const first_atom = atom;
-
-            const seg = self.load_commands.items[match.seg].segment;
-            const sect = seg.sections.items[match.sect];
-            const metadata = try section_metadata.getOrPut(match);
-            if (!metadata.found_existing) {
-                metadata.value_ptr.* = .{
-                    .size = sect.size,
-                    .alignment = sect.@"align",
-                };
-            }
-
-            log.debug("{s},{s}", .{ sect.segName(), sect.sectName() });
-
-            while (true) {
-                const alignment = try math.powi(u32, 2, atom.alignment);
-                const curr_size = metadata.value_ptr.size;
-                const curr_size_aligned = mem.alignForwardGeneric(u64, curr_size, alignment);
-                metadata.value_ptr.size = curr_size_aligned + atom.size;
-                metadata.value_ptr.alignment = math.max(metadata.value_ptr.alignment, atom.alignment);
-
-                const sym = self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
-                log.debug("  {s}: n_value=0x{x}, size=0x{x}, alignment=0x{x}", .{
-                    self.getString(sym.n_strx),
-                    sym.n_value,
-                    atom.size,
-                    atom.alignment,
-                });
-
-                if (atom.next) |next| {
-                    atom = next;
-                } else break;
-            }
-
-            if (parsed_atoms.getPtr(match)) |last| {
-                last.*.next = first_atom;
-                first_atom.prev = last.*;
-                last.* = first_atom;
-            }
-            _ = try parsed_atoms.put(match, atom);
-
-            if (!first_atoms.contains(match)) {
-                try first_atoms.putNoClobber(match, first_atom);
-            }
-        }
-
-        object.analyzed = true;
-    }
-
-    var it = section_metadata.iterator();
-    while (it.next()) |entry| {
-        const match = entry.key_ptr.*;
-        const metadata = entry.value_ptr.*;
-        const seg = &self.load_commands.items[match.seg].segment;
-        const sect = &seg.sections.items[match.sect];
-        log.debug("{s},{s} => size: 0x{x}, alignment: 0x{x}", .{
-            sect.segName(),
-            sect.sectName(),
-            metadata.size,
-            metadata.alignment,
-        });
-
-        sect.@"align" = math.max(sect.@"align", metadata.alignment);
-        const needed_size = @intCast(u32, metadata.size);
-
-        if (self.needs_prealloc) {
-            try self.growSection(match, needed_size);
-        }
-        sect.size = needed_size;
-    }
-
-    for (&[_]?u16{
-        self.text_segment_cmd_index,
-        self.data_const_segment_cmd_index,
-        self.data_segment_cmd_index,
-    }) |maybe_seg_id| {
-        const seg_id = maybe_seg_id orelse continue;
-        const seg = self.load_commands.items[seg_id].segment;
-
-        for (seg.sections.items) |sect, sect_id| {
-            const match = MatchingSection{
-                .seg = seg_id,
-                .sect = @intCast(u16, sect_id),
-            };
-            if (!section_metadata.contains(match)) continue;
-
-            var base_vaddr = if (self.atoms.get(match)) |last| blk: {
-                const last_atom_sym = self.locals.items[last.local_sym_index];
-                break :blk last_atom_sym.n_value + last.size;
-            } else sect.addr;
-
-            if (self.atoms.getPtr(match)) |last| {
-                const first_atom = first_atoms.get(match).?;
-                last.*.next = first_atom;
-                first_atom.prev = last.*;
-                last.* = first_atom;
-            }
-            _ = try self.atoms.put(self.base.allocator, match, parsed_atoms.get(match).?);
-
-            if (!self.needs_prealloc) continue;
-
-            const n_sect = @intCast(u8, self.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).? + 1);
-
-            var atom = first_atoms.get(match).?;
-            while (true) {
-                const alignment = try math.powi(u32, 2, atom.alignment);
-                base_vaddr = mem.alignForwardGeneric(u64, base_vaddr, alignment);
-
-                const sym = &self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
-                sym.n_value = base_vaddr;
-                sym.n_sect = n_sect;
-
-                log.debug("  {s}: start=0x{x}, end=0x{x}, size=0x{x}, alignment=0x{x}", .{
-                    self.getString(sym.n_strx),
-                    base_vaddr,
-                    base_vaddr + atom.size,
-                    atom.size,
-                    atom.alignment,
-                });
-
-                // Update each alias (if any)
-                for (atom.aliases.items) |index| {
-                    const alias_sym = &self.locals.items[index];
-                    alias_sym.n_value = base_vaddr;
-                    alias_sym.n_sect = n_sect;
-                }
-
-                // Update each symbol contained within the atom
-                for (atom.contained.items) |sym_at_off| {
-                    const contained_sym = &self.locals.items[sym_at_off.local_sym_index];
-                    contained_sym.n_value = base_vaddr + sym_at_off.offset;
-                    contained_sym.n_sect = n_sect;
-                }
-
-                base_vaddr += atom.size;
-
-                if (atom.next) |next| {
-                    atom = next;
-                } else break;
-            }
-        }
-    }
+    const got_index = try self.allocateGotEntry(global);
+    const got_atom = try self.createGotAtom(global);
+    self.got_entries.items[got_index].sym_index = got_atom.sym_index;
 }
 
 fn addLoadDylibLC(self: *MachO, id: u16) !void {
@@ -3511,16 +3306,8 @@ fn setEntryPoint(self: *MachO) !void {
     if (self.base.options.output_mode != .Exe) return;
 
     const seg = self.load_commands.items[self.text_segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
-    const entry_name = self.base.options.entry orelse "_main";
-    const n_strx = self.strtab_dir.getKeyAdapted(entry_name, StringIndexAdapter{
-        .bytes = &self.strtab,
-    }) orelse {
-        log.err("entrypoint '{s}' not found", .{entry_name});
-        return error.MissingMainEntrypoint;
-    };
-    const resolv = self.symbol_resolver.get(n_strx) orelse unreachable;
-    assert(resolv.where == .global);
-    const sym = self.globals.items[resolv.where_index];
+    const global = try self.getEntryPoint();
+    const sym = self.getSymbol(global);
     const ec = &self.load_commands.items[self.main_cmd_index.?].main;
     ec.entryoff = @intCast(u32, sym.n_value - seg.inner.vmaddr);
     ec.stacksize = self.base.options.stack_size_override orelse 0;
@@ -3529,76 +3316,77 @@ fn setEntryPoint(self: *MachO) !void {
 }
 
 pub fn deinit(self: *MachO) void {
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+
     if (build_options.have_llvm) {
-        if (self.llvm_object) |llvm_object| llvm_object.destroy(self.base.allocator);
+        if (self.llvm_object) |llvm_object| llvm_object.destroy(gpa);
     }
 
     if (self.d_sym) |*d_sym| {
-        d_sym.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    }
-
-    self.section_ordinals.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.tlv_ptr_entries.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.tlv_ptr_entries_free_list.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.tlv_ptr_entries_table.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.got_entries.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.got_entries_free_list.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.got_entries_table.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.stubs.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.stubs_free_list.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.stubs_table.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.strtab_dir.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.strtab.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.undefs.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.globals.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.globals_free_list.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.locals.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.locals_free_list.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.symbol_resolver.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.unresolved.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.tentatives.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+        d_sym.deinit(gpa);
+    }
+
+    self.section_ordinals.deinit(gpa);
+    self.tlv_ptr_entries.deinit(gpa);
+    self.tlv_ptr_entries_free_list.deinit(gpa);
+    self.tlv_ptr_entries_table.deinit(gpa);
+    self.got_entries.deinit(gpa);
+    self.got_entries_free_list.deinit(gpa);
+    self.got_entries_table.deinit(gpa);
+    self.stubs.deinit(gpa);
+    self.stubs_free_list.deinit(gpa);
+    self.stubs_table.deinit(gpa);
+    self.strtab.deinit(gpa);
+    self.locals.deinit(gpa);
+    self.locals_free_list.deinit(gpa);
+    self.unresolved.deinit(gpa);
+
+    for (self.globals.keys()) |key| {
+        gpa.free(key);
+    }
+    self.globals.deinit(gpa);
 
     for (self.objects.items) |*object| {
-        object.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+        object.deinit(gpa);
     }
-    self.objects.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+    self.objects.deinit(gpa);
 
     for (self.archives.items) |*archive| {
-        archive.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+        archive.deinit(gpa);
     }
-    self.archives.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+    self.archives.deinit(gpa);
 
     for (self.dylibs.items) |*dylib| {
-        dylib.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+        dylib.deinit(gpa);
     }
-    self.dylibs.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.dylibs_map.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.referenced_dylibs.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+    self.dylibs.deinit(gpa);
+    self.dylibs_map.deinit(gpa);
+    self.referenced_dylibs.deinit(gpa);
 
     for (self.load_commands.items) |*lc| {
-        lc.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+        lc.deinit(gpa);
     }
-    self.load_commands.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+    self.load_commands.deinit(gpa);
 
     for (self.managed_atoms.items) |atom| {
-        atom.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-        self.base.allocator.destroy(atom);
+        atom.deinit(gpa);
+        gpa.destroy(atom);
     }
-    self.managed_atoms.deinit(self.base.allocator);
-    self.atoms.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+    self.managed_atoms.deinit(gpa);
+    self.atoms.deinit(gpa);
     {
         var it = self.atom_free_lists.valueIterator();
         while (it.next()) |free_list| {
-            free_list.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+            free_list.deinit(gpa);
         }
-        self.atom_free_lists.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+        self.atom_free_lists.deinit(gpa);
     }
     if (self.base.options.module) |mod| {
         for (self.decls.keys()) |decl_index| {
             const decl = mod.declPtr(decl_index);
-            decl.link.macho.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+            decl.link.macho.deinit(gpa);
         }
-        self.decls.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+        self.decls.deinit(gpa);
     } else {
         assert(self.decls.count() == 0);
     }
@@ -3606,15 +3394,15 @@ pub fn deinit(self: *MachO) void {
     {
         var it = self.unnamed_const_atoms.valueIterator();
         while (it.next()) |atoms| {
-            atoms.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+            atoms.deinit(gpa);
         }
-        self.unnamed_const_atoms.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+        self.unnamed_const_atoms.deinit(gpa);
     }
 
-    self.atom_by_index_table.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+    self.atom_by_index_table.deinit(gpa);
 
     if (self.code_signature) |*csig| {
-        csig.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+        csig.deinit(gpa);
     }
 }
 
@@ -3670,7 +3458,7 @@ fn freeAtom(self: *MachO, atom: *Atom, match: MatchingSection, owns_atom: bool)
     if (atom.prev) |prev| {
         prev.next = atom.next;
 
-        if (!already_have_free_list_node and prev.freeListEligible(self.*)) {
+        if (!already_have_free_list_node and prev.freeListEligible(self)) {
             // The free list is heuristics, it doesn't have to be perfect, so we can ignore
             // the OOM here.
             free_list.append(self.base.allocator, prev) catch {};
@@ -3700,14 +3488,14 @@ fn shrinkAtom(self: *MachO, atom: *Atom, new_block_size: u64, match: MatchingSec
 }
 
 fn growAtom(self: *MachO, atom: *Atom, new_atom_size: u64, alignment: u64, match: MatchingSection) !u64 {
-    const sym = self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
+    const sym = atom.getSymbol(self);
     const align_ok = mem.alignBackwardGeneric(u64, sym.n_value, alignment) == sym.n_value;
-    const need_realloc = !align_ok or new_atom_size > atom.capacity(self.*);
+    const need_realloc = !align_ok or new_atom_size > atom.capacity(self);
     if (!need_realloc) return sym.n_value;
     return self.allocateAtom(atom, new_atom_size, alignment, match);
 }
 
-fn allocateLocalSymbol(self: *MachO) !u32 {
+fn allocateSymbol(self: *MachO) !u32 {
     try self.locals.ensureUnusedCapacity(self.base.allocator, 1);
 
     const index = blk: {
@@ -3733,8 +3521,9 @@ fn allocateLocalSymbol(self: *MachO) !u32 {
     return index;
 }
 
-pub fn allocateGotEntry(self: *MachO, target: Atom.Relocation.Target) !u32 {
-    try self.got_entries.ensureUnusedCapacity(self.base.allocator, 1);
+pub fn allocateGotEntry(self: *MachO, target: SymbolWithLoc) !u32 {
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+    try self.got_entries.ensureUnusedCapacity(gpa, 1);
 
     const index = blk: {
         if (self.got_entries_free_list.popOrNull()) |index| {
@@ -3748,16 +3537,13 @@ pub fn allocateGotEntry(self: *MachO, target: Atom.Relocation.Target) !u32 {
         }
     };
 
-    self.got_entries.items[index] = .{
-        .target = target,
-        .atom = undefined,
-    };
-    try self.got_entries_table.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, target, index);
+    self.got_entries.items[index] = .{ .target = target, .sym_index = 0 };
+    try self.got_entries_table.putNoClobber(gpa, target, index);
 
     return index;
 }
 
-pub fn allocateStubEntry(self: *MachO, n_strx: u32) !u32 {
+pub fn allocateStubEntry(self: *MachO, target: SymbolWithLoc) !u32 {
     try self.stubs.ensureUnusedCapacity(self.base.allocator, 1);
 
     const index = blk: {
@@ -3772,13 +3558,13 @@ pub fn allocateStubEntry(self: *MachO, n_strx: u32) !u32 {
         }
     };
 
-    self.stubs.items[index] = undefined;
-    try self.stubs_table.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, n_strx, index);
+    self.stubs.items[index] = .{ .target = target, .sym_index = 0 };
+    try self.stubs_table.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, target, index);
 
     return index;
 }
 
-pub fn allocateTlvPtrEntry(self: *MachO, target: Atom.Relocation.Target) !u32 {
+pub fn allocateTlvPtrEntry(self: *MachO, target: SymbolWithLoc) !u32 {
     try self.tlv_ptr_entries.ensureUnusedCapacity(self.base.allocator, 1);
 
     const index = blk: {
@@ -3793,7 +3579,7 @@ pub fn allocateTlvPtrEntry(self: *MachO, target: Atom.Relocation.Target) !u32 {
         }
     };
 
-    self.tlv_ptr_entries.items[index] = .{ .target = target, .atom = undefined };
+    self.tlv_ptr_entries.items[index] = .{ .target = target, .sym_index = 0 };
     try self.tlv_ptr_entries_table.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, target, index);
 
     return index;
@@ -3802,16 +3588,11 @@ pub fn allocateTlvPtrEntry(self: *MachO, target: Atom.Relocation.Target) !u32 {
 pub fn allocateDeclIndexes(self: *MachO, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index) !void {
     if (self.llvm_object) |_| return;
     const decl = self.base.options.module.?.declPtr(decl_index);
-    if (decl.link.macho.local_sym_index != 0) return;
+    if (decl.link.macho.sym_index != 0) return;
 
-    decl.link.macho.local_sym_index = try self.allocateLocalSymbol();
-    try self.atom_by_index_table.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, decl.link.macho.local_sym_index, &decl.link.macho);
+    decl.link.macho.sym_index = try self.allocateSymbol();
+    try self.atom_by_index_table.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, decl.link.macho.sym_index, &decl.link.macho);
     try self.decls.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, decl_index, null);
-
-    const got_target = .{ .local = decl.link.macho.local_sym_index };
-    const got_index = try self.allocateGotEntry(got_target);
-    const got_atom = try self.createGotAtom(got_target);
-    self.got_entries.items[got_index].atom = got_atom;
 }
 
 pub fn updateFunc(self: *MachO, module: *Module, func: *Module.Fn, air: Air, liveness: Liveness) !void {
@@ -3862,14 +3643,14 @@ pub fn updateFunc(self: *MachO, module: *Module, func: *Module.Fn, air: Air, liv
         },
     }
 
-    const symbol = try self.placeDecl(decl_index, decl.link.macho.code.items.len);
+    const addr = try self.placeDecl(decl_index, decl.link.macho.code.items.len);
 
     if (decl_state) |*ds| {
         try self.d_sym.?.dwarf.commitDeclState(
             &self.base,
             module,
             decl,
-            symbol.n_value,
+            addr,
             decl.link.macho.size,
             ds,
         );
@@ -3885,8 +3666,9 @@ pub fn lowerUnnamedConst(self: *MachO, typed_value: TypedValue, decl_index: Modu
     var code_buffer = std.ArrayList(u8).init(self.base.allocator);
     defer code_buffer.deinit();
 
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
     const module = self.base.options.module.?;
-    const gop = try self.unnamed_const_atoms.getOrPut(self.base.allocator, decl_index);
+    const gop = try self.unnamed_const_atoms.getOrPut(gpa, decl_index);
     if (!gop.found_existing) {
         gop.value_ptr.* = .{};
     }
@@ -3894,25 +3676,32 @@ pub fn lowerUnnamedConst(self: *MachO, typed_value: TypedValue, decl_index: Modu
 
     const decl = module.declPtr(decl_index);
     const decl_name = try decl.getFullyQualifiedName(module);
-    defer self.base.allocator.free(decl_name);
+    defer gpa.free(decl_name);
 
     const name_str_index = blk: {
         const index = unnamed_consts.items.len;
-        const name = try std.fmt.allocPrint(self.base.allocator, "__unnamed_{s}_{d}", .{ decl_name, index });
-        defer self.base.allocator.free(name);
-        break :blk try self.makeString(name);
+        const name = try std.fmt.allocPrint(gpa, "__unnamed_{s}_{d}", .{ decl_name, index });
+        defer gpa.free(name);
+        break :blk try self.strtab.insert(gpa, name);
     };
-    const name = self.getString(name_str_index);
+    const name = self.strtab.get(name_str_index);
 
     log.debug("allocating symbol indexes for {s}", .{name});
 
     const required_alignment = typed_value.ty.abiAlignment(self.base.options.target);
-    const local_sym_index = try self.allocateLocalSymbol();
-    const atom = try self.createEmptyAtom(local_sym_index, @sizeOf(u64), math.log2(required_alignment));
-    try self.atom_by_index_table.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, local_sym_index, atom);
+    const sym_index = try self.allocateSymbol();
+    const atom = try MachO.createEmptyAtom(
+        gpa,
+        sym_index,
+        @sizeOf(u64),
+        math.log2(required_alignment),
+    );
+
+    try self.managed_atoms.append(gpa, atom);
+    try self.atom_by_index_table.putNoClobber(gpa, sym_index, atom);
 
     const res = try codegen.generateSymbol(&self.base, decl.srcLoc(), typed_value, &code_buffer, .none, .{
-        .parent_atom_index = local_sym_index,
+        .parent_atom_index = sym_index,
     });
     const code = switch (res) {
         .externally_managed => |x| x,
@@ -3926,7 +3715,7 @@ pub fn lowerUnnamedConst(self: *MachO, typed_value: TypedValue, decl_index: Modu
     };
 
     atom.code.clearRetainingCapacity();
-    try atom.code.appendSlice(self.base.allocator, code);
+    try atom.code.appendSlice(gpa, code);
 
     const match = try self.getMatchingSectionAtom(
         atom,
@@ -3942,18 +3731,18 @@ pub fn lowerUnnamedConst(self: *MachO, typed_value: TypedValue, decl_index: Modu
 
     errdefer self.freeAtom(atom, match, true);
 
-    const symbol = &self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
+    const symbol = atom.getSymbolPtr(self);
     symbol.* = .{
         .n_strx = name_str_index,
         .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
-        .n_sect = @intCast(u8, self.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).?) + 1,
+        .n_sect = self.getSectionOrdinal(match),
         .n_desc = 0,
         .n_value = addr,
     };
 
-    try unnamed_consts.append(self.base.allocator, atom);
+    try unnamed_consts.append(gpa, atom);
 
-    return atom.local_sym_index;
+    return atom.sym_index;
 }
 
 pub fn updateDecl(self: *MachO, module: *Module, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index) !void {
@@ -3995,14 +3784,14 @@ pub fn updateDecl(self: *MachO, module: *Module, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index)
         }, &code_buffer, .{
             .dwarf = ds,
         }, .{
-            .parent_atom_index = decl.link.macho.local_sym_index,
+            .parent_atom_index = decl.link.macho.sym_index,
         })
     else
         try codegen.generateSymbol(&self.base, decl.srcLoc(), .{
             .ty = decl.ty,
             .val = decl_val,
         }, &code_buffer, .none, .{
-            .parent_atom_index = decl.link.macho.local_sym_index,
+            .parent_atom_index = decl.link.macho.sym_index,
         });
 
     const code = blk: {
@@ -4025,14 +3814,14 @@ pub fn updateDecl(self: *MachO, module: *Module, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index)
             },
         }
     };
-    const symbol = try self.placeDecl(decl_index, code.len);
+    const addr = try self.placeDecl(decl_index, code.len);
 
     if (decl_state) |*ds| {
         try self.d_sym.?.dwarf.commitDeclState(
             &self.base,
             module,
             decl,
-            symbol.n_value,
+            addr,
             decl.link.macho.size,
             ds,
         );
@@ -4177,8 +3966,7 @@ fn getMatchingSectionAtom(
             .@"align" = align_log_2,
         })).?;
     };
-    const seg = self.load_commands.items[match.seg].segment;
-    const sect = seg.sections.items[match.sect];
+    const sect = self.getSection(match);
     log.debug("  allocating atom '{s}' in '{s},{s}' ({d},{d})", .{
         name,
         sect.segName(),
@@ -4189,12 +3977,11 @@ fn getMatchingSectionAtom(
     return match;
 }
 
-fn placeDecl(self: *MachO, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index, code_len: usize) !*macho.nlist_64 {
+fn placeDecl(self: *MachO, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index, code_len: usize) !u64 {
     const module = self.base.options.module.?;
     const decl = module.declPtr(decl_index);
     const required_alignment = decl.getAlignment(self.base.options.target);
-    assert(decl.link.macho.local_sym_index != 0); // Caller forgot to call allocateDeclIndexes()
-    const symbol = &self.locals.items[decl.link.macho.local_sym_index];
+    assert(decl.link.macho.sym_index != 0); // Caller forgot to call allocateDeclIndexes()
 
     const sym_name = try decl.getFullyQualifiedName(module);
     defer self.base.allocator.free(sym_name);
@@ -4212,7 +3999,8 @@ fn placeDecl(self: *MachO, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index, code_len: usize) !*mac
     const match = decl_ptr.*.?;
 
     if (decl.link.macho.size != 0) {
-        const capacity = decl.link.macho.capacity(self.*);
+        const symbol = decl.link.macho.getSymbolPtr(self);
+        const capacity = decl.link.macho.capacity(self);
         const need_realloc = code_len > capacity or !mem.isAlignedGeneric(u64, symbol.n_value, required_alignment);
 
         if (need_realloc) {
@@ -4220,18 +4008,24 @@ fn placeDecl(self: *MachO, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index, code_len: usize) !*mac
             log.debug("growing {s} and moving from 0x{x} to 0x{x}", .{ sym_name, symbol.n_value, vaddr });
             log.debug("  (required alignment 0x{x})", .{required_alignment});
             symbol.n_value = vaddr;
+
+            const got_atom = self.getGotAtomForSymbol(.{
+                .sym_index = decl.link.macho.sym_index,
+                .file = null,
+            }).?;
+            got_atom.dirty = true;
         } else if (code_len < decl.link.macho.size) {
             self.shrinkAtom(&decl.link.macho, code_len, match);
         }
         decl.link.macho.size = code_len;
         decl.link.macho.dirty = true;
 
-        symbol.n_strx = try self.makeString(sym_name);
+        symbol.n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(self.base.allocator, sym_name);
         symbol.n_type = macho.N_SECT;
         symbol.n_sect = @intCast(u8, self.text_section_index.?) + 1;
         symbol.n_desc = 0;
     } else {
-        const name_str_index = try self.makeString(sym_name);
+        const name_str_index = try self.strtab.insert(self.base.allocator, sym_name);
         const addr = try self.allocateAtom(&decl.link.macho, code_len, required_alignment, match);
 
         log.debug("allocated atom for {s} at 0x{x}", .{ sym_name, addr });
@@ -4239,28 +4033,22 @@ fn placeDecl(self: *MachO, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index, code_len: usize) !*mac
 
         errdefer self.freeAtom(&decl.link.macho, match, false);
 
+        const symbol = decl.link.macho.getSymbolPtr(self);
         symbol.* = .{
             .n_strx = name_str_index,
             .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
-            .n_sect = @intCast(u8, self.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).?) + 1,
+            .n_sect = self.getSectionOrdinal(match),
             .n_desc = 0,
             .n_value = addr,
         };
-        const got_index = self.got_entries_table.get(.{ .local = decl.link.macho.local_sym_index }).?;
-        const got_atom = self.got_entries.items[got_index].atom;
-        const got_sym = &self.locals.items[got_atom.local_sym_index];
-        const vaddr = try self.allocateAtom(got_atom, @sizeOf(u64), 8, .{
-            .seg = self.data_const_segment_cmd_index.?,
-            .sect = self.got_section_index.?,
-        });
-        got_sym.n_value = vaddr;
-        got_sym.n_sect = @intCast(u8, self.section_ordinals.getIndex(.{
-            .seg = self.data_const_segment_cmd_index.?,
-            .sect = self.got_section_index.?,
-        }).? + 1);
+
+        const got_target = SymbolWithLoc{ .sym_index = decl.link.macho.sym_index, .file = null };
+        const got_index = try self.allocateGotEntry(got_target);
+        const got_atom = try self.createGotAtom(got_target);
+        self.got_entries.items[got_index].sym_index = got_atom.sym_index;
     }
 
-    return symbol;
+    return decl.link.macho.getSymbol(self).n_value;
 }
 
 pub fn updateDeclLineNumber(self: *MachO, module: *Module, decl: *const Module.Decl) !void {
@@ -4280,19 +4068,23 @@ pub fn updateDeclExports(
         @panic("Attempted to compile for object format that was disabled by build configuration");
     }
     if (build_options.have_llvm) {
-        if (self.llvm_object) |llvm_object| return llvm_object.updateDeclExports(module, decl_index, exports);
+        if (self.llvm_object) |llvm_object|
+            return llvm_object.updateDeclExports(module, decl_index, exports);
     }
     const tracy = trace(@src());
     defer tracy.end();
 
-    try self.globals.ensureUnusedCapacity(self.base.allocator, exports.len);
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+
     const decl = module.declPtr(decl_index);
-    if (decl.link.macho.local_sym_index == 0) return;
-    const decl_sym = &self.locals.items[decl.link.macho.local_sym_index];
+    if (decl.link.macho.sym_index == 0) return;
+    const decl_sym = decl.link.macho.getSymbol(self);
 
     for (exports) |exp| {
-        const exp_name = try std.fmt.allocPrint(self.base.allocator, "_{s}", .{exp.options.name});
-        defer self.base.allocator.free(exp_name);
+        const exp_name = try std.fmt.allocPrint(gpa, "_{s}", .{exp.options.name});
+        defer gpa.free(exp_name);
+
+        log.debug("adding new export '{s}'", .{exp_name});
 
         if (exp.options.section) |section_name| {
             if (!mem.eql(u8, section_name, "__text")) {
@@ -4300,7 +4092,7 @@ pub fn updateDeclExports(
                     module.gpa,
                     exp,
                     try Module.ErrorMsg.create(
-                        self.base.allocator,
+                        gpa,
                         decl.srcLoc(),
                         "Unimplemented: ExportOptions.section",
                         .{},
@@ -4315,7 +4107,7 @@ pub fn updateDeclExports(
                 module.gpa,
                 exp,
                 try Module.ErrorMsg.create(
-                    self.base.allocator,
+                    gpa,
                     decl.srcLoc(),
                     "Unimplemented: GlobalLinkage.LinkOnce",
                     .{},
@@ -4324,103 +4116,85 @@ pub fn updateDeclExports(
             continue;
         }
 
-        const is_weak = exp.options.linkage == .Internal or exp.options.linkage == .Weak;
-        const n_strx = try self.makeString(exp_name);
-        if (self.symbol_resolver.getPtr(n_strx)) |resolv| {
-            switch (resolv.where) {
-                .global => {
-                    if (resolv.local_sym_index == decl.link.macho.local_sym_index) continue;
-
-                    const sym = &self.globals.items[resolv.where_index];
-
-                    if (sym.tentative()) {
-                        assert(self.tentatives.swapRemove(resolv.where_index));
-                    } else if (!is_weak and !(sym.weakDef() or sym.pext())) {
-                        _ = try module.failed_exports.put(
-                            module.gpa,
-                            exp,
-                            try Module.ErrorMsg.create(
-                                self.base.allocator,
-                                decl.srcLoc(),
-                                \\LinkError: symbol '{s}' defined multiple times
-                                \\  first definition in '{s}'
-                            ,
-                                .{ exp_name, self.objects.items[resolv.file.?].name },
-                            ),
-                        );
-                        continue;
-                    } else if (is_weak) continue; // Current symbol is weak, so skip it.
-
-                    // Otherwise, update the resolver and the global symbol.
-                    sym.n_type = macho.N_SECT | macho.N_EXT;
-                    resolv.local_sym_index = decl.link.macho.local_sym_index;
-                    resolv.file = null;
-                    exp.link.macho.sym_index = resolv.where_index;
-
-                    continue;
-                },
-                .undef => {
-                    assert(self.unresolved.swapRemove(resolv.where_index));
-                    _ = self.symbol_resolver.remove(n_strx);
-                },
-            }
-        }
-
-        var n_type: u8 = macho.N_SECT | macho.N_EXT;
-        var n_desc: u16 = 0;
+        const sym_index = exp.link.macho.sym_index orelse blk: {
+            const sym_index = try self.allocateSymbol();
+            exp.link.macho.sym_index = sym_index;
+            break :blk sym_index;
+        };
+        const sym_loc = SymbolWithLoc{ .sym_index = sym_index, .file = null };
+        const sym = self.getSymbolPtr(sym_loc);
+        sym.* = .{
+            .n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(gpa, exp_name),
+            .n_type = macho.N_SECT | macho.N_EXT,
+            .n_sect = self.getSectionOrdinal(.{
+                .seg = self.text_segment_cmd_index.?,
+                .sect = self.text_section_index.?, // TODO what if we export a variable?
+            }),
+            .n_desc = 0,
+            .n_value = decl_sym.n_value,
+        };
 
         switch (exp.options.linkage) {
             .Internal => {
                 // Symbol should be hidden, or in MachO lingo, private extern.
                 // We should also mark the symbol as Weak: n_desc == N_WEAK_DEF.
-                // TODO work out when to add N_WEAK_REF.
-                n_type |= macho.N_PEXT;
-                n_desc |= macho.N_WEAK_DEF;
+                sym.n_type |= macho.N_PEXT;
+                sym.n_desc |= macho.N_WEAK_DEF;
             },
             .Strong => {},
             .Weak => {
                 // Weak linkage is specified as part of n_desc field.
                 // Symbol's n_type is like for a symbol with strong linkage.
-                n_desc |= macho.N_WEAK_DEF;
+                sym.n_desc |= macho.N_WEAK_DEF;
             },
             else => unreachable,
         }
 
