An open-source tool for merging multiple .NET assemblies into a single assembly, serving as a modern replacement for ILMerge.
ILRepack is an open-source tool designed to merge multiple .NET assemblies into a single assembly. It solves the problem of managing and distributing numerous DLLs by consolidating them, which simplifies deployment and reduces potential version conflicts. It serves as a modern, performant alternative to Microsoft's ILMerge.
.NET developers, library maintainers, and DevOps engineers who need to package applications or libraries with minimal external dependencies.
Developers choose ILRepack because it is open-source, highly customizable, faster than ILMerge, and actively maintained. It supports advanced features like parallel processing, symbol merging, and fine-grained internalization controls.
Open-source alternative to ILMerge
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Utilizes multiple CPUs to speed up merging, as highlighted in the features, making it faster than ILMerge for large-scale assembly consolidation.
Merges PDB/MDB debug symbols and XML documentation files, preserving debugging capabilities and source information in the output assembly.
Allows making merged types internal with exclusion rules via regex or full type names, useful for library authors hiding third-party dependencies.
Uses a similar command-line syntax to the discontinued ILMerge, easing adoption for teams migrating from the older tool without relearning.
The README admits that several ILMerge options like /usefullpublickeyforreferences, /align, and /closed are not implemented, limiting functionality for advanced use cases.
Relies on a slightly modified version of Mono.Cecil, which could lead to compatibility issues and maintenance challenges, as noted in the TODO list to 'Un-fork Cecil'.
The TODO list includes 'Crash-testing', suggesting the tool may not be fully stable or thoroughly tested for all merging scenarios, risking runtime errors.
ILRepack is an open-source alternative to the following products: