diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling/test.lua b/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling/test.lua
index 7717f804997..bc72c4add2c 100644
--- a/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling/test.lua
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling/test.lua
@@ -1 +1,69 @@
-inherit(".test_base")
+import("lib.detect.find_tool")
+import("core.base.semver")
+import("utils.ci.is_running", {alias = "ci_is_running"})
+
+function _build()
+    local outdata
+    if ci_is_running() then
+        outdata = os.iorun("xmake -rvD")
+    else
+        outdata = os.iorun("xmake -rv")
+    end
+    if outdata then
+        if outdata:find("culled") then
+            raise("Modules culling does not work\n%s", outdata)
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+function can_build()
+    if is_subhost("windows") then
+        return true
+    elseif is_subhost("msys") then
+        return true
+    elseif is_host("linux") then
+        local gcc = find_tool("gcc", {version = true})
+        if gcc and gcc.version and semver.compare(gcc.version, "11.0") >= 0 then
+            return true
+        end
+        local clang = find_tool("clang", {version = true})
+        if clang and clang.version and semver.compare(clang.version, "14.0") >= 0 then
+            return true
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+function main(t)
+    if is_subhost("windows") then
+        local clang = find_tool("clang", {version = true})
+        if clang and clang.version and semver.compare(clang.version, "17.0") >= 0 then
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang -c --yes")
+            _build()
+            os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang --runtimes=c++_shared -c --yes")
+            _build()
+        end
+
+        os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+        os.exec("xmake f -c --yes")
+        _build()
+    elseif is_subhost("msys") then
+        os.exec("xmake f -c -p mingw --yes")
+        _build()
+    elseif is_host("linux") then
+        local gcc = find_tool("gcc", {version = true})
+        if gcc and gcc.version and semver.compare(gcc.version, "11.0") >= 0 then
+            os.exec("xmake f -c --yes")
+            _build()
+        end
+        local clang = find_tool("clang", {version = true})
+        if clang and clang.version and semver.compare(clang.version, "14.0") >= 0 then
+            os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang -c --yes")
+            _build()
+            os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang --runtimes=c++_shared -c --yes")
+            _build()
+        end
+    end
+end
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling2/test.lua b/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling2/test.lua
index 7717f804997..bc72c4add2c 100644
--- a/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling2/test.lua
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling2/test.lua
@@ -1 +1,69 @@
-inherit(".test_base")
+import("lib.detect.find_tool")
+import("core.base.semver")
+import("utils.ci.is_running", {alias = "ci_is_running"})
+
+function _build()
+    local outdata
+    if ci_is_running() then
+        outdata = os.iorun("xmake -rvD")
+    else
+        outdata = os.iorun("xmake -rv")
+    end
+    if outdata then
+        if outdata:find("culled") then
+            raise("Modules culling does not work\n%s", outdata)
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+function can_build()
+    if is_subhost("windows") then
+        return true
+    elseif is_subhost("msys") then
+        return true
+    elseif is_host("linux") then
+        local gcc = find_tool("gcc", {version = true})
+        if gcc and gcc.version and semver.compare(gcc.version, "11.0") >= 0 then
+            return true
+        end
+        local clang = find_tool("clang", {version = true})
+        if clang and clang.version and semver.compare(clang.version, "14.0") >= 0 then
+            return true
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+function main(t)
+    if is_subhost("windows") then
+        local clang = find_tool("clang", {version = true})
+        if clang and clang.version and semver.compare(clang.version, "17.0") >= 0 then
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang -c --yes")
+            _build()
+            os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang --runtimes=c++_shared -c --yes")
+            _build()
+        end
+
+        os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+        os.exec("xmake f -c --yes")
+        _build()
+    elseif is_subhost("msys") then
+        os.exec("xmake f -c -p mingw --yes")
+        _build()
+    elseif is_host("linux") then