-        const global_sym_index = if (exp.link.macho.sym_index) |i| i else blk: {
-            const i = if (self.globals_free_list.popOrNull()) |i| i else inner: {
-                _ = self.globals.addOneAssumeCapacity();
-                break :inner @intCast(u32, self.globals.items.len - 1);
-            };
-            break :blk i;
-        };
-        const sym = &self.globals.items[global_sym_index];
-        sym.* = .{
-            .n_strx = try self.makeString(exp_name),
-            .n_type = n_type,
-            .n_sect = @intCast(u8, self.text_section_index.?) + 1,
-            .n_desc = n_desc,
-            .n_value = decl_sym.n_value,
+        self.resolveGlobalSymbol(sym_loc) catch |err| switch (err) {
+            error.MultipleSymbolDefinitions => {
+                const global = self.globals.get(exp_name).?;
+                if (sym_loc.sym_index != global.sym_index and global.file != null) {
+                    _ = try module.failed_exports.put(module.gpa, exp, try Module.ErrorMsg.create(
+                        gpa,
+                        decl.srcLoc(),
+                        \\LinkError: symbol '{s}' defined multiple times
+                        \\  first definition in '{s}'
+                    ,
+                        .{ exp_name, self.objects.items[global.file.?].name },
+                    ));
+                }
+            },
+            else => |e| return e,
         };
-        exp.link.macho.sym_index = global_sym_index;
-
-        try self.symbol_resolver.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, n_strx, .{
-            .where = .global,
-            .where_index = global_sym_index,
-            .local_sym_index = decl.link.macho.local_sym_index,
-        });
     }
 }
 
 pub fn deleteExport(self: *MachO, exp: Export) void {
     if (self.llvm_object) |_| return;
     const sym_index = exp.sym_index orelse return;
-    self.globals_free_list.append(self.base.allocator, sym_index) catch {};
-    const global = &self.globals.items[sym_index];
-    log.debug("deleting export '{s}': {}", .{ self.getString(global.n_strx), global });
-    assert(self.symbol_resolver.remove(global.n_strx));
-    global.n_type = 0;
-    global.n_strx = 0;
-    global.n_value = 0;
+
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+
+    const sym_loc = SymbolWithLoc{ .sym_index = sym_index, .file = null };
+    const sym = self.getSymbolPtr(sym_loc);
+    const sym_name = self.getSymbolName(sym_loc);
+    log.debug("deleting export '{s}'", .{sym_name});
+    assert(sym.sect() and sym.ext());
+    sym.* = .{
+        .n_strx = 0,
+        .n_type = 0,
+        .n_sect = 0,
+        .n_desc = 0,
+        .n_value = 0,
+    };
+    self.locals_free_list.append(gpa, sym_index) catch {};
+
+    if (self.globals.get(sym_name)) |global| blk: {
+        if (global.sym_index != sym_index) break :blk;
+        if (global.file != null) break :blk;
+        const kv = self.globals.fetchSwapRemove(sym_name);
+        gpa.free(kv.?.key);
+    }
 }
 
 fn freeUnnamedConsts(self: *MachO, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index) void {
@@ -4430,11 +4204,11 @@ fn freeUnnamedConsts(self: *MachO, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index) void {
             .seg = self.text_segment_cmd_index.?,
             .sect = self.text_const_section_index.?,
         }, true);
-        self.locals_free_list.append(self.base.allocator, atom.local_sym_index) catch {};
-        self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index].n_type = 0;
-        _ = self.atom_by_index_table.remove(atom.local_sym_index);
-        log.debug("  adding local symbol index {d} to free list", .{atom.local_sym_index});
-        atom.local_sym_index = 0;
+        self.locals_free_list.append(self.base.allocator, atom.sym_index) catch {};
+        self.locals.items[atom.sym_index].n_type = 0;
+        _ = self.atom_by_index_table.remove(atom.sym_index);
+        log.debug("  adding local symbol index {d} to free list", .{atom.sym_index});
+        atom.sym_index = 0;
     }
     unnamed_consts.clearAndFree(self.base.allocator);
 }
@@ -4452,29 +4226,33 @@ pub fn freeDecl(self: *MachO, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index) void {
         self.freeUnnamedConsts(decl_index);
     }
     // Appending to free lists is allowed to fail because the free lists are heuristics based anyway.
-    if (decl.link.macho.local_sym_index != 0) {
-        self.locals_free_list.append(self.base.allocator, decl.link.macho.local_sym_index) catch {};
+    if (decl.link.macho.sym_index != 0) {
+        self.locals_free_list.append(self.base.allocator, decl.link.macho.sym_index) catch {};
 
         // Try freeing GOT atom if this decl had one
-        if (self.got_entries_table.get(.{ .local = decl.link.macho.local_sym_index })) |got_index| {
+        const got_target = SymbolWithLoc{ .sym_index = decl.link.macho.sym_index, .file = null };
+        if (self.got_entries_table.get(got_target)) |got_index| {
             self.got_entries_free_list.append(self.base.allocator, @intCast(u32, got_index)) catch {};
-            self.got_entries.items[got_index] = .{ .target = .{ .local = 0 }, .atom = undefined };
-            _ = self.got_entries_table.swapRemove(.{ .local = decl.link.macho.local_sym_index });
+            self.got_entries.items[got_index] = .{
+                .target = .{ .sym_index = 0, .file = null },
+                .sym_index = 0,
+            };
+            _ = self.got_entries_table.remove(got_target);
 
             if (self.d_sym) |*d_sym| {
-                d_sym.swapRemoveRelocs(decl.link.macho.local_sym_index);
+                d_sym.swapRemoveRelocs(decl.link.macho.sym_index);
             }
 
             log.debug("  adding GOT index {d} to free list (target local@{d})", .{
                 got_index,
-                decl.link.macho.local_sym_index,
+                decl.link.macho.sym_index,
             });
         }
 
-        self.locals.items[decl.link.macho.local_sym_index].n_type = 0;
-        _ = self.atom_by_index_table.remove(decl.link.macho.local_sym_index);
-        log.debug("  adding local symbol index {d} to free list", .{decl.link.macho.local_sym_index});
-        decl.link.macho.local_sym_index = 0;
+        self.locals.items[decl.link.macho.sym_index].n_type = 0;
+        _ = self.atom_by_index_table.remove(decl.link.macho.sym_index);
+        log.debug("  adding local symbol index {d} to free list", .{decl.link.macho.sym_index});
+        decl.link.macho.sym_index = 0;
     }
     if (self.d_sym) |*d_sym| {
         d_sym.dwarf.freeDecl(decl);
@@ -4486,12 +4264,12 @@ pub fn getDeclVAddr(self: *MachO, decl_index: Module.Decl.Index, reloc_info: Fil
     const decl = mod.declPtr(decl_index);
 
     assert(self.llvm_object == null);
-    assert(decl.link.macho.local_sym_index != 0);
+    assert(decl.link.macho.sym_index != 0);
 
     const atom = self.atom_by_index_table.get(reloc_info.parent_atom_index).?;
     try atom.relocs.append(self.base.allocator, .{
         .offset = @intCast(u32, reloc_info.offset),
-        .target = .{ .local = decl.link.macho.local_sym_index },
+        .target = .{ .sym_index = decl.link.macho.sym_index, .file = null },
         .addend = reloc_info.addend,
         .subtractor = null,
         .pcrel = false,
@@ -4534,7 +4312,7 @@ fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *MachO) !void {
 
     if (self.text_segment_cmd_index == null) {
         self.text_segment_cmd_index = @intCast(u16, self.load_commands.items.len);
-        const needed_size = if (self.needs_prealloc) blk: {
+        const needed_size = if (self.mode == .incremental) blk: {
             const headerpad_size = @maximum(self.base.options.headerpad_size orelse 0, default_headerpad_size);
             const program_code_size_hint = self.base.options.program_code_size_hint;
             const got_size_hint = @sizeOf(u64) * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint;
@@ -4565,7 +4343,7 @@ fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *MachO) !void {
             .aarch64 => 2,
             else => unreachable, // unhandled architecture type
         };
-        const needed_size = if (self.needs_prealloc) self.base.options.program_code_size_hint else 0;
+        const needed_size = if (self.mode == .incremental) self.base.options.program_code_size_hint else 0;
         self.text_section_index = try self.initSection(
             self.text_segment_cmd_index.?,
             "__text",
@@ -4588,7 +4366,7 @@ fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *MachO) !void {
             .aarch64 => 3 * @sizeOf(u32),
             else => unreachable, // unhandled architecture type
         };
-        const needed_size = if (self.needs_prealloc) stub_size * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint else 0;
+        const needed_size = if (self.mode == .incremental) stub_size * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint else 0;
         self.stubs_section_index = try self.initSection(
             self.text_segment_cmd_index.?,
             "__stubs",
@@ -4617,7 +4395,7 @@ fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *MachO) !void {
             .aarch64 => 3 * @sizeOf(u32),
             else => unreachable,
         };
-        const needed_size = if (self.needs_prealloc)
+        const needed_size = if (self.mode == .incremental)
             stub_size * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint + preamble_size
         else
             0;
@@ -4637,7 +4415,7 @@ fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *MachO) !void {
         var vmaddr: u64 = 0;
         var fileoff: u64 = 0;
         var needed_size: u64 = 0;
-        if (self.needs_prealloc) {
+        if (self.mode == .incremental) {
             const base = self.getSegmentAllocBase(&.{self.text_segment_cmd_index.?});
             vmaddr = base.vmaddr;
             fileoff = base.fileoff;
@@ -4666,7 +4444,7 @@ fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *MachO) !void {
     }
 
     if (self.got_section_index == null) {
-        const needed_size = if (self.needs_prealloc)
+        const needed_size = if (self.mode == .incremental)
             @sizeOf(u64) * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint
         else
             0;
@@ -4687,7 +4465,7 @@ fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *MachO) !void {
         var vmaddr: u64 = 0;
         var fileoff: u64 = 0;
         var needed_size: u64 = 0;
-        if (self.needs_prealloc) {
+        if (self.mode == .incremental) {
             const base = self.getSegmentAllocBase(&.{self.data_const_segment_cmd_index.?});
             vmaddr = base.vmaddr;
             fileoff = base.fileoff;
@@ -4716,7 +4494,7 @@ fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *MachO) !void {
     }
 
     if (self.la_symbol_ptr_section_index == null) {
-        const needed_size = if (self.needs_prealloc)
+        const needed_size = if (self.mode == .incremental)
             @sizeOf(u64) * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint
         else
             0;
@@ -4733,7 +4511,10 @@ fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *MachO) !void {
     }
 
     if (self.data_section_index == null) {
-        const needed_size = if (self.needs_prealloc) @sizeOf(u64) * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint else 0;
+        const needed_size = if (self.mode == .incremental)
+            @sizeOf(u64) * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint
+        else
+            0;
         const alignment: u16 = 3; // 2^3 = @sizeOf(u64)
         self.data_section_index = try self.initSection(
             self.data_segment_cmd_index.?,
@@ -4745,7 +4526,10 @@ fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *MachO) !void {
     }
 
     if (self.tlv_section_index == null) {
-        const needed_size = if (self.needs_prealloc) @sizeOf(u64) * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint else 0;
+        const needed_size = if (self.mode == .incremental)
+            @sizeOf(u64) * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint
+        else
+            0;
         const alignment: u16 = 3; // 2^3 = @sizeOf(u64)
         self.tlv_section_index = try self.initSection(
             self.data_segment_cmd_index.?,
@@ -4759,7 +4543,10 @@ fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *MachO) !void {
     }
 
     if (self.tlv_data_section_index == null) {
-        const needed_size = if (self.needs_prealloc) @sizeOf(u64) * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint else 0;
+        const needed_size = if (self.mode == .incremental)
+            @sizeOf(u64) * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint
+        else
+            0;
         const alignment: u16 = 3; // 2^3 = @sizeOf(u64)
         self.tlv_data_section_index = try self.initSection(
             self.data_segment_cmd_index.?,
@@ -4773,7 +4560,10 @@ fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *MachO) !void {
     }
 
     if (self.tlv_bss_section_index == null) {
-        const needed_size = if (self.needs_prealloc) @sizeOf(u64) * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint else 0;
+        const needed_size = if (self.mode == .incremental)
+            @sizeOf(u64) * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint
+        else
+            0;
         const alignment: u16 = 3; // 2^3 = @sizeOf(u64)
         self.tlv_bss_section_index = try self.initSection(
             self.data_segment_cmd_index.?,
@@ -4787,7 +4577,10 @@ fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *MachO) !void {
     }
 
     if (self.bss_section_index == null) {
-        const needed_size = if (self.needs_prealloc) @sizeOf(u64) * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint else 0;
+        const needed_size = if (self.mode == .incremental)
+            @sizeOf(u64) * self.base.options.symbol_count_hint
+        else
+            0;
         const alignment: u16 = 3; // 2^3 = @sizeOf(u64)
         self.bss_section_index = try self.initSection(
             self.data_segment_cmd_index.?,
@@ -4804,7 +4597,7 @@ fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *MachO) !void {
         self.linkedit_segment_cmd_index = @intCast(u16, self.load_commands.items.len);
         var vmaddr: u64 = 0;
         var fileoff: u64 = 0;
-        if (self.needs_prealloc) {
+        if (self.mode == .incremental) {
             const base = self.getSegmentAllocBase(&.{self.data_segment_cmd_index.?});
             vmaddr = base.vmaddr;
             fileoff = base.fileoff;
@@ -5028,8 +4821,6 @@ fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *MachO) !void {
         });
         self.load_commands_dirty = true;
     }
-
-    self.cold_start = true;
 }
 
 fn calcMinHeaderpad(self: *MachO) u64 {
@@ -5130,7 +4921,7 @@ fn allocateSegment(self: *MachO, maybe_index: ?u16, indices: []const ?u16, init_
 
     // Allocate the sections according to their alignment at the beginning of the segment.
     var start = init_size;
-    for (seg.sections.items) |*sect, sect_id| {
+    for (seg.sections.items) |*sect| {
         const is_zerofill = sect.flags == macho.S_ZEROFILL or sect.flags == macho.S_THREAD_LOCAL_ZEROFILL;
         const use_llvm = build_options.have_llvm and self.base.options.use_llvm;
         const use_stage1 = build_options.is_stage1 and self.base.options.use_stage1;
@@ -5138,32 +4929,12 @@ fn allocateSegment(self: *MachO, maybe_index: ?u16, indices: []const ?u16, init_
         const start_aligned = mem.alignForwardGeneric(u64, start, alignment);
 
         // TODO handle zerofill sections in stage2
-        sect.offset = if (is_zerofill and (use_stage1 or use_llvm)) 0 else @intCast(u32, seg.inner.fileoff + start_aligned);
+        sect.offset = if (is_zerofill and (use_stage1 or use_llvm))
+            0
+        else
+            @intCast(u32, seg.inner.fileoff + start_aligned);
         sect.addr = seg.inner.vmaddr + start_aligned;
 
-        // Recalculate section size given the allocated start address
-        sect.size = if (self.atoms.get(.{
-            .seg = index,
-            .sect = @intCast(u16, sect_id),
-        })) |last_atom| blk: {
-            var atom = last_atom;
-            while (atom.prev) |prev| {
-                atom = prev;
-            }
-
-            var base_addr = sect.addr;
-
-            while (true) {
-                const atom_alignment = try math.powi(u32, 2, atom.alignment);
-                base_addr = mem.alignForwardGeneric(u64, base_addr, atom_alignment) + atom.size;
-                if (atom.next) |next| {
-                    atom = next;
-                } else break;
-            }
-
-            break :blk base_addr - sect.addr;
-        } else 0;
-
         start = start_aligned + sect.size;
 
         if (!(is_zerofill and (use_stage1 or use_llvm))) {
@@ -5194,14 +4965,14 @@ fn initSection(
     var sect = macho.section_64{
         .sectname = makeStaticString(sectname),
         .segname = seg.inner.segname,
-        .size = if (self.needs_prealloc) @intCast(u32, size) else 0,
+        .size = if (self.mode == .incremental) @intCast(u32, size) else 0,
         .@"align" = alignment,
         .flags = opts.flags,
         .reserved1 = opts.reserved1,
         .reserved2 = opts.reserved2,
     };
 
-    if (self.needs_prealloc) {
+    if (self.mode == .incremental) {
         const alignment_pow_2 = try math.powi(u32, 2, alignment);
         const padding: ?u32 = if (segment_id == self.text_segment_cmd_index.?)
             @maximum(self.base.options.headerpad_size orelse 0, default_headerpad_size)
@@ -5419,12 +5190,30 @@ fn getSectionMaxAlignment(self: *MachO, segment_id: u16, start_sect_id: u16) !u3
     return max_alignment;
 }
 
-fn allocateAtom(self: *MachO, atom: *Atom, new_atom_size: u64, alignment: u64, match: MatchingSection) !u64 {
+fn allocateAtomCommon(self: *MachO, atom: *Atom, match: MatchingSection) !void {
+    const sym = atom.getSymbolPtr(self);
+    if (self.mode == .incremental) {
+        const size = atom.size;
+        const alignment = try math.powi(u32, 2, atom.alignment);
+        const vaddr = try self.allocateAtom(atom, size, alignment, match);
+        const sym_name = atom.getName(self);
+        log.debug("allocated {s} atom at 0x{x}", .{ sym_name, vaddr });
+        sym.n_value = vaddr;
+    } else try self.addAtomToSection(atom, match);
+    sym.n_sect = self.getSectionOrdinal(match);
+}
+
+fn allocateAtom(
+    self: *MachO,
+    atom: *Atom,
+    new_atom_size: u64,
+    alignment: u64,
+    match: MatchingSection,
+) !u64 {
     const tracy = trace(@src());
     defer tracy.end();
 
-    const seg = &self.load_commands.items[match.seg].segment;
-    const sect = &seg.sections.items[match.sect];
+    const sect = self.getSectionPtr(match);
     var free_list = self.atom_free_lists.get(match).?;
     const needs_padding = match.seg == self.text_segment_cmd_index.? and match.sect == self.text_section_index.?;
     const new_atom_ideal_capacity = if (needs_padding) padToIdeal(new_atom_size) else new_atom_size;
@@ -5445,8 +5234,8 @@ fn allocateAtom(self: *MachO, atom: *Atom, new_atom_size: u64, alignment: u64, m
             const big_atom = free_list.items[i];
             // We now have a pointer to a live atom that has too much capacity.
             // Is it enough that we could fit this new atom?
-            const sym = self.locals.items[big_atom.local_sym_index];
-            const capacity = big_atom.capacity(self.*);
+            const sym = big_atom.getSymbol(self);
+            const capacity = big_atom.capacity(self);
             const ideal_capacity = if (needs_padding) padToIdeal(capacity) else capacity;
             const ideal_capacity_end_vaddr = math.add(u64, sym.n_value, ideal_capacity) catch ideal_capacity;
             const capacity_end_vaddr = sym.n_value + capacity;
@@ -5456,7 +5245,7 @@ fn allocateAtom(self: *MachO, atom: *Atom, new_atom_size: u64, alignment: u64, m
                 // Additional bookkeeping here to notice if this free list node
                 // should be deleted because the atom that it points to has grown to take up
                 // more of the extra capacity.
-                if (!big_atom.freeListEligible(self.*)) {
+                if (!big_atom.freeListEligible(self)) {
                     _ = free_list.swapRemove(i);
                 } else {
                     i += 1;
@@ -5476,7 +5265,7 @@ fn allocateAtom(self: *MachO, atom: *Atom, new_atom_size: u64, alignment: u64, m
             }
             break :blk new_start_vaddr;
         } else if (self.atoms.get(match)) |last| {
-            const last_symbol = self.locals.items[last.local_sym_index];
+            const last_symbol = last.getSymbol(self);
             const ideal_capacity = if (needs_padding) padToIdeal(last.size) else last.size;
             const ideal_capacity_end_vaddr = last_symbol.n_value + ideal_capacity;
             const new_start_vaddr = mem.alignForwardGeneric(u64, ideal_capacity_end_vaddr, alignment);
@@ -5525,7 +5314,7 @@ fn allocateAtom(self: *MachO, atom: *Atom, new_atom_size: u64, alignment: u64, m
     return vaddr;
 }
 
-fn addAtomToSection(self: *MachO, atom: *Atom, match: MatchingSection) !void {
+pub fn addAtomToSection(self: *MachO, atom: *Atom, match: MatchingSection) !void {
     if (self.atoms.getPtr(match)) |last| {
         last.*.next = atom;
         atom.prev = last.*;
@@ -5533,34 +5322,42 @@ fn addAtomToSection(self: *MachO, atom: *Atom, match: MatchingSection) !void {
     } else {
         try self.atoms.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, match, atom);
     }
-    const seg = &self.load_commands.items[match.seg].segment;
-    const sect = &seg.sections.items[match.sect];
-    sect.size += atom.size;
+    const sect = self.getSectionPtr(match);
+    const atom_alignment = try math.powi(u32, 2, atom.alignment);
+    const aligned_end_addr = mem.alignForwardGeneric(u64, sect.size, atom_alignment);
+    const padding = aligned_end_addr - sect.size;
+    sect.size += padding + atom.size;
+    sect.@"align" = @maximum(sect.@"align", atom.alignment);
 }
 
 pub fn getGlobalSymbol(self: *MachO, name: []const u8) !u32 {
-    const sym_name = try std.fmt.allocPrint(self.base.allocator, "_{s}", .{name});
-    defer self.base.allocator.free(sym_name);
-    const n_strx = try self.makeString(sym_name);
-
-    if (!self.symbol_resolver.contains(n_strx)) {
-        log.debug("adding new extern function '{s}'", .{sym_name});
-        const sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.undefs.items.len);
-        try self.undefs.append(self.base.allocator, .{
-            .n_strx = n_strx,
-            .n_type = macho.N_UNDF,
-            .n_sect = 0,
-            .n_desc = 0,
-            .n_value = 0,
-        });
-        try self.symbol_resolver.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, n_strx, .{
-            .where = .undef,
-            .where_index = sym_index,
-        });
-        try self.unresolved.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, sym_index, .stub);
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+    const sym_name = try std.fmt.allocPrint(gpa, "_{s}", .{name});
+    const global_index = @intCast(u32, self.globals.values().len);
+    const gop = try self.globals.getOrPut(gpa, sym_name);
+    defer if (gop.found_existing) gpa.free(sym_name);
+
+    if (gop.found_existing) {
+        // TODO audit this: can we ever reference anything from outside the Zig module?
+        assert(gop.value_ptr.file == null);
+        return gop.value_ptr.sym_index;
     }
 
-    return n_strx;
+    const sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.locals.items.len);
+    try self.locals.append(gpa, .{
+        .n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(gpa, sym_name),
+        .n_type = macho.N_UNDF,
+        .n_sect = 0,
+        .n_desc = 0,
+        .n_value = 0,
+    });
+    gop.value_ptr.* = .{
+        .sym_index = sym_index,
+        .file = null,
+    };
+    try self.unresolved.putNoClobber(gpa, global_index, true);
+
+    return sym_index;
 }
 
 fn getSegmentAllocBase(self: MachO, indices: []const ?u16) struct { vmaddr: u64, fileoff: u64 } {
@@ -5588,7 +5385,7 @@ fn pruneAndSortSectionsInSegment(self: *MachO, maybe_seg_id: *?u16, indices: []*
 
     for (indices) |maybe_index| {
         const old_idx = maybe_index.* orelse continue;
-        const sect = sections[old_idx];
+        const sect = &sections[old_idx];
         if (sect.size == 0) {
             log.debug("pruning section {s},{s}", .{ sect.segName(), sect.sectName() });
             maybe_index.* = null;
@@ -5596,7 +5393,7 @@ fn pruneAndSortSectionsInSegment(self: *MachO, maybe_seg_id: *?u16, indices: []*
             seg.inner.nsects -= 1;
         } else {
             maybe_index.* = @intCast(u16, seg.sections.items.len);
-            seg.sections.appendAssumeCapacity(sect);
+            seg.sections.appendAssumeCapacity(sect.*);
         }
         try mapping.putNoClobber(old_idx, maybe_index.*);
     }
@@ -5711,7 +5508,11 @@ fn updateSectionOrdinals(self: *MachO) !void {
     const tracy = trace(@src());
     defer tracy.end();
 
-    var ordinal_remap = std.AutoHashMap(u8, u8).init(self.base.allocator);
+    log.debug("updating section ordinals", .{});
+
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+
+    var ordinal_remap = std.AutoHashMap(u8, u8).init(gpa);
     defer ordinal_remap.deinit();
     var ordinals: std.AutoArrayHashMapUnmanaged(MatchingSection, void) = .{};
 
@@ -5723,27 +5524,40 @@ fn updateSectionOrdinals(self: *MachO) !void {
     }) |maybe_index| {
         const index = maybe_index orelse continue;
         const seg = self.load_commands.items[index].segment;
-        for (seg.sections.items) |_, sect_id| {
+        for (seg.sections.items) |sect, sect_id| {
             const match = MatchingSection{
                 .seg = @intCast(u16, index),
                 .sect = @intCast(u16, sect_id),
             };
-            const old_ordinal = @intCast(u8, self.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).? + 1);
+            const old_ordinal = self.getSectionOrdinal(match);
             new_ordinal += 1;
+            log.debug("'{s},{s}': sect({d}, '_,_') => sect({d}, '_,_')", .{
+                sect.segName(),
+                sect.sectName(),
+                old_ordinal,
+                new_ordinal,
+            });
             try ordinal_remap.putNoClobber(old_ordinal, new_ordinal);
-            try ordinals.putNoClobber(self.base.allocator, match, {});
+            try ordinals.putNoClobber(gpa, match, {});
         }
     }
 
+    // FIXME Jakub
+    // TODO no need for duping work here; simply walk the atom graph
     for (self.locals.items) |*sym| {
+        if (sym.undf()) continue;
         if (sym.n_sect == 0) continue;
         sym.n_sect = ordinal_remap.get(sym.n_sect).?;
     }
-    for (self.globals.items) |*sym| {
-        sym.n_sect = ordinal_remap.get(sym.n_sect).?;
+    for (self.objects.items) |*object| {
+        for (object.symtab.items) |*sym| {
+            if (sym.undf()) continue;
+            if (sym.n_sect == 0) continue;
+            sym.n_sect = ordinal_remap.get(sym.n_sect).?;
+        }
     }
 
-    self.section_ordinals.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+    self.section_ordinals.deinit(gpa);
     self.section_ordinals = ordinals;
 }
 
@@ -5751,11 +5565,13 @@ fn writeDyldInfoData(self: *MachO) !void {
     const tracy = trace(@src());
     defer tracy.end();
 
-    var rebase_pointers = std.ArrayList(bind.Pointer).init(self.base.allocator);
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+
+    var rebase_pointers = std.ArrayList(bind.Pointer).init(gpa);
     defer rebase_pointers.deinit();
-    var bind_pointers = std.ArrayList(bind.Pointer).init(self.base.allocator);
+    var bind_pointers = std.ArrayList(bind.Pointer).init(gpa);
     defer bind_pointers.deinit();
-    var lazy_bind_pointers = std.ArrayList(bind.Pointer).init(self.base.allocator);
+    var lazy_bind_pointers = std.ArrayList(bind.Pointer).init(gpa);
     defer lazy_bind_pointers.deinit();
 
     {
@@ -5768,13 +5584,17 @@ fn writeDyldInfoData(self: *MachO) !void {
                 if (match.seg == seg) continue; // __TEXT is non-writable
             }
 
