diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index f3c11828..1a5cc14c 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -245,6 +245,7 @@ list(
   src/dwarfs/progress.cpp
   src/dwarfs/scanner.cpp
   src/dwarfs/similarity.cpp
+  src/dwarfs/string_table.cpp
   src/dwarfs/terminal.cpp
   src/dwarfs/util.cpp
   src/dwarfs/version.cpp
diff --git a/include/dwarfs/filesystem_v2.h b/include/dwarfs/filesystem_v2.h
index 3046aa56..c474ae2a 100644
--- a/include/dwarfs/filesystem_v2.h
+++ b/include/dwarfs/filesystem_v2.h
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@
 #include <memory>
 #include <optional>
 #include <string>
-#include <string_view>
 #include <utility>
 
 #include <sys/types.h>
@@ -109,7 +108,7 @@ class filesystem_v2 {
     return impl_->opendir(entry);
   }
 
-  std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string_view>>
+  std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string>>
   readdir(directory_view dir, size_t offset) const {
     return impl_->readdir(dir, offset);
   }
@@ -120,7 +119,7 @@ class filesystem_v2 {
     return impl_->readlink(entry, buf);
   }
 
-  folly::Expected<std::string_view, int> readlink(inode_view entry) const {
+  folly::Expected<std::string, int> readlink(inode_view entry) const {
     return impl_->readlink(entry);
   }
 
@@ -161,11 +160,11 @@ class filesystem_v2 {
     virtual int
     access(inode_view entry, int mode, uid_t uid, gid_t gid) const = 0;
     virtual std::optional<directory_view> opendir(inode_view entry) const = 0;
-    virtual std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string_view>>
+    virtual std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string>>
     readdir(directory_view dir, size_t offset) const = 0;
     virtual size_t dirsize(directory_view dir) const = 0;
     virtual int readlink(inode_view entry, std::string* buf) const = 0;
-    virtual folly::Expected<std::string_view, int>
+    virtual folly::Expected<std::string, int>
     readlink(inode_view entry) const = 0;
     virtual int statvfs(struct ::statvfs* stbuf) const = 0;
     virtual int open(inode_view entry) const = 0;
diff --git a/include/dwarfs/metadata_types.h b/include/dwarfs/metadata_types.h
index ccdac336..6b2bd311 100644
--- a/include/dwarfs/metadata_types.h
+++ b/include/dwarfs/metadata_types.h
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@
 #include <cstddef>
 #include <cstdint>
 #include <optional>
-#include <string_view>
 #include <variant>
 
 #include <boost/iterator/iterator_facade.hpp>
@@ -32,6 +31,8 @@
 
 #include <thrift/lib/cpp2/frozen/FrozenUtil.h>
 
+#include "dwarfs/string_table.h"
+
 #include "dwarfs/gen-cpp2/metadata_layouts.h"
 
 namespace dwarfs {
@@ -41,6 +42,27 @@ class metadata_;
 
 class dir_entry_view;
 
+class global_metadata {
+ public:
+  using Meta =
+      ::apache::thrift::frozen::MappedFrozen<thrift::metadata::metadata>;
+
+  global_metadata(Meta const* meta);
+
+  Meta const* meta() const { return meta_; }
+
+  uint32_t first_dir_entry(uint32_t ino) const;
+  uint32_t parent_dir_entry(uint32_t ino) const;
+
+  string_table const& names() const { return names_; }
+
+ private:
+  Meta const* const meta_;
+  std::vector<thrift::metadata::directory> const directories_storage_;
+  thrift::metadata::directory const* const directories_;
+  string_table const names_;
+};
+
 class inode_view
     : public ::apache::thrift::frozen::View<thrift::metadata::inode_data> {
   using InodeView =
@@ -89,18 +111,15 @@ class directory_view {
   boost::integer_range<uint32_t> entry_range() const;
 
  private:
-  directory_view(uint32_t inode, Meta const* meta,
-                 thrift::metadata::directory const* directories = nullptr)
+  directory_view(uint32_t inode, global_metadata const* g)
       : inode_{inode}
-      , directories_{directories}
-      , meta_{meta} {}
+      , g_{g} {}
 
   uint32_t first_entry(uint32_t ino) const;
   uint32_t parent_entry(uint32_t ino) const;
 
   uint32_t inode_;
-  thrift::metadata::directory const* directories_;
-  Meta const* meta_;
+  global_metadata const* g_;
 };
 
 class dir_entry_view {
@@ -108,14 +127,12 @@ class dir_entry_view {
       ::apache::thrift::frozen::View<thrift::metadata::inode_data>;
   using DirEntryView =
       ::apache::thrift::frozen::View<thrift::metadata::dir_entry>;
-  using Meta =
-      ::apache::thrift::frozen::MappedFrozen<thrift::metadata::metadata>;
 
   template <typename T>
   friend class metadata_;
 
  public:
-  std::string_view name() const;
+  std::string name() const;
   inode_view inode() const;
 
   bool is_root() const;
@@ -129,33 +146,33 @@ class dir_entry_view {
 
  private:
   dir_entry_view(DirEntryView v, uint32_t self_index, uint32_t parent_index,
-                 Meta const* meta)
+                 global_metadata const* g)
       : v_{v}
       , self_index_{self_index}
       , parent_index_{parent_index}
-      , meta_{meta} {}
+      , g_{g} {}
 
   dir_entry_view(InodeView v, uint32_t self_index, uint32_t parent_index,
-                 Meta const* meta)
+                 global_metadata const* g)
       : v_{v}
       , self_index_{self_index}
       , parent_index_{parent_index}
-      , meta_{meta} {}
+      , g_{g} {}
 
   static dir_entry_view
   from_dir_entry_index(uint32_t self_index, uint32_t parent_index,
-                       Meta const* meta);
+                       global_metadata const* g);
   static dir_entry_view
-  from_dir_entry_index(uint32_t self_index, Meta const* meta);
+  from_dir_entry_index(uint32_t self_index, global_metadata const* g);
 
   // TODO: this works, but it's strange; a limited version of dir_entry_view
   //       should work without a parent for these use cases
-  static std::string_view name(uint32_t index, Meta const* meta);
-  static inode_view inode(uint32_t index, Meta const* meta);
+  static std::string name(uint32_t index, global_metadata const* g);
+  static inode_view inode(uint32_t index, global_metadata const* g);
 
   std::variant<DirEntryView, InodeView> v_;
   uint32_t self_index_, parent_index_;
-  Meta const* meta_;
+  global_metadata const* g_;
 };
 
 using chunk_view = ::apache::thrift::frozen::View<thrift::metadata::chunk>;
diff --git a/include/dwarfs/metadata_v2.h b/include/dwarfs/metadata_v2.h
index 0ec7ffe0..d7afee43 100644
--- a/include/dwarfs/metadata_v2.h
+++ b/include/dwarfs/metadata_v2.h
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@
 #include <memory>
 #include <optional>
 #include <string>
-#include <string_view>
 #include <utility>
 #include <vector>
 
@@ -104,7 +103,7 @@ class metadata_v2 {
     return impl_->opendir(iv);
   }
 
-  std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string_view>>
+  std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string>>
   readdir(directory_view dir, size_t offset) const {
     return impl_->readdir(dir, offset);
   }
@@ -121,7 +120,7 @@ class metadata_v2 {
     return impl_->readlink(iv, buf);
   }
 
-  folly::Expected<std::string_view, int> readlink(inode_view iv) const {
+  folly::Expected<std::string, int> readlink(inode_view iv) const {
     return impl_->readlink(iv);
   }
 
@@ -165,7 +164,7 @@ class metadata_v2 {
 
     virtual std::optional<directory_view> opendir(inode_view iv) const = 0;
 
-    virtual std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string_view>>
+    virtual std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string>>
     readdir(directory_view dir, size_t offset) const = 0;
 
     virtual size_t dirsize(directory_view dir) const = 0;
@@ -176,8 +175,7 @@ class metadata_v2 {
 
     virtual int readlink(inode_view iv, std::string* buf) const = 0;
 
-    virtual folly::Expected<std::string_view, int>
-    readlink(inode_view iv) const = 0;
+    virtual folly::Expected<std::string, int> readlink(inode_view iv) const = 0;
 
     virtual int statvfs(struct ::statvfs* stbuf) const = 0;
 
diff --git a/include/dwarfs/options.h b/include/dwarfs/options.h
index eea4e4c4..0e9d158c 100644
--- a/include/dwarfs/options.h
+++ b/include/dwarfs/options.h
@@ -77,6 +77,13 @@ struct scanner_options {
   bool pack_chunk_table{false};
   bool pack_directories{false};
   bool pack_shared_files_table{false};
+  bool plain_names_table{false};
+  bool pack_names{false};
+  bool pack_names_index{false};
+  bool plain_symlinks_table{false};
+  bool pack_symlinks{false};
+  bool pack_symlinks_index{false};
+  bool force_pack_string_tables{false};
 };
 
 struct rewrite_options {
diff --git a/include/dwarfs/string_table.h b/include/dwarfs/string_table.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..394f4552
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/dwarfs/string_table.h
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+/* vim:set ts=2 sw=2 sts=2 et: */
+/**
+ * \author     Marcus Holland-Moritz (github@mhxnet.de)
+ * \copyright  Copyright (c) Marcus Holland-Moritz
+ *
+ * This file is part of dwarfs.
+ *
+ * dwarfs is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * dwarfs is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with dwarfs.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <memory>
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+#include "dwarfs/gen-cpp2/metadata_layouts.h"
+
+namespace dwarfs {
+
+class string_table {
+ public:
+  using LegacyTableView =
+      ::apache::thrift::frozen::View<std::vector<std::string>>;
+  using PackedTableView =
+      ::apache::thrift::frozen::View<thrift::metadata::string_table>;
+
+  struct pack_options {
+    pack_options(bool pack_data = true, bool pack_index = true,
+                 bool force_pack_data = false)
+        : pack_data{pack_data}
+        , pack_index{pack_index}
+        , force_pack_data{force_pack_data} {}
+
+    bool pack_data;
+    bool pack_index;
+    bool force_pack_data;
+  };
+
+  string_table(PackedTableView v);
+  string_table(LegacyTableView v);
+
+  std::string operator[](size_t index) const { return impl_->lookup(index); }
+
+  static thrift::metadata::string_table
+  pack(std::vector<std::string> const& input,
+       pack_options const& options = pack_options());
+
+  class impl {
+   public:
+    virtual ~impl() = default;
+
+    virtual std::string lookup(size_t index) const = 0;
+  };
+
+ private:
+  std::unique_ptr<impl const> impl_;
+};
+
+} // namespace dwarfs
diff --git a/src/dwarfs/filesystem_v2.cpp b/src/dwarfs/filesystem_v2.cpp
index aa9f6e2e..17c76342 100644
--- a/src/dwarfs/filesystem_v2.cpp
+++ b/src/dwarfs/filesystem_v2.cpp
@@ -190,12 +190,11 @@ class filesystem_ final : public filesystem_v2::impl {
   int getattr(inode_view entry, struct ::stat* stbuf) const override;
   int access(inode_view entry, int mode, uid_t uid, gid_t gid) const override;
   std::optional<directory_view> opendir(inode_view entry) const override;
-  std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string_view>>
+  std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string>>
   readdir(directory_view dir, size_t offset) const override;
   size_t dirsize(directory_view dir) const override;
   int readlink(inode_view entry, std::string* buf) const override;
-  folly::Expected<std::string_view, int>
-  readlink(inode_view entry) const override;
+  folly::Expected<std::string, int> readlink(inode_view entry) const override;
   int statvfs(struct ::statvfs* stbuf) const override;
   int open(inode_view entry) const override;
   ssize_t
@@ -325,7 +324,7 @@ filesystem_<LoggerPolicy>::opendir(inode_view entry) const {
 }
 
 template <typename LoggerPolicy>
-std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string_view>>
+std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string>>
 filesystem_<LoggerPolicy>::readdir(directory_view dir, size_t offset) const {
   return meta_.readdir(dir, offset);
 }
@@ -342,7 +341,7 @@ int filesystem_<LoggerPolicy>::readlink(inode_view entry,
 }
 
 template <typename LoggerPolicy>
-folly::Expected<std::string_view, int>
+folly::Expected<std::string, int>
 filesystem_<LoggerPolicy>::readlink(inode_view entry) const {
   return meta_.readlink(entry);
 }
diff --git a/src/dwarfs/metadata_types.cpp b/src/dwarfs/metadata_types.cpp
index 4e666017..e5f07f26 100644
--- a/src/dwarfs/metadata_types.cpp
+++ b/src/dwarfs/metadata_types.cpp
@@ -19,14 +19,84 @@
  * along with dwarfs.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  */
 
-#include "dwarfs/metadata_types.h"
+#include <queue>
+
 #include "dwarfs/error.h"
+#include "dwarfs/metadata_types.h"
 #include "dwarfs/overloaded.h"
 
