diff --git a/Makefile.base b/Makefile.base
index 57fdc4f7fb..5469d5c117 100644
--- a/Makefile.base
+++ b/Makefile.base
@@ -17,9 +17,9 @@ DIRS := $(sort $(abspath $(DIRS)))
 _MOD := $(shell basename $(CURDIR))
 MODULE ?= $(_MOD)
 
-.PHONY: all clean $(DIRS:%=ALL--%) $(DIRS:%=CLEAN--%)
+.PHONY: all clean $(DIRS:%=ALL--%) $(DIRS:%=CLEAN--%) $(MODULE).module
 
-all: $(BINDIR)/$(MODULE).a ..nothing
+all: $(MODULE).module ..nothing
 
 ..nothing:
 	@:
@@ -89,14 +89,12 @@ include $(RIOTMAKE)/tools/fixdep.inc.mk
 $(BINDIR)/$(MODULE)/:
 	$(Q)mkdir -p $@
 
-$(BINDIR)/$(MODULE).a $(OBJ): | $(BINDIR)/$(MODULE)/
+# only create the module folder when it's going to hold objects
+ifneq (,$(strip $(OBJ)))
+  $(MODULE).module $(OBJ): | $(BINDIR)/$(MODULE)/
+endif
 
-# Build the archive from the output directory to create relative thin archives
-# This allows having them valid in and outside of docker
-$(BINDIR)/$(MODULE).a: $(OBJ) | $(DIRS:%=ALL--%)
-	@# Recreate archive to cleanup deleted/non selected source files objects
-	$(Q)$(RM) $@
-	$(Q)cd $(@D) && $(AR) $(ARFLAGS) $(@F) $(subst $(@D)/,,$^)
+$(MODULE).module: $(OBJ) | $(DIRS:%=ALL--%)
 
 CXXFLAGS = $(filter-out $(CXXUWFLAGS), $(CFLAGS)) $(CXXEXFLAGS)
 CCASFLAGS = $(filter-out $(CCASUWFLAGS), $(CFLAGS)) $(CCASEXFLAGS)
diff --git a/Makefile.include b/Makefile.include
index f15c625371..165b4cf314 100644
--- a/Makefile.include
+++ b/Makefile.include
@@ -426,12 +426,6 @@ CFLAGS += -DBOARD_$(BOARDDEF)=\"$(BOARD)\" -DRIOT_BOARD=BOARD_$(BOARDDEF)
 CFLAGS += -DCPU_$(CPUDEF)=\"$(CPU)\" -DRIOT_CPU=CPU_$(CPUDEF)
 CFLAGS += -DMCU_$(MCUDEF)=\"$(MCU)\" -DRIOT_MCU=MCU_$(MCUDEF)
 
-# OSX fails to create empty archives. Provide a wrapper to catch that error.
-ifneq (0, $(shell mkdir -p $(BINDIR); $(AR) rc $(BINDIR)/empty-archive.a 2> /dev/null; \
-            echo $$?; rm -f $(BINDIR)/empty-archive.a 2>&1 > /dev/null))
-	AR := $(RIOTBASE)/dist/ar-wrapper $(AR)
-endif
-
 # Feature test default CFLAGS and LINKFLAGS for the set compiled.
 include $(RIOTMAKE)/cflags.inc.mk
 
@@ -452,7 +446,7 @@ endif
 APPLICATION_MODULE ?= application_$(APPLICATION)
 
 # the binaries to link
-BASELIBS += $(BINDIR)/$(APPLICATION_MODULE).a
+BASELIBS += $(APPLICATION_MODULE).module
 BASELIBS += $(APPDEPS)
 
 
@@ -567,11 +561,14 @@ BUILDDEPS += $(APPDEPS)
 _BASELIBS_VALUE_BEFORE_USAGE := $(BASELIBS)
 
 # Linker rule
+# Only use --start-group when archives are defined
+ARCHIVES_GROUP = $(if $(ARCHIVES),$(LINKFLAGPREFIX)--start-group $(ARCHIVES) -lm $(LINKFLAGPREFIX)--end-group, -lm)
+
 $(ELFFILE): FORCE
 ifeq ($(BUILDOSXNATIVE),1)
-  _LINK = $(if $(CPPMIX),$(LINKXX),$(LINK)) $(UNDEF) $$(find $(BASELIBS) -size +8c) $(LINKFLAGS) $(LINKFLAGPREFIX)-no_pie
+  _LINK = $(if $(CPPMIX),$(LINKXX),$(LINK)) $$(find $(BASELIBS:%.module=$(BINDIR)/%/*.o) 2> /dev/null) $(ARCHIVES_GROUP) $(LINKFLAGS) $(LINKFLAGPREFIX)-no_pie
 else
-  _LINK = $(if $(CPPMIX),$(LINKXX),$(LINK)) $(UNDEF) $(LINKFLAGPREFIX)--start-group $(BASELIBS) -lm $(LINKFLAGPREFIX)--end-group $(LINKFLAGS) $(LINKFLAGPREFIX)-Map=$(BINDIR)/$(APPLICATION).map
+  _LINK = $(if $(CPPMIX),$(LINKXX),$(LINK)) $$(find $(BASELIBS:%.module=$(BINDIR)/%/*.o) 2> /dev/null) $(ARCHIVES_GROUP) $(LINKFLAGS) $(LINKFLAGPREFIX)-Map=$(BINDIR)/$(APPLICATION).map
 endif # BUILDOSXNATIVE
 