-            const seg = self.load_commands.items[match.seg].segment;
+            const seg = self.getSegment(match);
+            const sect = self.getSection(match);
+            log.debug("dyld info for {s},{s}", .{ sect.segName(), sect.sectName() });
 
             while (true) {
-                const sym = self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
+                log.debug("  ATOM(%{d}, '{s}')", .{ atom.sym_index, atom.getName(self) });
+                const sym = atom.getSymbol(self);
                 const base_offset = sym.n_value - seg.inner.vmaddr;
 
                 for (atom.rebases.items) |offset| {
+                    log.debug("    | rebase at {x}", .{base_offset + offset});
                     try rebase_pointers.append(.{
                         .offset = base_offset + offset,
                         .segment_id = match.seg,
@@ -5782,57 +5602,55 @@ fn writeDyldInfoData(self: *MachO) !void {
                 }
 
                 for (atom.bindings.items) |binding| {
-                    const resolv = self.symbol_resolver.get(binding.n_strx).?;
-                    switch (resolv.where) {
-                        .global => {
-                            // Turn into a rebase.
-                            try rebase_pointers.append(.{
-                                .offset = base_offset + binding.offset,
-                                .segment_id = match.seg,
-                            });
-                        },
-                        .undef => {
-                            const bind_sym = self.undefs.items[resolv.where_index];
-                            var flags: u4 = 0;
-                            if (bind_sym.weakRef()) {
-                                flags |= @truncate(u4, macho.BIND_SYMBOL_FLAGS_WEAK_IMPORT);
-                            }
-                            try bind_pointers.append(.{
-                                .offset = binding.offset + base_offset,
-                                .segment_id = match.seg,
-                                .dylib_ordinal = @divTrunc(@bitCast(i16, bind_sym.n_desc), macho.N_SYMBOL_RESOLVER),
-                                .name = self.getString(bind_sym.n_strx),
-                                .bind_flags = flags,
-                            });
-                        },
+                    const bind_sym = self.getSymbol(binding.target);
+                    const bind_sym_name = self.getSymbolName(binding.target);
+                    const dylib_ordinal = @divTrunc(
+                        @bitCast(i16, bind_sym.n_desc),
+                        macho.N_SYMBOL_RESOLVER,
+                    );
+                    var flags: u4 = 0;
+                    log.debug("    | bind at {x}, import('{s}') in dylib({d})", .{
+                        binding.offset + base_offset,
+                        bind_sym_name,
+                        dylib_ordinal,
+                    });
+                    if (bind_sym.weakRef()) {
+                        log.debug("    | marking as weak ref ", .{});
+                        flags |= @truncate(u4, macho.BIND_SYMBOL_FLAGS_WEAK_IMPORT);
                     }
+                    try bind_pointers.append(.{
+                        .offset = binding.offset + base_offset,
+                        .segment_id = match.seg,
+                        .dylib_ordinal = dylib_ordinal,
+                        .name = bind_sym_name,
+                        .bind_flags = flags,
+                    });
                 }
 
                 for (atom.lazy_bindings.items) |binding| {
-                    const resolv = self.symbol_resolver.get(binding.n_strx).?;
-                    switch (resolv.where) {
-                        .global => {
-                            // Turn into a rebase.
-                            try rebase_pointers.append(.{
-                                .offset = base_offset + binding.offset,
-                                .segment_id = match.seg,
-                            });
-                        },
-                        .undef => {
-                            const bind_sym = self.undefs.items[resolv.where_index];
-                            var flags: u4 = 0;
-                            if (bind_sym.weakRef()) {
-                                flags |= @truncate(u4, macho.BIND_SYMBOL_FLAGS_WEAK_IMPORT);
-                            }
-                            try lazy_bind_pointers.append(.{
-                                .offset = binding.offset + base_offset,
-                                .segment_id = match.seg,
-                                .dylib_ordinal = @divTrunc(@bitCast(i16, bind_sym.n_desc), macho.N_SYMBOL_RESOLVER),
-                                .name = self.getString(bind_sym.n_strx),
-                                .bind_flags = flags,
-                            });
-                        },
+                    const bind_sym = self.getSymbol(binding.target);
+                    const bind_sym_name = self.getSymbolName(binding.target);
+                    const dylib_ordinal = @divTrunc(
+                        @bitCast(i16, bind_sym.n_desc),
+                        macho.N_SYMBOL_RESOLVER,
+                    );
+                    var flags: u4 = 0;
+                    log.debug("    | lazy bind at {x} import('{s}') ord({d})", .{
+                        binding.offset + base_offset,
+                        bind_sym_name,
+                        dylib_ordinal,
+                    });
+                    if (bind_sym.weakRef()) {
+                        log.debug("    | marking as weak ref ", .{});
+                        flags |= @truncate(u4, macho.BIND_SYMBOL_FLAGS_WEAK_IMPORT);
                     }
+                    try lazy_bind_pointers.append(.{
+                        .offset = binding.offset + base_offset,
+                        .segment_id = match.seg,
+                        .dylib_ordinal = dylib_ordinal,
+                        .name = bind_sym_name,
+                        .bind_flags = flags,
+                    });
                 }
 
                 if (atom.prev) |prev| {
@@ -5843,7 +5661,7 @@ fn writeDyldInfoData(self: *MachO) !void {
     }
 
     var trie: Trie = .{};
-    defer trie.deinit(self.base.allocator);
+    defer trie.deinit(gpa);
 
     {
         // TODO handle macho.EXPORT_SYMBOL_FLAGS_REEXPORT and macho.EXPORT_SYMBOL_FLAGS_STUB_AND_RESOLVER.
@@ -5852,19 +5670,40 @@ fn writeDyldInfoData(self: *MachO) !void {
         const text_segment = self.load_commands.items[self.text_segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
         const base_address = text_segment.inner.vmaddr;
 
-        for (self.globals.items) |sym| {
-            if (sym.n_type == 0) continue;
-            const sym_name = self.getString(sym.n_strx);
-            log.debug("  (putting '{s}' defined at 0x{x})", .{ sym_name, sym.n_value });
-
-            try trie.put(self.base.allocator, .{
-                .name = sym_name,
-                .vmaddr_offset = sym.n_value - base_address,
-                .export_flags = macho.EXPORT_SYMBOL_FLAGS_KIND_REGULAR,
-            });
+        if (self.base.options.output_mode == .Exe) {
+            for (&[_]SymbolWithLoc{
+                try self.getEntryPoint(),
+                self.globals.get("__mh_execute_header").?,
+            }) |global| {
+                const sym = self.getSymbol(global);
+                const sym_name = self.getSymbolName(global);
+                log.debug("  (putting '{s}' defined at 0x{x})", .{ sym_name, sym.n_value });
+                try trie.put(gpa, .{
+                    .name = sym_name,
+                    .vmaddr_offset = sym.n_value - base_address,
+                    .export_flags = macho.EXPORT_SYMBOL_FLAGS_KIND_REGULAR,
+                });
+            }
+        } else {
+            assert(self.base.options.output_mode == .Lib);
+            for (self.globals.values()) |global| {
+                const sym = self.getSymbol(global);
+
+                if (sym.undf()) continue;
+                if (!sym.ext()) continue;
+                if (sym.n_desc == N_DESC_GCED) continue;
+
+                const sym_name = self.getSymbolName(global);
+                log.debug("  (putting '{s}' defined at 0x{x})", .{ sym_name, sym.n_value });
+                try trie.put(gpa, .{
+                    .name = sym_name,
+                    .vmaddr_offset = sym.n_value - base_address,
+                    .export_flags = macho.EXPORT_SYMBOL_FLAGS_KIND_REGULAR,
+                });
+            }
         }
 
-        try trie.finalize(self.base.allocator);
+        try trie.finalize(gpa);
     }
 
     const seg = &self.load_commands.items[self.linkedit_segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
@@ -5909,8 +5748,8 @@ fn writeDyldInfoData(self: *MachO) !void {
     seg.inner.filesize = dyld_info.export_off + dyld_info.export_size - seg.inner.fileoff;
 
     const needed_size = dyld_info.export_off + dyld_info.export_size - dyld_info.rebase_off;
-    var buffer = try self.base.allocator.alloc(u8, needed_size);
-    defer self.base.allocator.free(buffer);
+    var buffer = try gpa.alloc(u8, needed_size);
+    defer gpa.free(buffer);
     mem.set(u8, buffer, 0);
 
     var stream = std.io.fixedBufferStream(buffer);
@@ -5937,10 +5776,12 @@ fn writeDyldInfoData(self: *MachO) !void {
     try self.populateLazyBindOffsetsInStubHelper(
         buffer[dyld_info.lazy_bind_off - base_off ..][0..dyld_info.lazy_bind_size],
     );
+
     self.load_commands_dirty = true;
 }
 
 fn populateLazyBindOffsetsInStubHelper(self: *MachO, buffer: []const u8) !void {
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
     const text_segment_cmd_index = self.text_segment_cmd_index orelse return;
     const stub_helper_section_index = self.stub_helper_section_index orelse return;
     const last_atom = self.atoms.get(.{
@@ -5950,7 +5791,7 @@ fn populateLazyBindOffsetsInStubHelper(self: *MachO, buffer: []const u8) !void {
     if (self.stub_helper_preamble_atom == null) return;
     if (last_atom == self.stub_helper_preamble_atom.?) return;
 
-    var table = std.AutoHashMap(i64, *Atom).init(self.base.allocator);
+    var table = std.AutoHashMap(i64, *Atom).init(gpa);
     defer table.deinit();
 
     {
@@ -5966,7 +5807,7 @@ fn populateLazyBindOffsetsInStubHelper(self: *MachO, buffer: []const u8) !void {
 
         while (true) {
             const laptr_off = blk: {
-                const sym = self.locals.items[laptr_atom.local_sym_index];
+                const sym = laptr_atom.getSymbol(self);
                 break :blk @intCast(i64, sym.n_value - base_addr);
             };
             try table.putNoClobber(laptr_off, stub_atom);
@@ -5979,7 +5820,7 @@ fn populateLazyBindOffsetsInStubHelper(self: *MachO, buffer: []const u8) !void {
 
     var stream = std.io.fixedBufferStream(buffer);
     var reader = stream.reader();
-    var offsets = std.ArrayList(struct { sym_offset: i64, offset: u32 }).init(self.base.allocator);
+    var offsets = std.ArrayList(struct { sym_offset: i64, offset: u32 }).init(gpa);
     try offsets.append(.{ .sym_offset = undefined, .offset = 0 });
     defer offsets.deinit();
     var valid_block = false;
@@ -6022,10 +5863,10 @@ fn populateLazyBindOffsetsInStubHelper(self: *MachO, buffer: []const u8) !void {
         }
     }
 
-    const sect = blk: {
-        const seg = self.load_commands.items[text_segment_cmd_index].segment;
-        break :blk seg.sections.items[stub_helper_section_index];
-    };
+    const sect = self.getSection(.{
+        .seg = text_segment_cmd_index,
+        .sect = stub_helper_section_index,
+    });
     const stub_offset: u4 = switch (self.base.options.target.cpu.arch) {
         .x86_64 => 1,
         .aarch64 => 2 * @sizeOf(u32),
@@ -6036,79 +5877,63 @@ fn populateLazyBindOffsetsInStubHelper(self: *MachO, buffer: []const u8) !void {
 
     while (offsets.popOrNull()) |bind_offset| {
         const atom = table.get(bind_offset.sym_offset).?;
-        const sym = self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
+        const sym = atom.getSymbol(self);
         const file_offset = sect.offset + sym.n_value - sect.addr + stub_offset;
         mem.writeIntLittle(u32, &buf, bind_offset.offset);
         log.debug("writing lazy bind offset in stub helper of 0x{x} for symbol {s} at offset 0x{x}", .{
             bind_offset.offset,
-            self.getString(sym.n_strx),
+            atom.getName(self),
             file_offset,
         });
         try self.base.file.?.pwriteAll(&buf, file_offset);
     }
 }
 
+const asc_u64 = std.sort.asc(u64);
+
 fn writeFunctionStarts(self: *MachO) !void {
-    var atom = self.atoms.get(.{
-        .seg = self.text_segment_cmd_index orelse return,
-        .sect = self.text_section_index orelse return,
-    }) orelse return;
+    const text_seg_index = self.text_segment_cmd_index orelse return;
+    const text_sect_index = self.text_section_index orelse return;
+    const text_seg = self.load_commands.items[text_seg_index].segment;
 
     const tracy = trace(@src());
     defer tracy.end();
 
-    while (atom.prev) |prev| {
-        atom = prev;
-    }
-
-    var offsets = std.ArrayList(u32).init(self.base.allocator);
-    defer offsets.deinit();
-
-    const text_seg = self.load_commands.items[self.text_segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
-    var last_off: u32 = 0;
-
-    while (true) {
-        const atom_sym = self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
-
-        if (atom_sym.n_strx != 0) blk: {
-            if (self.symbol_resolver.get(atom_sym.n_strx)) |resolv| {
-                assert(resolv.where == .global);
-                if (resolv.local_sym_index != atom.local_sym_index) break :blk;
-            }
-
-            const offset = @intCast(u32, atom_sym.n_value - text_seg.inner.vmaddr);
-            const diff = offset - last_off;
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
 
-            if (diff == 0) break :blk;
+    // We need to sort by address first
+    var addresses = std.ArrayList(u64).init(gpa);
+    defer addresses.deinit();
+    try addresses.ensureTotalCapacityPrecise(self.globals.count());
 
-            try offsets.append(diff);
-            last_off = offset;
-        }
+    for (self.globals.values()) |global| {
+        const sym = self.getSymbol(global);
+        if (sym.undf()) continue;
+        if (sym.n_desc == N_DESC_GCED) continue;
+        const match = self.getMatchingSectionFromOrdinal(sym.n_sect);
+        if (match.seg != text_seg_index or match.sect != text_sect_index) continue;
 
-        for (atom.contained.items) |cont| {
-            const cont_sym = self.locals.items[cont.local_sym_index];
+        addresses.appendAssumeCapacity(sym.n_value);
+    }
 
-            if (cont_sym.n_strx == 0) continue;
-            if (self.symbol_resolver.get(cont_sym.n_strx)) |resolv| {
-                assert(resolv.where == .global);
-                if (resolv.local_sym_index != cont.local_sym_index) continue;
-            }
+    std.sort.sort(u64, addresses.items, {}, asc_u64);
 
-            const offset = @intCast(u32, cont_sym.n_value - text_seg.inner.vmaddr);
-            const diff = offset - last_off;
+    var offsets = std.ArrayList(u32).init(gpa);
+    defer offsets.deinit();
+    try offsets.ensureTotalCapacityPrecise(addresses.items.len);
 
-            if (diff == 0) continue;
+    var last_off: u32 = 0;
+    for (addresses.items) |addr| {
+        const offset = @intCast(u32, addr - text_seg.inner.vmaddr);
+        const diff = offset - last_off;
 
-            try offsets.append(diff);
-            last_off = offset;
-        }
+        if (diff == 0) continue;
 
-        if (atom.next) |next| {
-            atom = next;
-        } else break;
+        offsets.appendAssumeCapacity(diff);
+        last_off = offset;
     }
 
-    var buffer = std.ArrayList(u8).init(self.base.allocator);
+    var buffer = std.ArrayList(u8).init(gpa);
     defer buffer.deinit();
 
     const max_size = @intCast(usize, offsets.items.len * @sizeOf(u64));
@@ -6136,53 +5961,72 @@ fn writeFunctionStarts(self: *MachO) !void {
     self.load_commands_dirty = true;
 }
 
-fn writeDices(self: *MachO) !void {
-    if (!self.has_dices) return;
+fn filterDataInCode(
+    dices: []const macho.data_in_code_entry,
+    start_addr: u64,
+    end_addr: u64,
+) []const macho.data_in_code_entry {
+    const Predicate = struct {
+        addr: u64,
+
+        pub fn predicate(self: @This(), dice: macho.data_in_code_entry) bool {
+            return dice.offset >= self.addr;
+        }
+    };
+
+    const start = MachO.findFirst(macho.data_in_code_entry, dices, 0, Predicate{ .addr = start_addr });
+    const end = MachO.findFirst(macho.data_in_code_entry, dices, start, Predicate{ .addr = end_addr });
+
+    return dices[start..end];
+}
 
+fn writeDataInCode(self: *MachO) !void {
     const tracy = trace(@src());
     defer tracy.end();
 
-    var buf = std.ArrayList(u8).init(self.base.allocator);
-    defer buf.deinit();
+    var out_dice = std.ArrayList(macho.data_in_code_entry).init(self.base.allocator);
+    defer out_dice.deinit();
 
-    var atom: *Atom = self.atoms.get(.{
+    const text_sect = self.getSection(.{
         .seg = self.text_segment_cmd_index orelse return,
         .sect = self.text_section_index orelse return,
-    }) orelse return;
+    });
 
-    while (atom.prev) |prev| {
-        atom = prev;
-    }
+    for (self.objects.items) |object| {
+        const dice = object.parseDataInCode() orelse continue;
+        try out_dice.ensureUnusedCapacity(dice.len);
 
-    const text_seg = self.load_commands.items[self.text_segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
-    const text_sect = text_seg.sections.items[self.text_section_index.?];
+        for (object.managed_atoms.items) |atom| {
+            const sym = atom.getSymbol(self);
+            if (sym.n_desc == N_DESC_GCED) continue;
 
-    while (true) {
-        if (atom.dices.items.len > 0) {
-            const sym = self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
-            const base_off = math.cast(u32, sym.n_value - text_sect.addr + text_sect.offset) orelse return error.Overflow;
-
-            try buf.ensureUnusedCapacity(atom.dices.items.len * @sizeOf(macho.data_in_code_entry));
-            for (atom.dices.items) |dice| {
-                const rebased_dice = macho.data_in_code_entry{
-                    .offset = base_off + dice.offset,
-                    .length = dice.length,
-                    .kind = dice.kind,
-                };
-                buf.appendSliceAssumeCapacity(mem.asBytes(&rebased_dice));
+            const match = self.getMatchingSectionFromOrdinal(sym.n_sect);
+            if (match.seg != self.text_segment_cmd_index.? and match.sect != self.text_section_index.?) {
+                continue;
             }
-        }
 
-        if (atom.next) |next| {
-            atom = next;
-        } else break;
+            const source_sym = object.getSourceSymbol(atom.sym_index) orelse continue;
+            const source_addr = math.cast(u32, source_sym.n_value) orelse return error.Overflow;
+            const filtered_dice = filterDataInCode(dice, source_addr, source_addr + atom.size);
+            const base = math.cast(u32, sym.n_value - text_sect.addr + text_sect.offset) orelse
+                return error.Overflow;
+
+            for (filtered_dice) |single| {
+                const offset = single.offset - source_addr + base;
+                out_dice.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
+                    .offset = offset,
+                    .length = single.length,
+                    .kind = single.kind,
+                });
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     const seg = &self.load_commands.items[self.linkedit_segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
     const dice_cmd = &self.load_commands.items[self.data_in_code_cmd_index.?].linkedit_data;
 
     const dataoff = mem.alignForwardGeneric(u64, seg.inner.fileoff + seg.inner.filesize, @alignOf(u64));
-    const datasize = buf.items.len;
+    const datasize = out_dice.items.len * @sizeOf(macho.data_in_code_entry);
     dice_cmd.dataoff = @intCast(u32, dataoff);
     dice_cmd.datasize = @intCast(u32, datasize);
     seg.inner.filesize = dice_cmd.dataoff + dice_cmd.datasize - seg.inner.fileoff;
@@ -6192,118 +6036,93 @@ fn writeDices(self: *MachO) !void {
         dice_cmd.dataoff + dice_cmd.datasize,
     });
 
-    try self.base.file.?.pwriteAll(buf.items, dice_cmd.dataoff);
+    try self.base.file.?.pwriteAll(mem.sliceAsBytes(out_dice.items), dice_cmd.dataoff);
     self.load_commands_dirty = true;
 }
 
-fn writeSymbolTable(self: *MachO) !void {
+fn writeSymtab(self: *MachO) !void {
     const tracy = trace(@src());
     defer tracy.end();
 
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
     const seg = &self.load_commands.items[self.linkedit_segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
     const symtab = &self.load_commands.items[self.symtab_cmd_index.?].symtab;
     const symoff = mem.alignForwardGeneric(u64, seg.inner.fileoff + seg.inner.filesize, @alignOf(macho.nlist_64));
     symtab.symoff = @intCast(u32, symoff);
 
-    var locals = std.ArrayList(macho.nlist_64).init(self.base.allocator);
+    var locals = std.ArrayList(macho.nlist_64).init(gpa);
     defer locals.deinit();
 
-    for (self.locals.items) |sym| {
-        if (sym.n_strx == 0) continue;
-        if (self.symbol_resolver.get(sym.n_strx)) |_| continue;
+    for (self.locals.items) |sym, sym_id| {
+        if (sym.n_strx == 0) continue; // no name, skip
+        if (sym.n_desc == N_DESC_GCED) continue; // GCed, skip
+        const sym_loc = SymbolWithLoc{ .sym_index = @intCast(u32, sym_id), .file = null };
+        if (self.symbolIsTemp(sym_loc)) continue; // local temp symbol, skip
+        if (self.globals.contains(self.getSymbolName(sym_loc))) continue; // global symbol is either an export or import, skip
         try locals.append(sym);
     }
 
-    // TODO How do we handle null global symbols in incremental context?
-    var undefs = std.ArrayList(macho.nlist_64).init(self.base.allocator);
-    defer undefs.deinit();
-    var undefs_table = std.AutoHashMap(u32, u32).init(self.base.allocator);
-    defer undefs_table.deinit();
-    try undefs.ensureTotalCapacity(self.undefs.items.len);
-    try undefs_table.ensureTotalCapacity(@intCast(u32, self.undefs.items.len));
+    for (self.objects.items) |object, object_id| {
+        for (object.symtab.items) |sym, sym_id| {
+            if (sym.n_strx == 0) continue; // no name, skip
+            if (sym.n_desc == N_DESC_GCED) continue; // GCed, skip
+            const sym_loc = SymbolWithLoc{ .sym_index = @intCast(u32, sym_id), .file = @intCast(u32, object_id) };
+            if (self.symbolIsTemp(sym_loc)) continue; // local temp symbol, skip
+            if (self.globals.contains(self.getSymbolName(sym_loc))) continue; // global symbol is either an export or import, skip
+            var out_sym = sym;
+            out_sym.n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(gpa, self.getSymbolName(sym_loc));
+            try locals.append(out_sym);
+        }
 
-    for (self.undefs.items) |sym, i| {
-        if (sym.n_strx == 0) continue;
-        const new_index = @intCast(u32, undefs.items.len);
-        undefs.appendAssumeCapacity(sym);
-        undefs_table.putAssumeCapacityNoClobber(@intCast(u32, i), new_index);
+        if (!self.base.options.strip) {
+            try self.generateSymbolStabs(object, &locals);
+        }
     }
 
-    if (self.has_stabs) {
-        for (self.objects.items) |object| {
-            if (object.debug_info == null) continue;
+    var exports = std.ArrayList(macho.nlist_64).init(gpa);
+    defer exports.deinit();
 
-            // Open scope
-            try locals.ensureUnusedCapacity(3);
-            locals.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
-                .n_strx = try self.makeString(object.tu_comp_dir.?),
-                .n_type = macho.N_SO,
-                .n_sect = 0,
-                .n_desc = 0,
-                .n_value = 0,
-            });
-            locals.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
-                .n_strx = try self.makeString(object.tu_name.?),
-                .n_type = macho.N_SO,
-                .n_sect = 0,
-                .n_desc = 0,
-                .n_value = 0,
-            });
-            locals.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
-                .n_strx = try self.makeString(object.name),
-                .n_type = macho.N_OSO,
-                .n_sect = 0,
-                .n_desc = 1,
-                .n_value = object.mtime orelse 0,
-            });
+    for (self.globals.values()) |global| {
+        const sym = self.getSymbol(global);
+        if (sym.undf()) continue; // import, skip
+        if (sym.n_desc == N_DESC_GCED) continue; // GCed, skip
+        var out_sym = sym;
+        out_sym.n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(gpa, self.getSymbolName(global));
+        try exports.append(out_sym);
+    }
 
-            for (object.contained_atoms.items) |atom| {
-                if (atom.stab) |stab| {
-                    const nlists = try stab.asNlists(atom.local_sym_index, self);
-                    defer self.base.allocator.free(nlists);
-                    try locals.appendSlice(nlists);
-                } else {
-                    for (atom.contained.items) |sym_at_off| {
-                        const stab = sym_at_off.stab orelse continue;
-                        const nlists = try stab.asNlists(sym_at_off.local_sym_index, self);
-                        defer self.base.allocator.free(nlists);
-                        try locals.appendSlice(nlists);
-                    }
-                }
-            }
+    var imports = std.ArrayList(macho.nlist_64).init(gpa);
+    defer imports.deinit();
+    var imports_table = std.AutoHashMap(SymbolWithLoc, u32).init(gpa);
+    defer imports_table.deinit();
 
-            // Close scope
-            try locals.append(.{
-                .n_strx = 0,
-                .n_type = macho.N_SO,
-                .n_sect = 0,
-                .n_desc = 0,
-                .n_value = 0,
-            });
-        }
+    for (self.globals.values()) |global| {
+        const sym = self.getSymbol(global);
+        if (sym.n_strx == 0) continue; // no name, skip
+        if (!sym.undf()) continue; // not an import, skip
+        const new_index = @intCast(u32, imports.items.len);
+        var out_sym = sym;
+        out_sym.n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(gpa, self.getSymbolName(global));
+        try imports.append(out_sym);
+        try imports_table.putNoClobber(global, new_index);
     }
 
     const nlocals = locals.items.len;
-    const nexports = self.globals.items.len;
-    const nundefs = undefs.items.len;
-
-    const locals_off = symtab.symoff;
-    const locals_size = nlocals * @sizeOf(macho.nlist_64);
-    log.debug("writing local symbols from 0x{x} to 0x{x}", .{ locals_off, locals_size + locals_off });
-    try self.base.file.?.pwriteAll(mem.sliceAsBytes(locals.items), locals_off);
+    const nexports = exports.items.len;
+    const nimports = imports.items.len;
+    symtab.nsyms = @intCast(u32, nlocals + nexports + nimports);
 
-    const exports_off = locals_off + locals_size;
-    const exports_size = nexports * @sizeOf(macho.nlist_64);
-    log.debug("writing exported symbols from 0x{x} to 0x{x}", .{ exports_off, exports_size + exports_off });
-    try self.base.file.?.pwriteAll(mem.sliceAsBytes(self.globals.items), exports_off);
+    var buffer = std.ArrayList(u8).init(gpa);
+    defer buffer.deinit();
+    try buffer.ensureTotalCapacityPrecise(symtab.nsyms * @sizeOf(macho.nlist_64));
+    buffer.appendSliceAssumeCapacity(mem.sliceAsBytes(locals.items));
+    buffer.appendSliceAssumeCapacity(mem.sliceAsBytes(exports.items));
+    buffer.appendSliceAssumeCapacity(mem.sliceAsBytes(imports.items));
 
-    const undefs_off = exports_off + exports_size;
-    const undefs_size = nundefs * @sizeOf(macho.nlist_64);
-    log.debug("writing undefined symbols from 0x{x} to 0x{x}", .{ undefs_off, undefs_size + undefs_off });
-    try self.base.file.?.pwriteAll(mem.sliceAsBytes(undefs.items), undefs_off);
+    log.debug("writing symtab from 0x{x} to 0x{x}", .{ symtab.symoff, symtab.symoff + buffer.items.len });
+    try self.base.file.?.pwriteAll(buffer.items, symtab.symoff);
 
-    symtab.nsyms = @intCast(u32, nlocals + nexports + nundefs);
-    seg.inner.filesize = symtab.symoff + symtab.nsyms * @sizeOf(macho.nlist_64) - seg.inner.fileoff;
+    seg.inner.filesize = symtab.symoff + buffer.items.len - seg.inner.fileoff;
 
     // Update dynamic symbol table.
     const dysymtab = &self.load_commands.items[self.dysymtab_cmd_index.?].dysymtab;
@@ -6311,7 +6130,7 @@ fn writeSymbolTable(self: *MachO) !void {
     dysymtab.iextdefsym = dysymtab.nlocalsym;
     dysymtab.nextdefsym = @intCast(u32, nexports);
     dysymtab.iundefsym = dysymtab.nlocalsym + dysymtab.nextdefsym;
-    dysymtab.nundefsym = @intCast(u32, nundefs);
+    dysymtab.nundefsym = @intCast(u32, nimports);
 
     const nstubs = @intCast(u32, self.stubs_table.count());
     const ngot_entries = @intCast(u32, self.got_entries_table.count());
@@ -6327,55 +6146,62 @@ fn writeSymbolTable(self: *MachO) !void {
         dysymtab.indirectsymoff + dysymtab.nindirectsyms * @sizeOf(u32),
     });
 