+        local gcc = find_tool("gcc", {version = true})
+        if gcc and gcc.version and semver.compare(gcc.version, "11.0") >= 0 then
+            os.exec("xmake f -c --yes")
+            _build()
+        end
+        local clang = find_tool("clang", {version = true})
+        if clang and clang.version and semver.compare(clang.version, "14.0") >= 0 then
+            os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang -c --yes")
+            _build()
+            os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang --runtimes=c++_shared -c --yes")
+            _build()
+        end
+    end
+end
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling3/src/hello.mpp b/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling3/src/hello.mpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..124bd72bc37
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling3/src/hello.mpp
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+module;
+#include <cstdio>
+
+export module hello;
+
+export namespace hello {
+    void say(const char* str) {
+        printf("%s\n", str);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling3/test.lua b/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling3/test.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..d3865ecdce8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling3/test.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+import("lib.detect.find_tool")
+import("core.base.semver")
+import("utils.ci.is_running", {alias = "ci_is_running"})
+
+function _build()
+    local outdata
+    if ci_is_running() then
+        outdata = os.iorun("xmake -rvD")
+    else
+        outdata = os.iorun("xmake -rv")
+    end
+    if outdata then
+        if not outdata:find("culled") then
+            raise("Modules culling does not work\n%s", outdata)
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+function can_build()
+    if is_subhost("windows") then
+        return true
+    elseif is_subhost("msys") then
+        return true
+    elseif is_host("linux") then
+        local gcc = find_tool("gcc", {version = true})
+        if gcc and gcc.version and semver.compare(gcc.version, "11.0") >= 0 then
+            return true
+        end
+        local clang = find_tool("clang", {version = true})
+        if clang and clang.version and semver.compare(clang.version, "14.0") >= 0 then
+            return true
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+function main(t)
+    if is_subhost("windows") then
+        local clang = find_tool("clang", {version = true})
+        if clang and clang.version and semver.compare(clang.version, "17.0") >= 0 then
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang -c --yes")
+            _build()
+            os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang --runtimes=c++_shared -c --yes")
+            _build()
+        end
+
+        os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+        os.exec("xmake f -c --yes")
+        _build()
+    elseif is_subhost("msys") then
+        os.exec("xmake f -c -p mingw --yes")
+        _build()
+    elseif is_host("linux") then
+        local gcc = find_tool("gcc", {version = true})
+        if gcc and gcc.version and semver.compare(gcc.version, "11.0") >= 0 then
+            os.exec("xmake f -c --yes")
+            _build()
+        end
+        local clang = find_tool("clang", {version = true})
+        if clang and clang.version and semver.compare(clang.version, "14.0") >= 0 then
+            os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang -c --yes")
+            _build()
+            os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang --runtimes=c++_shared -c --yes")
+            _build()
+        end
+    end
+end
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling3/xmake.lua b/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling3/xmake.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7ec9385f3a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/culling3/xmake.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+add_rules("mode.release", "mode.debug")
+set_languages("c++20")
+
+target("culling")
+    set_kind("static")
+    add_files("src/*.mpp")
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/link_order/src/bar.mpp b/tests/projects/c++/modules/duplicate_name_detection/src/bar.mpp
similarity index 60%
rename from tests/projects/c++/modules/link_order/src/bar.mpp
rename to tests/projects/c++/modules/duplicate_name_detection/src/bar.mpp
index dc7c14ec815..a51969b8f18 100644
--- a/tests/projects/c++/modules/link_order/src/bar.mpp
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/duplicate_name_detection/src/bar.mpp
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-export module duplicate;
+export module foo;
 