 ifeq ($(BUILD_IN_DOCKER),1)
@@ -580,20 +577,22 @@ else
 ifeq (,$(RIOTNOLINK))
 link: ..compiler-check ..build-message $(BUILD_FILES) print-size
 else
-link: ..compiler-check ..build-message $(BASELIBS)
+link: ..compiler-check ..build-message $(BASELIBS) $(ARCHIVES)
 endif # RIOTNOLINK
 
-$(ELFFILE): $(BASELIBS)
+$(ELFFILE): $(BASELIBS) $(ARCHIVES)
 	$(Q)$(_LINK) -o $@
 
-$(BINDIR)/$(APPLICATION_MODULE).a: pkg-build $(BUILDDEPS)
+.PHONY: $(APPLICATION_MODULE).module
+
+$(APPLICATION_MODULE).module: pkg-build $(BUILDDEPS)
 	$(Q)DIRS="$(DIRS)" APPLICATION_BLOBS="$(BLOBS)" \
 	  "$(MAKE)" -C $(APPDIR) -f $(RIOTMAKE)/application.inc.mk
-$(BINDIR)/$(APPLICATION_MODULE).a: FORCE
+$(APPLICATION_MODULE).module: FORCE
 
 # Other modules are built by application.inc.mk and packages building
-_SUBMAKE_LIBS = $(filter-out $(BINDIR)/$(APPLICATION_MODULE).a $(APPDEPS), $(BASELIBS))
-$(_SUBMAKE_LIBS): $(BINDIR)/$(APPLICATION_MODULE).a pkg-build
+_SUBMAKE_LIBS = $(filter-out $(APPLICATION_MODULE).module $(APPDEPS), $(BASELIBS) $(ARCHIVES))
+$(_SUBMAKE_LIBS): $(APPLICATION_MODULE).module pkg-build
 
 # 'print-size' triggers a rebuild. Use 'info-buildsize' if you do not need to rebuild.
 print-size: $(ELFFILE)
@@ -607,50 +606,6 @@ print-size: $(ELFFILE)
 
 endif # BUILD_IN_DOCKER
 
-# Rules to check the correctness of thin archives.
-
-# OS independant relpath as 'realpath --relative-to' is not supported on OSx
-relpath = $(shell python3 -c 'import pathlib; print(pathlib.Path("$1").relative_to("$(CURDIR)"))')
-
-# Each ARCHECK file contains all the absolute paths found inside the archive.
-BASELIB_ARCHECKS = $(patsubst %.a,%.a-check,$(filter %.a,$(BASELIBS)))
-
-# For each a file, print the absolute paths found inside it
-# If "ar t" is called with an absolute path it will print an abs path regardless
-# of how the archive is internally
-# In case of a malformed archive, ar prints to stderr (and sets an error code).
-# Doing `2>&1` is hacky, the correct thing would be to get the exit code.
-# The `| %.a` is necessary to be able to check file produced in docker.
-%.a-check: %.a
-	$(Q)$(AR) t $(call relpath,$<) 2>&1 | grep '^/' | '$(LAZYSPONGE)' $(LAZYSPONGE_FLAGS) '$@'
-
-# There's no point on keeping files whose content is later copied to another file
-.INTERMEDIATE: $(BASELIB_ARCHECKS)
-
-ARCHIVE_CHECK = $(BINDIR)/$(APPLICATION).archive-check
-
-$(ARCHIVE_CHECK): $(BASELIB_ARCHECKS)
-	$(Q)cat $^ | '$(LAZYSPONGE)' $(LAZYSPONGE_FLAGS) '$@'
-
-# Rule to check if thin archives are correctly produced, that is, with a correct
-# relative path.
-ifeq ($(BUILD_IN_DOCKER),1)
-archive-check: ..in-docker-container
-else
-archive-check: $(ARCHIVE_CHECK) FORCE
-	@if [ -s '$<' ] ; then \
-		$(COLOR_ECHO) '$(COLOR_RED)Found the following absolute paths in archives' ;\
-		cat '$<';\
-		$(COLOR_ECHO) '$(COLOR_RESET)' ;\
-		exit 1;\
-	elif [ -f '$<' ] ; then \
-		$(COLOR_ECHO) '$(COLOR_GREEN)Archives correctly formed$(COLOR_RESET)' ;\
-	else \
-		$(COLOR_ECHO) '$(COLOR_RED)Unexpected error (file not found)$(COLOR_RESET)' ;\
-		exit 1;\
-	fi
-endif # BUILD_IN_DOCKER
-
 # Check given command is available in the path
 #   check_cmd 'command' 'description'
 define check_cmd
@@ -680,7 +635,7 @@ endif
 	@$(COLOR_ECHO)
 
 # The `clean` needs to be serialized before everything else.
-all $(BASELIBS) $(BUILDDEPS) ..in-docker-container: | $(CLEAN)
+all $(BASELIBS) $(ARCHIVES) $(BUILDDEPS) ..in-docker-container: | $(CLEAN)
 
 .PHONY: pkg-prepare pkg-build pkg-build-%
 pkg-prepare:
diff --git a/boards/native/Makefile.include b/boards/native/Makefile.include
index 944d406533..9a148f3824 100644
--- a/boards/native/Makefile.include
+++ b/boards/native/Makefile.include
@@ -169,5 +169,3 @@ eval-gprof:
 
 eval-cachegrind:
 	$(CGANNOTATE) $(shell ls -rt cachegrind.out* | tail -1)
-
-UNDEF += $(BINDIR)/cpu/startup.o
diff --git a/cpu/arm7_common/Makefile.include b/cpu/arm7_common/Makefile.include
index 1d7edd59b4..38be2da505 100644
--- a/cpu/arm7_common/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/arm7_common/Makefile.include
@@ -17,5 +17,3 @@ ASFLAGS     += $(CFLAGS_CPU) $(CFLAGS_DBG)
 LINKFLAGS   += -T$(RIOTCPU)/$(CPU)/ldscripts/$(CPU).ld
 LINKFLAGS   += $(CFLAGS_CPU) $(CFLAGS_DBG) $(CFLAGS_OPT) -static -lgcc -nostartfiles
 LINKFLAGS   += -Wl,--gc-sections
-
-UNDEF += $(BINDIR)/cpu/startup.o
diff --git a/cpu/cc26x0/Makefile.include b/cpu/cc26x0/Makefile.include
index 9e7ad2a34a..1782072c50 100644
--- a/cpu/cc26x0/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/cc26x0/Makefile.include
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 CPU_VARIANT = x0
 
-VECTORS_O = $(BINDIR)/cc26xx_cc13xx/vectors.o
-
 ROM_START_ADDR ?= 0x00000000
 RAM_START_ADDR ?= 0x20000000
 
diff --git a/cpu/cc26x2_cc13x2/Makefile.include b/cpu/cc26x2_cc13x2/Makefile.include
index cbfec44aa3..7ea2006b3d 100644
--- a/cpu/cc26x2_cc13x2/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/cc26x2_cc13x2/Makefile.include
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 CPU_VARIANT = x2
 
-VECTORS_O = $(BINDIR)/cc26xx_cc13xx/vectors.o
-
 ROM_START_ADDR ?= 0x00000000
 RAM_START_ADDR ?= 0x20000000
 ROM_LEN ?= 352K
diff --git a/cpu/efm32/families/efm32gg/Makefile.include b/cpu/efm32/families/efm32gg/Makefile.include
index bf3dceba2b..f9059b378b 100644
--- a/cpu/efm32/families/efm32gg/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/efm32/families/efm32gg/Makefile.include
@@ -3,8 +3,5 @@
 # as easy as adding the header file only.
 EFM32_HEADER = $(wildcard $(RIOTCPU)/efm32/families/efm32gg/include/vendor/$(CPU_MODEL).h)
 
-# vectors.o is provided by 'cpu_$(CPU_FAM)' module and not by 'cpu'
-VECTORS_O = $(BINDIR)/cpu_efm32gg/vectors.o
-
 # include vendor device headers
 INCLUDES += -I$(RIOTCPU)/efm32/families/efm32gg/include/vendor
diff --git a/cpu/efm32/families/efm32lg/Makefile.include b/cpu/efm32/families/efm32lg/Makefile.include
index 736f74d238..01b0a9c1c5 100644
--- a/cpu/efm32/families/efm32lg/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/efm32/families/efm32lg/Makefile.include
@@ -3,8 +3,5 @@
 # as easy as adding the header file only.
 EFM32_HEADER = $(wildcard $(RIOTCPU)/efm32/families/efm32lg/include/vendor/$(CPU_MODEL).h)
 
-# vectors.o is provided by 'cpu_$(CPU_FAM)' module and not by 'cpu'
-VECTORS_O = $(BINDIR)/cpu_efm32lg/vectors.o
-
 # include vendor device headers
 INCLUDES += -I$(RIOTCPU)/efm32/families/efm32lg/include/vendor
diff --git a/cpu/efm32/families/efm32pg12b/Makefile.include b/cpu/efm32/families/efm32pg12b/Makefile.include
index 0fc8605d4b..541a1d3214 100644
--- a/cpu/efm32/families/efm32pg12b/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/efm32/families/efm32pg12b/Makefile.include
@@ -3,8 +3,5 @@
 # as easy as adding the header file only.
 EFM32_HEADER = $(wildcard $(RIOTCPU)/efm32/families/efm32pg12b/include/vendor/$(CPU_MODEL).h)
 
