How to optimize dlls when compiling using Nuitka for PySide6?

juanxd4516

Hi, I am having problems optimizing my app size, currently i am compiling using nuitka with this script:

import os
import subprocess
import sys
from pathlib import Path
import argparse

ENTRY_POINT = "RoboForger/main.py"
OUTPUT_NAME = "RoboForger"

def build(debug=False):
    project_root = Path(__file__).parent
    resources_dir = project_root / "RoboForger" / "resources"
    bin_dir = resources_dir / "bin" / "libredwg"

    cmd = [
        sys.executable, "-m", "nuitka",
        "--standalone",
        f"--output-filename={OUTPUT_NAME}",
        "--output-dir=dist",

        "--enable-plugin=pyside6",
        # TO REMEMBER: qt plugins are the folders from PySide6 library where the dlls
        # are stored. For example, the "platforms" folder contains the "qwindows.dll" file
        # renderers for 3D rendering (opengl)
        # platforms for Windows platform support
        # "--include-qt-plugins=renderers,platforms,qml",

        f"--windows-icon-from-ico={resources_dir / 'icon.ico'}",

        f"--include-data-dir={resources_dir}=resources",
        f"--include-data-files={bin_dir / 'dwg2dxf.exe'}=resources/bin/libredwg/dwg2dxf.exe",

        "--nofollow-import-to=typing",
        "--nofollow-import-to=types",
        
        # exclude unittest library if found
        # "--nofollow-import-to=unittest",

        "--msvc=latest",

        "--company-name=JuSo",
        "--product-name=RoboForger",
        "--file-version=2.1.0",

        "--windows-console-mode=disable",

        "--jobs=8",
        "--lto=no" if debug else "--lto=yes",

        ENTRY_POINT
    ]

    if debug:
        cmd += [
            "--debug",
            "--unstripped",
            "--no-debug-immortal-assumptions",
            "--python-flag=-v",
            "--windows-console-mode=force",
        ]

    print("\n--- Starting Nuitka Build ---")
    print(" ".join(cmd))

    subprocess.run(cmd, check=True)

    print("\nBuild successful!")
    print(f"Output: dist/{OUTPUT_NAME}.dist")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    if not Path("pyproject.toml").exists():
        print("Run this script from the project root")
        sys.exit(1)

    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Build RoboForger with Nuitka")
    parser.add_argument("--debug", action="store_true", help="Build in debug mode")
    args = parser.parse_args()

    build(debug=True if args.debug else False)

I want to remove those unnecesary dlls, for example:

qt6webenginecore.dll
qt6webchannel.dll
qt6webchannelquick.dll
qt6webenginequick.dll
qt6webenginequickdelegatesqml.dll
qt6websockets.dll
qt6webview.dll
qt6webviewquick.dll
...
Does any of you have a solution other than manually removing those files once the compilation is made?

The project I am building is this one: https://github.com/JuanSobalvarro/RoboForger/tree/main

Shyamnath

Hey @juanxd4516

You can use the following Nuitka opiton

--noinclude-dlls=PATTERN
                    Do not include DLL files matching the filename pattern
                    given. This is against the target filename, not source
                    paths. So ignore a DLL 'someDLL' contained in the
                    package 'package_name' it should be matched as
                    'package_name/someDLL.*'. Default empty.

to exclude specific .dll's. If you are using pyside6-deploy, you can modify the extra_args option of the initially generated pysidedeploy.spec with the --noinclude-dlls option

SGaist

Hi and welcome to devnet,

I think this is an issue you should bring to the nuitka authors.

juanxd4516

Oh, my bad! Thanks!!

Shyamnath

Hey @juanxd4516

You can use the following Nuitka opiton

--noinclude-dlls=PATTERN
                    Do not include DLL files matching the filename pattern
                    given. This is against the target filename, not source
                    paths. So ignore a DLL 'someDLL' contained in the
                    package 'package_name' it should be matched as
                    'package_name/someDLL.*'. Default empty.

to exclude specific .dll's. If you are using pyside6-deploy, you can modify the extra_args option of the initially generated pysidedeploy.spec with the --noinclude-dlls option

juanxd4516

Thanks! That solves everything, I only need to control which add on i use to not break things, and it seems to run fine!!

SGaist

You might also want to check for the plugins you don't use.

That said, it might be worth checking with the nuitka folks about supporting the exclusion of Qt modules rather than having to list all the dlls.