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: 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}