This directory contains files that make it possible to use system libraries. For more info please read the following: - https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Packaging:No_Bundled_Libraries - https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Why_not_bundle_dependencies - http://www.debian.org/doc/debian-policy/ch-source.html#s-embeddedfiles For more Chromium-specific context please read http://spot.livejournal.com/312320.html . This directory is provided in the source tree to follow above guidelines. It is a compromise solution which takes into account Chromium developers who want to avoid the perceived burden of more conditional code in gyp, and expectations of Open Source community, where using system-provided libraries is the norm. Usage: 1. remove_bundled_libraries.py For example: remove_bundled_libraries.py third_party/mesa The script scans sources looking for third_party directories. Everything that is not explicitly preserved is removed (except for gyp files), and the script fails if any directory passed on command line does not exist (to ensure list is kept up to date). This is intended to be used on sources extracted from a tarball, not a repository. NOTE: by default this will not remove anything (for safety). Pass --do-remove flag to actually remove files. 2. replace_gyp_files.py For example: replace_gyp_files.py -Duse_system_harfbuzz=1 The script ignores flags other than -D for convenience. This makes it possible to have a variable e.g. ${myconf} with all the options, and execute: build/linux/unbundle/replace_gyp_files.py ${myconf} build/gyp_chromium ${myconf}