 #include "dwarfs/gen-cpp2/metadata_types_custom_protocol.h"
 
 namespace dwarfs {
 
+namespace {
+
+std::vector<thrift::metadata::directory>
+unpack_directories(global_metadata::Meta const* meta) {
+  std::vector<thrift::metadata::directory> directories;
+
+  if (auto opts = meta->options(); opts and opts->packed_directories()) {
+    auto dirent = *meta->dir_entries();
+    auto metadir = meta->directories();
+
+    {
+      directories.resize(metadir.size());
+
+      // delta-decode first entries first
+      directories[0].first_entry = metadir[0].first_entry();
+
+      for (size_t i = 1; i < directories.size(); ++i) {
+        directories[i].first_entry =
+            directories[i - 1].first_entry + metadir[i].first_entry();
+      }
+
+      // then traverse to recover parent entries
+      std::queue<uint32_t> queue;
+      queue.push(0);
+
+      while (!queue.empty()) {
+        auto parent = queue.front();
+        queue.pop();
+
+        auto p_ino = dirent[parent].inode_num();
+
+        auto beg = directories[p_ino].first_entry;
+        auto end = directories[p_ino + 1].first_entry;
+
+        for (auto e = beg; e < end; ++e) {
+          if (auto e_ino = dirent[e].inode_num();
+              e_ino < (directories.size() - 1)) {
+            directories[e_ino].parent_entry = parent;
+            queue.push(e);
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  return directories;
+}
+
+} // namespace
+
+global_metadata::global_metadata(Meta const* meta)
+    : meta_{meta}
+    , directories_storage_{unpack_directories(meta_)}
+    , directories_{directories_storage_.empty() ? nullptr
+                                                : directories_storage_.data()}
+    , names_{meta_->compact_names() ? string_table(*meta_->compact_names())
+                                    : string_table(meta_->names())} {}
+
+uint32_t global_metadata::first_dir_entry(uint32_t ino) const {
+  return directories_ ? directories_[ino].first_entry
+                      : meta_->directories()[ino].first_entry();
+}
+
+uint32_t global_metadata::parent_dir_entry(uint32_t ino) const {
+  return directories_ ? directories_[ino].parent_entry
+                      : meta_->directories()[ino].parent_entry();
+}
+
 uint16_t inode_view::mode() const { return meta_->modes()[mode_index()]; }
 
 uint16_t inode_view::getuid() const { return meta_->uids()[owner_index()]; }
@@ -35,13 +105,14 @@ uint16_t inode_view::getgid() const { return meta_->gids()[group_index()]; }
 
 // TODO: pretty certain some of this stuff can be simplified
 
-std::string_view dir_entry_view::name() const {
+std::string dir_entry_view::name() const {
   return std::visit(overloaded{
                         [this](DirEntryView const& dev) {
-                          return meta_->names()[dev.name_index()];
+                          return g_->names()[dev.name_index()];
                         },
                         [this](InodeView const& iv) {
-                          return meta_->names()[iv.name_index_v2_2()];
+                          return std::string(
+                              g_->meta()->names()[iv.name_index_v2_2()]);
                         },
                     },
                     v_);
@@ -50,11 +121,12 @@ std::string_view dir_entry_view::name() const {
 inode_view dir_entry_view::inode() const {
   return std::visit(overloaded{
                         [this](DirEntryView const& dev) {
-                          return inode_view(meta_->inodes()[dev.inode_num()],
-                                            dev.inode_num(), meta_);
+                          return inode_view(
+                              g_->meta()->inodes()[dev.inode_num()],
+                              dev.inode_num(), g_->meta());
                         },
                         [this](InodeView const& iv) {
-                          return inode_view(iv, iv.inode_v2_2(), meta_);
+                          return inode_view(iv, iv.inode_v2_2(), g_->meta());
                         },
                     },
                     v_);
@@ -77,14 +149,16 @@ bool dir_entry_view::is_root() const {
 
 dir_entry_view
 dir_entry_view::from_dir_entry_index(uint32_t self_index, uint32_t parent_index,
-                                     Meta const* meta) {
+                                     global_metadata const* g) {
+  auto meta = g->meta();
+
   if (auto de = meta->dir_entries()) {
     DWARFS_CHECK(self_index < de->size(), "self_index out of range");
     DWARFS_CHECK(parent_index < de->size(), "parent_index out of range");
 
     auto dev = (*de)[self_index];
 
-    return dir_entry_view(dev, self_index, parent_index, meta);
+    return dir_entry_view(dev, self_index, parent_index, g);
   }
 
   DWARFS_CHECK(self_index < meta->inodes().size(), "self_index out of range");
@@ -92,19 +166,20 @@ dir_entry_view::from_dir_entry_index(uint32_t self_index, uint32_t parent_index,
 
   auto iv = meta->inodes()[self_index];
 
-  return dir_entry_view(iv, self_index, parent_index, meta);
+  return dir_entry_view(iv, self_index, parent_index, g);
 }
 
-dir_entry_view
-dir_entry_view::from_dir_entry_index(uint32_t self_index, Meta const* meta) {
+dir_entry_view dir_entry_view::from_dir_entry_index(uint32_t self_index,
+                                                    global_metadata const* g) {
+  auto meta = g->meta();
+
   if (auto de = meta->dir_entries()) {
     DWARFS_CHECK(self_index < de->size(), "self_index out of range");
     auto dev = (*de)[self_index];
     DWARFS_CHECK(dev.inode_num() < meta->directories().size(),
                  "self_index inode out of range");
-    return dir_entry_view(dev, self_index,
-                          meta->directories()[dev.inode_num()].parent_entry(),
-                          meta);
+    return dir_entry_view(dev, self_index, g->parent_dir_entry(dev.inode_num()),
+                          g);
   }
 
   DWARFS_CHECK(self_index < meta->inodes().size(), "self_index out of range");
@@ -116,7 +191,7 @@ dir_entry_view::from_dir_entry_index(uint32_t self_index, Meta const* meta) {
       iv, self_index,
       meta->entry_table_v2_2()[meta->directories()[iv.inode_v2_2()]
                                    .parent_entry()],
-      meta);
+      g);
 }
 
 std::optional<dir_entry_view> dir_entry_view::parent() const {
@@ -124,31 +199,32 @@ std::optional<dir_entry_view> dir_entry_view::parent() const {
     return std::nullopt;
   }
 
-  return from_dir_entry_index(parent_index_, meta_);
+  return from_dir_entry_index(parent_index_, g_);
 }
 
-std::string_view dir_entry_view::name(uint32_t index, Meta const* meta) {
-  if (auto de = meta->dir_entries()) {
+std::string dir_entry_view::name(uint32_t index, global_metadata const* g) {
+  if (auto de = g->meta()->dir_entries()) {
     DWARFS_CHECK(index < de->size(), "index out of range");
     auto dev = (*de)[index];
-    return meta->names()[dev.name_index()];
+    return g->names()[dev.name_index()];
   }
 
-  DWARFS_CHECK(index < meta->inodes().size(), "index out of range");
-  auto iv = meta->inodes()[index];
-  return meta->names()[iv.name_index_v2_2()];
+  DWARFS_CHECK(index < g->meta()->inodes().size(), "index out of range");
+  auto iv = g->meta()->inodes()[index];
+  return std::string(g->meta()->names()[iv.name_index_v2_2()]);
 }
 