-    var buf = std.ArrayList(u8).init(self.base.allocator);
+    var buf = std.ArrayList(u8).init(gpa);
     defer buf.deinit();
     try buf.ensureTotalCapacity(dysymtab.nindirectsyms * @sizeOf(u32));
     const writer = buf.writer();
 
     if (self.text_segment_cmd_index) |text_segment_cmd_index| blk: {
         const stubs_section_index = self.stubs_section_index orelse break :blk;
-        const text_segment = &self.load_commands.items[text_segment_cmd_index].segment;
-        const stubs = &text_segment.sections.items[stubs_section_index];
+        const stubs = self.getSectionPtr(.{
+            .seg = text_segment_cmd_index,
+            .sect = stubs_section_index,
+        });
         stubs.reserved1 = 0;
-        for (self.stubs_table.keys()) |key| {
-            const resolv = self.symbol_resolver.get(key).?;
-            switch (resolv.where) {
-                .global => try writer.writeIntLittle(u32, macho.INDIRECT_SYMBOL_LOCAL),
-                .undef => try writer.writeIntLittle(u32, dysymtab.iundefsym + undefs_table.get(resolv.where_index).?),
-            }
+        for (self.stubs.items) |entry| {
+            if (entry.sym_index == 0) continue;
+            const atom_sym = entry.getSymbol(self);
+            if (atom_sym.n_desc == N_DESC_GCED) continue;
+            const target_sym = self.getSymbol(entry.target);
+            assert(target_sym.undf());
+            try writer.writeIntLittle(u32, dysymtab.iundefsym + imports_table.get(entry.target).?);
         }
     }
 
     if (self.data_const_segment_cmd_index) |data_const_segment_cmd_index| blk: {
         const got_section_index = self.got_section_index orelse break :blk;
-        const data_const_segment = &self.load_commands.items[data_const_segment_cmd_index].segment;
-        const got = &data_const_segment.sections.items[got_section_index];
+        const got = self.getSectionPtr(.{
+            .seg = data_const_segment_cmd_index,
+            .sect = got_section_index,
+        });
         got.reserved1 = nstubs;
-        for (self.got_entries_table.keys()) |key| {
-            switch (key) {
-                .local => try writer.writeIntLittle(u32, macho.INDIRECT_SYMBOL_LOCAL),
-                .global => |n_strx| {
-                    const resolv = self.symbol_resolver.get(n_strx).?;
-                    switch (resolv.where) {
-                        .global => try writer.writeIntLittle(u32, macho.INDIRECT_SYMBOL_LOCAL),
-                        .undef => try writer.writeIntLittle(u32, dysymtab.iundefsym + undefs_table.get(resolv.where_index).?),
-                    }
-                },
+        for (self.got_entries.items) |entry| {
+            if (entry.sym_index == 0) continue;
+            const atom_sym = entry.getSymbol(self);
+            if (atom_sym.n_desc == N_DESC_GCED) continue;
+            const target_sym = self.getSymbol(entry.target);
+            if (target_sym.undf()) {
+                try writer.writeIntLittle(u32, dysymtab.iundefsym + imports_table.get(entry.target).?);
+            } else {
+                try writer.writeIntLittle(u32, macho.INDIRECT_SYMBOL_LOCAL);
             }
         }
     }
 
     if (self.data_segment_cmd_index) |data_segment_cmd_index| blk: {
         const la_symbol_ptr_section_index = self.la_symbol_ptr_section_index orelse break :blk;
-        const data_segment = &self.load_commands.items[data_segment_cmd_index].segment;
-        const la_symbol_ptr = &data_segment.sections.items[la_symbol_ptr_section_index];
+        const la_symbol_ptr = self.getSectionPtr(.{
+            .seg = data_segment_cmd_index,
+            .sect = la_symbol_ptr_section_index,
+        });
         la_symbol_ptr.reserved1 = nstubs + ngot_entries;
-        for (self.stubs_table.keys()) |key| {
-            const resolv = self.symbol_resolver.get(key).?;
-            switch (resolv.where) {
-                .global => try writer.writeIntLittle(u32, macho.INDIRECT_SYMBOL_LOCAL),
-                .undef => try writer.writeIntLittle(u32, dysymtab.iundefsym + undefs_table.get(resolv.where_index).?),
-            }
+        for (self.stubs.items) |entry| {
+            if (entry.sym_index == 0) continue;
+            const atom_sym = entry.getSymbol(self);
+            if (atom_sym.n_desc == N_DESC_GCED) continue;
+            const target_sym = self.getSymbol(entry.target);
+            assert(target_sym.undf());
+            try writer.writeIntLittle(u32, dysymtab.iundefsym + imports_table.get(entry.target).?);
         }
     }
 
@@ -6385,21 +6211,22 @@ fn writeSymbolTable(self: *MachO) !void {
     self.load_commands_dirty = true;
 }
 
-fn writeStringTable(self: *MachO) !void {
+fn writeStrtab(self: *MachO) !void {
     const tracy = trace(@src());
     defer tracy.end();
 
     const seg = &self.load_commands.items[self.linkedit_segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
     const symtab = &self.load_commands.items[self.symtab_cmd_index.?].symtab;
     const stroff = mem.alignForwardGeneric(u64, seg.inner.fileoff + seg.inner.filesize, @alignOf(u64));
-    const strsize = self.strtab.items.len;
+
+    const strsize = self.strtab.buffer.items.len;
     symtab.stroff = @intCast(u32, stroff);
     symtab.strsize = @intCast(u32, strsize);
     seg.inner.filesize = symtab.stroff + symtab.strsize - seg.inner.fileoff;
 
     log.debug("writing string table from 0x{x} to 0x{x}", .{ symtab.stroff, symtab.stroff + symtab.strsize });
 
-    try self.base.file.?.pwriteAll(self.strtab.items, symtab.stroff);
+    try self.base.file.?.pwriteAll(self.strtab.buffer.items, symtab.stroff);
 
     self.load_commands_dirty = true;
 }
@@ -6413,9 +6240,9 @@ fn writeLinkeditSegment(self: *MachO) !void {
 
     try self.writeDyldInfoData();
     try self.writeFunctionStarts();
-    try self.writeDices();
-    try self.writeSymbolTable();
-    try self.writeStringTable();
+    try self.writeDataInCode();
+    try self.writeSymtab();
+    try self.writeStrtab();
 
     seg.inner.vmsize = mem.alignForwardGeneric(u64, seg.inner.filesize, self.page_size);
 }
@@ -6557,43 +6384,114 @@ pub fn makeStaticString(bytes: []const u8) [16]u8 {
     return buf;
 }
 
-pub fn makeString(self: *MachO, string: []const u8) !u32 {
-    const gop = try self.strtab_dir.getOrPutContextAdapted(self.base.allocator, @as([]const u8, string), StringIndexAdapter{
-        .bytes = &self.strtab,
-    }, StringIndexContext{
-        .bytes = &self.strtab,
-    });
-    if (gop.found_existing) {
-        const off = gop.key_ptr.*;
-        log.debug("reusing string '{s}' at offset 0x{x}", .{ string, off });
-        return off;
-    }
-
-    try self.strtab.ensureUnusedCapacity(self.base.allocator, string.len + 1);
-    const new_off = @intCast(u32, self.strtab.items.len);
+pub fn getSectionOrdinal(self: *MachO, match: MatchingSection) u8 {
+    return @intCast(u8, self.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).?) + 1;
+}
 
-    log.debug("writing new string '{s}' at offset 0x{x}", .{ string, new_off });
+pub fn getMatchingSectionFromOrdinal(self: *MachO, ord: u8) MatchingSection {
+    const index = ord - 1;
+    assert(index < self.section_ordinals.count());
+    return self.section_ordinals.keys()[index];
+}
 
-    self.strtab.appendSliceAssumeCapacity(string);
-    self.strtab.appendAssumeCapacity(0);
+pub fn getSegmentPtr(self: *MachO, match: MatchingSection) *macho.SegmentCommand {
+    assert(match.seg < self.load_commands.items.len);
+    return &self.load_commands.items[match.seg].segment;
+}
 
-    gop.key_ptr.* = new_off;
+pub fn getSegment(self: *MachO, match: MatchingSection) macho.SegmentCommand {
+    return self.getSegmentPtr(match).*;
+}
 
-    return new_off;
+pub fn getSectionPtr(self: *MachO, match: MatchingSection) *macho.section_64 {
+    const seg = self.getSegmentPtr(match);
+    assert(match.sect < seg.sections.items.len);
+    return &seg.sections.items[match.sect];
 }
 
-pub fn getString(self: MachO, off: u32) []const u8 {
-    assert(off < self.strtab.items.len);
-    return mem.sliceTo(@ptrCast([*:0]const u8, self.strtab.items.ptr + off), 0);
+pub fn getSection(self: *MachO, match: MatchingSection) macho.section_64 {
+    return self.getSectionPtr(match).*;
 }
 
-pub fn symbolIsTemp(sym: macho.nlist_64, sym_name: []const u8) bool {
+pub fn symbolIsTemp(self: *MachO, sym_with_loc: SymbolWithLoc) bool {
+    const sym = self.getSymbol(sym_with_loc);
     if (!sym.sect()) return false;
     if (sym.ext()) return false;
+    const sym_name = self.getSymbolName(sym_with_loc);
     return mem.startsWith(u8, sym_name, "l") or mem.startsWith(u8, sym_name, "L");
 }
 
-pub fn findFirst(comptime T: type, haystack: []T, start: usize, predicate: anytype) usize {
+/// Returns pointer-to-symbol described by `sym_with_loc` descriptor.
+pub fn getSymbolPtr(self: *MachO, sym_with_loc: SymbolWithLoc) *macho.nlist_64 {
+    if (sym_with_loc.file) |file| {
+        const object = &self.objects.items[file];
+        return &object.symtab.items[sym_with_loc.sym_index];
+    } else {
+        return &self.locals.items[sym_with_loc.sym_index];
+    }
+}
+
+/// Returns symbol described by `sym_with_loc` descriptor.
+pub fn getSymbol(self: *MachO, sym_with_loc: SymbolWithLoc) macho.nlist_64 {
+    return self.getSymbolPtr(sym_with_loc).*;
+}
+
+/// Returns name of the symbol described by `sym_with_loc` descriptor.
+pub fn getSymbolName(self: *MachO, sym_with_loc: SymbolWithLoc) []const u8 {
+    if (sym_with_loc.file) |file| {
+        const object = self.objects.items[file];
+        const sym = object.symtab.items[sym_with_loc.sym_index];
+        return object.getString(sym.n_strx);
+    } else {
+        const sym = self.locals.items[sym_with_loc.sym_index];
+        return self.strtab.get(sym.n_strx).?;
+    }
+}
+
+/// Returns atom if there is an atom referenced by the symbol described by `sym_with_loc` descriptor.
+/// Returns null on failure.
+pub fn getAtomForSymbol(self: *MachO, sym_with_loc: SymbolWithLoc) ?*Atom {
+    if (sym_with_loc.file) |file| {
+        const object = self.objects.items[file];
+        return object.getAtomForSymbol(sym_with_loc.sym_index);
+    } else {
+        return self.atom_by_index_table.get(sym_with_loc.sym_index);
+    }
+}
+
+/// Returns GOT atom that references `sym_with_loc` if one exists.
+/// Returns null otherwise.
+pub fn getGotAtomForSymbol(self: *MachO, sym_with_loc: SymbolWithLoc) ?*Atom {
+    const got_index = self.got_entries_table.get(sym_with_loc) orelse return null;
+    return self.got_entries.items[got_index].getAtom(self);
+}
+
+/// Returns stubs atom that references `sym_with_loc` if one exists.
+/// Returns null otherwise.
+pub fn getStubsAtomForSymbol(self: *MachO, sym_with_loc: SymbolWithLoc) ?*Atom {
+    const stubs_index = self.stubs_table.get(sym_with_loc) orelse return null;
+    return self.stubs.items[stubs_index].getAtom(self);
+}
+
+/// Returns TLV pointer atom that references `sym_with_loc` if one exists.
+/// Returns null otherwise.
+pub fn getTlvPtrAtomForSymbol(self: *MachO, sym_with_loc: SymbolWithLoc) ?*Atom {
+    const tlv_ptr_index = self.tlv_ptr_entries_table.get(sym_with_loc) orelse return null;
+    return self.tlv_ptr_entries.items[tlv_ptr_index].getAtom(self);
+}
+
+/// Returns symbol location corresponding to the set entrypoint.
+/// Asserts output mode is executable.
+pub fn getEntryPoint(self: MachO) error{MissingMainEntrypoint}!SymbolWithLoc {
+    const entry_name = self.base.options.entry orelse "_main";
+    const global = self.globals.get(entry_name) orelse {
+        log.err("entrypoint '{s}' not found", .{entry_name});
+        return error.MissingMainEntrypoint;
+    };
+    return global;
+}
+
+pub fn findFirst(comptime T: type, haystack: []const T, start: usize, predicate: anytype) usize {
     if (!@hasDecl(@TypeOf(predicate), "predicate"))
         @compileError("Predicate is required to define fn predicate(@This(), T) bool");
 
@@ -6606,6 +6504,225 @@ pub fn findFirst(comptime T: type, haystack: []T, start: usize, predicate: anyty
     return i;
 }
 
+const DebugInfo = struct {
+    inner: dwarf.DwarfInfo,
+    debug_info: []const u8,
+    debug_abbrev: []const u8,
+    debug_str: []const u8,
+    debug_line: []const u8,
+    debug_line_str: []const u8,
+    debug_ranges: []const u8,
+
+    pub fn parse(allocator: Allocator, object: Object) !?DebugInfo {
+        var debug_info = blk: {
+            const index = object.dwarf_debug_info_index orelse return null;
+            break :blk try object.getSectionContents(index);
+        };
+        var debug_abbrev = blk: {
+            const index = object.dwarf_debug_abbrev_index orelse return null;
+            break :blk try object.getSectionContents(index);
+        };
+        var debug_str = blk: {
+            const index = object.dwarf_debug_str_index orelse return null;
+            break :blk try object.getSectionContents(index);
+        };
+        var debug_line = blk: {
+            const index = object.dwarf_debug_line_index orelse return null;
+            break :blk try object.getSectionContents(index);
+        };
+        var debug_line_str = blk: {
+            if (object.dwarf_debug_line_str_index) |ind| {
+                break :blk try object.getSectionContents(ind);
+            }
+            break :blk &[0]u8{};
+        };
+        var debug_ranges = blk: {
+            if (object.dwarf_debug_ranges_index) |ind| {
+                break :blk try object.getSectionContents(ind);
+            }
+            break :blk &[0]u8{};
+        };
+
+        var inner: dwarf.DwarfInfo = .{
+            .endian = .Little,
+            .debug_info = debug_info,
+            .debug_abbrev = debug_abbrev,
+            .debug_str = debug_str,
+            .debug_line = debug_line,
+            .debug_line_str = debug_line_str,
+            .debug_ranges = debug_ranges,
+        };
+        try dwarf.openDwarfDebugInfo(&inner, allocator);
+
+        return DebugInfo{
+            .inner = inner,
+            .debug_info = debug_info,
+            .debug_abbrev = debug_abbrev,
+            .debug_str = debug_str,
+            .debug_line = debug_line,
+            .debug_line_str = debug_line_str,
+            .debug_ranges = debug_ranges,
+        };
+    }
+
+    pub fn deinit(self: *DebugInfo, allocator: Allocator) void {
+        self.inner.deinit(allocator);
+    }
+};
+
+pub fn generateSymbolStabs(
+    self: *MachO,
+    object: Object,
+    locals: *std.ArrayList(macho.nlist_64),
+) !void {
+    assert(!self.base.options.strip);
+
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+
+    log.debug("parsing debug info in '{s}'", .{object.name});
+
+    var debug_info = (try DebugInfo.parse(gpa, object)) orelse return;
+
+    // We assume there is only one CU.
+    const compile_unit = debug_info.inner.findCompileUnit(0x0) catch |err| switch (err) {
+        error.MissingDebugInfo => {
+            // TODO audit cases with missing debug info and audit our dwarf.zig module.
+            log.debug("invalid or missing debug info in {s}; skipping", .{object.name});
+            return;
+        },
+        else => |e| return e,
+    };
+    const tu_name = try compile_unit.die.getAttrString(&debug_info.inner, dwarf.AT.name);
+    const tu_comp_dir = try compile_unit.die.getAttrString(&debug_info.inner, dwarf.AT.comp_dir);
+
+    // Open scope
+    try locals.ensureUnusedCapacity(3);
+    locals.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
+        .n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(gpa, tu_comp_dir),
+        .n_type = macho.N_SO,
+        .n_sect = 0,
+        .n_desc = 0,
+        .n_value = 0,
+    });
+    locals.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
+        .n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(gpa, tu_name),
+        .n_type = macho.N_SO,
+        .n_sect = 0,
+        .n_desc = 0,
+        .n_value = 0,
+    });
+    locals.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
+        .n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(gpa, object.name),
+        .n_type = macho.N_OSO,
+        .n_sect = 0,
+        .n_desc = 1,
+        .n_value = object.mtime,
+    });
+
+    var stabs_buf: [4]macho.nlist_64 = undefined;
+
+    for (object.managed_atoms.items) |atom| {
+        const stabs = try self.generateSymbolStabsForSymbol(
+            atom.getSymbolWithLoc(),
+            debug_info,
+            &stabs_buf,
+        );
+        try locals.appendSlice(stabs);
+
+        for (atom.contained.items) |sym_at_off| {
+            const sym_loc = SymbolWithLoc{
+                .sym_index = sym_at_off.sym_index,
+                .file = atom.file,
+            };
+            const contained_stabs = try self.generateSymbolStabsForSymbol(
+                sym_loc,
+                debug_info,
+                &stabs_buf,
+            );
+            try locals.appendSlice(contained_stabs);
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Close scope
+    try locals.append(.{
+        .n_strx = 0,
+        .n_type = macho.N_SO,
+        .n_sect = 0,
+        .n_desc = 0,
+        .n_value = 0,
+    });
+}
+
+fn generateSymbolStabsForSymbol(
+    self: *MachO,
+    sym_loc: SymbolWithLoc,
+    debug_info: DebugInfo,
+    buf: *[4]macho.nlist_64,
+) ![]const macho.nlist_64 {
+    const gpa = self.base.allocator;
+    const object = self.objects.items[sym_loc.file.?];
+    const sym = self.getSymbol(sym_loc);
+    const sym_name = self.getSymbolName(sym_loc);
+
+    if (sym.n_strx == 0) return buf[0..0];
+    if (sym.n_desc == N_DESC_GCED) return buf[0..0];
+    if (self.symbolIsTemp(sym_loc)) return buf[0..0];
+
+    const source_sym = object.getSourceSymbol(sym_loc.sym_index) orelse return buf[0..0];
+    const size: ?u64 = size: {
+        if (source_sym.tentative()) break :size null;
+        for (debug_info.inner.func_list.items) |func| {
+            if (func.pc_range) |range| {
+                if (source_sym.n_value >= range.start and source_sym.n_value < range.end) {
+                    break :size range.end - range.start;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        break :size null;
+    };
+
+    if (size) |ss| {
+        buf[0] = .{
+            .n_strx = 0,
+            .n_type = macho.N_BNSYM,
+            .n_sect = sym.n_sect,
+            .n_desc = 0,
+            .n_value = sym.n_value,
+        };
+        buf[1] = .{
+            .n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(gpa, sym_name),
+            .n_type = macho.N_FUN,
+            .n_sect = sym.n_sect,
+            .n_desc = 0,
+            .n_value = sym.n_value,
+        };
+        buf[2] = .{
+            .n_strx = 0,
+            .n_type = macho.N_FUN,
+            .n_sect = 0,
+            .n_desc = 0,
+            .n_value = ss,
+        };
+        buf[3] = .{
+            .n_strx = 0,
+            .n_type = macho.N_ENSYM,
+            .n_sect = sym.n_sect,
+            .n_desc = 0,
+            .n_value = ss,
+        };
+        return buf;
+    } else {
+        buf[0] = .{
+            .n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(gpa, sym_name),
+            .n_type = macho.N_STSYM,
+            .n_sect = sym.n_sect,
+            .n_desc = 0,
+            .n_value = sym.n_value,
+        };
+        return buf[0..1];
+    }
+}
+
 fn snapshotState(self: *MachO) !void {
     const emit = self.base.options.emit orelse {
         log.debug("no emit directory found; skipping snapshot...", .{});
@@ -6655,7 +6772,7 @@ fn snapshotState(self: *MachO) !void {
     const arena = arena_allocator.allocator();
 
     const out_file = try emit.directory.handle.createFile("snapshots.json", .{
-        .truncate = self.cold_start,
+        .truncate = false,
         .read = true,
     });
     defer out_file.close();
@@ -6675,8 +6792,7 @@ fn snapshotState(self: *MachO) !void {
     var nodes = std.ArrayList(Snapshot.Node).init(arena);
 
     for (self.section_ordinals.keys()) |key| {
-        const seg = self.load_commands.items[key.seg].segment;
-        const sect = seg.sections.items[key.sect];
+        const sect = self.getSection(key);
         const sect_name = try std.fmt.allocPrint(arena, "{s},{s}", .{ sect.segName(), sect.sectName() });
         try nodes.append(.{
             .address = sect.addr,
@@ -6684,6 +6800,8 @@ fn snapshotState(self: *MachO) !void {
             .payload = .{ .name = sect_name },
         });
 
+        const is_tlv = sect.type_() == macho.S_THREAD_LOCAL_VARIABLES;
+
         var atom: *Atom = self.atoms.get(key) orelse {
             try nodes.append(.{
                 .address = sect.addr + sect.size,
@@ -6698,103 +6816,63 @@ fn snapshotState(self: *MachO) !void {
         }
 
         while (true) {
-            const atom_sym = self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
-            const should_skip_atom: bool = blk: {
-                if (self.mh_execute_header_index) |index| {
-                    if (index == atom.local_sym_index) break :blk true;
-                }
-                if (mem.eql(u8, self.getString(atom_sym.n_strx), "___dso_handle")) break :blk true;
-                break :blk false;
-            };
-
-            if (should_skip_atom) {
-                if (atom.next) |next| {
-                    atom = next;
-                } else break;
-                continue;
-            }
-
+            const atom_sym = atom.getSymbol(self);
             var node = Snapshot.Node{
                 .address = atom_sym.n_value,
                 .tag = .atom_start,
                 .payload = .{
-                    .name = self.getString(atom_sym.n_strx),
-                    .is_global = self.symbol_resolver.contains(atom_sym.n_strx),
+                    .name = atom.getName(self),
+                    .is_global = self.globals.contains(atom.getName(self)),
                 },
             };
 
             var aliases = std.ArrayList([]const u8).init(arena);
-            for (atom.aliases.items) |loc| {
-                try aliases.append(self.getString(self.locals.items[loc].n_strx));
+            for (atom.contained.items) |sym_off| {
+                if (sym_off.offset == 0) {
+                    try aliases.append(self.getSymbolName(.{
+                        .sym_index = sym_off.sym_index,
+                        .file = atom.file,
+                    }));
+                }
             }
             node.payload.aliases = aliases.toOwnedSlice();
             try nodes.append(node);
 
             var relocs = try std.ArrayList(Snapshot.Node).initCapacity(arena, atom.relocs.items.len);
             for (atom.relocs.items) |rel| {
-                const arch = self.base.options.target.cpu.arch;
                 const source_addr = blk: {
-                    const sym = self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
-                    break :blk sym.n_value + rel.offset;
+                    const source_sym = atom.getSymbol(self);
+                    break :blk source_sym.n_value + rel.offset;
                 };
                 const target_addr = blk: {
-                    const is_via_got = got: {
-                        switch (arch) {
-                            .aarch64 => break :got switch (@intToEnum(macho.reloc_type_arm64, rel.@"type")) {
-                                .ARM64_RELOC_GOT_LOAD_PAGE21, .ARM64_RELOC_GOT_LOAD_PAGEOFF12 => true,
-                                else => false,
-                            },
-                            .x86_64 => break :got switch (@intToEnum(macho.reloc_type_x86_64, rel.@"type")) {
-                                .X86_64_RELOC_GOT, .X86_64_RELOC_GOT_LOAD => true,
-                                else => false,
-                            },
-                            else => unreachable,
+                    const target_atom = rel.getTargetAtom(self) orelse {
+                        // If there is no atom for target, we still need to check for special, atom-less
+                        // symbols such as `___dso_handle`.
+                        const target_name = self.getSymbolName(rel.target);
+                        if (self.globals.contains(target_name)) {
+                            const atomless_sym = self.getSymbol(rel.target);
+                            break :blk atomless_sym.n_value;
                         }
+                        break :blk 0;
                     };
-
-                    if (is_via_got) {
-                        const got_index = self.got_entries_table.get(rel.target) orelse break :blk 0;
-                        const got_atom = self.got_entries.items[got_index].atom;
-                        break :blk self.locals.items[got_atom.local_sym_index].n_value;
-                    }
-
-                    switch (rel.target) {
-                        .local => |sym_index| {
-                            const sym = self.locals.items[sym_index];
-                            const is_tlv = is_tlv: {
-                                const source_sym = self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
-                                const match = self.section_ordinals.keys()[source_sym.n_sect - 1];
-                                const match_seg = self.load_commands.items[match.seg].segment;
-                                const match_sect = match_seg.sections.items[match.sect];
-                                break :is_tlv match_sect.type_() == macho.S_THREAD_LOCAL_VARIABLES;
-                            };
-                            if (is_tlv) {
-                                const match_seg = self.load_commands.items[self.data_segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
-                                const base_address = inner: {
-                                    if (self.tlv_data_section_index) |i| {
-                                        break :inner match_seg.sections.items[i].addr;
-                                    } else if (self.tlv_bss_section_index) |i| {
-                                        break :inner match_seg.sections.items[i].addr;
-                                    } else unreachable;
-                                };
-                                break :blk sym.n_value - base_address;
-                            }
-                            break :blk sym.n_value;
-                        },
-                        .global => |n_strx| {
-                            const resolv = self.symbol_resolver.get(n_strx).?;
-                            switch (resolv.where) {
-                                .global => break :blk self.globals.items[resolv.where_index].n_value,
-                                .undef => {
-                                    if (self.stubs_table.get(n_strx)) |stub_index| {
-                                        const stub_atom = self.stubs.items[stub_index];
-                                        break :blk self.locals.items[stub_atom.local_sym_index].n_value;
-                                    }
-                                    break :blk 0;
-                                },
-                            }
-                        },
-                    }
+                    const target_sym = if (target_atom.isSymbolContained(rel.target, self))
+                        self.getSymbol(rel.target)
+                    else
+                        target_atom.getSymbol(self);
+                    const base_address: u64 = if (is_tlv) base_address: {
+                        const sect_id: u16 = sect_id: {
+                            if (self.tlv_data_section_index) |i| {
+                                break :sect_id i;
+                            } else if (self.tlv_bss_section_index) |i| {
+                                break :sect_id i;
+                            } else unreachable;
+                        };
+                        break :base_address self.getSection(.{
+                            .seg = self.data_segment_cmd_index.?,
+                            .sect = sect_id,
+                        }).addr;
+                    } else 0;
+                    break :blk target_sym.n_value - base_address;
                 };
 
                 relocs.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
@@ -6815,15 +6893,18 @@ fn snapshotState(self: *MachO) !void {
                 var next_i: usize = 0;
                 var last_rel: usize = 0;
                 while (next_i < atom.contained.items.len) : (next_i += 1) {
-                    const loc = atom.contained.items[next_i];
-                    const cont_sym = self.locals.items[loc.local_sym_index];
-                    const cont_sym_name = self.getString(cont_sym.n_strx);
+                    const loc = SymbolWithLoc{
+                        .sym_index = atom.contained.items[next_i].sym_index,
+                        .file = atom.file,
+                    };
+                    const cont_sym = self.getSymbol(loc);
+                    const cont_sym_name = self.getSymbolName(loc);
                     var contained_node = Snapshot.Node{
                         .address = cont_sym.n_value,
                         .tag = .atom_start,
                         .payload = .{
                             .name = cont_sym_name,
-                            .is_global = self.symbol_resolver.contains(cont_sym.n_strx),
+                            .is_global = self.globals.contains(cont_sym_name),
                         },
                     };
 
@@ -6831,10 +6912,14 @@ fn snapshotState(self: *MachO) !void {
                     var inner_aliases = std.ArrayList([]const u8).init(arena);
                     while (true) {
                         if (next_i + 1 >= atom.contained.items.len) break;
-                        const next_sym = self.locals.items[atom.contained.items[next_i + 1].local_sym_index];
+                        const next_sym_loc = SymbolWithLoc{
+                            .sym_index = atom.contained.items[next_i + 1].sym_index,
+                            .file = atom.file,
+                        };
+                        const next_sym = self.getSymbol(next_sym_loc);
                         if (next_sym.n_value != cont_sym.n_value) break;
-                        const next_sym_name = self.getString(next_sym.n_strx);
-                        if (self.symbol_resolver.contains(next_sym.n_strx)) {
+                        const next_sym_name = self.getSymbolName(next_sym_loc);
+                        if (self.globals.contains(next_sym_name)) {
                             try inner_aliases.append(contained_node.payload.name);
                             contained_node.payload.name = next_sym_name;
                             contained_node.payload.is_global = true;
@@ -6843,7 +6928,10 @@ fn snapshotState(self: *MachO) !void {
                     }
 
                     const cont_size = if (next_i + 1 < atom.contained.items.len)
-                        self.locals.items[atom.contained.items[next_i + 1].local_sym_index].n_value - cont_sym.n_value
+                        self.getSymbol(.{
+                            .sym_index = atom.contained.items[next_i + 1].sym_index,
+                            .file = atom.file,
+                        }).n_value - cont_sym.n_value
                     else
                         atom_sym.n_value + atom.size - cont_sym.n_value;
 
@@ -6890,69 +6978,181 @@ fn snapshotState(self: *MachO) !void {
     try writer.writeByte(']');
 }
 
-fn logSymtab(self: MachO) void {
-    log.debug("locals:", .{});
-    for (self.locals.items) |sym, id| {
-        log.debug("  {d}: {s}: @{x} in {d}", .{ id, self.getString(sym.n_strx), sym.n_value, sym.n_sect });
+fn logSymAttributes(sym: macho.nlist_64, buf: *[9]u8) []const u8 {
+    mem.set(u8, buf[0..4], '_');
+    mem.set(u8, buf[4..], ' ');
+    if (sym.sect()) {
+        buf[0] = 's';
     }
-
-    log.debug("globals:", .{});
-    for (self.globals.items) |sym, id| {
-        log.debug("  {d}: {s}: @{x} in {d}", .{ id, self.getString(sym.n_strx), sym.n_value, sym.n_sect });
+    if (sym.ext()) {
+        if (sym.weakDef() or sym.pext()) {
+            buf[1] = 'w';
+        } else {
+            buf[1] = 'e';
+        }
     }
-
-    log.debug("undefs:", .{});
-    for (self.undefs.items) |sym, id| {
-        log.debug("  {d}: {s}: in {d}", .{ id, self.getString(sym.n_strx), sym.n_desc });
+    if (sym.tentative()) {
+        buf[2] = 't';
     }
+    if (sym.undf()) {
+        buf[3] = 'u';
+    }
+    if (sym.n_desc == N_DESC_GCED) {
+        mem.copy(u8, buf[5..], "DEAD");
+    }
+    return buf[0..];
+}
 
