explaingit

akaricchi/binaryen

Analysis updated 2026-07-18 · repo last pushed 2020-11-09

Audience · developerComplexity · 4/5Dormant

TLDR

Binaryen is a compiler toolset for WebAssembly, it converts code into Wasm, optimizes it to be smaller and faster, and provides CLI tools for working with Wasm files directly.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Compiles to WebAssembly
      Optimizes Wasm code
      Converts and inspects Wasm
    Tech stack
      C++
      WebAssembly
      JavaScript bindings
    Use cases
      Build a Wasm compiler
      Optimize Wasm output
      Convert Wasm to JavaScript
    Audience
      Compiler authors
      WebAssembly developers

Code map

Detail Auto

An interactive map of this repo's files and how they connect — its source is parsed live in your browser. Click Visualize to build it.

filefunction / class

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Build a compiler that targets WebAssembly, like AssemblyScript or Grain do.

USE CASE 2

Shrink and speed up existing WebAssembly output using wasm-opt.

USE CASE 3

Convert a WebAssembly file to JavaScript using wasm2js.

USE CASE 4

Debug a WebAssembly issue by minimizing a failing case with wasm-reduce.

What is it built with?

C++WebAssemblyJavaScript

How does it compare?

akaricchi/binaryen00kaku/gallery-slider-block04amanrajj/netwatch
Stars——0
Language—JavaScriptRust
Last pushed2020-11-092021-05-19—
MaintenanceDormantDormant—
Setup difficulty—easymoderate
Complexity4/52/53/5
Audiencedevelopergeneralops devops

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
Show me how to run wasm-opt from Binaryen to optimize my WebAssembly module for size.
Prompt 2
Help me understand Binaryen IR so I can write a pass that transforms WebAssembly code.
Prompt 3
Walk me through using wasm2js to convert this WebAssembly file into JavaScript.
Prompt 4
Explain how I'd use wasm-reduce to minimize a WebAssembly file that's triggering a bug.

Frequently asked questions

What is binaryen?

Binaryen is a compiler toolset for WebAssembly, it converts code into Wasm, optimizes it to be smaller and faster, and provides CLI tools for working with Wasm files directly.

Is binaryen actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2020-11-09).

Who is binaryen for?

Mainly developer.

Open on GitHub → Explain another repo

This repo across BitVibe Labs

Verify against the repo before relying on details.

Alternatives & similar repos