-inode_view dir_entry_view::inode(uint32_t index, Meta const* meta) {
-  if (auto de = meta->dir_entries()) {
+inode_view dir_entry_view::inode(uint32_t index, global_metadata const* g) {
+  if (auto de = g->meta()->dir_entries()) {
     DWARFS_CHECK(index < de->size(), "index out of range");
     auto dev = (*de)[index];
-    return inode_view(meta->inodes()[dev.inode_num()], dev.inode_num(), meta);
+    return inode_view(g->meta()->inodes()[dev.inode_num()], dev.inode_num(),
+                      g->meta());
   }
 
-  DWARFS_CHECK(index < meta->inodes().size(), "index out of range");
-  auto iv = meta->inodes()[index];
-  return inode_view(iv, iv.inode_v2_2(), meta);
+  DWARFS_CHECK(index < g->meta()->inodes().size(), "index out of range");
+  auto iv = g->meta()->inodes()[index];
+  return inode_view(iv, iv.inode_v2_2(), g->meta());
 }
 
 std::string dir_entry_view::path() const {
@@ -170,13 +246,11 @@ void dir_entry_view::append_path_to(std::string& s) const {
 }
 
 uint32_t directory_view::first_entry(uint32_t ino) const {
-  return directories_ ? directories_[ino].first_entry
-                      : meta_->directories()[ino].first_entry();
+  return g_->first_dir_entry(ino);
 }
 
 uint32_t directory_view::parent_entry(uint32_t ino) const {
-  return directories_ ? directories_[ino].parent_entry
-                      : meta_->directories()[ino].parent_entry();
+  return g_->parent_dir_entry(ino);
 }
 
 uint32_t directory_view::entry_count() const {
@@ -194,7 +268,7 @@ uint32_t directory_view::parent_inode() const {
 
   auto ent = parent_entry(inode_);
 
-  if (auto e = meta_->dir_entries()) {
+  if (auto e = g_->meta()->dir_entries()) {
     ent = (*e)[ent].inode_num();
   }
 
diff --git a/src/dwarfs/metadata_v2.cpp b/src/dwarfs/metadata_v2.cpp
index b314e406..54ddf092 100644
--- a/src/dwarfs/metadata_v2.cpp
+++ b/src/dwarfs/metadata_v2.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@
 #include <ctime>
 #include <numeric>
 #include <ostream>
-#include <queue>
 
 #include <fcntl.h>
 #include <sys/stat.h>
@@ -45,10 +44,13 @@
 
 #include <folly/container/F14Set.h>
 
+#include <fsst.h>
+
 #include "dwarfs/error.h"
 #include "dwarfs/logger.h"
 #include "dwarfs/metadata_v2.h"
 #include "dwarfs/options.h"
+#include "dwarfs/string_table.h"
 #include "dwarfs/util.h"
 
 #include "dwarfs/gen-cpp2/metadata_layouts.h"
@@ -104,8 +106,6 @@ void analyze_frozen(std::ostream& os,
   auto layout = meta.findFirstOfType<
       std::unique_ptr<Layout<thrift::metadata::metadata>>>();
 
-  os << "metadata memory usage:\n";
-
   auto& l = *layout;
   std::vector<std::pair<size_t, std::string>> usage;
 
@@ -139,13 +139,33 @@ void analyze_frozen(std::ostream& os,
   auto add_string_list_size = [&](auto const& name, auto const& list,
                                   auto const& field) {
     auto count = list.size();
-    auto index_size = list_size(list, field);
-    auto data_size = list.back().end() - list.front().begin();
-    auto size = index_size + data_size;
-    auto fmt = fmt_size(name, count, size) +
-               fmt_detail("|- index", count, index_size) +
-               fmt_detail("'- data", count, data_size);
-    usage.emplace_back(size, fmt);
+    if (count > 0) {
+      auto index_size = list_size(list, field);
+      auto data_size = list.back().end() - list.front().begin();
+      auto size = index_size + data_size;
+      auto fmt = fmt_size(name, count, size) +
+                 fmt_detail("|- data", count, data_size) +
+                 fmt_detail("'- index", count, index_size);
+      usage.emplace_back(size, fmt);
+    }
+  };
+
+  auto add_string_table_size = [&](auto const& name, auto const& table,
+                                   auto const& field) {
+    if (auto data_size = table.buffer().size(); data_size > 0) {
+      auto dict_size =
+          table.symtab() ? table.symtab()->size() : static_cast<size_t>(0);
+      auto index_size = list_size(table.index(), field.layout.indexField);
+      auto size = index_size + data_size + dict_size;
+      auto count = table.index().size() - (table.packed_index() ? 0 : 1);
+      auto fmt =
+          fmt_size(name, count, size) + fmt_detail("|- data", count, data_size);
+      if (table.symtab()) {
+        fmt += fmt_detail("|- dict", count, dict_size);
+      }
+      fmt += fmt_detail("'- index", count, index_size);
+      usage.emplace_back(size, fmt);
+    }
   };
 
 #define META_LIST_SIZE(x) add_list_size(#x, meta.x(), l->x##Field)
@@ -159,6 +179,13 @@ void analyze_frozen(std::ostream& os,
     }                                                                          \
   } while (0)
 
+#define META_OPT_STRING_TABLE_SIZE(x)                                          \
+  do {                                                                         \
+    if (auto table = meta.x()) {                                               \
+      add_string_table_size(#x, *table, l->x##Field.layout.valueField);        \
+    }                                                                          \
+  } while (0)
+
   META_LIST_SIZE(chunks);
   META_LIST_SIZE(directories);
   META_LIST_SIZE(inodes);
@@ -172,17 +199,27 @@ void analyze_frozen(std::ostream& os,
   META_OPT_LIST_SIZE(dir_entries);
   META_OPT_LIST_SIZE(shared_files_table);
 
+  META_OPT_STRING_TABLE_SIZE(compact_names);
+  META_OPT_STRING_TABLE_SIZE(compact_symlinks);
+
   META_STRING_LIST_SIZE(names);
   META_STRING_LIST_SIZE(symlinks);
 
 #undef META_LIST_SIZE
 #undef META_STRING_LIST_SIZE
 #undef META_OPT_LIST_SIZE
+#undef META_OPT_STRING_TABLE_SIZE
 
   std::sort(usage.begin(), usage.end(), [](auto const& a, auto const& b) {
     return a.first > b.first || (a.first == b.first && a.second < b.second);
   });
 