-    {
-        log.debug("resolver:", .{});
-        var it = self.symbol_resolver.iterator();
-        while (it.next()) |entry| {
-            log.debug("  {s} => {}", .{ self.getString(entry.key_ptr.*), entry.value_ptr.* });
+fn logSymtab(self: *MachO) void {
+    var buf: [9]u8 = undefined;
+
+    log.debug("symtab:", .{});
+    for (self.objects.items) |object, id| {
+        log.debug("  object({d}): {s}", .{ id, object.name });
+        for (object.symtab.items) |sym, sym_id| {
+            const where = if (sym.undf() and !sym.tentative()) "ord" else "sect";
+            const def_index = if (sym.undf() and !sym.tentative())
+                @divTrunc(sym.n_desc, macho.N_SYMBOL_RESOLVER)
+            else
+                sym.n_sect;
+            log.debug("    %{d}: {s} @{x} in {s}({d}), {s}", .{
+                sym_id,
+                object.getString(sym.n_strx),
+                sym.n_value,
+                where,
+                def_index,
+                logSymAttributes(sym, &buf),
+            });
         }
     }
+    log.debug("  object(null)", .{});
+    for (self.locals.items) |sym, sym_id| {
+        const where = if (sym.undf() and !sym.tentative()) "ord" else "sect";
+        const def_index = if (sym.undf() and !sym.tentative())
+            @divTrunc(sym.n_desc, macho.N_SYMBOL_RESOLVER)
+        else
+            sym.n_sect;
+        log.debug("    %{d}: {s} @{x} in {s}({d}), {s}", .{
+            sym_id,
+            self.strtab.get(sym.n_strx),
+            sym.n_value,
+            where,
+            def_index,
+            logSymAttributes(sym, &buf),
+        });
+    }
+
+    log.debug("globals table:", .{});
+    for (self.globals.keys()) |name, id| {
+        const value = self.globals.values()[id];
+        log.debug("  {s} => %{d} in object({d})", .{ name, value.sym_index, value.file });
+    }
 
     log.debug("GOT entries:", .{});
-    for (self.got_entries_table.values()) |value| {
-        const key = self.got_entries.items[value].target;
-        const atom = self.got_entries.items[value].atom;
-        const n_value = self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index].n_value;
-        switch (key) {
-            .local => |ndx| log.debug("  {d}: @{x}", .{ ndx, n_value }),
-            .global => |n_strx| log.debug("  {s}: @{x}", .{ self.getString(n_strx), n_value }),
+    for (self.got_entries.items) |entry, i| {
+        const atom_sym = entry.getSymbol(self);
+        if (atom_sym.n_desc == N_DESC_GCED) continue;
+        const target_sym = self.getSymbol(entry.target);
+        if (target_sym.undf()) {
+            log.debug("  {d}@{x} => import('{s}')", .{
+                i,
+                atom_sym.n_value,
+                self.getSymbolName(entry.target),
+            });
+        } else {
+            log.debug("  {d}@{x} => local(%{d}) in object({d}) {s}", .{
+                i,
+                atom_sym.n_value,
+                entry.target.sym_index,
+                entry.target.file,
+                logSymAttributes(target_sym, &buf),
+            });
         }
     }
 
     log.debug("__thread_ptrs entries:", .{});
-    for (self.tlv_ptr_entries_table.values()) |value| {
-        const key = self.tlv_ptr_entries.items[value].target;
-        const atom = self.tlv_ptr_entries.items[value].atom;
-        const n_value = self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index].n_value;
-        assert(key == .global);
-        log.debug("  {s}: @{x}", .{ self.getString(key.global), n_value });
+    for (self.tlv_ptr_entries.items) |entry, i| {
+        const atom_sym = entry.getSymbol(self);
+        if (atom_sym.n_desc == N_DESC_GCED) continue;
+        const target_sym = self.getSymbol(entry.target);
+        assert(target_sym.undf());
+        log.debug("  {d}@{x} => import('{s}')", .{
+            i,
+            atom_sym.n_value,
+            self.getSymbolName(entry.target),
+        });
     }
 
-    log.debug("stubs:", .{});
-    for (self.stubs_table.keys()) |key| {
-        const value = self.stubs_table.get(key).?;
-        const atom = self.stubs.items[value];
-        const sym = self.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
-        log.debug("  {s}: @{x}", .{ self.getString(key), sym.n_value });
+    log.debug("stubs entries:", .{});
+    for (self.stubs.items) |entry, i| {
+        const target_sym = self.getSymbol(entry.target);
+        const atom_sym = entry.getSymbol(self);
+        assert(target_sym.undf());
+        log.debug("  {d}@{x} => import('{s}')", .{
+            i,
+            atom_sym.n_value,
+            self.getSymbolName(entry.target),
+        });
     }
 }
 
-fn logSectionOrdinals(self: MachO) void {
+fn logSectionOrdinals(self: *MachO) void {
     for (self.section_ordinals.keys()) |match, i| {
-        const seg = self.load_commands.items[match.seg].segment;
-        const sect = seg.sections.items[match.sect];
-        log.debug("ord {d}: {d},{d} => {s},{s}", .{
-            i + 1,
-            match.seg,
-            match.sect,
-            sect.segName(),
-            sect.sectName(),
+        const sect = self.getSection(match);
+        log.debug("sect({d}, '{s},{s}')", .{ i + 1, sect.segName(), sect.sectName() });
+    }
+}
+
+fn logAtoms(self: *MachO) void {
+    log.debug("atoms:", .{});
+    var it = self.atoms.iterator();
+    while (it.next()) |entry| {
+        const match = entry.key_ptr.*;
+        var atom = entry.value_ptr.*;
+
+        while (atom.prev) |prev| {
+            atom = prev;
+        }
+
+        const sect = self.getSection(match);
+        log.debug("{s},{s}", .{ sect.segName(), sect.sectName() });
+
+        while (true) {
+            self.logAtom(atom);
+            if (atom.next) |next| {
+                atom = next;
+            } else break;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn logAtom(self: *MachO, atom: *const Atom) void {
+    const sym = atom.getSymbol(self);
+    const sym_name = atom.getName(self);
+    log.debug("  ATOM(%{d}, '{s}') @ {x} (sizeof({x}), alignof({x})) in object({d}) in sect({d})", .{
+        atom.sym_index,
+        sym_name,
+        sym.n_value,
+        atom.size,
+        atom.alignment,
+        atom.file,
+        sym.n_sect,
+    });
+
+    for (atom.contained.items) |sym_off| {
+        const inner_sym = self.getSymbol(.{
+            .sym_index = sym_off.sym_index,
+            .file = atom.file,
+        });
+        const inner_sym_name = self.getSymbolName(.{
+            .sym_index = sym_off.sym_index,
+            .file = atom.file,
+        });
+        log.debug("    (%{d}, '{s}') @ {x} ({x})", .{
+            sym_off.sym_index,
+            inner_sym_name,
+            inner_sym.n_value,
+            sym_off.offset,
         });
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/link/MachO/Atom.zig b/src/link/MachO/Atom.zig
index ff78b26989..2f60702423 100644
--- a/src/link/MachO/Atom.zig
+++ b/src/link/MachO/Atom.zig
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ const Arch = std.Target.Cpu.Arch;
 const Dwarf = @import("../Dwarf.zig");
 const MachO = @import("../MachO.zig");
 const Object = @import("Object.zig");
-const StringIndexAdapter = std.hash_map.StringIndexAdapter;
+const SymbolWithLoc = MachO.SymbolWithLoc;
 
 /// Each decl always gets a local symbol with the fully qualified name.
 /// The vaddr and size are found here directly.
@@ -24,10 +24,10 @@ const StringIndexAdapter = std.hash_map.StringIndexAdapter;
 /// the symbol references, and adding that to the file offset of the section.
 /// If this field is 0, it means the codegen size = 0 and there is no symbol or
 /// offset table entry.
-local_sym_index: u32,
+sym_index: u32,
 
-/// List of symbol aliases pointing to the same atom via different nlists
-aliases: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(u32) = .{},
+/// null means symbol defined by Zig source.
+file: ?u32,
 
 /// List of symbols contained within this atom
 contained: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(SymbolAtOffset) = .{},
@@ -48,26 +48,17 @@ alignment: u32,
 relocs: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(Relocation) = .{},
 
 /// List of offsets contained within this atom that need rebasing by the dynamic
-/// loader in presence of ASLR.
+/// loader for example in presence of ASLR.
 rebases: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(u64) = .{},
 
 /// List of offsets contained within this atom that will be dynamically bound
 /// by the dynamic loader and contain pointers to resolved (at load time) extern
-/// symbols (aka proxies aka imports)
+/// symbols (aka proxies aka imports).
 bindings: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(Binding) = .{},
 
-/// List of lazy bindings
+/// List of lazy bindings (cf bindings above).
 lazy_bindings: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(Binding) = .{},
 
-/// List of data-in-code entries. This is currently specific to x86_64 only.
-dices: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(macho.data_in_code_entry) = .{},
-
-/// Stab entry for this atom. This is currently specific to a binary created
-/// by linking object files in a traditional sense - in incremental sense, we
-/// bypass stabs altogether to produce dSYM bundle directly with fully relocated
-/// DWARF sections.
-stab: ?Stab = null,
-
 /// Points to the previous and next neighbours
 next: ?*Atom,
 prev: ?*Atom,
@@ -77,107 +68,62 @@ dbg_info_atom: Dwarf.Atom,
 dirty: bool = true,
 
 pub const Binding = struct {
-    n_strx: u32,
+    target: SymbolWithLoc,
     offset: u64,
 };
 
 pub const SymbolAtOffset = struct {
-    local_sym_index: u32,
+    sym_index: u32,
     offset: u64,
-    stab: ?Stab = null,
-};
-
-pub const Stab = union(enum) {
-    function: u64,
-    static,
-    global,
-
-    pub fn asNlists(stab: Stab, local_sym_index: u32, macho_file: anytype) ![]macho.nlist_64 {
-        var nlists = std.ArrayList(macho.nlist_64).init(macho_file.base.allocator);
-        defer nlists.deinit();
-
-        const sym = macho_file.locals.items[local_sym_index];
-        switch (stab) {
-            .function => |size| {
-                try nlists.ensureUnusedCapacity(4);
-                nlists.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
-                    .n_strx = 0,
-                    .n_type = macho.N_BNSYM,
-                    .n_sect = sym.n_sect,
-                    .n_desc = 0,
-                    .n_value = sym.n_value,
-                });
-                nlists.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
-                    .n_strx = sym.n_strx,
-                    .n_type = macho.N_FUN,
-                    .n_sect = sym.n_sect,
-                    .n_desc = 0,
-                    .n_value = sym.n_value,
-                });
-                nlists.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
-                    .n_strx = 0,
-                    .n_type = macho.N_FUN,
-                    .n_sect = 0,
-                    .n_desc = 0,
-                    .n_value = size,
-                });
-                nlists.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
-                    .n_strx = 0,
-                    .n_type = macho.N_ENSYM,
-                    .n_sect = sym.n_sect,
-                    .n_desc = 0,
-                    .n_value = size,
-                });
-            },
-            .global => {
-                try nlists.append(.{
-                    .n_strx = sym.n_strx,
-                    .n_type = macho.N_GSYM,
-                    .n_sect = 0,
-                    .n_desc = 0,
-                    .n_value = 0,
-                });
-            },
-            .static => {
-                try nlists.append(.{
-                    .n_strx = sym.n_strx,
-                    .n_type = macho.N_STSYM,
-                    .n_sect = sym.n_sect,
-                    .n_desc = 0,
-                    .n_value = sym.n_value,
-                });
-            },
-        }
-
-        return nlists.toOwnedSlice();
-    }
 };
 
 pub const Relocation = struct {
-    pub const Target = union(enum) {
-        local: u32,
-        global: u32,
-    };
-
     /// Offset within the atom's code buffer.
     /// Note relocation size can be inferred by relocation's kind.
     offset: u32,
 
-    target: Target,
+    target: MachO.SymbolWithLoc,
 
     addend: i64,
 
-    subtractor: ?u32,
+    subtractor: ?MachO.SymbolWithLoc,
 
     pcrel: bool,
 
     length: u2,
 
     @"type": u4,
+
+    pub fn getTargetAtom(self: Relocation, macho_file: *MachO) ?*Atom {
+        const is_via_got = got: {
+            switch (macho_file.base.options.target.cpu.arch) {
+                .aarch64 => break :got switch (@intToEnum(macho.reloc_type_arm64, self.@"type")) {
+                    .ARM64_RELOC_GOT_LOAD_PAGE21,
+                    .ARM64_RELOC_GOT_LOAD_PAGEOFF12,
+                    .ARM64_RELOC_POINTER_TO_GOT,
+                    => true,
+                    else => false,
+                },
+                .x86_64 => break :got switch (@intToEnum(macho.reloc_type_x86_64, self.@"type")) {
+                    .X86_64_RELOC_GOT, .X86_64_RELOC_GOT_LOAD => true,
+                    else => false,
+                },
+                else => unreachable,
+            }
+        };
+
+        if (is_via_got) {
+            return macho_file.getGotAtomForSymbol(self.target).?; // panic means fatal error
+        }
+        if (macho_file.getStubsAtomForSymbol(self.target)) |stubs_atom| return stubs_atom;
+        if (macho_file.getTlvPtrAtomForSymbol(self.target)) |tlv_ptr_atom| return tlv_ptr_atom;
+        return macho_file.getAtomForSymbol(self.target);
+    }
 };
 
 pub const empty = Atom{
-    .local_sym_index = 0,
+    .sym_index = 0,
+    .file = null,
     .size = 0,
     .alignment = 0,
     .prev = null,
@@ -186,34 +132,66 @@ pub const empty = Atom{
 };
 
 pub fn deinit(self: *Atom, allocator: Allocator) void {
-    self.dices.deinit(allocator);
     self.lazy_bindings.deinit(allocator);
     self.bindings.deinit(allocator);
     self.rebases.deinit(allocator);
     self.relocs.deinit(allocator);
     self.contained.deinit(allocator);
-    self.aliases.deinit(allocator);
     self.code.deinit(allocator);
 }
 
 pub fn clearRetainingCapacity(self: *Atom) void {
-    self.dices.clearRetainingCapacity();
     self.lazy_bindings.clearRetainingCapacity();
     self.bindings.clearRetainingCapacity();
     self.rebases.clearRetainingCapacity();
     self.relocs.clearRetainingCapacity();
     self.contained.clearRetainingCapacity();
-    self.aliases.clearRetainingCapacity();
     self.code.clearRetainingCapacity();
 }
 
+/// Returns symbol referencing this atom.
+pub fn getSymbol(self: Atom, macho_file: *MachO) macho.nlist_64 {
+    return self.getSymbolPtr(macho_file).*;
+}
+
+/// Returns pointer-to-symbol referencing this atom.
+pub fn getSymbolPtr(self: Atom, macho_file: *MachO) *macho.nlist_64 {
+    return macho_file.getSymbolPtr(.{
+        .sym_index = self.sym_index,
+        .file = self.file,
+    });
+}
+
+pub fn getSymbolWithLoc(self: Atom) SymbolWithLoc {
+    return .{ .sym_index = self.sym_index, .file = self.file };
+}
+
+/// Returns true if the symbol pointed at with `sym_loc` is contained within this atom.
+/// WARNING this function assumes all atoms have been allocated in the virtual memory.
+/// Calling it without allocating with `MachO.allocateSymbols` (or equivalent) will
+/// give bogus results.
+pub fn isSymbolContained(self: Atom, sym_loc: SymbolWithLoc, macho_file: *MachO) bool {
+    const sym = macho_file.getSymbol(sym_loc);
+    if (!sym.sect()) return false;
+    const self_sym = self.getSymbol(macho_file);
+    return sym.n_value >= self_sym.n_value and sym.n_value < self_sym.n_value + self.size;
+}
+
+/// Returns the name of this atom.
+pub fn getName(self: Atom, macho_file: *MachO) []const u8 {
+    return macho_file.getSymbolName(.{
+        .sym_index = self.sym_index,
+        .file = self.file,
+    });
+}
+
 /// Returns how much room there is to grow in virtual address space.
 /// File offset relocation happens transparently, so it is not included in
 /// this calculation.
-pub fn capacity(self: Atom, macho_file: MachO) u64 {
-    const self_sym = macho_file.locals.items[self.local_sym_index];
+pub fn capacity(self: Atom, macho_file: *MachO) u64 {
+    const self_sym = self.getSymbol(macho_file);
     if (self.next) |next| {
-        const next_sym = macho_file.locals.items[next.local_sym_index];
+        const next_sym = next.getSymbol(macho_file);
         return next_sym.n_value - self_sym.n_value;
     } else {
         // We are the last atom.
@@ -222,11 +200,11 @@ pub fn capacity(self: Atom, macho_file: MachO) u64 {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn freeListEligible(self: Atom, macho_file: MachO) bool {
+pub fn freeListEligible(self: Atom, macho_file: *MachO) bool {
     // No need to keep a free list node for the last atom.
     const next = self.next orelse return false;
-    const self_sym = macho_file.locals.items[self.local_sym_index];
-    const next_sym = macho_file.locals.items[next.local_sym_index];
+    const self_sym = self.getSymbol(macho_file);
+    const next_sym = next.getSymbol(macho_file);
     const cap = next_sym.n_value - self_sym.n_value;
     const ideal_cap = MachO.padToIdeal(self.size);
     if (cap <= ideal_cap) return false;
@@ -235,19 +213,20 @@ pub fn freeListEligible(self: Atom, macho_file: MachO) bool {
 }
 
 const RelocContext = struct {
-    base_addr: u64 = 0,
-    allocator: Allocator,
-    object: *Object,
     macho_file: *MachO,
+    base_addr: u64 = 0,
+    base_offset: i32 = 0,
 };
 
-pub fn parseRelocs(self: *Atom, relocs: []macho.relocation_info, context: RelocContext) !void {
+pub fn parseRelocs(self: *Atom, relocs: []const macho.relocation_info, context: RelocContext) !void {
     const tracy = trace(@src());
     defer tracy.end();
 
+    const gpa = context.macho_file.base.allocator;
+
     const arch = context.macho_file.base.options.target.cpu.arch;
     var addend: i64 = 0;
-    var subtractor: ?u32 = null;
+    var subtractor: ?SymbolWithLoc = null;
 
     for (relocs) |rel, i| {
         blk: {
@@ -284,20 +263,16 @@ pub fn parseRelocs(self: *Atom, relocs: []macho.relocation_info, context: RelocC
             }
 
             assert(subtractor == null);
-            const sym = context.object.symtab.items[rel.r_symbolnum];
+            const sym_loc = MachO.SymbolWithLoc{
+                .sym_index = rel.r_symbolnum,
+                .file = self.file,
+            };
+            const sym = context.macho_file.getSymbol(sym_loc);
             if (sym.sect() and !sym.ext()) {
-                subtractor = context.object.symbol_mapping.get(rel.r_symbolnum).?;
+                subtractor = sym_loc;
             } else {
-                const sym_name = context.object.getString(sym.n_strx);
-                const n_strx = context.macho_file.strtab_dir.getKeyAdapted(
-                    @as([]const u8, sym_name),
-                    StringIndexAdapter{
-                        .bytes = &context.macho_file.strtab,
-                    },
-                ).?;
-                const resolv = context.macho_file.symbol_resolver.get(n_strx).?;
-                assert(resolv.where == .global);
-                subtractor = resolv.local_sym_index;
+                const sym_name = context.macho_file.getSymbolName(sym_loc);
+                subtractor = context.macho_file.globals.get(sym_name).?;
             }
             // Verify that *_SUBTRACTOR is followed by *_UNSIGNED.
             if (relocs.len <= i + 1) {
@@ -328,45 +303,42 @@ pub fn parseRelocs(self: *Atom, relocs: []macho.relocation_info, context: RelocC
             continue;
         }
 
+        const object = &context.macho_file.objects.items[self.file.?];
         const target = target: {
             if (rel.r_extern == 0) {
                 const sect_id = @intCast(u16, rel.r_symbolnum - 1);
-                const local_sym_index = context.object.sections_as_symbols.get(sect_id) orelse blk: {
-                    const seg = context.object.load_commands.items[context.object.segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
-                    const sect = seg.sections.items[sect_id];
+                const sym_index = object.sections_as_symbols.get(sect_id) orelse blk: {
+                    const sect = object.getSourceSection(sect_id);
                     const match = (try context.macho_file.getMatchingSection(sect)) orelse
                         unreachable;
-                    const local_sym_index = @intCast(u32, context.macho_file.locals.items.len);
-                    try context.macho_file.locals.append(context.allocator, .{
+                    const sym_index = @intCast(u32, object.symtab.items.len);
+                    try object.symtab.append(gpa, .{
                         .n_strx = 0,
                         .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
-                        .n_sect = @intCast(u8, context.macho_file.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).? + 1),
+                        .n_sect = context.macho_file.getSectionOrdinal(match),
                         .n_desc = 0,
-                        .n_value = 0,
+                        .n_value = sect.addr,
                     });
-                    try context.object.sections_as_symbols.putNoClobber(context.allocator, sect_id, local_sym_index);
-                    break :blk local_sym_index;
+                    try object.sections_as_symbols.putNoClobber(gpa, sect_id, sym_index);
+                    break :blk sym_index;
                 };
-                break :target Relocation.Target{ .local = local_sym_index };
+                break :target MachO.SymbolWithLoc{ .sym_index = sym_index, .file = self.file };
             }
 
-            const sym = context.object.symtab.items[rel.r_symbolnum];
-            const sym_name = context.object.getString(sym.n_strx);
+            const sym_loc = MachO.SymbolWithLoc{
+                .sym_index = rel.r_symbolnum,
+                .file = self.file,
+            };
+            const sym = context.macho_file.getSymbol(sym_loc);
 
             if (sym.sect() and !sym.ext()) {
-                const sym_index = context.object.symbol_mapping.get(rel.r_symbolnum) orelse unreachable;
-                break :target Relocation.Target{ .local = sym_index };
+                break :target sym_loc;
+            } else {
+                const sym_name = context.macho_file.getSymbolName(sym_loc);
+                break :target context.macho_file.globals.get(sym_name).?;
             }
-
-            const n_strx = context.macho_file.strtab_dir.getKeyAdapted(
-                @as([]const u8, sym_name),
-                StringIndexAdapter{
-                    .bytes = &context.macho_file.strtab,
-                },
-            ) orelse unreachable;
-            break :target Relocation.Target{ .global = n_strx };
         };
-        const offset = @intCast(u32, rel.r_address);
+        const offset = @intCast(u32, rel.r_address - context.base_offset);
 
         switch (arch) {
             .aarch64 => {
@@ -388,8 +360,7 @@ pub fn parseRelocs(self: *Atom, relocs: []macho.relocation_info, context: RelocC
                         else
                             mem.readIntLittle(i32, self.code.items[offset..][0..4]);
                         if (rel.r_extern == 0) {
-                            const seg = context.object.load_commands.items[context.object.segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
-                            const target_sect_base_addr = seg.sections.items[rel.r_symbolnum - 1].addr;
+                            const target_sect_base_addr = object.getSourceSection(@intCast(u16, rel.r_symbolnum - 1)).addr;
                             addend -= @intCast(i64, target_sect_base_addr);
                         }
                         try self.addPtrBindingOrRebase(rel, target, context);
@@ -397,9 +368,7 @@ pub fn parseRelocs(self: *Atom, relocs: []macho.relocation_info, context: RelocC
                     .ARM64_RELOC_TLVP_LOAD_PAGE21,
                     .ARM64_RELOC_TLVP_LOAD_PAGEOFF12,
                     => {
-                        if (target == .global) {
-                            try addTlvPtrEntry(target, context);
-                        }
+                        try addTlvPtrEntry(target, context);
                     },
                     else => {},
                 }
@@ -423,8 +392,7 @@ pub fn parseRelocs(self: *Atom, relocs: []macho.relocation_info, context: RelocC
                         else
                             mem.readIntLittle(i32, self.code.items[offset..][0..4]);
                         if (rel.r_extern == 0) {
-                            const seg = context.object.load_commands.items[context.object.segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
-                            const target_sect_base_addr = seg.sections.items[rel.r_symbolnum - 1].addr;
+                            const target_sect_base_addr = object.getSourceSection(@intCast(u16, rel.r_symbolnum - 1)).addr;
                             addend -= @intCast(i64, target_sect_base_addr);
                         }
                         try self.addPtrBindingOrRebase(rel, target, context);
@@ -445,16 +413,15 @@ pub fn parseRelocs(self: *Atom, relocs: []macho.relocation_info, context: RelocC
                         if (rel.r_extern == 0) {
                             // Note for the future self: when r_extern == 0, we should subtract correction from the
                             // addend.
-                            const seg = context.object.load_commands.items[context.object.segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
-                            const target_sect_base_addr = seg.sections.items[rel.r_symbolnum - 1].addr;
+                            const target_sect_base_addr = object.getSourceSection(@intCast(u16, rel.r_symbolnum - 1)).addr;
+                            // We need to add base_offset, i.e., offset of this atom wrt to the source
+                            // section. Otherwise, the addend will over-/under-shoot.
                             addend += @intCast(i64, context.base_addr + offset + 4) -
-                                @intCast(i64, target_sect_base_addr);
+                                @intCast(i64, target_sect_base_addr) + context.base_offset;
                         }
                     },
                     .X86_64_RELOC_TLV => {
-                        if (target == .global) {
-                            try addTlvPtrEntry(target, context);
-                        }
+                        try addTlvPtrEntry(target, context);
                     },
                     else => {},
                 }
@@ -462,7 +429,7 @@ pub fn parseRelocs(self: *Atom, relocs: []macho.relocation_info, context: RelocC
             else => unreachable,
         }
 
-        try self.relocs.append(context.allocator, .{
+        try self.relocs.append(gpa, .{
             .offset = offset,
             .target = target,
             .addend = addend,
@@ -480,286 +447,182 @@ pub fn parseRelocs(self: *Atom, relocs: []macho.relocation_info, context: RelocC
 fn addPtrBindingOrRebase(
     self: *Atom,
     rel: macho.relocation_info,
-    target: Relocation.Target,
+    target: MachO.SymbolWithLoc,
     context: RelocContext,
 ) !void {
-    switch (target) {
-        .global => |n_strx| {
-            try self.bindings.append(context.allocator, .{
-                .n_strx = n_strx,
-                .offset = @intCast(u32, rel.r_address),
-            });
-        },
-        .local => {
-            const source_sym = context.macho_file.locals.items[self.local_sym_index];
-            const match = context.macho_file.section_ordinals.keys()[source_sym.n_sect - 1];
-            const seg = context.macho_file.load_commands.items[match.seg].segment;
-            const sect = seg.sections.items[match.sect];
-            const sect_type = sect.type_();
-
-            const should_rebase = rebase: {
-                if (rel.r_length != 3) break :rebase false;
-
-                // TODO actually, a check similar to what dyld is doing, that is, verifying
-                // that the segment is writable should be enough here.
-                const is_right_segment = blk: {
-                    if (context.macho_file.data_segment_cmd_index) |idx| {
-                        if (match.seg == idx) {
-                            break :blk true;
-                        }
+    const gpa = context.macho_file.base.allocator;
+    const sym = context.macho_file.getSymbol(target);
+    if (sym.undf()) {
+        try self.bindings.append(gpa, .{
+            .target = target,
+            .offset = @intCast(u32, rel.r_address - context.base_offset),
+        });
+    } else {
+        const source_sym = self.getSymbol(context.macho_file);
+        const match = context.macho_file.getMatchingSectionFromOrdinal(source_sym.n_sect);
+        const sect = context.macho_file.getSection(match);
+        const sect_type = sect.type_();
+
+        const should_rebase = rebase: {
+            if (rel.r_length != 3) break :rebase false;
+
+            // TODO actually, a check similar to what dyld is doing, that is, verifying
+            // that the segment is writable should be enough here.
+            const is_right_segment = blk: {
+                if (context.macho_file.data_segment_cmd_index) |idx| {
+                    if (match.seg == idx) {
+                        break :blk true;
                     }
-                    if (context.macho_file.data_const_segment_cmd_index) |idx| {
-                        if (match.seg == idx) {
-                            break :blk true;
-                        }
+                }
+                if (context.macho_file.data_const_segment_cmd_index) |idx| {
+                    if (match.seg == idx) {
+                        break :blk true;
                     }
-                    break :blk false;
-                };
-
-                if (!is_right_segment) break :rebase false;
-                if (sect_type != macho.S_LITERAL_POINTERS and
-                    sect_type != macho.S_REGULAR and
-                    sect_type != macho.S_MOD_INIT_FUNC_POINTERS and
-                    sect_type != macho.S_MOD_TERM_FUNC_POINTERS)
-                {
-                    break :rebase false;
                 }
-
-                break :rebase true;
+                break :blk false;
             };
 
-            if (should_rebase) {
-                try self.rebases.append(context.allocator, @intCast(u32, rel.r_address));
+            if (!is_right_segment) break :rebase false;
+            if (sect_type != macho.S_LITERAL_POINTERS and
+                sect_type != macho.S_REGULAR and
+                sect_type != macho.S_MOD_INIT_FUNC_POINTERS and
+                sect_type != macho.S_MOD_TERM_FUNC_POINTERS)
+            {
+                break :rebase false;
             }
-        },
+
+            break :rebase true;
+        };
+
+        if (should_rebase) {
+            try self.rebases.append(gpa, @intCast(u32, rel.r_address - context.base_offset));
+        }
     }
 }
 