 export int value() {
     return 1;
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/link_order/src/foo.mpp b/tests/projects/c++/modules/duplicate_name_detection/src/foo.mpp
similarity index 60%
rename from tests/projects/c++/modules/link_order/src/foo.mpp
rename to tests/projects/c++/modules/duplicate_name_detection/src/foo.mpp
index eba3a4223a7..d97e5f08512 100644
--- a/tests/projects/c++/modules/link_order/src/foo.mpp
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/duplicate_name_detection/src/foo.mpp
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-export module duplicate;
+export module foo;
 
 export int value() {
     return 0;
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/link_order/src/main.cpp b/tests/projects/c++/modules/duplicate_name_detection/src/main.cpp
similarity index 66%
rename from tests/projects/c++/modules/link_order/src/main.cpp
rename to tests/projects/c++/modules/duplicate_name_detection/src/main.cpp
index cd9524d8b2a..50ddf1fdd11 100644
--- a/tests/projects/c++/modules/link_order/src/main.cpp
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/duplicate_name_detection/src/main.cpp
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import duplicate;
+import foo;
 
 int main() {
     return value();
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/duplicate_name_detection/test.lua b/tests/projects/c++/modules/duplicate_name_detection/test.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..53033dd7f6c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/duplicate_name_detection/test.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,75 @@
+import("lib.detect.find_tool")
+import("core.base.semver")
+import("utils.ci.is_running", {alias = "ci_is_running"})
+
+function _build()
+    try {
+        function() 
+            if ci_is_running() then
+                os.run("xmake -rvD")
+            else
+                os.run("xmake -r")
+            end
+        end,
+        catch {
+            function (errors)
+                errors = tostring(errors)
+                if not errors:find("duplicate module name detected", 1, true) then
+                    raise("Modules duplicate name detection does not work\n%s", errors)
+                end
+            end
+        }
+    }
+end
+
+function can_build()
+    if is_subhost("windows") then
+        return true
+    elseif is_subhost("msys") then
+        return true
+    elseif is_host("linux") then
+        local gcc = find_tool("gcc", {version = true})
+        if gcc and gcc.version and semver.compare(gcc.version, "11.0") >= 0 then
+            return true
+        end
+        local clang = find_tool("clang", {version = true})
+        if clang and clang.version and semver.compare(clang.version, "14.0") >= 0 then
+            return true
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+function main(t)
+    if is_subhost("windows") then
+        local clang = find_tool("clang", {version = true})
+        if clang and clang.version and semver.compare(clang.version, "17.0") >= 0 then
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang -c --yes")
+            _build()
+            os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang --runtimes=c++_shared -c --yes")
+            _build()
+        end
+
+        os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+        os.exec("xmake f -c --yes")
+        _build()
+    elseif is_subhost("msys") then
+        os.exec("xmake f -c -p mingw --yes")
+        _build()
+    elseif is_host("linux") then
+        local gcc = find_tool("gcc", {version = true})
+if gcc and gcc.version and semver.compare(gcc.version, "11.0") >= 0 then
+            os.exec("xmake f -c --yes")
+            _build()
+        end
+        local clang = find_tool("clang", {version = true})
+        if clang and clang.version and semver.compare(clang.version, "14.0") >= 0 then
+            os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang -c --yes")
+            _build()
+            os.exec("xmake clean -a")
+            os.exec("xmake f --toolchain=clang --runtimes=c++_shared -c --yes")
+            _build()
+        end
+    end
+end
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/link_order/xmake.lua b/tests/projects/c++/modules/duplicate_name_detection/xmake.lua
similarity index 83%
rename from tests/projects/c++/modules/link_order/xmake.lua
rename to tests/projects/c++/modules/duplicate_name_detection/xmake.lua
index 4cb2af87f45..f4539695c15 100644
--- a/tests/projects/c++/modules/link_order/xmake.lua
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/duplicate_name_detection/xmake.lua
@@ -9,12 +9,12 @@ target("bar")
     set_kind("moduleonly")
     add_files("src/bar.mpp")
 
-target("link_order_1")
+target("duplicate_name_detection_1")
     set_kind("binary")
     add_deps("foo", "bar")
     add_files("src/main.cpp")
 