+  os << "metadata memory usage:\n";
+  os << fmt::format(
+      "           {0:.<20}{1:.>13L} bytes       {2:6.1f} bytes/inode\n",
+      "total metadata", total_size,
+      static_cast<double>(total_size) / meta.inodes().size());
+
   for (auto const& u : usage) {
     os << u.second;
   }
@@ -204,7 +241,8 @@ class metadata_ final : public metadata_v2::impl {
             metadata_options const& options, int inode_offset)
       : data_(data)
       , meta_(map_frozen<thrift::metadata::metadata>(schema, data_))
-      , root_(dir_entry_view::from_dir_entry_index(0, &meta_))
+      , global_(&meta_)
+      , root_(dir_entry_view::from_dir_entry_index(0, &global_))
       , log_(lgr)
       , inode_offset_(inode_offset)
       , symlink_inode_offset_(find_inode_offset(inode_rank::INO_LNK))
@@ -214,9 +252,6 @@ class metadata_ final : public metadata_v2::impl {
                                          : meta_.entry_table_v2_2().size())
       , nlinks_(build_nlinks(options))
       , chunk_table_(unpack_chunk_table())
-      , directories_storage_(unpack_directories())
-      , directories_(directories_storage_.empty() ? nullptr
-                                                  : directories_storage_.data())
       , shared_files_(decompress_shared_files())
       , unique_files_(dev_inode_offset_ - file_inode_offset_ -
                       (shared_files_.empty()
@@ -224,7 +259,10 @@ class metadata_ final : public metadata_v2::impl {
                                  ? meta_.shared_files_table()->size()
                                  : 0
                            : shared_files_.size()))
-      , options_(options) {
+      , options_(options)
+      , symlinks_(meta_.compact_symlinks()
+                      ? string_table(*meta_.compact_symlinks())
+                      : string_table(meta_.symlinks())) {
     if (static_cast<int>(meta_.directories().size() - 1) !=
         symlink_inode_offset_) {
       DWARFS_THROW(
@@ -304,7 +342,7 @@ class metadata_ final : public metadata_v2::impl {
 
   std::optional<directory_view> opendir(inode_view iv) const override;
 
-  std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string_view>>
+  std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string>>
   readdir(directory_view dir, size_t offset) const override;
 
   size_t dirsize(directory_view dir) const override {
@@ -317,7 +355,7 @@ class metadata_ final : public metadata_v2::impl {
 
   int readlink(inode_view iv, std::string* buf) const override;
 
-  folly::Expected<std::string_view, int> readlink(inode_view iv) const override;
+  folly::Expected<std::string, int> readlink(inode_view iv) const override;
 
   int statvfs(struct ::statvfs* stbuf) const override;
 
@@ -339,7 +377,7 @@ class metadata_ final : public metadata_v2::impl {
   dir_entry_view
   make_dir_entry_view(uint32_t self_index, uint32_t parent_index) const {
     return dir_entry_view::from_dir_entry_index(self_index, parent_index,
-                                                &meta_);
+                                                &global_);
   }
 
   // This represents the order in which inodes are stored in inodes
@@ -420,7 +458,7 @@ class metadata_ final : public metadata_v2::impl {
 
   directory_view make_directory_view(inode_view iv) const {
     // TODO: revisit: is this the way to do it?
-    return directory_view(iv.inode_num(), &meta_, directories_);
+    return directory_view(iv.inode_num(), &global_);
   }
 
   // TODO: see if we really need to pass the extra dir_entry_view in
@@ -525,9 +563,9 @@ class metadata_ final : public metadata_v2::impl {
     return rv;
   }
 
-  std::string_view link_value(inode_view iv) const {
-    return meta_.symlinks()[meta_.symlink_table()[iv.inode_num() -
-                                                  symlink_inode_offset_]];
+  std::string link_value(inode_view iv) const {
+    return symlinks_[meta_.symlink_table()[iv.inode_num() -
+                                           symlink_inode_offset_]];
   }
 
   uint64_t get_device_id(int inode) const {
@@ -550,58 +588,6 @@ class metadata_ final : public metadata_v2::impl {
     return chunk_table;
   }
 
-  std::vector<thrift::metadata::directory> unpack_directories() const {
-    std::vector<thrift::metadata::directory> directories;
-
-    if (auto opts = meta_.options(); opts and opts->packed_directories()) {
-      auto dirent = *meta_.dir_entries();
-      auto metadir = meta_.directories();
-
-      {
-        auto ti = LOG_TIMED_DEBUG;
-
-        directories.resize(metadir.size());
-
-        // delta-decode first entries first
-        directories[0].first_entry = metadir[0].first_entry();
-
-        for (size_t i = 1; i < directories.size(); ++i) {
-          directories[i].first_entry =
-              directories[i - 1].first_entry + metadir[i].first_entry();
-        }
-
-        // then traverse to recover parent entries
-        std::queue<uint32_t> queue;
-        queue.push(0);
-
-        while (!queue.empty()) {
-          auto parent = queue.front();
-          queue.pop();
-
-          auto p_ino = dirent[parent].inode_num();
-
-          auto beg = directories[p_ino].first_entry;
-          auto end = directories[p_ino + 1].first_entry;
-
-          for (auto e = beg; e < end; ++e) {
-            if (auto e_ino = dirent[e].inode_num();
-                e_ino < (directories.size() - 1)) {
-              directories[e_ino].parent_entry = parent;
-              queue.push(e);
-            }
-          }
-        }
-
-        ti << "unpacked directories table ("
-           << size_with_unit(sizeof(directories.front()) *
-                             directories.capacity())
-           << ")";
-      }
-    }
-
-    return directories;
-  }
-
   std::vector<uint32_t> decompress_shared_files() const {
     std::vector<uint32_t> decompressed;
 
@@ -664,6 +650,7 @@ class metadata_ final : public metadata_v2::impl {
 
   folly::ByteRange data_;
   MappedFrozen<thrift::metadata::metadata> meta_;
+  const global_metadata global_;
   dir_entry_view root_;
   log_proxy<LoggerPolicy> log_;
   const int inode_offset_;
@@ -673,11 +660,10 @@ class metadata_ final : public metadata_v2::impl {
   const int inode_count_;
   const std::vector<uint32_t> nlinks_;
   const std::vector<uint32_t> chunk_table_;
-  const std::vector<thrift::metadata::directory> directories_storage_;
-  thrift::metadata::directory const* const directories_;
   const std::vector<uint32_t> shared_files_;
   const int unique_files_;
   const metadata_options options_;
+  const string_table symlinks_;
 };
 