-# vectors.o is provided by 'cpu_$(CPU_FAM)' module and not by 'cpu'
-VECTORS_O = $(BINDIR)/cpu_efm32pg12b/vectors.o
-
 # include vendor device headers
 INCLUDES += -I$(RIOTCPU)/efm32/families/efm32pg12b/include/vendor
diff --git a/cpu/efm32/families/efm32pg1b/Makefile.include b/cpu/efm32/families/efm32pg1b/Makefile.include
index 056dd3c742..6a521017cd 100644
--- a/cpu/efm32/families/efm32pg1b/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/efm32/families/efm32pg1b/Makefile.include
@@ -3,8 +3,5 @@
 # as easy as adding the header file only.
 EFM32_HEADER = $(wildcard $(RIOTCPU)/efm32/families/efm32pg1b/include/vendor/$(CPU_MODEL).h)
 
-# vectors.o is provided by 'cpu_$(CPU_FAM)' module and not by 'cpu'
-VECTORS_O = $(BINDIR)/cpu_efm32pg1b/vectors.o
-
 # include vendor device headers
 INCLUDES += -I$(RIOTCPU)/efm32/families/efm32pg1b/include/vendor
diff --git a/cpu/efm32/families/efr32mg12p/Makefile.include b/cpu/efm32/families/efr32mg12p/Makefile.include
index be38e43843..ada98dbed5 100644
--- a/cpu/efm32/families/efr32mg12p/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/efm32/families/efr32mg12p/Makefile.include
@@ -3,8 +3,5 @@
 # as easy as adding the header file only.
 EFM32_HEADER = $(wildcard $(RIOTCPU)/efm32/families/efr32mg12p/include/vendor/$(CPU_MODEL).h)
 
-# vectors.o is provided by 'cpu_$(CPU_FAM)' module and not by 'cpu'
-VECTORS_O = $(BINDIR)/cpu_efr32mg12p/vectors.o
-
 # include vendor device headers
 INCLUDES += -I$(RIOTCPU)/efm32/families/efr32mg12p/include/vendor
diff --git a/cpu/efm32/families/efr32mg1p/Makefile.include b/cpu/efm32/families/efr32mg1p/Makefile.include
index d6dc5144d8..0902f16be3 100644
--- a/cpu/efm32/families/efr32mg1p/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/efm32/families/efr32mg1p/Makefile.include
@@ -3,8 +3,5 @@
 # as easy as adding the header file only.
 EFM32_HEADER = $(wildcard $(RIOTCPU)/efm32/families/efr32mg1p/include/vendor/$(CPU_MODEL).h)
 
-# vectors.o is provided by 'cpu_$(CPU_FAM)' module and not by 'cpu'
-VECTORS_O = $(BINDIR)/cpu_efr32mg1p/vectors.o
-
 # include vendor device headers
 INCLUDES += -I$(RIOTCPU)/efm32/families/efr32mg1p/include/vendor
diff --git a/cpu/esp32/Makefile.include b/cpu/esp32/Makefile.include
index 0e6fa68188..68c8c00dd6 100644
--- a/cpu/esp32/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/esp32/Makefile.include
@@ -59,19 +59,19 @@ LINKFLAGS += -T$(RIOTCPU)/$(CPU)/ld/esp32.rom.ld
 LINKFLAGS += -T$(RIOTCPU)/$(CPU)/ld/esp32.rom.nanofmt.ld
 LINKFLAGS += -nostdlib -lgcc -Wl,-gc-sections
 
-# Baselibs needed when using esp_wifi_any pseudomodule
+# Libraries needed when using esp_wifi_any pseudomodule
 ifneq (,$(filter esp_wifi_any,$(USEMODULE)))
-  BASELIBS += -lcore -lrtc -lnet80211 -lpp -lcoexist -lwps -lwpa -lwpa2
-  BASELIBS += -lphy -lstdc++
+  ARCHIVES += -lcore -lrtc -lnet80211 -lpp -lcoexist -lwps -lwpa -lwpa2
+  ARCHIVES += -lphy -lstdc++
 endif
 
-# Baselibs needed when using esp_now module
+# Libraries needed when using esp_now module
 ifneq (,$(filter esp_now,$(USEMODULE)))
-  BASELIBS += -lespnow -lmesh
+  ARCHIVES += -lespnow -lmesh
 endif
 
 ifneq (,$(filter cpp,$(FEATURES_USED)))
-  BASELIBS += -lstdc++
+  ARCHIVES += -lstdc++
 endif
 
 # additional flasher configuration for ESP32 QEMU
diff --git a/cpu/esp8266/Makefile.include b/cpu/esp8266/Makefile.include
index 09e2fbbf5c..24111c3f6c 100644
--- a/cpu/esp8266/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/esp8266/Makefile.include
@@ -55,10 +55,10 @@ ifneq (,$(filter esp_gdbstub,$(USEMODULE)))
 endif
 
 ifneq (,$(filter esp_now,$(USEMODULE)))
-  BASELIBS += -lespnow
+  ARCHIVES += -lespnow
 endif
 