-target("link_order_2")
+target("duplicate_name_detection_2")
     set_kind("binary")
     add_deps("bar", "foo")
     add_files("src/main.cpp")
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/packages/my-repo/packages/b/bar2/xmake.lua b/tests/projects/c++/modules/packages/my-repo/packages/b/bar2/xmake.lua
index ffa208234fb..8d7f969bc60 100644
--- a/tests/projects/c++/modules/packages/my-repo/packages/b/bar2/xmake.lua
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/packages/my-repo/packages/b/bar2/xmake.lua
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 package("bar2")
-    set_kind("library")
+    set_kind("library", {moduleonly = true})
     set_sourcedir(path.join(os.scriptdir(), "src"))
 
     on_install(function(package)
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/src/bar.cpp b/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/src/bar.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..0b538509622
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/src/bar.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+module bar;
+
+namespace bar {
+    int hello() {
+        return 2;
+    }
+}
+
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/src/bar.mpp b/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/src/bar.mpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..df67d52f0cb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/src/bar.mpp
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+export module bar;
+
+export namespace bar {
+    int hello();
+}
+
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/src/foo.cpp b/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/src/foo.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..25437128390
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/src/foo.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+module foo;
+
+import bar;
+
+namespace foo {
+    int hello() {
+        return bar::hello();
+    }
+}
+
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/src/foo.mpp b/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/src/foo.mpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..2f85bb9fe90
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/src/foo.mpp
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+export module foo;
+
+export namespace foo {
+    int hello();
+}
+
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/src/main.cpp b/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/src/main.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..69e91b1262e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/src/main.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+#include <stdio.h>
+import foo;
+
+int main() {
+    printf("%d\n", foo::hello());
+    return 0;
+}
+
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/link_order/test.lua b/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/test.lua
similarity index 100%
rename from tests/projects/c++/modules/link_order/test.lua
rename to tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/test.lua
diff --git a/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/xmake.lua b/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/xmake.lua
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..64f0c4b0586
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/projects/c++/modules/staticlib2/xmake.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+add_rules("mode.release", "mode.debug")
+set_languages("c++20")
+
+target("bar")
+    set_kind("static")
+    add_files("src/bar.mpp", {public = true})
+    add_files("src/bar.cpp")
+
+target("foo")
+    set_kind("static")
+    add_deps("bar")
+    add_files("src/foo.mpp", {public = true})
+    add_files("src/foo.cpp")
+
+target("hello")
+    set_kind("binary")
+    add_deps("foo")
+    add_files("src/main.cpp")
diff --git a/xmake/actions/package/remote/main.lua b/xmake/actions/package/remote/main.lua
index 028c1f9660e..f73126618cc 100644
--- a/xmake/actions/package/remote/main.lua
+++ b/xmake/actions/package/remote/main.lua
@@ -54,6 +54,8 @@ function _package_remote(target)
             file:print("    set_kind(\"binary\")")
         elseif target:is_headeronly() then
             file:print("    set_kind(\"library\", {headeronly = true})")
+        elseif target:is_moduleonly() then
+            file:print("    set_kind(\"library\", {moduleonly = true})")
         end
         local homepage = option.get("homepage")
         if homepage then
@@ -122,6 +124,7 @@ function _package_target(target)
         ,   static     = _package_remote
         ,   shared     = _package_remote
         ,   headeronly = _package_remote
+        ,   moduleonly = _package_remote
         }
         local kind = target:kind()
         local script = scripts[kind]
diff --git a/xmake/core/package/package.lua b/xmake/core/package/package.lua
index fd5d5243354..fdfa59a4230 100644
--- a/xmake/core/package/package.lua
+++ b/xmake/core/package/package.lua
@@ -572,6 +572,11 @@ function _instance:is_headeronly()
     return self:is_library() and self:extraconf("kind", "library", "headeronly")
 end
 
+-- is module only?
+function _instance:is_moduleonly()
+    return self:is_library() and self:extraconf("kind", "library", "moduleonly")
+end
+
 -- is top level? user top requires in xmake.lua
 function _instance:is_toplevel()
     local requireinfo = self:requireinfo()
@@ -2404,7 +2409,7 @@ function _instance:_generate_build_configs(configs, opt)
     end
 
