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# Build your Program

When building your application using our SDK, we recommend two primary methods:

* Standard Go build
* Go build with Garble

Both approaches are valid; however, building with Garble provides additional benefits that are important to consider.

## Why Build with Garble?

[**Garble**](https://github.com/burrowers/garble) is a tool that works as a compiler wrapper around `go build`, designed to **obfuscate** Go code. Here’s why we encourage you to use it:

* **Obfuscation**: Garble reduces the risk of reverse-engineering by renaming symbols, stripping debug information, and minimizing the visibility of the internal structure of your binaries.
* **Security**: Protects proprietary algorithms, sensitive logic, and API interactions from easy inspection.
* **Reduced Binary Predictability**: Makes the binary less predictable, which can deter certain types of static analysis or targeted attacks.
* **Minimal Overhead**: Garble integrates easily into the Go toolchain without major changes to your build pipeline.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Important: Garble is best used in release builds. For development, use standard `go build` for faster builds and better debuggability.
{% endhint %}

## Build Methods

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Standard Go build

Build your project normally.

{% code title="Build (standard)" %}

```bash
go build -o your-program
```

{% endcode %}
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Go build with Garble

First, install Garble if you haven’t already:

{% code title="Install Garble" %}

```bash
go install mvdan.cc/garble@latest
```

{% endcode %}

Then build your project with Garble:

{% code title="Build (garble)" %}

```bash
garble build -o your-program
```

{% endcode %}

This will produce an obfuscated binary, making your application harder to reverse-engineer.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Additional Garble Options

<details>

<summary>Recommended Garble flags</summary>

Garble offers several options to fine-tune the obfuscation process. Some recommended flags:

* `-literals`: Obfuscates literals like strings and numbers.
* `-tiny`: Reduces binary size further and increases obfuscation.
* `-debug`: Enables some debug features (not recommended for production).

Example with extra obfuscation:

{% code title="Garble with options" %}

```bash
garble -literals -tiny build -o your-program
```

{% endcode %}

</details>

## Summary

| Build Method | Pros                                               | Cons                                      |
| ------------ | -------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| go build     | Fast, easy, debuggable                             | No protection against reverse engineering |
| garble build | Obfuscated, more secure, less predictable binaries | Slightly slower builds, harder to debug   |


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