-BASELIBS += -lgcc -lwpa -lcore -lnet80211 -lphy -lpp -lstdc++
+ARCHIVES += -lgcc -lwpa -lcore -lnet80211 -lphy -lpp -lstdc++
 
 LINKFLAGS += -T$(RIOTCPU)/$(CPU)/ld/esp8266.rom.ld
 LINKFLAGS += -T$(RIOTCPU)/$(CPU)/ld/esp8266.riot-os.ld
diff --git a/cpu/esp_common/Makefile.include b/cpu/esp_common/Makefile.include
index cfdcf34125..3e00c42f6c 100644
--- a/cpu/esp_common/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/esp_common/Makefile.include
@@ -36,9 +36,6 @@ OPTIONAL_CFLAGS_BLACKLIST += -gz
 
 ASFLAGS += --longcalls --text-section-literals
 
-# thin archives trigger a reboot loop - see #12258, #12035, #12346
-ARFLAGS = rcs
-
 CFLAGS_DBG ?= -ggdb -g3
 
 # override default CFLAGS_OPT in case module esp_gdb is enabled
@@ -80,7 +77,7 @@ CFLAGS += $(if $(findstring qio,$(FLASH_MODE)),-DFLASH_MODE_QIO=1)
 CFLAGS += $(if $(findstring dio,$(FLASH_MODE)),-DFLASH_MODE_DIO=1)
 CFLAGS += $(if $(findstring dout,$(FLASH_MODE)),-DFLASH_MODE_DOUT=1)
 
-BASELIBS += -lhal -lg -lc
+ARCHIVES += -lhal -lg -lc
 
 LINKFLAGS += $(CFLAGS_OPT) $(CFLAGS_DBG)
 LINKFLAGS += -L$(ESP_SDK_DIR)/components/$(CPU)
diff --git a/cpu/kinetis/Makefile.include b/cpu/kinetis/Makefile.include
index ec612774cd..19dce224aa 100644
--- a/cpu/kinetis/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/kinetis/Makefile.include
@@ -37,7 +37,4 @@ CFLAGS += \
   -DKINETIS_ROMSIZE=$(KINETIS_ROMSIZE) \
   #
 
-# add the CPU specific flash configuration field for the linker
-UNDEF += $(BINDIR)/cpu/fcfield.o
-
 include $(RIOTMAKE)/arch/cortexm.inc.mk
diff --git a/cpu/mips32r2_common/newlib_syscalls_mips_uhi/syscalls.c b/cpu/mips32r2_common/newlib_syscalls_mips_uhi/syscalls.c
index 067b89133e..c764397042 100644
--- a/cpu/mips32r2_common/newlib_syscalls_mips_uhi/syscalls.c
+++ b/cpu/mips32r2_common/newlib_syscalls_mips_uhi/syscalls.c
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ extern char _sheap; /* start of the heap */
 extern char _eheap; /* end of the heap */
 char *heap_top = &_sheap + 4;
 
+/* Only need to define these when MIPS newlib is not used */
+#ifndef __mips__
 /**
  * @brief Free resources on NewLib de-initialization, not used for RIOT
  */
@@ -97,6 +99,7 @@ void *_sbrk_r(struct _reent *r, ptrdiff_t incr)
     irq_restore(state);
     return res;
 }
+#endif /*__mips__*/
 
 /**
 * @brief Get the process-ID of the current thread
diff --git a/cpu/msp430_common/Makefile.include b/cpu/msp430_common/Makefile.include
index e84b10ae72..5776456f0d 100644
--- a/cpu/msp430_common/Makefile.include
+++ b/cpu/msp430_common/Makefile.include
@@ -2,7 +2,5 @@ INCLUDES += -I$(RIOTCPU)/msp430_common/include/
 
 CFLAGS += -DCPU_MODEL_$(call uppercase_and_underscore,$(CPU_MODEL))
 
-UNDEF += $(BINDIR)/msp430_common/startup.o
-
 # include the msp430 common Makefile
 include $(RIOTMAKE)/arch/msp430.inc.mk
diff --git a/cpu/native/Makefile b/cpu/native/Makefile
index e21039bb76..f5ebcab788 100644
--- a/cpu/native/Makefile
+++ b/cpu/native/Makefile
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
 MODULE = cpu
 
 DIRS += periph
-DIRS += vfs
+
+ifneq (,$(filter native_vfs,$(USEMODULE)))
+  DIRS += vfs
+endif
 
 ifeq ($(OS),Darwin)
   CFLAGS += -D_XOPEN_SOURCE=600 -D_DARWIN_C_SOURCE
diff --git a/makefiles/arch/atmega.inc.mk b/makefiles/arch/atmega.inc.mk
index 24e7cb08dd..6ec773e007 100644
--- a/makefiles/arch/atmega.inc.mk
+++ b/makefiles/arch/atmega.inc.mk
@@ -11,10 +11,6 @@ ASFLAGS   += $(CFLAGS_CPU) $(CFLAGS_DBG)
 LINKFLAGS += $(CFLAGS_CPU) $(CFLAGS_DBG) $(CFLAGS_OPT) -static -lgcc -e reset_handler -Wl,--gc-sections
 OFLAGS    += -j .text -j .data
 