-fn addTlvPtrEntry(target: Relocation.Target, context: RelocContext) !void {
+fn addTlvPtrEntry(target: MachO.SymbolWithLoc, context: RelocContext) !void {
+    const target_sym = context.macho_file.getSymbol(target);
+    if (!target_sym.undf()) return;
     if (context.macho_file.tlv_ptr_entries_table.contains(target)) return;
 
     const index = try context.macho_file.allocateTlvPtrEntry(target);
     const atom = try context.macho_file.createTlvPtrAtom(target);
-    context.macho_file.tlv_ptr_entries.items[index].atom = atom;
-
-    const match = (try context.macho_file.getMatchingSection(.{
-        .segname = MachO.makeStaticString("__DATA"),
-        .sectname = MachO.makeStaticString("__thread_ptrs"),
-        .flags = macho.S_THREAD_LOCAL_VARIABLE_POINTERS,
-    })).?;
-    if (!context.object.start_atoms.contains(match)) {
-        try context.object.start_atoms.putNoClobber(context.allocator, match, atom);
-    }
-    if (context.object.end_atoms.getPtr(match)) |last| {
-        last.*.next = atom;
-        atom.prev = last.*;
-        last.* = atom;
-    } else {
-        try context.object.end_atoms.putNoClobber(context.allocator, match, atom);
-    }
+    context.macho_file.tlv_ptr_entries.items[index].sym_index = atom.sym_index;
 }
 
-fn addGotEntry(target: Relocation.Target, context: RelocContext) !void {
+fn addGotEntry(target: MachO.SymbolWithLoc, context: RelocContext) !void {
     if (context.macho_file.got_entries_table.contains(target)) return;
 
     const index = try context.macho_file.allocateGotEntry(target);
     const atom = try context.macho_file.createGotAtom(target);
-    context.macho_file.got_entries.items[index].atom = atom;
-
-    const match = MachO.MatchingSection{
-        .seg = context.macho_file.data_const_segment_cmd_index.?,
-        .sect = context.macho_file.got_section_index.?,
-    };
-    if (!context.object.start_atoms.contains(match)) {
-        try context.object.start_atoms.putNoClobber(context.allocator, match, atom);
-    }
-    if (context.object.end_atoms.getPtr(match)) |last| {
-        last.*.next = atom;
-        atom.prev = last.*;
-        last.* = atom;
-    } else {
-        try context.object.end_atoms.putNoClobber(context.allocator, match, atom);
-    }
+    context.macho_file.got_entries.items[index].sym_index = atom.sym_index;
 }
 
-fn addStub(target: Relocation.Target, context: RelocContext) !void {
-    if (target != .global) return;
-    if (context.macho_file.stubs_table.contains(target.global)) return;
-    // If the symbol has been resolved as defined globally elsewhere (in a different translation unit),
-    // then skip creating stub entry.
-    // TODO Is this the correct for the incremental?
-    if (context.macho_file.symbol_resolver.get(target.global).?.where == .global) return;
-
-    const stub_index = try context.macho_file.allocateStubEntry(target.global);
-
-    // TODO clean this up!
-    const stub_helper_atom = atom: {
-        const atom = try context.macho_file.createStubHelperAtom();
-        const match = MachO.MatchingSection{
-            .seg = context.macho_file.text_segment_cmd_index.?,
-            .sect = context.macho_file.stub_helper_section_index.?,
-        };
-        if (!context.object.start_atoms.contains(match)) {
-            try context.object.start_atoms.putNoClobber(context.allocator, match, atom);
-        }
-        if (context.object.end_atoms.getPtr(match)) |last| {
-            last.*.next = atom;
-            atom.prev = last.*;
-            last.* = atom;
-        } else {
-            try context.object.end_atoms.putNoClobber(context.allocator, match, atom);
-        }
-        break :atom atom;
-    };
-    const laptr_atom = atom: {
-        const atom = try context.macho_file.createLazyPointerAtom(
-            stub_helper_atom.local_sym_index,
-            target.global,
-        );
-        const match = MachO.MatchingSection{
-            .seg = context.macho_file.data_segment_cmd_index.?,
-            .sect = context.macho_file.la_symbol_ptr_section_index.?,
-        };
-        if (!context.object.start_atoms.contains(match)) {
-            try context.object.start_atoms.putNoClobber(context.allocator, match, atom);
-        }
-        if (context.object.end_atoms.getPtr(match)) |last| {
-            last.*.next = atom;
-            atom.prev = last.*;
-            last.* = atom;
-        } else {
-            try context.object.end_atoms.putNoClobber(context.allocator, match, atom);
-        }
-        break :atom atom;
-    };
-    const atom = try context.macho_file.createStubAtom(laptr_atom.local_sym_index);
-    const match = MachO.MatchingSection{
-        .seg = context.macho_file.text_segment_cmd_index.?,
-        .sect = context.macho_file.stubs_section_index.?,
-    };
-    if (!context.object.start_atoms.contains(match)) {
-        try context.object.start_atoms.putNoClobber(context.allocator, match, atom);
-    }
-    if (context.object.end_atoms.getPtr(match)) |last| {
-        last.*.next = atom;
-        atom.prev = last.*;
-        last.* = atom;
-    } else {
-        try context.object.end_atoms.putNoClobber(context.allocator, match, atom);
-    }
-    context.macho_file.stubs.items[stub_index] = atom;
+fn addStub(target: MachO.SymbolWithLoc, context: RelocContext) !void {
+    const target_sym = context.macho_file.getSymbol(target);
+    if (!target_sym.undf()) return;
+    if (context.macho_file.stubs_table.contains(target)) return;
+
+    const stub_index = try context.macho_file.allocateStubEntry(target);
+    const stub_helper_atom = try context.macho_file.createStubHelperAtom();
+    const laptr_atom = try context.macho_file.createLazyPointerAtom(stub_helper_atom.sym_index, target);
+    const stub_atom = try context.macho_file.createStubAtom(laptr_atom.sym_index);
+
+    context.macho_file.stubs.items[stub_index].sym_index = stub_atom.sym_index;
 }
 
 pub fn resolveRelocs(self: *Atom, macho_file: *MachO) !void {
     const tracy = trace(@src());
     defer tracy.end();
 
+    log.debug("ATOM(%{d}, '{s}')", .{ self.sym_index, self.getName(macho_file) });
+
     for (self.relocs.items) |rel| {
-        log.debug("relocating {}", .{rel});
         const arch = macho_file.base.options.target.cpu.arch;
+        switch (arch) {
+            .aarch64 => {
+                log.debug("  RELA({s}) @ {x} => %{d} in object({d})", .{
+                    @tagName(@intToEnum(macho.reloc_type_arm64, rel.@"type")),
+                    rel.offset,
+                    rel.target.sym_index,
+                    rel.target.file,
+                });
+            },
+            .x86_64 => {
+                log.debug("  RELA({s}) @ {x} => %{d} in object({d})", .{
+                    @tagName(@intToEnum(macho.reloc_type_x86_64, rel.@"type")),
+                    rel.offset,
+                    rel.target.sym_index,
+                    rel.target.file,
+                });
+            },
+            else => unreachable,
+        }
+
         const source_addr = blk: {
-            const sym = macho_file.locals.items[self.local_sym_index];
-            break :blk sym.n_value + rel.offset;
+            const source_sym = self.getSymbol(macho_file);
+            break :blk source_sym.n_value + rel.offset;
+        };
+        const is_tlv = is_tlv: {
+            const source_sym = self.getSymbol(macho_file);
+            const match = macho_file.getMatchingSectionFromOrdinal(source_sym.n_sect);
+            const sect = macho_file.getSection(match);
+            break :is_tlv sect.type_() == macho.S_THREAD_LOCAL_VARIABLES;
         };
-        var is_via_thread_ptrs: bool = false;
         const target_addr = blk: {
-            const is_via_got = got: {
-                switch (arch) {
-                    .aarch64 => break :got switch (@intToEnum(macho.reloc_type_arm64, rel.@"type")) {
-                        .ARM64_RELOC_GOT_LOAD_PAGE21,
-                        .ARM64_RELOC_GOT_LOAD_PAGEOFF12,
-                        .ARM64_RELOC_POINTER_TO_GOT,
-                        => true,
-                        else => false,
-                    },
-                    .x86_64 => break :got switch (@intToEnum(macho.reloc_type_x86_64, rel.@"type")) {
-                        .X86_64_RELOC_GOT, .X86_64_RELOC_GOT_LOAD => true,
-                        else => false,
-                    },
-                    else => unreachable,
-                }
+            const target_atom = rel.getTargetAtom(macho_file) orelse {
+                // If there is no atom for target, we still need to check for special, atom-less
+                // symbols such as `___dso_handle`.
+                const target_name = macho_file.getSymbolName(rel.target);
+                assert(macho_file.globals.contains(target_name));
+                const atomless_sym = macho_file.getSymbol(rel.target);
+                log.debug("    | atomless target '{s}'", .{target_name});
+                break :blk atomless_sym.n_value;
             };
-
-            if (is_via_got) {
-                const got_index = macho_file.got_entries_table.get(rel.target) orelse {
-                    log.err("expected GOT entry for symbol", .{});
-                    switch (rel.target) {
-                        .local => |sym_index| log.err("  local @{d}", .{sym_index}),
-                        .global => |n_strx| log.err("  global @'{s}'", .{macho_file.getString(n_strx)}),
+            log.debug("    | target ATOM(%{d}, '{s}') in object({d})", .{
+                target_atom.sym_index,
+                target_atom.getName(macho_file),
+                target_atom.file,
+            });
+            // If `rel.target` is contained within the target atom, pull its address value.
+            const target_sym = if (target_atom.isSymbolContained(rel.target, macho_file))
+                macho_file.getSymbol(rel.target)
+            else
+                target_atom.getSymbol(macho_file);
+            assert(target_sym.n_desc != MachO.N_DESC_GCED);
+            const base_address: u64 = if (is_tlv) base_address: {
+                // For TLV relocations, the value specified as a relocation is the displacement from the
+                // TLV initializer (either value in __thread_data or zero-init in __thread_bss) to the first
+                // defined TLV template init section in the following order:
+                // * wrt to __thread_data if defined, then
+                // * wrt to __thread_bss
+                const sect_id: u16 = sect_id: {
+                    if (macho_file.tlv_data_section_index) |i| {
+                        break :sect_id i;
+                    } else if (macho_file.tlv_bss_section_index) |i| {
+                        break :sect_id i;
+                    } else {
+                        log.err("threadlocal variables present but no initializer sections found", .{});
+                        log.err("  __thread_data not found", .{});
+                        log.err("  __thread_bss not found", .{});
+                        return error.FailedToResolveRelocationTarget;
                     }
-                    log.err("  this is an internal linker error", .{});
-                    return error.FailedToResolveRelocationTarget;
                 };
-                const atom = macho_file.got_entries.items[got_index].atom;
-                break :blk macho_file.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index].n_value;
-            }
-
-            switch (rel.target) {
-                .local => |sym_index| {
-                    const sym = macho_file.locals.items[sym_index];
-                    const is_tlv = is_tlv: {
-                        const source_sym = macho_file.locals.items[self.local_sym_index];
-                        const match = macho_file.section_ordinals.keys()[source_sym.n_sect - 1];
-                        const seg = macho_file.load_commands.items[match.seg].segment;
-                        const sect = seg.sections.items[match.sect];
-                        break :is_tlv sect.type_() == macho.S_THREAD_LOCAL_VARIABLES;
-                    };
-                    if (is_tlv) {
-                        // For TLV relocations, the value specified as a relocation is the displacement from the
-                        // TLV initializer (either value in __thread_data or zero-init in __thread_bss) to the first
-                        // defined TLV template init section in the following order:
-                        // * wrt to __thread_data if defined, then
-                        // * wrt to __thread_bss
-                        const seg = macho_file.load_commands.items[macho_file.data_segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
-                        const base_address = inner: {
-                            if (macho_file.tlv_data_section_index) |i| {
-                                break :inner seg.sections.items[i].addr;
-                            } else if (macho_file.tlv_bss_section_index) |i| {
-                                break :inner seg.sections.items[i].addr;
-                            } else {
-                                log.err("threadlocal variables present but no initializer sections found", .{});
-                                log.err("  __thread_data not found", .{});
-                                log.err("  __thread_bss not found", .{});
-                                return error.FailedToResolveRelocationTarget;
-                            }
-                        };
-                        break :blk sym.n_value - base_address;
-                    }
-                    break :blk sym.n_value;
-                },
-                .global => |n_strx| {
-                    // TODO Still trying to figure out how to possibly use stubs for local symbol indirection with
-                    // branching instructions. If it is not possible, then the best course of action is to
-                    // resurrect the former approach of defering creating synthethic atoms in __got and __la_symbol_ptr
-                    // sections until we resolve the relocations.
-                    const resolv = macho_file.symbol_resolver.get(n_strx).?;
-                    switch (resolv.where) {
-                        .global => break :blk macho_file.globals.items[resolv.where_index].n_value,
-                        .undef => {
-                            if (macho_file.stubs_table.get(n_strx)) |stub_index| {
-                                const atom = macho_file.stubs.items[stub_index];
-                                break :blk macho_file.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index].n_value;
-                            } else {
-                                if (macho_file.tlv_ptr_entries_table.get(rel.target)) |tlv_ptr_index| {
-                                    is_via_thread_ptrs = true;
-                                    const atom = macho_file.tlv_ptr_entries.items[tlv_ptr_index].atom;
-                                    break :blk macho_file.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index].n_value;
-                                }
-                                break :blk 0;
-                            }
-                        },
-                    }
-                },
-            }
+                break :base_address macho_file.getSection(.{
+                    .seg = macho_file.data_segment_cmd_index.?,
+                    .sect = sect_id,
+                }).addr;
+            } else 0;
+            break :blk target_sym.n_value - base_address;
         };
 
-        log.debug("  | source_addr = 0x{x}", .{source_addr});
-        log.debug("  | target_addr = 0x{x}", .{target_addr});
+        log.debug("    | source_addr = 0x{x}", .{source_addr});
 
         switch (arch) {
             .aarch64 => {
                 switch (@intToEnum(macho.reloc_type_arm64, rel.@"type")) {
                     .ARM64_RELOC_BRANCH26 => {
+                        log.debug("    | target_addr = 0x{x}", .{target_addr});
                         const displacement = math.cast(
                             i28,
                             @intCast(i64, target_addr) - @intCast(i64, source_addr),
@@ -788,6 +651,7 @@ pub fn resolveRelocs(self: *Atom, macho_file: *MachO) !void {
                     .ARM64_RELOC_TLVP_LOAD_PAGE21,
                     => {
                         const actual_target_addr = @intCast(i64, target_addr) + rel.addend;
+                        log.debug("    | target_addr = 0x{x}", .{actual_target_addr});
                         const source_page = @intCast(i32, source_addr >> 12);
                         const target_page = @intCast(i32, actual_target_addr >> 12);
                         const pages = @bitCast(u21, @intCast(i21, target_page - source_page));
@@ -805,6 +669,7 @@ pub fn resolveRelocs(self: *Atom, macho_file: *MachO) !void {
                     .ARM64_RELOC_PAGEOFF12 => {
                         const code = self.code.items[rel.offset..][0..4];
                         const actual_target_addr = @intCast(i64, target_addr) + rel.addend;
+                        log.debug("    | target_addr = 0x{x}", .{actual_target_addr});
                         const narrowed = @truncate(u12, @intCast(u64, actual_target_addr));
                         if (isArithmeticOp(self.code.items[rel.offset..][0..4])) {
                             var inst = aarch64.Instruction{
@@ -842,6 +707,7 @@ pub fn resolveRelocs(self: *Atom, macho_file: *MachO) !void {
                     .ARM64_RELOC_GOT_LOAD_PAGEOFF12 => {
                         const code = self.code.items[rel.offset..][0..4];
                         const actual_target_addr = @intCast(i64, target_addr) + rel.addend;
+                        log.debug("    | target_addr = 0x{x}", .{actual_target_addr});
                         const narrowed = @truncate(u12, @intCast(u64, actual_target_addr));
                         var inst: aarch64.Instruction = .{
                             .load_store_register = mem.bytesToValue(meta.TagPayload(
@@ -856,6 +722,7 @@ pub fn resolveRelocs(self: *Atom, macho_file: *MachO) !void {
                     .ARM64_RELOC_TLVP_LOAD_PAGEOFF12 => {
                         const code = self.code.items[rel.offset..][0..4];
                         const actual_target_addr = @intCast(i64, target_addr) + rel.addend;
+                        log.debug("    | target_addr = 0x{x}", .{actual_target_addr});
 
                         const RegInfo = struct {
                             rd: u5,
@@ -886,7 +753,7 @@ pub fn resolveRelocs(self: *Atom, macho_file: *MachO) !void {
                             }
                         };
                         const narrowed = @truncate(u12, @intCast(u64, actual_target_addr));
-                        var inst = if (is_via_thread_ptrs) blk: {
+                        var inst = if (macho_file.tlv_ptr_entries_table.contains(rel.target)) blk: {
                             const offset = try math.divExact(u12, narrowed, 8);
                             break :blk aarch64.Instruction{
                                 .load_store_register = .{
@@ -913,18 +780,20 @@ pub fn resolveRelocs(self: *Atom, macho_file: *MachO) !void {
                         mem.writeIntLittle(u32, code, inst.toU32());
                     },
                     .ARM64_RELOC_POINTER_TO_GOT => {
+                        log.debug("    | target_addr = 0x{x}", .{target_addr});
                         const result = math.cast(i32, @intCast(i64, target_addr) - @intCast(i64, source_addr)) orelse return error.Overflow;
                         mem.writeIntLittle(u32, self.code.items[rel.offset..][0..4], @bitCast(u32, result));
                     },
                     .ARM64_RELOC_UNSIGNED => {
                         const result = blk: {
                             if (rel.subtractor) |subtractor| {
-                                const sym = macho_file.locals.items[subtractor];
+                                const sym = macho_file.getSymbol(subtractor);
                                 break :blk @intCast(i64, target_addr) - @intCast(i64, sym.n_value) + rel.addend;
                             } else {
                                 break :blk @intCast(i64, target_addr) + rel.addend;
                             }
                         };
+                        log.debug("    | target_addr = 0x{x}", .{result});
 
                         if (rel.length == 3) {
                             mem.writeIntLittle(u64, self.code.items[rel.offset..][0..8], @bitCast(u64, result));
@@ -943,6 +812,7 @@ pub fn resolveRelocs(self: *Atom, macho_file: *MachO) !void {
             .x86_64 => {
                 switch (@intToEnum(macho.reloc_type_x86_64, rel.@"type")) {
                     .X86_64_RELOC_BRANCH => {
+                        log.debug("    | target_addr = 0x{x}", .{target_addr});
                         const displacement = math.cast(
                             i32,
                             @intCast(i64, target_addr) - @intCast(i64, source_addr) - 4 + rel.addend,
@@ -950,6 +820,7 @@ pub fn resolveRelocs(self: *Atom, macho_file: *MachO) !void {
                         mem.writeIntLittle(u32, self.code.items[rel.offset..][0..4], @bitCast(u32, displacement));
                     },
                     .X86_64_RELOC_GOT, .X86_64_RELOC_GOT_LOAD => {
+                        log.debug("    | target_addr = 0x{x}", .{target_addr});
                         const displacement = math.cast(
                             i32,
                             @intCast(i64, target_addr) - @intCast(i64, source_addr) - 4 + rel.addend,
@@ -957,7 +828,8 @@ pub fn resolveRelocs(self: *Atom, macho_file: *MachO) !void {
                         mem.writeIntLittle(u32, self.code.items[rel.offset..][0..4], @bitCast(u32, displacement));
                     },
                     .X86_64_RELOC_TLV => {
-                        if (!is_via_thread_ptrs) {
+                        log.debug("    | target_addr = 0x{x}", .{target_addr});
+                        if (!macho_file.tlv_ptr_entries_table.contains(rel.target)) {
                             // We need to rewrite the opcode from movq to leaq.
                             self.code.items[rel.offset - 2] = 0x8d;
                         }
@@ -980,6 +852,7 @@ pub fn resolveRelocs(self: *Atom, macho_file: *MachO) !void {
                             else => unreachable,
                         };
                         const actual_target_addr = @intCast(i64, target_addr) + rel.addend;
+                        log.debug("    | target_addr = 0x{x}", .{actual_target_addr});
                         const displacement = math.cast(
                             i32,
                             actual_target_addr - @intCast(i64, source_addr + correction + 4),
@@ -989,12 +862,13 @@ pub fn resolveRelocs(self: *Atom, macho_file: *MachO) !void {
                     .X86_64_RELOC_UNSIGNED => {
                         const result = blk: {
                             if (rel.subtractor) |subtractor| {
-                                const sym = macho_file.locals.items[subtractor];
+                                const sym = macho_file.getSymbol(subtractor);
                                 break :blk @intCast(i64, target_addr) - @intCast(i64, sym.n_value) + rel.addend;
                             } else {
                                 break :blk @intCast(i64, target_addr) + rel.addend;
                             }
                         };
+                        log.debug("    | target_addr = 0x{x}", .{result});
 
                         if (rel.length == 3) {
                             mem.writeIntLittle(u64, self.code.items[rel.offset..][0..8], @bitCast(u64, result));
diff --git a/src/link/MachO/DebugSymbols.zig b/src/link/MachO/DebugSymbols.zig
index 5e5aca26c1..4da106eca1 100644
--- a/src/link/MachO/DebugSymbols.zig
+++ b/src/link/MachO/DebugSymbols.zig
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ const build_options = @import("build_options");
 const assert = std.debug.assert;
 const fs = std.fs;
 const link = @import("../../link.zig");
-const log = std.log.scoped(.link);
+const log = std.log.scoped(.dsym);
 const macho = std.macho;
 const makeStaticString = MachO.makeStaticString;
 const math = std.math;
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ const Allocator = mem.Allocator;
 const Dwarf = @import("../Dwarf.zig");
 const MachO = @import("../MachO.zig");
 const Module = @import("../../Module.zig");
+const StringTable = @import("../strtab.zig").StringTable;
 const TextBlock = MachO.TextBlock;
 const Type = @import("../../type.zig").Type;
 
@@ -59,6 +60,8 @@ debug_aranges_section_dirty: bool = false,
 debug_info_header_dirty: bool = false,
 debug_line_header_dirty: bool = false,
 
+strtab: StringTable(.strtab) = .{},
+
 relocs: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(Reloc) = .{},
 
 pub const Reloc = struct {
@@ -93,6 +96,7 @@ pub fn populateMissingMetadata(self: *DebugSymbols, allocator: Allocator) !void
                 .strsize = 0,
             },
         });
+        try self.strtab.buffer.append(allocator, 0);
         self.load_commands_dirty = true;
     }
 
@@ -269,22 +273,36 @@ pub fn flushModule(self: *DebugSymbols, allocator: Allocator, options: link.Opti
 
     for (self.relocs.items) |*reloc| {
         const sym = switch (reloc.@"type") {
-            .direct_load => self.base.locals.items[reloc.target],
+            .direct_load => self.base.getSymbol(.{ .sym_index = reloc.target, .file = null }),
             .got_load => blk: {
-                const got_index = self.base.got_entries_table.get(.{ .local = reloc.target }).?;
+                const got_index = self.base.got_entries_table.get(.{
+                    .sym_index = reloc.target,
+                    .file = null,
+                }).?;
                 const got_entry = self.base.got_entries.items[got_index];
-                break :blk self.base.locals.items[got_entry.atom.local_sym_index];
+                break :blk got_entry.getSymbol(self.base);
             },
         };
         if (sym.n_value == reloc.prev_vaddr) continue;
 
+        const sym_name = switch (reloc.@"type") {
+            .direct_load => self.base.getSymbolName(.{ .sym_index = reloc.target, .file = null }),
+            .got_load => blk: {
+                const got_index = self.base.got_entries_table.get(.{
+                    .sym_index = reloc.target,
+                    .file = null,
+                }).?;
+                const got_entry = self.base.got_entries.items[got_index];
+                break :blk got_entry.getName(self.base);
+            },
+        };
         const seg = &self.load_commands.items[self.dwarf_segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
         const sect = &seg.sections.items[self.debug_info_section_index.?];
         const file_offset = sect.offset + reloc.offset;
         log.debug("resolving relocation: {d}@{x} ('{s}') at offset {x}", .{
             reloc.target,
             sym.n_value,
-            self.base.getString(sym.n_strx),
+            sym_name,
             file_offset,
         });
         try self.file.pwriteAll(mem.asBytes(&sym.n_value), file_offset);
@@ -367,6 +385,7 @@ pub fn deinit(self: *DebugSymbols, allocator: Allocator) void {
     }
     self.load_commands.deinit(allocator);
     self.dwarf.deinit();
+    self.strtab.deinit(allocator);
     self.relocs.deinit(allocator);
 }
 
@@ -582,21 +601,39 @@ fn writeSymbolTable(self: *DebugSymbols) !void {
     const tracy = trace(@src());
     defer tracy.end();
 
+    const gpa = self.base.base.allocator;
     const seg = &self.load_commands.items[self.linkedit_segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
     const symtab = &self.load_commands.items[self.symtab_cmd_index.?].symtab;
     symtab.symoff = @intCast(u32, seg.inner.fileoff);
 
-    var locals = std.ArrayList(macho.nlist_64).init(self.base.base.allocator);
+    var locals = std.ArrayList(macho.nlist_64).init(gpa);
     defer locals.deinit();
 
-    for (self.base.locals.items) |sym| {
-        if (sym.n_strx == 0) continue;
-        if (self.base.symbol_resolver.get(sym.n_strx)) |_| continue;
-        try locals.append(sym);
+    for (self.base.locals.items) |sym, sym_id| {
+        if (sym.n_strx == 0) continue; // no name, skip
+        if (sym.n_desc == MachO.N_DESC_GCED) continue; // GCed, skip
+        const sym_loc = MachO.SymbolWithLoc{ .sym_index = @intCast(u32, sym_id), .file = null };
+        if (self.base.symbolIsTemp(sym_loc)) continue; // local temp symbol, skip
+        if (self.base.globals.contains(self.base.getSymbolName(sym_loc))) continue; // global symbol is either an export or import, skip
+        var out_sym = sym;
+        out_sym.n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(gpa, self.base.getSymbolName(sym_loc));
+        try locals.append(out_sym);
+    }
+
+    var exports = std.ArrayList(macho.nlist_64).init(gpa);
+    defer exports.deinit();
+
+    for (self.base.globals.values()) |global| {
+        const sym = self.base.getSymbol(global);
+        if (sym.undf()) continue; // import, skip
+        if (sym.n_desc == MachO.N_DESC_GCED) continue; // GCed, skip
+        var out_sym = sym;
+        out_sym.n_strx = try self.strtab.insert(gpa, self.base.getSymbolName(global));
+        try exports.append(out_sym);
     }
 
     const nlocals = locals.items.len;
-    const nexports = self.base.globals.items.len;
+    const nexports = exports.items.len;
     const locals_off = symtab.symoff;
     const locals_size = nlocals * @sizeOf(macho.nlist_64);
     const exports_off = locals_off + locals_size;
@@ -641,7 +678,7 @@ fn writeSymbolTable(self: *DebugSymbols) !void {
     try self.file.pwriteAll(mem.sliceAsBytes(locals.items), locals_off);
 
     log.debug("writing exported symbols from 0x{x} to 0x{x}", .{ exports_off, exports_size + exports_off });
-    try self.file.pwriteAll(mem.sliceAsBytes(self.base.globals.items), exports_off);
+    try self.file.pwriteAll(mem.sliceAsBytes(exports.items), exports_off);
 
     self.load_commands_dirty = true;
 }
@@ -655,7 +692,7 @@ fn writeStringTable(self: *DebugSymbols) !void {
     const symtab_size = @intCast(u32, symtab.nsyms * @sizeOf(macho.nlist_64));
     symtab.stroff = symtab.symoff + symtab_size;
 
-    const needed_size = mem.alignForwardGeneric(u64, self.base.strtab.items.len, @alignOf(u64));
+    const needed_size = mem.alignForwardGeneric(u64, self.strtab.buffer.items.len, @alignOf(u64));
     symtab.strsize = @intCast(u32, needed_size);
 
     if (symtab_size + needed_size > seg.inner.filesize) {
@@ -692,7 +729,7 @@ fn writeStringTable(self: *DebugSymbols) !void {
 
     log.debug("writing string table from 0x{x} to 0x{x}", .{ symtab.stroff, symtab.stroff + symtab.strsize });
 
-    try self.file.pwriteAll(self.base.strtab.items, symtab.stroff);
+    try self.file.pwriteAll(self.strtab.buffer.items, symtab.stroff);
 
     self.load_commands_dirty = true;
 }
diff --git a/src/link/MachO/Object.zig b/src/link/MachO/Object.zig
index 03291cefab..5e10c0c0a3 100644
--- a/src/link/MachO/Object.zig
+++ b/src/link/MachO/Object.zig
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ const Object = @This();
 const std = @import("std");
 const build_options = @import("build_options");
 const assert = std.debug.assert;
-const dwarf = std.dwarf;
 const fs = std.fs;
 const io = std.io;
 const log = std.log.scoped(.link);
@@ -16,13 +15,21 @@ const trace = @import("../../tracy.zig").trace;
 const Allocator = mem.Allocator;
 const Atom = @import("Atom.zig");
 const MachO = @import("../MachO.zig");
+const MatchingSection = MachO.MatchingSection;
+const SymbolWithLoc = MachO.SymbolWithLoc;
 
 file: fs.File,
 name: []const u8,
+mtime: u64,
+
+/// Data contents of the file. Includes sections, and data of load commands.
+/// Excludes the backing memory for the header and load commands.
+/// Initialized in `parse`.
+contents: []const u8 = undefined,
 
 file_offset: ?u32 = null,
 
-header: ?macho.mach_header_64 = null,
+header: macho.mach_header_64 = undefined,
 
 load_commands: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(macho.LoadCommand) = .{},
 