 template <typename LoggerPolicy>
@@ -770,6 +756,14 @@ void metadata_<LoggerPolicy>::dump(
       boolopt("packed_chunk_table", opt->packed_chunk_table());
       boolopt("packed_directories", opt->packed_directories());
       boolopt("packed_shared_files_table", opt->packed_shared_files_table());
+      if (auto names = meta_.compact_names()) {
+        boolopt("packed_names", static_cast<bool>(names->symtab()));
+        boolopt("packed_names_index", names->packed_index());
+      }
+      if (auto symlinks = meta_.compact_symlinks()) {
+        boolopt("packed_symlinks", static_cast<bool>(symlinks->symtab()));
+        boolopt("packed_symlinks_index", symlinks->packed_index());
+      }
       os << "options: " << boost::join(options, "\n         ") << std::endl;
       if (auto res = opt->time_resolution_sec()) {
         os << "time resolution: " << *res << " seconds" << std::endl;
@@ -1041,14 +1035,14 @@ metadata_<LoggerPolicy>::find(directory_view dir, std::string_view name) const {
 
   auto it = std::lower_bound(range.begin(), range.end(), name,
                              [&](auto ix, std::string_view name) {
-                               return dir_entry_view::name(ix, &meta_) < name;
+                               return dir_entry_view::name(ix, &global_) < name;
                              });
 
   std::optional<inode_view> rv;
 
   if (it != range.end()) {
-    if (dir_entry_view::name(*it, &meta_) == name) {
-      rv = dir_entry_view::inode(*it, &meta_);
+    if (dir_entry_view::name(*it, &global_) == name) {
+      rv = dir_entry_view::inode(*it, &global_);
     }
   }
 
@@ -1157,7 +1151,7 @@ metadata_<LoggerPolicy>::opendir(inode_view iv) const {
 }
 
 template <typename LoggerPolicy>
-std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string_view>>
+std::optional<std::pair<inode_view, std::string>>
 metadata_<LoggerPolicy>::readdir(directory_view dir, size_t offset) const {
   switch (offset) {
   case 0:
@@ -1174,8 +1168,8 @@ metadata_<LoggerPolicy>::readdir(directory_view dir, size_t offset) const {
     }
 
     auto index = dir.first_entry() + offset;
-    auto inode = dir_entry_view::inode(index, &meta_);
-    return std::pair(inode, dir_entry_view::name(index, &meta_));
+    auto inode = dir_entry_view::inode(index, &global_);
+    return std::pair(inode, dir_entry_view::name(index, &global_));
   }
 
   return std::nullopt;
@@ -1235,7 +1229,7 @@ int metadata_<LoggerPolicy>::readlink(inode_view iv, std::string* buf) const {
 }
 
 template <typename LoggerPolicy>
-folly::Expected<std::string_view, int>
+folly::Expected<std::string, int>
 metadata_<LoggerPolicy>::readlink(inode_view iv) const {
   if (S_ISLNK(iv.mode())) {
     return link_value(iv);
diff --git a/src/dwarfs/scanner.cpp b/src/dwarfs/scanner.cpp
index 542a903c..d64d5240 100644
--- a/src/dwarfs/scanner.cpp
+++ b/src/dwarfs/scanner.cpp
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@
 #include "dwarfs/progress.h"
 #include "dwarfs/scanner.h"
 #include "dwarfs/script.h"
+#include "dwarfs/string_table.h"
 #include "dwarfs/util.h"
 #include "dwarfs/version.h"
 #include "dwarfs/worker_group.h"
@@ -740,11 +741,32 @@ void scanner_<LoggerPolicy>::scan(filesystem_writer& fsw,
   fsopts.packed_directories = options_.pack_directories;
   fsopts.packed_shared_files_table = options_.pack_shared_files_table;
 