-# explicitly tell the linker to link the syscalls and startup code.
-# without this the interrupt vectors will not be linked correctly!
-UNDEF += $(BINDIR)/atmega_common/startup.o
-
 # Use ROM_LEN and RAM_LEN during link
 $(if $(ROM_LEN),,$(error ROM_LEN is not defined))
 $(if $(RAM_LEN),,$(error RAM_LEN is not defined))
diff --git a/makefiles/arch/cortexm.inc.mk b/makefiles/arch/cortexm.inc.mk
index 2751389fad..63e40230f8 100644
--- a/makefiles/arch/cortexm.inc.mk
+++ b/makefiles/arch/cortexm.inc.mk
@@ -102,13 +102,6 @@ ifneq (,$(filter cmsis-dsp,$(USEPKG)))
   endif
 endif
 
-# Explicitly tell the linker to link the startup code.
-#   Without this the interrupt vectors will not be linked correctly!
-VECTORS_O ?= $(BINDIR)/cpu/vectors.o
-ifeq ($(COMMON_STARTUP),)
-  UNDEF += $(VECTORS_O)
-endif
-
 # CPU depends on the cortex-m common module, so include it:
 include $(RIOTCPU)/cortexm_common/Makefile.include
 
diff --git a/makefiles/cflags.inc.mk b/makefiles/cflags.inc.mk
index c9f21ef4a6..10f3751a68 100644
--- a/makefiles/cflags.inc.mk
+++ b/makefiles/cflags.inc.mk
@@ -38,6 +38,10 @@ endif
 # Forbid common symbols to prevent accidental aliasing.
 CFLAGS += -fno-common
 
+# Place data and functions into their own sections. This helps the linker
+# garbage collection to remove unused symbols when linking statically.
+CFLAGS += -ffunction-sections -fdata-sections
+
 # Compress debug info. This saves approximately 50% of disk usage.
 # It has no effect if debugging information is not emitted, so it can be left
 # on unconditionally.
@@ -61,9 +65,3 @@ endif
 
 # Add the optional flags that are not architecture/toolchain blacklisted
 CFLAGS += $(filter-out $(OPTIONAL_CFLAGS_BLACKLIST),$(OPTIONAL_CFLAGS))
-
-# Default ARFLAGS for platforms which do not specify it.
-# Note: make by default provides ARFLAGS=rv which we want to override
-ifeq ($(origin ARFLAGS),default)
-  ARFLAGS = rcTs
-endif
diff --git a/makefiles/docker.inc.mk b/makefiles/docker.inc.mk
index 587a3dfa2f..330df6411f 100644
--- a/makefiles/docker.inc.mk
+++ b/makefiles/docker.inc.mk
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ export DOCKER_MAKECMDGOALS_POSSIBLE = \
   scan-build \
   scan-build-analyze \
   tests-% \
-  archive-check \
   #
 export DOCKER_MAKECMDGOALS = $(filter $(DOCKER_MAKECMDGOALS_POSSIBLE),$(MAKECMDGOALS))
 
@@ -28,7 +27,6 @@ export DOCKER_MAKECMDGOALS ?= all
 export DOCKER_ENV_VARS += \
   APPDIR \
   AR \
-  ARFLAGS \
   AS \
   ASFLAGS \
   BINDIR \
diff --git a/makefiles/modules.inc.mk b/makefiles/modules.inc.mk
index 772b3fa360..55595b5d37 100644
--- a/makefiles/modules.inc.mk
+++ b/makefiles/modules.inc.mk
@@ -11,4 +11,4 @@ EXTDEFINES = $(addprefix -D,$(call uppercase_and_underscore,$(ED)))
 # filter "pseudomodules" from "real modules", but not "no_pseudomodules"
 REALMODULES += $(filter-out $(PSEUDOMODULES), $(_ALLMODULES))
 REALMODULES += $(filter $(NO_PSEUDOMODULES), $(_ALLMODULES))
-BASELIBS += $(REALMODULES:%=$(BINDIR)/%.a)
+BASELIBS += $(REALMODULES:%=%.module)
diff --git a/makefiles/scan-build.inc.mk b/makefiles/scan-build.inc.mk
index ba7d83a1a9..1c53a4fe00 100644
--- a/makefiles/scan-build.inc.mk
+++ b/makefiles/scan-build.inc.mk
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 SCANBUILD_ENV_VARS := \
   APPDIR \
   AR \
-  ARFLAGS \
   AS \
   ASFLAGS \
   BINDIR \
diff --git a/makefiles/vars.inc.mk b/makefiles/vars.inc.mk
index f7fe9b101e..6e48f53964 100644
--- a/makefiles/vars.inc.mk
+++ b/makefiles/vars.inc.mk
@@ -64,14 +64,13 @@ export CXXUWFLAGS            # (Patterns of) flags in CFLAGS that should not be
 export CXXEXFLAGS            # Additional flags that should be passed to CXX.
 export CCASUWFLAGS           # (Patterns of) flags in CFLAGS that should not be passed to CCAS.
 export CCASEXFLAGS           # Additional flags that should be passed to CCAS.
-export AR                    # The command to create the object file archives.
-export ARFLAGS               # Command-line options to pass to AR, default `rcs`.
 export AS                    # The assembler.
 export ASFLAGS               # Flags for the assembler.
 export LINK                  # The command used to link the files. Must take the same parameters as GCC, i.e. "ld" won't work.
 export NM                    # The command used to list symbols from objet files
 export RANLIB                # The command used to generate an index to the contents of an archive
 # LINKFLAGS                  # Flags to supply in the linking step.
+export ARCHIVES              # List of archives to add in the linking step
 export LTOFLAGS              # extra CFLAGS for compiling with link time optimization
 export OBJCOPY               # The command used to create the HEXFILE and BINFILE.
 export OFLAGS                # The parameter for OBJCOPY, e.g. to strip the debug information.
diff --git a/pkg/ccn-lite/Makefile.include b/pkg/ccn-lite/Makefile.include
index d7578c81ce..bab9bba358 100644
--- a/pkg/ccn-lite/Makefile.include
+++ b/pkg/ccn-lite/Makefile.include
@@ -4,3 +4,4 @@ INCLUDES += -I$(PKGDIRBASE)/ccn-lite/src/ccnl-pkt/include
 INCLUDES += -I$(PKGDIRBASE)/ccn-lite/src/ccnl-fwd/include
 