@@ -42,212 +49,58 @@ dwarf_debug_line_str_index: ?u16 = null,
 dwarf_debug_ranges_index: ?u16 = null,
 
 symtab: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(macho.nlist_64) = .{},
-strtab: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(u8) = .{},
-data_in_code_entries: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(macho.data_in_code_entry) = .{},
-
-// Debug info
-debug_info: ?DebugInfo = null,
-tu_name: ?[]const u8 = null,
-tu_comp_dir: ?[]const u8 = null,
-mtime: ?u64 = null,
-
-contained_atoms: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(*Atom) = .{},
-start_atoms: std.AutoHashMapUnmanaged(MachO.MatchingSection, *Atom) = .{},
-end_atoms: std.AutoHashMapUnmanaged(MachO.MatchingSection, *Atom) = .{},
-sections_as_symbols: std.AutoHashMapUnmanaged(u16, u32) = .{},
+strtab: []const u8 = &.{},
+data_in_code_entries: []const macho.data_in_code_entry = &.{},
 
-// TODO symbol mapping and its inverse can probably be simple arrays
-// instead of hash maps.
-symbol_mapping: std.AutoHashMapUnmanaged(u32, u32) = .{},
-reverse_symbol_mapping: std.AutoHashMapUnmanaged(u32, u32) = .{},
-
-analyzed: bool = false,
-
-const DebugInfo = struct {
-    inner: dwarf.DwarfInfo,
-    debug_info: []u8,
-    debug_abbrev: []u8,
-    debug_str: []u8,
-    debug_line: []u8,
-    debug_line_str: []u8,
-    debug_ranges: []u8,
-
-    pub fn parseFromObject(allocator: Allocator, object: *const Object) !?DebugInfo {
-        var debug_info = blk: {
-            const index = object.dwarf_debug_info_index orelse return null;
-            break :blk try object.readSection(allocator, index);
-        };
-        var debug_abbrev = blk: {
-            const index = object.dwarf_debug_abbrev_index orelse return null;
-            break :blk try object.readSection(allocator, index);
-        };
-        var debug_str = blk: {
-            const index = object.dwarf_debug_str_index orelse return null;
-            break :blk try object.readSection(allocator, index);
-        };
-        var debug_line = blk: {
-            const index = object.dwarf_debug_line_index orelse return null;
-            break :blk try object.readSection(allocator, index);
-        };
-        var debug_line_str = blk: {
-            if (object.dwarf_debug_line_str_index) |ind| {
-                break :blk try object.readSection(allocator, ind);
-            }
-            break :blk try allocator.alloc(u8, 0);
-        };
-        var debug_ranges = blk: {
-            if (object.dwarf_debug_ranges_index) |ind| {
-                break :blk try object.readSection(allocator, ind);
-            }
-            break :blk try allocator.alloc(u8, 0);
-        };
+sections_as_symbols: std.AutoHashMapUnmanaged(u16, u32) = .{},
 
-        var inner: dwarf.DwarfInfo = .{
-            .endian = .Little,
-            .debug_info = debug_info,
-            .debug_abbrev = debug_abbrev,
-            .debug_str = debug_str,
-            .debug_line = debug_line,
-            .debug_line_str = debug_line_str,
-            .debug_ranges = debug_ranges,
-        };
-        try dwarf.openDwarfDebugInfo(&inner, allocator);
-
-        return DebugInfo{
-            .inner = inner,
-            .debug_info = debug_info,
-            .debug_abbrev = debug_abbrev,
-            .debug_str = debug_str,
-            .debug_line = debug_line,
-            .debug_line_str = debug_line_str,
-            .debug_ranges = debug_ranges,
-        };
-    }
+/// List of atoms that map to the symbols parsed from this object file.
+managed_atoms: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(*Atom) = .{},
 
-    pub fn deinit(self: *DebugInfo, allocator: Allocator) void {
-        allocator.free(self.debug_info);
-        allocator.free(self.debug_abbrev);
-        allocator.free(self.debug_str);
-        allocator.free(self.debug_line);
-        allocator.free(self.debug_line_str);
-        allocator.free(self.debug_ranges);
-        self.inner.deinit(allocator);
-    }
-};
+/// Table of atoms belonging to this object file indexed by the symbol index.
+atom_by_index_table: std.AutoHashMapUnmanaged(u32, *Atom) = .{},
 
-pub fn deinit(self: *Object, allocator: Allocator) void {
+pub fn deinit(self: *Object, gpa: Allocator) void {
     for (self.load_commands.items) |*lc| {
-        lc.deinit(allocator);
+        lc.deinit(gpa);
     }
-    self.load_commands.deinit(allocator);
-    self.data_in_code_entries.deinit(allocator);
-    self.symtab.deinit(allocator);
-    self.strtab.deinit(allocator);
-    self.sections_as_symbols.deinit(allocator);
-    self.symbol_mapping.deinit(allocator);
-    self.reverse_symbol_mapping.deinit(allocator);
-    allocator.free(self.name);
-
-    self.contained_atoms.deinit(allocator);
-    self.start_atoms.deinit(allocator);
-    self.end_atoms.deinit(allocator);
-
-    if (self.debug_info) |*db| {
-        db.deinit(allocator);
+    self.load_commands.deinit(gpa);
+    gpa.free(self.contents);
+    self.sections_as_symbols.deinit(gpa);
+    self.atom_by_index_table.deinit(gpa);
+
+    for (self.managed_atoms.items) |atom| {
+        atom.deinit(gpa);
+        gpa.destroy(atom);
     }
+    self.managed_atoms.deinit(gpa);
 
-    if (self.tu_name) |n| {
-        allocator.free(n);
-    }
-
-    if (self.tu_comp_dir) |n| {
-        allocator.free(n);
-    }
-}
-
-pub fn free(self: *Object, allocator: Allocator, macho_file: *MachO) void {
-    log.debug("freeObject {*}", .{self});
-
-    var it = self.end_atoms.iterator();
-    while (it.next()) |entry| {
-        const match = entry.key_ptr.*;
-        const first_atom = self.start_atoms.get(match).?;
-        const last_atom = entry.value_ptr.*;
-        var atom = first_atom;
-
-        while (true) {
-            if (atom.local_sym_index != 0) {
-                macho_file.locals_free_list.append(allocator, atom.local_sym_index) catch {};
-                const local = &macho_file.locals.items[atom.local_sym_index];
-                local.* = .{
-                    .n_strx = 0,
-                    .n_type = 0,
-                    .n_sect = 0,
-                    .n_desc = 0,
-                    .n_value = 0,
-                };
-                atom.local_sym_index = 0;
-            }
-            if (atom == last_atom) {
-                break;
-            }
-            if (atom.next) |next| {
-                atom = next;
-            } else break;
-        }
-    }
-
-    self.freeAtoms(macho_file);
+    gpa.free(self.name);
 }
 
-fn freeAtoms(self: *Object, macho_file: *MachO) void {
-    var it = self.end_atoms.iterator();
-    while (it.next()) |entry| {
-        const match = entry.key_ptr.*;
-        var first_atom: *Atom = self.start_atoms.get(match).?;
-        var last_atom: *Atom = entry.value_ptr.*;
-
-        if (macho_file.atoms.getPtr(match)) |atom_ptr| {
-            if (atom_ptr.* == last_atom) {
-                if (first_atom.prev) |prev| {
-                    // TODO shrink the section size here
-                    atom_ptr.* = prev;
-                } else {
-                    _ = macho_file.atoms.fetchRemove(match);
-                }
-            }
-        }
-
-        if (first_atom.prev) |prev| {
-            prev.next = last_atom.next;
-        } else {
-            first_atom.prev = null;
-        }
+pub fn parse(self: *Object, allocator: Allocator, target: std.Target) !void {
+    const file_stat = try self.file.stat();
+    const file_size = math.cast(usize, file_stat.size) orelse return error.Overflow;
+    self.contents = try self.file.readToEndAlloc(allocator, file_size);
 
-        if (last_atom.next) |next| {
-            next.prev = last_atom.prev;
-        } else {
-            last_atom.next = null;
-        }
-    }
-}
+    var stream = std.io.fixedBufferStream(self.contents);
+    const reader = stream.reader();
 
-pub fn parse(self: *Object, allocator: Allocator, target: std.Target) !void {
-    const reader = self.file.reader();
-    if (self.file_offset) |offset| {
-        try reader.context.seekTo(offset);
+    const file_offset = self.file_offset orelse 0;
+    if (file_offset > 0) {
+        try reader.context.seekTo(file_offset);
     }
 
-    const header = try reader.readStruct(macho.mach_header_64);
-    if (header.filetype != macho.MH_OBJECT) {
+    self.header = try reader.readStruct(macho.mach_header_64);
+    if (self.header.filetype != macho.MH_OBJECT) {
         log.debug("invalid filetype: expected 0x{x}, found 0x{x}", .{
             macho.MH_OBJECT,
-            header.filetype,
+            self.header.filetype,
         });
         return error.NotObject;
     }
 
-    const this_arch: std.Target.Cpu.Arch = switch (header.cputype) {
+    const this_arch: std.Target.Cpu.Arch = switch (self.header.cputype) {
         macho.CPU_TYPE_ARM64 => .aarch64,
         macho.CPU_TYPE_X86_64 => .x86_64,
         else => |value| {
@@ -260,22 +113,10 @@ pub fn parse(self: *Object, allocator: Allocator, target: std.Target) !void {
         return error.MismatchedCpuArchitecture;
     }
 
-    self.header = header;
-
-    try self.readLoadCommands(allocator, reader);
-    try self.parseSymtab(allocator);
-    try self.parseDataInCode(allocator);
-    try self.parseDebugInfo(allocator);
-}
-
-pub fn readLoadCommands(self: *Object, allocator: Allocator, reader: anytype) !void {
-    const header = self.header orelse unreachable; // Unreachable here signifies a fatal unexplored condition.
-    const offset = self.file_offset orelse 0;
-
-    try self.load_commands.ensureUnusedCapacity(allocator, header.ncmds);
+    try self.load_commands.ensureUnusedCapacity(allocator, self.header.ncmds);
 
     var i: u16 = 0;
-    while (i < header.ncmds) : (i += 1) {
+    while (i < self.header.ncmds) : (i += 1) {
         var cmd = try macho.LoadCommand.read(allocator, reader);
         switch (cmd.cmd()) {
             .SEGMENT_64 => {
@@ -305,18 +146,18 @@ pub fn readLoadCommands(self: *Object, allocator: Allocator, reader: anytype) !v
                         }
                     }
 
-                    sect.offset += offset;
+                    sect.offset += file_offset;
                     if (sect.reloff > 0) {
-                        sect.reloff += offset;
+                        sect.reloff += file_offset;
                     }
                 }
 
-                seg.inner.fileoff += offset;
+                seg.inner.fileoff += file_offset;
             },
             .SYMTAB => {
                 self.symtab_cmd_index = i;
-                cmd.symtab.symoff += offset;
-                cmd.symtab.stroff += offset;
+                cmd.symtab.symoff += file_offset;
+                cmd.symtab.stroff += file_offset;
             },
             .DYSYMTAB => {
                 self.dysymtab_cmd_index = i;
@@ -326,7 +167,7 @@ pub fn readLoadCommands(self: *Object, allocator: Allocator, reader: anytype) !v
             },
             .DATA_IN_CODE => {
                 self.data_in_code_cmd_index = i;
-                cmd.linkedit_data.dataoff += offset;
+                cmd.linkedit_data.dataoff += file_offset;
             },
             else => {
                 log.debug("Unknown load command detected: 0x{x}.", .{cmd.cmd()});
@@ -334,21 +175,37 @@ pub fn readLoadCommands(self: *Object, allocator: Allocator, reader: anytype) !v
         }
         self.load_commands.appendAssumeCapacity(cmd);
     }
+
+    try self.parseSymtab(allocator);
 }
 
-const NlistWithIndex = struct {
-    nlist: macho.nlist_64,
+const Context = struct {
+    symtab: []const macho.nlist_64,
+    strtab: []const u8,
+};
+
+const SymbolAtIndex = struct {
     index: u32,
 
-    fn lessThan(_: void, lhs: NlistWithIndex, rhs: NlistWithIndex) bool {
-        // We sort by type: defined < undefined, and
-        // afterwards by address in each group. Normally, dysymtab should
-        // be enough to guarantee the sort, but turns out not every compiler
-        // is kind enough to specify the symbols in the correct order.
-        if (lhs.nlist.sect()) {
-            if (rhs.nlist.sect()) {
+    fn getSymbol(self: SymbolAtIndex, ctx: Context) macho.nlist_64 {
+        return ctx.symtab[self.index];
+    }
+
+    fn getSymbolName(self: SymbolAtIndex, ctx: Context) []const u8 {
+        const sym = self.getSymbol(ctx);
+        assert(sym.n_strx < ctx.strtab.len);
+        return mem.sliceTo(@ptrCast([*:0]const u8, ctx.strtab.ptr + sym.n_strx), 0);
+    }
+
+    /// Returns whether lhs is less than rhs by allocated address in object file.
+    /// Undefined symbols are pushed to the back (always evaluate to true).
+    fn lessThan(ctx: Context, lhs_index: SymbolAtIndex, rhs_index: SymbolAtIndex) bool {
+        const lhs = lhs_index.getSymbol(ctx);
+        const rhs = rhs_index.getSymbol(ctx);
+        if (lhs.sect()) {
+            if (rhs.sect()) {
                 // Same group, sort by address.
-                return lhs.nlist.n_value < rhs.nlist.n_value;
+                return lhs.n_value < rhs.n_value;
             } else {
                 return true;
             }
@@ -357,60 +214,108 @@ const NlistWithIndex = struct {
         }
     }
 
-    fn filterInSection(symbols: []NlistWithIndex, sect: macho.section_64) []NlistWithIndex {
-        const Predicate = struct {
-            addr: u64,
-
-            pub fn predicate(self: @This(), symbol: NlistWithIndex) bool {
-                return symbol.nlist.n_value >= self.addr;
-            }
-        };
-
-        const start = MachO.findFirst(NlistWithIndex, symbols, 0, Predicate{ .addr = sect.addr });
-        const end = MachO.findFirst(NlistWithIndex, symbols, start, Predicate{ .addr = sect.addr + sect.size });
+    /// Returns whether lhs is less senior than rhs. The rules are:
+    /// 1. ext
+    /// 2. weak
+    /// 3. local
+    /// 4. temp (local starting with `l` prefix).
+    fn lessThanBySeniority(ctx: Context, lhs_index: SymbolAtIndex, rhs_index: SymbolAtIndex) bool {
+        const lhs = lhs_index.getSymbol(ctx);
+        const rhs = rhs_index.getSymbol(ctx);
+        if (!rhs.ext()) {
+            const lhs_name = lhs_index.getSymbolName(ctx);
+            return mem.startsWith(u8, lhs_name, "l") or mem.startsWith(u8, lhs_name, "L");
+        } else if (rhs.pext() or rhs.weakDef()) {
+            return !lhs.ext();
+        } else {
+            return false;
+        }
+    }
 
-        return symbols[start..end];
+    /// Like lessThanBySeniority but negated.
+    fn greaterThanBySeniority(ctx: Context, lhs_index: SymbolAtIndex, rhs_index: SymbolAtIndex) bool {
+        return !lessThanBySeniority(ctx, lhs_index, rhs_index);
     }
 };
 
-fn filterDice(dices: []macho.data_in_code_entry, start_addr: u64, end_addr: u64) []macho.data_in_code_entry {
+fn filterSymbolsByAddress(
+    indexes: []SymbolAtIndex,
+    start_addr: u64,
+    end_addr: u64,
+    ctx: Context,
+) []SymbolAtIndex {
+    const Predicate = struct {
+        addr: u64,
+        ctx: Context,
+
+        pub fn predicate(pred: @This(), index: SymbolAtIndex) bool {
+            return index.getSymbol(pred.ctx).n_value >= pred.addr;
+        }
+    };
+
+    const start = MachO.findFirst(SymbolAtIndex, indexes, 0, Predicate{
+        .addr = start_addr,
+        .ctx = ctx,
+    });
+    const end = MachO.findFirst(SymbolAtIndex, indexes, start, Predicate{
+        .addr = end_addr,
+        .ctx = ctx,
+    });
+
+    return indexes[start..end];
+}
+
+fn filterRelocs(
+    relocs: []const macho.relocation_info,
+    start_addr: u64,
+    end_addr: u64,
+) []const macho.relocation_info {
     const Predicate = struct {
         addr: u64,
 
-        pub fn predicate(self: @This(), dice: macho.data_in_code_entry) bool {
-            return dice.offset >= self.addr;
+        pub fn predicate(self: @This(), rel: macho.relocation_info) bool {
+            return rel.r_address < self.addr;
         }
     };
 
-    const start = MachO.findFirst(macho.data_in_code_entry, dices, 0, Predicate{ .addr = start_addr });
-    const end = MachO.findFirst(macho.data_in_code_entry, dices, start, Predicate{ .addr = end_addr });
+    const start = MachO.findFirst(macho.relocation_info, relocs, 0, Predicate{ .addr = end_addr });
+    const end = MachO.findFirst(macho.relocation_info, relocs, start, Predicate{ .addr = start_addr });
 
-    return dices[start..end];
+    return relocs[start..end];
 }
 
-pub fn parseIntoAtoms(self: *Object, allocator: Allocator, macho_file: *MachO) !void {
+/// Splits object into atoms assuming one-shot linking mode.
+pub fn splitIntoAtomsOneShot(self: *Object, macho_file: *MachO, object_id: u32) !void {
+    assert(macho_file.mode == .one_shot);
+
     const tracy = trace(@src());
     defer tracy.end();
 
+    const gpa = macho_file.base.allocator;
     const seg = self.load_commands.items[self.segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
 
-    log.debug("analysing {s}", .{self.name});
+    log.debug("splitting object({d}, {s}) into atoms: one-shot mode", .{ object_id, self.name });
 
     // You would expect that the symbol table is at least pre-sorted based on symbol's type:
     // local < extern defined < undefined. Unfortunately, this is not guaranteed! For instance,
     // the GO compiler does not necessarily respect that therefore we sort immediately by type
     // and address within.
-    var sorted_all_nlists = try std.ArrayList(NlistWithIndex).initCapacity(allocator, self.symtab.items.len);
-    defer sorted_all_nlists.deinit();
+    const context = Context{
+        .symtab = self.getSourceSymtab(),
+        .strtab = self.strtab,
+    };
+    var sorted_all_syms = try std.ArrayList(SymbolAtIndex).initCapacity(gpa, context.symtab.len);
+    defer sorted_all_syms.deinit();
 
-    for (self.symtab.items) |nlist, index| {
-        sorted_all_nlists.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
-            .nlist = nlist,
-            .index = @intCast(u32, index),
-        });
+    for (context.symtab) |_, index| {
+        sorted_all_syms.appendAssumeCapacity(.{ .index = @intCast(u32, index) });
     }
 
-    sort.sort(NlistWithIndex, sorted_all_nlists.items, {}, NlistWithIndex.lessThan);
+    // We sort by type: defined < undefined, and
+    // afterwards by address in each group. Normally, dysymtab should
+    // be enough to guarantee the sort, but turns out not every compiler
+    // is kind enough to specify the symbols in the correct order.
+    sort.sort(SymbolAtIndex, sorted_all_syms.items, context, SymbolAtIndex.lessThan);
 
     // Well, shit, sometimes compilers skip the dysymtab load command altogether, meaning we
     // have to infer the start of undef section in the symtab ourselves.
@@ -418,226 +323,328 @@ pub fn parseIntoAtoms(self: *Object, allocator: Allocator, macho_file: *MachO) !
         const dysymtab = self.load_commands.items[cmd_index].dysymtab;
         break :blk dysymtab.iundefsym;
     } else blk: {
-        var iundefsym: usize = sorted_all_nlists.items.len;
+        var iundefsym: usize = sorted_all_syms.items.len;
         while (iundefsym > 0) : (iundefsym -= 1) {
-            const nlist = sorted_all_nlists.items[iundefsym - 1];
-            if (nlist.nlist.sect()) break;
+            const sym = sorted_all_syms.items[iundefsym - 1].getSymbol(context);
+            if (sym.sect()) break;
         }
         break :blk iundefsym;
     };
 
     // We only care about defined symbols, so filter every other out.
-    const sorted_nlists = sorted_all_nlists.items[0..iundefsym];
+    const sorted_syms = sorted_all_syms.items[0..iundefsym];
+    const subsections_via_symbols = self.header.flags & macho.MH_SUBSECTIONS_VIA_SYMBOLS != 0;
 
     for (seg.sections.items) |sect, id| {
         const sect_id = @intCast(u8, id);
-        log.debug("putting section '{s},{s}' as an Atom", .{ sect.segName(), sect.sectName() });
+        log.debug("splitting section '{s},{s}' into atoms", .{ sect.segName(), sect.sectName() });
 
         // Get matching segment/section in the final artifact.
         const match = (try macho_file.getMatchingSection(sect)) orelse {
-            log.debug("unhandled section", .{});
+            log.debug("  unhandled section", .{});
             continue;
         };
 
-        // Read section's code
-        var code = try allocator.alloc(u8, @intCast(usize, sect.size));
-        defer allocator.free(code);
-        _ = try self.file.preadAll(code, sect.offset);
-
-        // Read section's list of relocations
-        var raw_relocs = try allocator.alloc(u8, sect.nreloc * @sizeOf(macho.relocation_info));
-        defer allocator.free(raw_relocs);
-        _ = try self.file.preadAll(raw_relocs, sect.reloff);
-        const relocs = mem.bytesAsSlice(macho.relocation_info, raw_relocs);
-
-        // Symbols within this section only.
-        const filtered_nlists = NlistWithIndex.filterInSection(sorted_nlists, sect);
-
-        macho_file.has_dices = macho_file.has_dices or blk: {
-            if (self.text_section_index) |index| {
-                if (index != id) break :blk false;
-                if (self.data_in_code_entries.items.len == 0) break :blk false;
-                break :blk true;
-            }
-            break :blk false;
-        };
-        macho_file.has_stabs = macho_file.has_stabs or self.debug_info != null;
-
-        // Since there is no symbol to refer to this atom, we create
-        // a temp one, unless we already did that when working out the relocations
-        // of other atoms.
-        const atom_local_sym_index = self.sections_as_symbols.get(sect_id) orelse blk: {
-            const atom_local_sym_index = @intCast(u32, macho_file.locals.items.len);
-            try macho_file.locals.append(allocator, .{
-                .n_strx = 0,
-                .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
-                .n_sect = @intCast(u8, macho_file.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).? + 1),
-                .n_desc = 0,
-                .n_value = 0,
-            });
-            try self.sections_as_symbols.putNoClobber(allocator, sect_id, atom_local_sym_index);
-            break :blk atom_local_sym_index;
-        };
-        const alignment = try math.powi(u32, 2, sect.@"align");
-        const aligned_size = mem.alignForwardGeneric(u64, sect.size, alignment);
-        const atom = try macho_file.createEmptyAtom(atom_local_sym_index, aligned_size, sect.@"align");
+        log.debug("  output sect({d}, '{s},{s}')", .{
+            macho_file.getSectionOrdinal(match),
+            macho_file.getSection(match).segName(),
+            macho_file.getSection(match).sectName(),
+        });
 
+        const arch = macho_file.base.options.target.cpu.arch;
         const is_zerofill = blk: {
             const section_type = sect.type_();
             break :blk section_type == macho.S_ZEROFILL or section_type == macho.S_THREAD_LOCAL_ZEROFILL;
         };
-        if (!is_zerofill) {
-            mem.copy(u8, atom.code.items, code);
-        }
 
-        // TODO stage2 bug: @alignCast shouldn't be needed
-        try atom.parseRelocs(@alignCast(@alignOf(macho.relocation_info), relocs), .{
-            .base_addr = sect.addr,
-            .allocator = allocator,
-            .object = self,
-            .macho_file = macho_file,
-        });
+        // Read section's code
+        const code: ?[]const u8 = if (!is_zerofill) try self.getSectionContents(sect_id) else null;
 
-        if (macho_file.has_dices) {
-            const dices = filterDice(self.data_in_code_entries.items, sect.addr, sect.addr + sect.size);
-            try atom.dices.ensureTotalCapacity(allocator, dices.len);
+        // Read section's list of relocations
+        const raw_relocs = self.contents[sect.reloff..][0 .. sect.nreloc * @sizeOf(macho.relocation_info)];
+        const relocs = mem.bytesAsSlice(
+            macho.relocation_info,
+            @alignCast(@alignOf(macho.relocation_info), raw_relocs),
+        );
 
-            for (dices) |dice| {
-                atom.dices.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
-                    .offset = dice.offset - (math.cast(u32, sect.addr) orelse return error.Overflow),
-                    .length = dice.length,
-                    .kind = dice.kind,
-                });
+        // Symbols within this section only.
+        const filtered_syms = filterSymbolsByAddress(
+            sorted_syms,
+            sect.addr,
+            sect.addr + sect.size,
+            context,
+        );
+
+        if (subsections_via_symbols and filtered_syms.len > 0) {
+            // If the first nlist does not match the start of the section,
+            // then we need to encapsulate the memory range [section start, first symbol)
+            // as a temporary symbol and insert the matching Atom.
+            const first_sym = filtered_syms[0].getSymbol(context);
+            if (first_sym.n_value > sect.addr) {
+                const sym_index = self.sections_as_symbols.get(sect_id) orelse blk: {
+                    const sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.symtab.items.len);
+                    try self.symtab.append(gpa, .{
+                        .n_strx = 0,
+                        .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
+                        .n_sect = macho_file.getSectionOrdinal(match),
+                        .n_desc = 0,
+                        .n_value = sect.addr,
+                    });
+                    try self.sections_as_symbols.putNoClobber(gpa, sect_id, sym_index);
+                    break :blk sym_index;
+                };
+                const atom_size = first_sym.n_value - sect.addr;
+                const atom_code: ?[]const u8 = if (code) |cc| blk: {
+                    const size = math.cast(usize, atom_size) orelse return error.Overflow;
+                    break :blk cc[0..size];
+                } else null;
+                const atom = try self.createAtomFromSubsection(
+                    macho_file,
+                    object_id,
+                    sym_index,
+                    atom_size,
+                    sect.@"align",
+                    atom_code,
+                    relocs,
+                    &.{},
+                    match,
+                    sect,
+                );
+                try macho_file.addAtomToSection(atom, match);
             }
-        }
 
-        // Since this is atom gets a helper local temporary symbol that didn't exist
-        // in the object file which encompasses the entire section, we need traverse
-        // the filtered symbols and note which symbol is contained within so that
-        // we can properly allocate addresses down the line.
-        // While we're at it, we need to update segment,section mapping of each symbol too.
-        try atom.contained.ensureTotalCapacity(allocator, filtered_nlists.len);
-
-        for (filtered_nlists) |nlist_with_index| {
-            const nlist = nlist_with_index.nlist;
-            const local_sym_index = self.symbol_mapping.get(nlist_with_index.index) orelse unreachable;
-            const local = &macho_file.locals.items[local_sym_index];
-            local.n_sect = @intCast(u8, macho_file.section_ordinals.getIndex(match).? + 1);
-
-            const stab: ?Atom.Stab = if (self.debug_info) |di| blk: {
-                // TODO there has to be a better to handle this.
-                for (di.inner.func_list.items) |func| {
-                    if (func.pc_range) |range| {
-                        if (nlist.n_value >= range.start and nlist.n_value < range.end) {
-                            break :blk Atom.Stab{
-                                .function = range.end - range.start,
-                            };
-                        }
-                    }
+            var next_sym_count: usize = 0;
+            while (next_sym_count < filtered_syms.len) {
+                const next_sym = filtered_syms[next_sym_count].getSymbol(context);
+                const addr = next_sym.n_value;
+                const atom_syms = filterSymbolsByAddress(
+                    filtered_syms[next_sym_count..],
+                    addr,
+                    addr + 1,
+                    context,
+                );
+                next_sym_count += atom_syms.len;
+
+                // We want to bubble up the first externally defined symbol here.
+                assert(atom_syms.len > 0);
+                var sorted_atom_syms = std.ArrayList(SymbolAtIndex).init(gpa);
+                defer sorted_atom_syms.deinit();
+                try sorted_atom_syms.appendSlice(atom_syms);
+                sort.sort(
+                    SymbolAtIndex,
+                    sorted_atom_syms.items,
+                    context,
+                    SymbolAtIndex.greaterThanBySeniority,
+                );
+
+                const atom_size = blk: {
+                    const end_addr = if (next_sym_count < filtered_syms.len)
+                        filtered_syms[next_sym_count].getSymbol(context).n_value
+                    else
+                        sect.addr + sect.size;
+                    break :blk end_addr - addr;
+                };
+                const atom_code: ?[]const u8 = if (code) |cc| blk: {
+                    const start = math.cast(usize, addr - sect.addr) orelse return error.Overflow;
+                    const size = math.cast(usize, atom_size) orelse return error.Overflow;
+                    break :blk cc[start..][0..size];
+                } else null;
+                const atom_align = if (addr > 0)
+                    math.min(@ctz(u64, addr), sect.@"align")
+                else
+                    sect.@"align";
+                const atom = try self.createAtomFromSubsection(
+                    macho_file,
+                    object_id,
+                    sorted_atom_syms.items[0].index,
+                    atom_size,
+                    atom_align,
+                    atom_code,
+                    relocs,
+                    sorted_atom_syms.items[1..],
+                    match,
+                    sect,
+                );
+
+                if (arch == .x86_64 and addr == sect.addr) {
+                    // In x86_64 relocs, it can so happen that the compiler refers to the same
+                    // atom by both the actual assigned symbol and the start of the section. In this
+                    // case, we need to link the two together so add an alias.
+                    const alias = self.sections_as_symbols.get(sect_id) orelse blk: {
+                        const alias = @intCast(u32, self.symtab.items.len);
+                        try self.symtab.append(gpa, .{
+                            .n_strx = 0,
+                            .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
+                            .n_sect = macho_file.getSectionOrdinal(match),
+                            .n_desc = 0,
+                            .n_value = addr,
+                        });
+                        try self.sections_as_symbols.putNoClobber(gpa, sect_id, alias);
+                        break :blk alias;
+                    };
+                    try atom.contained.append(gpa, .{
+                        .sym_index = alias,
+                        .offset = 0,
+                    });
+                    try self.atom_by_index_table.put(gpa, alias, atom);
                 }
-                // TODO
-                // if (zld.globals.contains(zld.getString(sym.strx))) break :blk .global;
-                break :blk .static;
-            } else null;
-
-            atom.contained.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
-                .local_sym_index = local_sym_index,
-                .offset = nlist.n_value - sect.addr,
-                .stab = stab,
-            });
-        }
 