     -- check links for library
-    if self:is_library() and not self:is_headeronly() then
+    if self:is_library() and not self:is_headeronly() and not self:is_moduleonly() then
         local links = table.wrap(configs.links)
         local ldflags = table.wrap(configs.ldflags)
         local frameworks = table.wrap(configs.frameworks)
diff --git a/xmake/modules/private/action/require/impl/package.lua b/xmake/modules/private/action/require/impl/package.lua
index 8d64b7891ca..1c7eaf9e51c 100644
--- a/xmake/modules/private/action/require/impl/package.lua
+++ b/xmake/modules/private/action/require/impl/package.lua
@@ -553,9 +553,9 @@ function _init_requireinfo(requireinfo, package, opt)
             requireinfo.configs.asan = project.policy("build.sanitizer.address")
         end
     end
-    -- but we will ignore some configs for buildhash in the headeronly and host/binary package
+    -- but we will ignore some configs for buildhash in the headeronly, moduleonly and host/binary package
     -- @note on_test still need these configs, @see https://github.com/xmake-io/xmake/issues/4124
-    if package:is_headeronly() or (package:is_binary() and not package:is_cross()) then
+    if package:is_headeronly() or package:is_moduleonly() or (package:is_binary() and not package:is_cross()) then
         requireinfo.ignored_configs_for_buildhash = {"runtimes", "toolchains", "lto", "asan", "pic"}
     end
 end
diff --git a/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/clang/builder.lua b/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/clang/builder.lua
index b10a47e06e7..91534a11e3a 100644
--- a/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/clang/builder.lua
+++ b/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/clang/builder.lua
@@ -207,11 +207,7 @@ function make_module_buildjobs(target, batchjobs, job_name, deps, opt)
         job = batchjobs:newjob(name or opt.cppfile, function(index, total, jobopt)
             local mapped_bmi
             if provide and compiler_support.memcache():get2(target:name() .. name, "reuse") then
-                if not target:is_binary() then
-                    return
-                else
-                    mapped_bmi = get_from_target_mapper(target, name).bmi
-                end
+                mapped_bmi = get_from_target_mapper(target, name).bmi
             end
 
             local build, dependinfo
@@ -248,24 +244,16 @@ function make_module_buildjobs(target, batchjobs, job_name, deps, opt)
                     local fileconfig = target:fileconfig(opt.cppfile)
                     local public = fileconfig and fileconfig.public
                     local external = fileconfig and fileconfig.external
-                    local private_dep = fileconfig and fileconfig.private_dep
+                    local from_moduleonly = external and external.moduleonly
                     local bmifile = mapped_bmi or bmifile
-                    if target:is_binary() then
-                        if mapped_bmi then
-                            progress.show(jobopt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.objectfile.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                            _compile_objectfile_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile)
-                        else
-                            progress.show(jobopt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                            _compile_one_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, {std = (name == "std" or name == "std.compat")})
-                        end
-                    else
-                        if (not public and not external) or (external and private_dep) then
-                            progress.show(jobopt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                            _compile_one_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, {std = (name == "std" or name == "std.compat")})
-                        else
+                    if external and not from_moduleonly then
+                        if not mapped_bmi then
                             progress.show(jobopt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.bmi.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
                             _compile_bmi_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, {std = (name == "std" or name == "std.compat")})
                         end
+                    else
+                        progress.show(jobopt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
+                        _compile_one_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, {std = (name == "std" or name == "std.compat")})
                     end
                 else
                     os.tryrm(opt.objectfile) -- force rebuild for .cpp files
@@ -283,11 +271,7 @@ function make_module_buildcmds(target, batchcmds, opt)
 
     local mapped_bmi
     if provide and compiler_support.memcache():get2(target:name() .. name, "reuse") then
-        if not target:is_binary() then
-            return
-        else
-            mapped_bmi = get_from_target_mapper(target, name).bmi
-        end
+        mapped_bmi = get_from_target_mapper(target, name).bmi
     end
 