 CFLAGS += -DCCNL_RIOT
+ARCHIVES += $(BINDIR)/ccn-lite.a
diff --git a/pkg/cryptoauthlib/Makefile.include b/pkg/cryptoauthlib/Makefile.include
index 310b391ef2..82cd2a0a39 100644
--- a/pkg/cryptoauthlib/Makefile.include
+++ b/pkg/cryptoauthlib/Makefile.include
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ INCLUDES += -I$(PKG_SOURCE_DIR)/app
 INCLUDES += -I$(RIOTPKG)/cryptoauthlib/include
 
 DIRS += $(RIOTPKG)/cryptoauthlib/contrib
+ARCHIVES += $(BINDIR)/cryptoauthlib.a
 
 ifneq (,$(filter cryptoauthlib_test,$(USEMODULE)))
   INCLUDES += -I$(PKG_TESTINCLDIR)
diff --git a/pkg/jerryscript/Makefile.include b/pkg/jerryscript/Makefile.include
index a2e8279ade..ad2a265f42 100644
--- a/pkg/jerryscript/Makefile.include
+++ b/pkg/jerryscript/Makefile.include
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 INCLUDES += -I$(PKGDIRBASE)/jerryscript/jerry-core/include
 INCLUDES += -I$(PKGDIRBASE)/jerryscript/jerry-ext/include
 
+ARCHIVES += $(BINDIR)/jerryscript.a $(BINDIR)/jerryscript-ext.a
+ARCHIVES += $(BINDIR)/jerryport-minimal.a
+
 # Ensure MCPU is correctly exported to CMake variables when configuring the
 # Jerrycript build
 $(call target-export-variables,libjerry,MCPU)
diff --git a/pkg/micropython/Makefile.include b/pkg/micropython/Makefile.include
index 4b60bb2649..b1aba6239a 100644
--- a/pkg/micropython/Makefile.include
+++ b/pkg/micropython/Makefile.include
@@ -8,5 +8,8 @@ INCLUDES += -I$(RIOTBASE)/pkg/micropython/include
 INCLUDES += -I$(BINDIR)/pkg/micropython
 INCLUDES += -I$(BINDIR)/pkg/micropython/ports/riot
 
+# include archive
+ARCHIVES += $(BINDIR)/micropython.a
+
 # The port currently doesn't build with llvm
 TOOLCHAINS_BLACKLIST += llvm
diff --git a/pkg/nordic_softdevice_ble/Makefile.include b/pkg/nordic_softdevice_ble/Makefile.include
index 75648c74e5..1426ee11b3 100644
--- a/pkg/nordic_softdevice_ble/Makefile.include
+++ b/pkg/nordic_softdevice_ble/Makefile.include
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ CFLAGS += -Wno-pedantic -Wno-unused-parameter -Wno-sign-compare
 # Nordic's ble_6lowpan.a is compiled with hard-float
 # so set this, otherwise linking fails
 CFLAGS_FPU := -mfloat-abi=hard -mfpu=fpv4-sp-d16
+ARCHIVES += $(BINDIR)/ble_6lowpan.a
 
 DIRS += $(RIOTBASE)/pkg/nordic_softdevice_ble/src
 
diff --git a/pkg/openthread/Makefile.dep b/pkg/openthread/Makefile.dep
index 404b3c1765..d64cdf9127 100644
--- a/pkg/openthread/Makefile.dep
+++ b/pkg/openthread/Makefile.dep
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 USEMODULE += openthread_contrib
-USEMODULE += mbedcrypto
 