-        if (!self.start_atoms.contains(match)) {
-            try self.start_atoms.putNoClobber(allocator, match, atom);
-        }
-
-        if (self.end_atoms.getPtr(match)) |last| {
-            last.*.next = atom;
-            atom.prev = last.*;
-            last.* = atom;
+                try macho_file.addAtomToSection(atom, match);
+            }
         } else {
-            try self.end_atoms.putNoClobber(allocator, match, atom);
+            // If there is no symbol to refer to this atom, we create
+            // a temp one, unless we already did that when working out the relocations
+            // of other atoms.
+            const sym_index = self.sections_as_symbols.get(sect_id) orelse blk: {
+                const sym_index = @intCast(u32, self.symtab.items.len);
+                try self.symtab.append(gpa, .{
+                    .n_strx = 0,
+                    .n_type = macho.N_SECT,
+                    .n_sect = macho_file.getSectionOrdinal(match),
+                    .n_desc = 0,
+                    .n_value = sect.addr,
+                });
+                try self.sections_as_symbols.putNoClobber(gpa, sect_id, sym_index);
+                break :blk sym_index;
+            };
+            const atom = try self.createAtomFromSubsection(
+                macho_file,
+                object_id,
+                sym_index,
+                sect.size,
+                sect.@"align",
+                code,
+                relocs,
+                filtered_syms,
+                match,
+                sect,
+            );
+            try macho_file.addAtomToSection(atom, match);
         }
-        try self.contained_atoms.append(allocator, atom);
     }
 }
 
-fn parseSymtab(self: *Object, allocator: Allocator) !void {
-    const index = self.symtab_cmd_index orelse return;
-    const symtab_cmd = self.load_commands.items[index].symtab;
-
-    var symtab = try allocator.alloc(u8, @sizeOf(macho.nlist_64) * symtab_cmd.nsyms);
-    defer allocator.free(symtab);
-    _ = try self.file.preadAll(symtab, symtab_cmd.symoff);
-    const slice = @alignCast(@alignOf(macho.nlist_64), mem.bytesAsSlice(macho.nlist_64, symtab));
-    try self.symtab.appendSlice(allocator, slice);
-
-    var strtab = try allocator.alloc(u8, symtab_cmd.strsize);
-    defer allocator.free(strtab);
-    _ = try self.file.preadAll(strtab, symtab_cmd.stroff);
-    try self.strtab.appendSlice(allocator, strtab);
-}
-
-pub fn parseDebugInfo(self: *Object, allocator: Allocator) !void {
-    log.debug("parsing debug info in '{s}'", .{self.name});
+fn createAtomFromSubsection(
+    self: *Object,
+    macho_file: *MachO,
+    object_id: u32,
+    sym_index: u32,
+    size: u64,
+    alignment: u32,
+    code: ?[]const u8,
+    relocs: []const macho.relocation_info,
+    indexes: []const SymbolAtIndex,
+    match: MatchingSection,
+    sect: macho.section_64,
+) !*Atom {
+    const gpa = macho_file.base.allocator;
+    const sym = self.symtab.items[sym_index];
+    const atom = try MachO.createEmptyAtom(gpa, sym_index, size, alignment);
+    atom.file = object_id;
+    self.symtab.items[sym_index].n_sect = macho_file.getSectionOrdinal(match);
+
+    log.debug("creating ATOM(%{d}, '{s}') in sect({d}, '{s},{s}') in object({d})", .{
+        sym_index,
+        self.getString(sym.n_strx),
+        macho_file.getSectionOrdinal(match),
+        macho_file.getSection(match).segName(),
+        macho_file.getSection(match).sectName(),
+        object_id,
+    });
+
+    try self.atom_by_index_table.putNoClobber(gpa, sym_index, atom);
+    try self.managed_atoms.append(gpa, atom);
+
+    if (code) |cc| {
+        assert(size == cc.len);
+        mem.copy(u8, atom.code.items, cc);
+    }
 
-    var debug_info = blk: {
-        var di = try DebugInfo.parseFromObject(allocator, self);
-        break :blk di orelse return;
-    };
+    const base_offset = sym.n_value - sect.addr;
+    const filtered_relocs = filterRelocs(relocs, base_offset, base_offset + size);
+    try atom.parseRelocs(filtered_relocs, .{
+        .macho_file = macho_file,
+        .base_addr = sect.addr,
+        .base_offset = @intCast(i32, base_offset),
+    });
+
+    // Since this is atom gets a helper local temporary symbol that didn't exist
+    // in the object file which encompasses the entire section, we need traverse
+    // the filtered symbols and note which symbol is contained within so that
+    // we can properly allocate addresses down the line.
+    // While we're at it, we need to update segment,section mapping of each symbol too.
+    try atom.contained.ensureTotalCapacity(gpa, indexes.len);
+    for (indexes) |inner_sym_index| {
+        const inner_sym = &self.symtab.items[inner_sym_index.index];
+        inner_sym.n_sect = macho_file.getSectionOrdinal(match);
+        atom.contained.appendAssumeCapacity(.{
+            .sym_index = inner_sym_index.index,
+            .offset = inner_sym.n_value - sym.n_value,
+        });
 
-    // We assume there is only one CU.
-    const compile_unit = debug_info.inner.findCompileUnit(0x0) catch |err| switch (err) {
-        error.MissingDebugInfo => {
-            // TODO audit cases with missing debug info and audit our dwarf.zig module.
-            log.debug("invalid or missing debug info in {s}; skipping", .{self.name});
-            return;
-        },
-        else => |e| return e,
-    };
-    const name = try compile_unit.die.getAttrString(&debug_info.inner, dwarf.AT.name);
-    const comp_dir = try compile_unit.die.getAttrString(&debug_info.inner, dwarf.AT.comp_dir);
+        try self.atom_by_index_table.putNoClobber(gpa, inner_sym_index.index, atom);
+    }
 
-    self.debug_info = debug_info;
-    self.tu_name = try allocator.dupe(u8, name);
-    self.tu_comp_dir = try allocator.dupe(u8, comp_dir);
+    return atom;
+}
 
-    if (self.mtime == null) {
-        self.mtime = mtime: {
-            const stat = self.file.stat() catch break :mtime 0;
-            break :mtime @intCast(u64, @divFloor(stat.mtime, 1_000_000_000));
-        };
-    }
+fn parseSymtab(self: *Object, allocator: Allocator) !void {
+    const index = self.symtab_cmd_index orelse return;
+    const symtab = self.load_commands.items[index].symtab;
+    try self.symtab.appendSlice(allocator, self.getSourceSymtab());
+    self.strtab = self.contents[symtab.stroff..][0..symtab.strsize];
 }
 
-pub fn parseDataInCode(self: *Object, allocator: Allocator) !void {
-    const index = self.data_in_code_cmd_index orelse return;
-    const data_in_code = self.load_commands.items[index].linkedit_data;
+pub fn getSourceSymtab(self: Object) []const macho.nlist_64 {
+    const index = self.symtab_cmd_index orelse return &[0]macho.nlist_64{};
+    const symtab = self.load_commands.items[index].symtab;
+    const symtab_size = @sizeOf(macho.nlist_64) * symtab.nsyms;
+    const raw_symtab = self.contents[symtab.symoff..][0..symtab_size];
+    return mem.bytesAsSlice(
+        macho.nlist_64,
+        @alignCast(@alignOf(macho.nlist_64), raw_symtab),
+    );
+}
 
-    var buffer = try allocator.alloc(u8, data_in_code.datasize);
-    defer allocator.free(buffer);
+pub fn getSourceSymbol(self: Object, index: u32) ?macho.nlist_64 {
+    const symtab = self.getSourceSymtab();
+    if (index >= symtab.len) return null;
+    return symtab[index];
+}
 
-    _ = try self.file.preadAll(buffer, data_in_code.dataoff);
+pub fn getSourceSection(self: Object, index: u16) macho.section_64 {
+    const seg = self.load_commands.items[self.segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
+    assert(index < seg.sections.items.len);
+    return seg.sections.items[index];
+}
 
-    var stream = io.fixedBufferStream(buffer);
-    var reader = stream.reader();
-    while (true) {
-        const dice = reader.readStruct(macho.data_in_code_entry) catch |err| switch (err) {
-            error.EndOfStream => break,
-        };
-        try self.data_in_code_entries.append(allocator, dice);
-    }
+pub fn parseDataInCode(self: Object) ?[]const macho.data_in_code_entry {
+    const index = self.data_in_code_cmd_index orelse return null;
+    const data_in_code = self.load_commands.items[index].linkedit_data;
+    const raw_dice = self.contents[data_in_code.dataoff..][0..data_in_code.datasize];
+    return mem.bytesAsSlice(
+        macho.data_in_code_entry,
+        @alignCast(@alignOf(macho.data_in_code_entry), raw_dice),
+    );
 }
 
-fn readSection(self: Object, allocator: Allocator, index: u16) ![]u8 {
-    const seg = self.load_commands.items[self.segment_cmd_index.?].segment;
-    const sect = seg.sections.items[index];
-    var buffer = try allocator.alloc(u8, @intCast(usize, sect.size));
-    _ = try self.file.preadAll(buffer, sect.offset);
-    return buffer;
+pub fn getSectionContents(self: Object, index: u16) error{Overflow}![]const u8 {
+    const sect = self.getSourceSection(index);
+    const size = math.cast(usize, sect.size) orelse return error.Overflow;
+    log.debug("getting {s},{s} data at 0x{x} - 0x{x}", .{
+        sect.segName(),
+        sect.sectName(),
+        sect.offset,
+        sect.offset + sect.size,
+    });
+    return self.contents[sect.offset..][0..size];
 }
 
 pub fn getString(self: Object, off: u32) []const u8 {
-    assert(off < self.strtab.items.len);
-    return mem.sliceTo(@ptrCast([*:0]const u8, self.strtab.items.ptr + off), 0);
+    assert(off < self.strtab.len);
+    return mem.sliceTo(@ptrCast([*:0]const u8, self.strtab.ptr + off), 0);
+}
+
+pub fn getAtomForSymbol(self: Object, sym_index: u32) ?*Atom {
+    return self.atom_by_index_table.get(sym_index);
 }
diff --git a/src/link/MachO/dead_strip.zig b/src/link/MachO/dead_strip.zig
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..909a0450d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/link/MachO/dead_strip.zig
@@ -0,0 +1,292 @@
+const std = @import("std");
+const assert = std.debug.assert;
+const log = std.log.scoped(.dead_strip);
+const macho = std.macho;
+const math = std.math;
+const mem = std.mem;
+
+const Allocator = mem.Allocator;
+const Atom = @import("Atom.zig");
+const MachO = @import("../MachO.zig");
+const MatchingSection = MachO.MatchingSection;
+
+pub fn gcAtoms(macho_file: *MachO) !void {
+    const gpa = macho_file.base.allocator;
+    var arena_allocator = std.heap.ArenaAllocator.init(gpa);
+    defer arena_allocator.deinit();
+    const arena = arena_allocator.allocator();
+
+    var roots = std.AutoHashMap(*Atom, void).init(arena);
+    try collectRoots(&roots, macho_file);
+
+    var alive = std.AutoHashMap(*Atom, void).init(arena);
+    try mark(roots, &alive, macho_file);
+
+    try prune(arena, alive, macho_file);
+}
+
+fn removeAtomFromSection(atom: *Atom, match: MatchingSection, macho_file: *MachO) void {
+    const sect = macho_file.getSectionPtr(match);
+
+    // If we want to enable GC for incremental codepath, we need to take into
+    // account any padding that might have been left here.
+    sect.size -= atom.size;
+
+    if (atom.prev) |prev| {
+        prev.next = atom.next;
+    }
+    if (atom.next) |next| {
+        next.prev = atom.prev;
+    } else {
+        const last = macho_file.atoms.getPtr(match).?;
+        if (atom.prev) |prev| {
+            last.* = prev;
+        } else {
+            // The section will be GCed in the next step.
+            last.* = undefined;
+            sect.size = 0;
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn collectRoots(roots: *std.AutoHashMap(*Atom, void), macho_file: *MachO) !void {
+    const output_mode = macho_file.base.options.output_mode;
+
+    switch (output_mode) {
+        .Exe => {
+            // Add entrypoint as GC root
+            const global = try macho_file.getEntryPoint();
+            const atom = macho_file.getAtomForSymbol(global).?; // panic here means fatal error
+            _ = try roots.getOrPut(atom);
+        },
+        else => |other| {
+            assert(other == .Lib);
+            // Add exports as GC roots
+            for (macho_file.globals.values()) |global| {
+                const sym = macho_file.getSymbol(global);
+                if (!sym.sect()) continue;
+                const atom = macho_file.getAtomForSymbol(global) orelse {
+                    log.debug("skipping {s}", .{macho_file.getSymbolName(global)});
+                    continue;
+                };
+                _ = try roots.getOrPut(atom);
+                log.debug("adding root", .{});
+                macho_file.logAtom(atom);
+            }
+        },
+    }
+
+    // TODO just a temp until we learn how to parse unwind records
+    if (macho_file.globals.get("___gxx_personality_v0")) |global| {
+        if (macho_file.getAtomForSymbol(global)) |atom| {
+            _ = try roots.getOrPut(atom);
+            log.debug("adding root", .{});
+            macho_file.logAtom(atom);
+        }
+    }
+
+    for (macho_file.objects.items) |object| {
+        for (object.managed_atoms.items) |atom| {
+            const source_sym = object.getSourceSymbol(atom.sym_index) orelse continue;
+            if (source_sym.tentative()) continue;
+            const source_sect = object.getSourceSection(source_sym.n_sect - 1);
+            const is_gc_root = blk: {
+                if (source_sect.isDontDeadStrip()) break :blk true;
+                if (mem.eql(u8, "__StaticInit", source_sect.sectName())) break :blk true;
+                switch (source_sect.type_()) {
+                    macho.S_MOD_INIT_FUNC_POINTERS,
+                    macho.S_MOD_TERM_FUNC_POINTERS,
+                    => break :blk true,
+                    else => break :blk false,
+                }
+            };
+            if (is_gc_root) {
+                try roots.putNoClobber(atom, {});
+                log.debug("adding root", .{});
+                macho_file.logAtom(atom);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn markLive(atom: *Atom, alive: *std.AutoHashMap(*Atom, void), macho_file: *MachO) anyerror!void {
+    const gop = try alive.getOrPut(atom);
+    if (gop.found_existing) return;
+
+    log.debug("marking live", .{});
+    macho_file.logAtom(atom);
+
+    for (atom.relocs.items) |rel| {
+        const target_atom = rel.getTargetAtom(macho_file) orelse continue;
+        try markLive(target_atom, alive, macho_file);
+    }
+}
+
+fn refersLive(atom: *Atom, alive: std.AutoHashMap(*Atom, void), macho_file: *MachO) bool {
+    for (atom.relocs.items) |rel| {
+        const target_atom = rel.getTargetAtom(macho_file) orelse continue;
+        if (alive.contains(target_atom)) return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
+fn refersDead(atom: *Atom, macho_file: *MachO) bool {
+    for (atom.relocs.items) |rel| {
+        const target_atom = rel.getTargetAtom(macho_file) orelse continue;
+        const target_sym = target_atom.getSymbol(macho_file);
+        if (target_sym.n_desc == MachO.N_DESC_GCED) return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
+fn mark(
+    roots: std.AutoHashMap(*Atom, void),
+    alive: *std.AutoHashMap(*Atom, void),
+    macho_file: *MachO,
+) !void {
+    try alive.ensureUnusedCapacity(roots.count());
+
+    var it = roots.keyIterator();
+    while (it.next()) |root| {
+        try markLive(root.*, alive, macho_file);
+    }
+
+    var loop: bool = true;
+    while (loop) {
+        loop = false;
+
+        for (macho_file.objects.items) |object| {
+            for (object.managed_atoms.items) |atom| {
+                if (alive.contains(atom)) continue;
+                const source_sym = object.getSourceSymbol(atom.sym_index) orelse continue;
+                if (source_sym.tentative()) continue;
+                const source_sect = object.getSourceSection(source_sym.n_sect - 1);
+                if (source_sect.isDontDeadStripIfReferencesLive() and refersLive(atom, alive.*, macho_file)) {
+                    try markLive(atom, alive, macho_file);
+                    loop = true;
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn prune(arena: Allocator, alive: std.AutoHashMap(*Atom, void), macho_file: *MachO) !void {
+    // Any section that ends up here will be updated, that is,
+    // its size and alignment recalculated.
+    var gc_sections = std.AutoHashMap(MatchingSection, void).init(arena);
+    var loop: bool = true;
+    while (loop) {
+        loop = false;
+
+        for (macho_file.objects.items) |object| {
+            for (object.getSourceSymtab()) |_, source_index| {
+                const atom = object.getAtomForSymbol(@intCast(u32, source_index)) orelse continue;
+                if (alive.contains(atom)) continue;
+
+                const global = atom.getSymbolWithLoc();
+                const sym = atom.getSymbolPtr(macho_file);
+                const match = macho_file.getMatchingSectionFromOrdinal(sym.n_sect);
+
+                if (sym.n_desc == MachO.N_DESC_GCED) continue;
+                if (!sym.ext() and !refersDead(atom, macho_file)) continue;
+
+                macho_file.logAtom(atom);
+                sym.n_desc = MachO.N_DESC_GCED;
+                removeAtomFromSection(atom, match, macho_file);
+                _ = try gc_sections.put(match, {});
+
+                for (atom.contained.items) |sym_off| {
+                    const inner = macho_file.getSymbolPtr(.{
+                        .sym_index = sym_off.sym_index,
+                        .file = atom.file,
+                    });
+                    inner.n_desc = MachO.N_DESC_GCED;
+                }
+
+                if (macho_file.got_entries_table.contains(global)) {
+                    const got_atom = macho_file.getGotAtomForSymbol(global).?;
+                    const got_sym = got_atom.getSymbolPtr(macho_file);
+                    got_sym.n_desc = MachO.N_DESC_GCED;
+                }
+
+                if (macho_file.stubs_table.contains(global)) {
+                    const stubs_atom = macho_file.getStubsAtomForSymbol(global).?;
+                    const stubs_sym = stubs_atom.getSymbolPtr(macho_file);
+                    stubs_sym.n_desc = MachO.N_DESC_GCED;
+                }
+
+                if (macho_file.tlv_ptr_entries_table.contains(global)) {
+                    const tlv_ptr_atom = macho_file.getTlvPtrAtomForSymbol(global).?;
+                    const tlv_ptr_sym = tlv_ptr_atom.getSymbolPtr(macho_file);
+                    tlv_ptr_sym.n_desc = MachO.N_DESC_GCED;
+                }
+
+                loop = true;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    for (macho_file.got_entries.items) |entry| {
+        const sym = entry.getSymbol(macho_file);
+        if (sym.n_desc != MachO.N_DESC_GCED) continue;
+
+        // TODO tombstone
+        const atom = entry.getAtom(macho_file);
+        const match = macho_file.getMatchingSectionFromOrdinal(sym.n_sect);
+        removeAtomFromSection(atom, match, macho_file);
+        _ = try gc_sections.put(match, {});
+        _ = macho_file.got_entries_table.remove(entry.target);
+    }
+
+    for (macho_file.stubs.items) |entry| {
+        const sym = entry.getSymbol(macho_file);
+        if (sym.n_desc != MachO.N_DESC_GCED) continue;
+
+        // TODO tombstone
+        const atom = entry.getAtom(macho_file);
+        const match = macho_file.getMatchingSectionFromOrdinal(sym.n_sect);
+        removeAtomFromSection(atom, match, macho_file);
+        _ = try gc_sections.put(match, {});
+        _ = macho_file.stubs_table.remove(entry.target);
+    }
+
+    for (macho_file.tlv_ptr_entries.items) |entry| {
+        const sym = entry.getSymbol(macho_file);
+        if (sym.n_desc != MachO.N_DESC_GCED) continue;
+
+        // TODO tombstone
+        const atom = entry.getAtom(macho_file);
+        const match = macho_file.getMatchingSectionFromOrdinal(sym.n_sect);
+        removeAtomFromSection(atom, match, macho_file);
+        _ = try gc_sections.put(match, {});
+        _ = macho_file.tlv_ptr_entries_table.remove(entry.target);
+    }
+
+    var gc_sections_it = gc_sections.iterator();
+    while (gc_sections_it.next()) |entry| {
+        const match = entry.key_ptr.*;
+        const sect = macho_file.getSectionPtr(match);
+        if (sect.size == 0) continue; // Pruning happens automatically in next step.
+
+        sect.@"align" = 0;
+        sect.size = 0;
+
+        var atom = macho_file.atoms.get(match).?;
+
+        while (atom.prev) |prev| {
+            atom = prev;
+        }
+
+        while (true) {
+            const atom_alignment = try math.powi(u32, 2, atom.alignment);
+            const aligned_end_addr = mem.alignForwardGeneric(u64, sect.size, atom_alignment);
+            const padding = aligned_end_addr - sect.size;
+            sect.size += padding + atom.size;
+            sect.@"align" = @maximum(sect.@"align", atom.alignment);
+
+            if (atom.next) |next| {
+                atom = next;
+            } else break;
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/link/strtab.zig b/src/link/strtab.zig
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ae9b00027e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/link/strtab.zig
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+const std = @import("std");
+const mem = std.mem;
+
+const Allocator = mem.Allocator;
+const StringIndexAdapter = std.hash_map.StringIndexAdapter;
+const StringIndexContext = std.hash_map.StringIndexContext;
+
+pub fn StringTable(comptime log_scope: @Type(.EnumLiteral)) type {
+    return struct {
+        const Self = @This();
+
+        const log = std.log.scoped(log_scope);
+
+        buffer: std.ArrayListUnmanaged(u8) = .{},
+        table: std.HashMapUnmanaged(u32, bool, StringIndexContext, std.hash_map.default_max_load_percentage) = .{},
+
+        pub fn deinit(self: *Self, gpa: Allocator) void {
+            self.buffer.deinit(gpa);
+            self.table.deinit(gpa);
+        }
+
+        pub fn toOwnedSlice(self: *Self, gpa: Allocator) []const u8 {
+            const result = self.buffer.toOwnedSlice(gpa);
+            self.table.clearRetainingCapacity();
+            return result;
+        }
+
+        pub const PrunedResult = struct {
+            buffer: []const u8,
+            idx_map: std.AutoHashMap(u32, u32),
+        };
+
+        pub fn toPrunedResult(self: *Self, gpa: Allocator) !PrunedResult {
+            var buffer = std.ArrayList(u8).init(gpa);
+            defer buffer.deinit();
+            try buffer.ensureTotalCapacity(self.buffer.items.len);
+            buffer.appendAssumeCapacity(0);
+
+            var idx_map = std.AutoHashMap(u32, u32).init(gpa);
+            errdefer idx_map.deinit();
+            try idx_map.ensureTotalCapacity(self.table.count());
+
+            var it = self.table.iterator();
+            while (it.next()) |entry| {
+                const off = entry.key_ptr.*;
+                const save = entry.value_ptr.*;
+                if (!save) continue;
+                const new_off = @intCast(u32, buffer.items.len);
+                buffer.appendSliceAssumeCapacity(self.getAssumeExists(off));
+                idx_map.putAssumeCapacityNoClobber(off, new_off);
+            }
+
+            self.buffer.clearRetainingCapacity();
+            self.table.clearRetainingCapacity();
+
+            return PrunedResult{
+                .buffer = buffer.toOwnedSlice(),
+                .idx_map = idx_map,
+            };
+        }
+
+        pub fn insert(self: *Self, gpa: Allocator, string: []const u8) !u32 {
+            const gop = try self.table.getOrPutContextAdapted(gpa, @as([]const u8, string), StringIndexAdapter{
+                .bytes = &self.buffer,
+            }, StringIndexContext{
+                .bytes = &self.buffer,
+            });
+            if (gop.found_existing) {
+                const off = gop.key_ptr.*;
+                gop.value_ptr.* = true;
+                log.debug("reusing string '{s}' at offset 0x{x}", .{ string, off });
+                return off;
+            }
+
+            try self.buffer.ensureUnusedCapacity(gpa, string.len + 1);
+            const new_off = @intCast(u32, self.buffer.items.len);
+
+            log.debug("writing new string '{s}' at offset 0x{x}", .{ string, new_off });
+
+            self.buffer.appendSliceAssumeCapacity(string);
+            self.buffer.appendAssumeCapacity(0);
+
+            gop.key_ptr.* = new_off;
+            gop.value_ptr.* = true;
+
+            return new_off;
+        }
+
+        pub fn delete(self: *Self, string: []const u8) void {
+            const value_ptr = self.table.getPtrAdapted(@as([]const u8, string), StringIndexAdapter{
+                .bytes = &self.buffer,
+            }) orelse return;
+            value_ptr.* = false;
+            log.debug("marked '{s}' for deletion", .{string});
+        }
+
+        pub fn getOffset(self: *Self, string: []const u8) ?u32 {
+            return self.table.getKeyAdapted(string, StringIndexAdapter{
+                .bytes = &self.buffer,
+            });
+        }
+
+        pub fn get(self: Self, off: u32) ?[]const u8 {
+            log.debug("getting string at 0x{x}", .{off});
+            if (off >= self.buffer.items.len) return null;
+            return mem.sliceTo(@ptrCast([*:0]const u8, self.buffer.items.ptr + off), 0);
+        }
+
+        pub fn getAssumeExists(self: Self, off: u32) []const u8 {
+            return self.get(off) orelse unreachable;
+        }
+    };
+}
diff --git a/src/main.zig b/src/main.zig
index 823cbf8757..27682003f2 100644
--- a/src/main.zig
+++ b/src/main.zig
@@ -446,6 +446,8 @@ const usage_build_generic =
     \\  --compress-debug-sections=[e]  Debug section compression settings
     \\      none                       No compression
     \\      zlib                       Compression with deflate/inflate
+    \\  --gc-sections                  Force removal of functions and data that are unreachable by the entry point or exported symbols
+    \\  --no-gc-sections               Don't force removal of unreachable functions and data
     \\  --subsystem [subsystem]        (Windows) /SUBSYSTEM:<subsystem> to the linker
     \\  --stack [size]                 Override default stack size
     \\  --image-base [addr]            Set base address for executable image
@@ -463,6 +465,7 @@ const usage_build_generic =
     \\  -search_dylibs_first           (Darwin) search `libx.dylib` in each dir in library search paths, then `libx.a`
     \\  -headerpad [value]             (Darwin) set minimum space for future expansion of the load commands in hexadecimal notation
     \\  -headerpad_max_install_names   (Darwin) set enough space as if all paths were MAXPATHLEN
+    \\  -dead_strip                    (Darwin) remove functions and data that are unreachable by the entry point or exported symbols
     \\  -dead_strip_dylibs             (Darwin) remove dylibs that are unreachable by the entry point or exported symbols
     \\  --import-memory                (WebAssembly) import memory from the environment
     \\  --import-table                 (WebAssembly) import function table from the host environment
@@ -969,6 +972,8 @@ fn buildOutputType(
                         };
                     } else if (mem.eql(u8, arg, "-headerpad_max_install_names")) {
                         headerpad_max_install_names = true;
+                    } else if (mem.eql(u8, arg, "-dead_strip")) {
+                        linker_gc_sections = true;
                     } else if (mem.eql(u8, arg, "-dead_strip_dylibs")) {
                         dead_strip_dylibs = true;
                     } else if (mem.eql(u8, arg, "-T") or mem.eql(u8, arg, "--script")) {
@@ -1311,6 +1316,10 @@ fn buildOutputType(
                         try linker_export_symbol_names.append(arg["--export=".len..]);
                     } else if (mem.eql(u8, arg, "-Bsymbolic")) {
                         linker_bind_global_refs_locally = true;
+                    } else if (mem.eql(u8, arg, "--gc-sections")) {
+                        linker_gc_sections = true;
+                    } else if (mem.eql(u8, arg, "--no-gc-sections")) {
+                        linker_gc_sections = false;
                     } else if (mem.eql(u8, arg, "--debug-compile-errors")) {
                         debug_compile_errors = true;
                     } else if (mem.eql(u8, arg, "--verbose-link")) {
@@ -1764,6 +1773,8 @@ fn buildOutputType(
                     };
                 } else if (mem.eql(u8, arg, "-headerpad_max_install_names")) {
                     headerpad_max_install_names = true;
+                } else if (mem.eql(u8, arg, "-dead_strip")) {
+                    linker_gc_sections = true;
                 } else if (mem.eql(u8, arg, "-dead_strip_dylibs")) {
                     dead_strip_dylibs = true;
                 } else if (mem.eql(u8, arg, "--gc-sections")) {