+  if (options_.plain_names_table) {
+    mv2.names = ge_data.get_names();
+  } else {
+    auto ti = LOG_TIMED_INFO;
+    mv2.set_compact_names(string_table::pack(
+        ge_data.get_names(), string_table::pack_options(
+                                 options_.pack_names, options_.pack_names_index,
+                                 options_.force_pack_string_tables)));
+    ti << "saving names table...";
+  }
+
+  if (options_.plain_symlinks_table) {
+    mv2.symlinks = ge_data.get_symlinks();
+  } else {
+    auto ti = LOG_TIMED_INFO;
+    mv2.set_compact_symlinks(string_table::pack(
+        ge_data.get_symlinks(),
+        string_table::pack_options(options_.pack_symlinks,
+                                   options_.pack_symlinks_index,
+                                   options_.force_pack_string_tables)));
+    ti << "saving symlinks table...";
+  }
+
   mv2.uids = ge_data.get_uids();
   mv2.gids = ge_data.get_gids();
   mv2.modes = ge_data.get_modes();
-  mv2.names = ge_data.get_names();
-  mv2.symlinks = ge_data.get_symlinks();
   mv2.timestamp_base = ge_data.get_timestamp_base();
   mv2.block_size = UINT32_C(1) << cfg_.block_size_bits;
   mv2.total_fs_size = prog.original_size;
diff --git a/src/dwarfs/string_table.cpp b/src/dwarfs/string_table.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..02bcb6b9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/dwarfs/string_table.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,248 @@
+/* vim:set ts=2 sw=2 sts=2 et: */
+/**
+ * \author     Marcus Holland-Moritz (github@mhxnet.de)
+ * \copyright  Copyright (c) Marcus Holland-Moritz
+ *
+ * This file is part of dwarfs.
+ *
+ * dwarfs is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * dwarfs is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with dwarfs.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <numeric>
+
+#include <fmt/format.h>
+
+#include <fsst.h>
+
+#include "dwarfs/error.h"
+#include "dwarfs/string_table.h"
+
+namespace dwarfs {
+
+class legacy_string_table : public string_table::impl {
+ public:
+  legacy_string_table(string_table::LegacyTableView v)
+      : v_{v} {}
+
+  std::string lookup(size_t index) const override {
+    return std::string(v_[index]);
+  }
+
+ private:
+  string_table::LegacyTableView v_;
+};
+
+template <bool PackedData, bool PackedIndex>
+class packed_string_table : public string_table::impl {
+ public:
+  packed_string_table(string_table::PackedTableView v)
+      : v_{v}
+      , buffer_{v_.buffer().data()} {
+    if constexpr (PackedData) {
+      auto st = v_.symtab();
+      DWARFS_CHECK(st, "symtab unexpectedly unset");
+      dec_ = std::make_unique<fsst_decoder_t>();
+
+      auto read = fsst_import(dec_.get(), reinterpret_cast<unsigned char*>(
+                                              const_cast<char*>(st->data())));
+
+      if (read != st->size()) {
+        DWARFS_THROW(runtime_error,
+                     fmt::format("read {0} symtab bytes, expected {1}", read,
+                                 st->size()));
+      }
+    }
+
+    if constexpr (PackedIndex) {
+      DWARFS_CHECK(v_.packed_index(), "index unexpectedly not packed");
+      index_.resize(v_.index().size() + 1);
+      std::partial_sum(v_.index().begin(), v_.index().end(),
+                       index_.begin() + 1);
+    }
+  }
+
+  std::string lookup(size_t index) const override {
+    auto beg = buffer_;
+    auto end = buffer_;
+
+    if constexpr (PackedIndex) {
+      beg += index_[index];
+      end += index_[index + 1];
+    } else {
+      beg += v_.index()[index];
+      end += v_.index()[index + 1];
+    }
+
+    if constexpr (PackedData) {
+      thread_local std::string out;
+      size_t size = end - beg;
+      out.resize(8 * size);
+      auto outlen = fsst_decompress(
+          dec_.get(), size,
+          reinterpret_cast<unsigned char*>(const_cast<char*>(beg)), out.size(),
+          reinterpret_cast<unsigned char*>(out.data()));
+      out.resize(outlen);
+      return out;
+    }
+
+    return std::string(beg, end);
+  }
+
+ private:
+  string_table::PackedTableView v_;
+  char const* const buffer_;
+  std::vector<uint32_t> index_;
+  std::unique_ptr<fsst_decoder_t> dec_;
+};
+
+string_table::string_table(LegacyTableView v)
+    : impl_{std::make_unique<legacy_string_table>(v)} {}
+
+namespace {
+
+std::unique_ptr<string_table::impl>
+build_string_table(string_table::PackedTableView v) {
+  if (v.symtab()) {
+    if (v.packed_index()) {
+      return std::make_unique<packed_string_table<true, true>>(v);
+    } else {
+      return std::make_unique<packed_string_table<true, false>>(v);
+    }
+  } else {
+    if (v.packed_index()) {
+      return std::make_unique<packed_string_table<false, true>>(v);
+    } else {
+      return std::make_unique<packed_string_table<false, false>>(v);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+} // namespace
+
+string_table::string_table(PackedTableView v)
+    : impl_{build_string_table(v)} {}
+
+thrift::metadata::string_table
+string_table::pack(std::vector<std::string> const& input,
+                   pack_options const& options) {
+  auto size = input.size();
+  bool pack_data = options.pack_data;
+  size_t total_input_size = 0;
+  std::string buffer;
+  std::string symtab;
+  std::vector<size_t> out_len_vec;
+  std::vector<unsigned char*> out_ptr_vec;
+
+  if (input.empty()) {
+    pack_data = false;
+  }
+
+  if (pack_data) {
+    std::vector<size_t> len_vec;
+    std::vector<unsigned char*> ptr_vec;
+
+    len_vec.reserve(size);
+    ptr_vec.reserve(size);
+
+    for (auto const& s : input) {
+      ptr_vec.emplace_back(
+          reinterpret_cast<unsigned char*>(const_cast<char*>(s.data())));
+      len_vec.emplace_back(s.size());
+      total_input_size += s.size();
+    }
+
+    std::unique_ptr<::fsst_encoder_t, decltype(&::fsst_destroy)> enc{
+        ::fsst_create(size, len_vec.data(), ptr_vec.data(), 0),
+        &::fsst_destroy};
+
+    symtab.resize(sizeof(::fsst_decoder_t));
+
+    auto symtab_size = ::fsst_export(
+        enc.get(), reinterpret_cast<unsigned char*>(symtab.data()));
+    symtab.resize(symtab_size);
+
+    if (symtab.size() < total_input_size or options.force_pack_data) {
+      out_len_vec.resize(size);
+      out_ptr_vec.resize(size);
+
+      buffer.resize(options.force_pack_data ? total_input_size
+                                            : total_input_size - symtab.size());
+      size_t num_compressed = 0;
+
+      do {
+        num_compressed = ::fsst_compress(
+            enc.get(), size, len_vec.data(), ptr_vec.data(), buffer.size(),
+            reinterpret_cast<unsigned char*>(buffer.data()), out_len_vec.data(),
+            out_ptr_vec.data());
+
+        if (num_compressed == size) {
+          break;
+        }
+
+        buffer.resize(2 * buffer.size());
+      } while (options.force_pack_data);
+
+      pack_data = num_compressed == size;
+    } else {
+      pack_data = false;
+    }
+  } else {
+    for (auto const& s : input) {
+      total_input_size += s.size();
+    }
+  }
+
+  thrift::metadata::string_table output;
+
+  if (pack_data) {
+    // store compressed
+    size_t compressed_size =
+        (out_ptr_vec.back() - out_ptr_vec.front()) + out_len_vec.back();
+
+    DWARFS_CHECK(reinterpret_cast<char*>(out_ptr_vec.front()) == buffer.data(),
+                 "string table compression pointer mismatch");
+    // TODO: only enable this in debug mode
+    DWARFS_CHECK(compressed_size == std::accumulate(out_len_vec.begin(),
+                                                    out_len_vec.end(),
+                                                    static_cast<size_t>(0)),
+                 "string table compression pointer mismatch");
+
+    buffer.resize(compressed_size);
+    output.buffer.swap(buffer);
+    output.set_symtab(std::move(symtab));
+    output.index.resize(size);
+    std::copy(out_len_vec.begin(), out_len_vec.end(), output.index.begin());
+  } else {
+    // store uncompressed
+    output.buffer.reserve(total_input_size);
+    output.index.reserve(size);
+    for (auto const& s : input) {
+      output.buffer += s;
+      output.index.emplace_back(s.size());
+    }
+  }
+
+  output.packed_index = options.pack_index;
+
+  if (!options.pack_index) {
+    output.index.insert(output.index.begin(), 0);
+    std::partial_sum(output.index.begin(), output.index.end(),
+                     output.index.begin());
+  }
+
+  return output;
+}
+
+} // namespace dwarfs
diff --git a/src/mkdwarfs.cpp b/src/mkdwarfs.cpp
index d8f3dc7f..10fdc2de 100644
--- a/src/mkdwarfs.cpp
+++ b/src/mkdwarfs.cpp
@@ -397,7 +397,9 @@ int mkdwarfs(int argc, char** argv) {
         "metadata compression algorithm")
     ("pack-metadata",
         po::value<std::string>(&pack_metadata)->default_value("all"),
-        "pack certain metadata elements (none, chunk_table, directories, shared_files, all)")
+        "pack certain metadata elements (none, all, chunk_table, "
+        "directories, shared_files, names, names_index, symlinks, "
+        "symlinks_index)")
     ("recompress",
         po::value<std::string>(&recompress_opts)->implicit_value("all"),
         "recompress an existing filesystem (none, block, metadata, all)")
@@ -733,6 +735,10 @@ int mkdwarfs(int argc, char** argv) {
       options.pack_chunk_table = true;
       options.pack_directories = true;
       options.pack_shared_files_table = true;
+      options.pack_names = true;
+      options.pack_names_index = true;
+      options.pack_symlinks = true;
+      options.pack_symlinks_index = true;
     } else {
       std::vector<std::string> pack_opts;
       boost::split(pack_opts, pack_metadata, boost::is_any_of(","));
@@ -743,6 +749,14 @@ int mkdwarfs(int argc, char** argv) {
           options.pack_directories = true;
         } else if (opt == "shared_files") {
           options.pack_shared_files_table = true;
+        } else if (opt == "names") {
+          options.pack_names = true;
+        } else if (opt == "names_index") {
+          options.pack_names_index = true;
+        } else if (opt == "symlinks") {
+          options.pack_symlinks = true;
+        } else if (opt == "symlinks_index") {
+          options.pack_symlinks_index = true;
         } else {
           std::cerr << "error: the argument ('" << opt
                     << "') to '--pack-metadata' is invalid" << std::endl;
diff --git a/test/dwarfs.cpp b/test/dwarfs.cpp
index f4bb5b9d..2a40c404 100644
--- a/test/dwarfs.cpp
+++ b/test/dwarfs.cpp
@@ -195,8 +195,10 @@ void basic_end_to_end_test(std::string const& compressor,
                            bool with_devices, bool with_specials, bool set_uid,
                            bool set_gid, bool set_time, bool keep_all_times,
                            bool enable_nlink, bool pack_chunk_table,
-                           bool pack_directories,
-                           bool pack_shared_files_table) {
+                           bool pack_directories, bool pack_shared_files_table,
+                           bool pack_names, bool pack_names_index,
+                           bool pack_symlinks, bool pack_symlinks_index,
+                           bool plain_names_table, bool plain_symlinks_table) {
   block_manager::config cfg;
   scanner_options options;
 