 USEMODULE += openthread_contrib_netdev
 USEMODULE += l2util
diff --git a/pkg/openthread/Makefile.include b/pkg/openthread/Makefile.include
index e8301970a5..5ce14f1b5a 100644
--- a/pkg/openthread/Makefile.include
+++ b/pkg/openthread/Makefile.include
@@ -13,3 +13,6 @@ ifneq (,$(filter cortex-m0% cortex-m3%,$(CPU_CORE)))
   # ranlib + LLVM/clang in this package with Cortex-M0 and M3
   TOOLCHAINS_BLACKLIST += llvm
 endif
+
+ARCHIVES += $(addprefix $(BINDIR)/,$(addsuffix .a,$(filter openthread-%,$(USEMODULE))))
+ARCHIVES += $(BINDIR)/mbedcrypto.a
diff --git a/pkg/relic/Makefile.include b/pkg/relic/Makefile.include
index c9c78b30d2..bbcfce1ccb 100644
--- a/pkg/relic/Makefile.include
+++ b/pkg/relic/Makefile.include
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 INCLUDES += -I$(PKGDIRBASE)/relic/include
 INCLUDES += -I$(BINDIR)/pkg-build/relic/include
+ARCHIVES += $(BINDIR)/relic.a
 
 ifneq (,$(filter cortex-m%,$(CPU_CORE)))
   # relic package package is not using system includes right now, so
diff --git a/pkg/tlsf/Makefile.include b/pkg/tlsf/Makefile.include
index f5780a6113..2ed273be51 100644
--- a/pkg/tlsf/Makefile.include
+++ b/pkg/tlsf/Makefile.include
@@ -7,9 +7,3 @@ endif
 
 PSEUDOMODULES += tlsf-malloc_newlib
 PSEUDOMODULES += tlsf-malloc_native
-
-ifneq (,$(filter tlsf-malloc_newlib,$(USEMODULE)))
-  UNDEF += $(BINDIR)/tlsf-malloc/newlib.o
-else ifneq (,$(filter tlsf-malloc_native,$(BOARD)))
-  UNDEF += $(BINDIR)/tlsf-malloc/native.o
-endif
diff --git a/sys/Makefile.include b/sys/Makefile.include
index f14f415815..3067d51c00 100644
--- a/sys/Makefile.include
+++ b/sys/Makefile.include
@@ -49,9 +49,6 @@ endif
 
 ifneq (,$(filter cpp11-compat,$(USEMODULE)))
   USEMODULE_INCLUDES += $(RIOTBASE)/sys/cpp11-compat/include
-  # make sure cppsupport.o is linked explicitly because __dso_handle is not
-  # found if it is hidden away inside a static object.
-  UNDEF += $(BINDIR)/cpp11-compat/cppsupport.o
 endif
 
 ifneq (,$(filter embunit,$(USEMODULE)))
@@ -80,14 +77,6 @@ ifneq (,$(filter picolibc,$(USEMODULE)))
   include $(RIOTMAKE)/libc/picolibc.mk
 endif
 
-ifneq (,$(filter newlib_syscalls_default,$(USEMODULE)))
-  include $(RIOTBASE)/sys/newlib_syscalls_default/Makefile.include
-endif
-
-ifneq (,$(filter picolibc_syscalls_default,$(USEMODULE)))
-  include $(RIOTBASE)/sys/picolibc_syscalls_default/Makefile.include
-endif
-
 ifneq (,$(filter arduino,$(USEMODULE)))
   include $(RIOTBASE)/sys/arduino/Makefile.include
 endif
diff --git a/sys/newlib_syscalls_default/Makefile.include b/sys/newlib_syscalls_default/Makefile.include
deleted file mode 100644
index 419a6feddc..0000000000
--- a/sys/newlib_syscalls_default/Makefile.include
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-UNDEF += $(BINDIR)/newlib_syscalls_default/syscalls.o
diff --git a/sys/picolibc_syscalls_default/Makefile.include b/sys/picolibc_syscalls_default/Makefile.include
deleted file mode 100644
index d14f2c9f79..0000000000
--- a/sys/picolibc_syscalls_default/Makefile.include
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1 +0,0 @@
-UNDEF += $(BINDIR)/picolibc_syscalls_default/syscalls.o
diff --git a/tests/unittests/Makefile b/tests/unittests/Makefile
index 3a36d50523..cee2d25466 100644
--- a/tests/unittests/Makefile
+++ b/tests/unittests/Makefile
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ FEATURES_BLACKLIST += bootloader_nrfutil
 -include $(UNIT_TESTS:%=$(RIOTBASE)/tests/unittests/%/Makefile.include)
 
 DIRS += $(UNIT_TESTS)
-BASELIBS += $(UNIT_TESTS:%=$(BINDIR)/%.a)
+BASELIBS += $(UNIT_TESTS:%=%.module)
 
 INCLUDES += -I$(RIOTBASE)/tests/unittests/common