@@ -212,6 +214,13 @@ void basic_end_to_end_test(std::string const& compressor,
   options.pack_chunk_table = pack_chunk_table;
   options.pack_directories = pack_directories;
   options.pack_shared_files_table = pack_shared_files_table;
+  options.pack_names = pack_names;
+  options.pack_names_index = pack_names_index;
+  options.pack_symlinks = pack_symlinks;
+  options.pack_symlinks_index = pack_symlinks_index;
+  options.force_pack_string_tables = true;
+  options.plain_names_table = plain_names_table;
+  options.plain_symlinks_table = plain_symlinks_table;
 
   if (set_uid) {
     options.uid = 0;
@@ -518,11 +527,17 @@ class compression_test
     : public testing::TestWithParam<
           std::tuple<std::string, unsigned, file_order_mode>> {};
 
-class scanner_test
-    : public testing::TestWithParam<std::tuple<bool, bool, bool, bool, bool,
-                                               bool, bool, bool, bool, bool>> {
+class scanner_test : public testing::TestWithParam<
+                         std::tuple<bool, bool, bool, bool, bool, bool, bool>> {
 };
 
+class packing_test : public testing::TestWithParam<
+                         std::tuple<bool, bool, bool, bool, bool, bool, bool>> {
+};
+
+class plain_tables_test
+    : public testing::TestWithParam<std::tuple<bool, bool>> {};
+
 TEST_P(compression_test, end_to_end) {
   auto [compressor, block_size_bits, file_order] = GetParam();
 
@@ -532,18 +547,38 @@ TEST_P(compression_test, end_to_end) {
   }
 
   basic_end_to_end_test(compressor, block_size_bits, file_order, true, true,
-                        false, false, false, false, false, true, true, true);
+                        false, false, false, false, false, true, true, true,
+                        true, true, true, true, false, false);
 }
 
 TEST_P(scanner_test, end_to_end) {
   auto [with_devices, with_specials, set_uid, set_gid, set_time, keep_all_times,
-        enable_nlink, pack_chunk_table, pack_directories,
-        pack_shared_files_table] = GetParam();
+        enable_nlink] = GetParam();
 
   basic_end_to_end_test(compressions[0], 15, file_order_mode::NONE,
                         with_devices, with_specials, set_uid, set_gid, set_time,
-                        keep_all_times, enable_nlink, pack_chunk_table,
-                        pack_directories, pack_shared_files_table);
+                        keep_all_times, enable_nlink, true, true, true, true,
+                        true, true, true, false, false);
+}
+
+TEST_P(packing_test, end_to_end) {
+  auto [pack_chunk_table, pack_directories, pack_shared_files_table, pack_names,
+        pack_names_index, pack_symlinks, pack_symlinks_index] = GetParam();
+
+  basic_end_to_end_test(compressions[0], 15, file_order_mode::NONE, true, true,
+                        false, false, false, false, false, pack_chunk_table,
+                        pack_directories, pack_shared_files_table, pack_names,
+                        pack_names_index, pack_symlinks, pack_symlinks_index,
+                        false, false);
+}
+
+TEST_P(plain_tables_test, end_to_end) {
+  auto [plain_names_table, plain_symlinks_table] = GetParam();
+
+  basic_end_to_end_test(compressions[0], 15, file_order_mode::NONE, true, true,
+                        false, false, false, false, false, false, false, false,
+                        false, false, false, false, plain_names_table,
+                        plain_symlinks_table);
 }
 
 INSTANTIATE_TEST_SUITE_P(
@@ -558,5 +593,14 @@ INSTANTIATE_TEST_SUITE_P(
     dwarfs, scanner_test,
     ::testing::Combine(::testing::Bool(), ::testing::Bool(), ::testing::Bool(),
                        ::testing::Bool(), ::testing::Bool(), ::testing::Bool(),
+                       ::testing::Bool()));
+
+INSTANTIATE_TEST_SUITE_P(
+    dwarfs, packing_test,
+    ::testing::Combine(::testing::Bool(), ::testing::Bool(), ::testing::Bool(),
                        ::testing::Bool(), ::testing::Bool(), ::testing::Bool(),
                        ::testing::Bool()));
+
+INSTANTIATE_TEST_SUITE_P(dwarfs, plain_tables_test,
+                         ::testing::Combine(::testing::Bool(),
+                                            ::testing::Bool()));
diff --git a/thrift/metadata.thrift b/thrift/metadata.thrift
index b83175de..bba08040 100644
--- a/thrift/metadata.thrift
+++ b/thrift/metadata.thrift
@@ -142,6 +142,13 @@ struct fs_options {
    5: required bool   packed_shared_files_table,
 }
 
+struct string_table {
+   1: required string buffer,
+   2: optional string symtab,
+   3: required list<UInt32> index,
+   4: required bool packed_index,
+}
+
 /**
  * File System Metadata
  *
@@ -320,4 +327,8 @@ struct metadata {
 
    // unix timestamp of metadata creation time
   23: optional UInt64           create_timestamp,
+
+  24: optional string_table     compact_names,
+
+  25: optional string_table     compact_symlinks,
 }