     -- append requires flags
@@ -302,24 +286,15 @@ function make_module_buildcmds(target, batchcmds, opt)
         local fileconfig = target:fileconfig(opt.cppfile)
         local public = fileconfig and fileconfig.public
         local external = fileconfig and fileconfig.external
-        local private_dep = fileconfig and fileconfig.private_dep
         local bmifile = mapped_bmi or bmifile
-        if target:is_binary() then
-            if mapped_bmi then
-                batchcmds:show_progress(opt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.objectfile.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                _compile_objectfile_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, {batchcmds = batchcmds})
-            else
-                batchcmds:show_progress(opt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                _compile_one_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, {std = (name == "std" or name == "std.compat"), batchcmds = batchcmds})
-            end
-        else
-            if (not public and not external) or (external and private_dep) then
-                batchcmds:show_progress(opt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                _compile_one_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, {std = (name == "std" or name == "std.compat"), batchcmds = batchcmds})
-            else
+        if external and not from_moduleonly then
+            if not mapped_bmi then
                 batchcmds:show_progress(opt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.bmi.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
                 _compile_bmi_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, {std = (name == "std" or name == "std.compat"), batchcmds = batchcmds})
             end
+        else
+            batchcmds:show_progress(opt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
+            _compile_one_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, {std = (name == "std" or name == "std.compat"), batchcmds = batchcmds})
         end
     else
         batchcmds:rm(opt.objectfile) -- force rebuild for .cpp files
diff --git a/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/compiler_support.lua b/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/compiler_support.lua
index a005dc80d4f..7c4e665d099 100644
--- a/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/compiler_support.lua
+++ b/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/compiler_support.lua
@@ -83,33 +83,6 @@ function patch_sourcebatch(target, sourcebatch)
     end
 end
 
--- cull sourcebatch objectfiles
-function cull_objectfiles(target, modules, sourcebatch)
-
-    -- don't cull for executables
-    if target:is_binary() then
-        return
-    end
-
-    sourcebatch.objectfiles = {}
-    for _, sourcefile in ipairs(sourcebatch.sourcefiles) do
-        local objectfile = target:objectfile(sourcefile)
-        local module = modules[objectfile]
-        local _, provide, _ = get_provided_module(module)
-        if provide then
-            local fileconfig = target:fileconfig(sourcefile)
-            local public = fileconfig and fileconfig.public
-            local external = fileconfig and fileconfig.external
-            local private_dep = fileconfig and fileconfig.private_dep
-            if (not public and not external) or (external and private_dep) then
-                table.insert(sourcebatch.objectfiles, objectfile)
-            end
-        else
-            table.insert(sourcebatch.objectfiles, objectfile)
-        end
-    end
-end
-
 -- get bmi extension
 function get_bmi_extension(target)
     return _compiler_support(target).get_bmi_extension()
diff --git a/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/dependency_scanner.lua b/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/dependency_scanner.lua
index 66b00f421fc..c8da6793a0e 100644
--- a/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/dependency_scanner.lua
+++ b/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/dependency_scanner.lua
@@ -175,15 +175,25 @@ end
 -- generate edges for DAG
 function _get_edges(nodes, modules)
   local edges = {}
-  for _, node in ipairs(nodes) do
+  local module_names = {}
+  local name_filemap = {}
+  local named_module_names = hashset.new()
+  for _, node in ipairs(table.unique(nodes)) do
       local module = modules[node]
+      local module_name, _, cppfile = compiler_support.get_provided_module(module)
+      if module_name then
+          if named_module_names:has(module_name) then
+              raise("duplicate module name detected \"" .. module_name .. "\"\n    -> " .. cppfile .. "\n    -> " .. name_filemap[module_name])
+          end
+          named_module_names:insert(module_name)
+          name_filemap[module_name] = cppfile
+      end
       if module.requires then
           for required_name, _ in table.orderpairs(module.requires) do
               for _, required_node in ipairs(nodes) do
                   local name, _, _ = compiler_support.get_provided_module(modules[required_node])
                   if name and name == required_name then
                       table.insert(edges, {required_node, node})
-                      break
                   end
               end
           end
@@ -200,7 +210,8 @@ function _get_package_modules(target, package, opt)
     for _, metafile in ipairs(metafiles) do
         package_modules = package_modules or {}
         local modulefile, name, metadata = _parse_meta_info(target, metafile)
-        package_modules[name] = {file = path.join(modulesdir, modulefile), metadata = metadata}
+        local moduleonly = not package:libraryfiles()
+        package_modules[name] = {file = path.join(modulesdir, modulefile), metadata = metadata, external = {moduleonly = moduleonly}}
     end
 
     return package_modules
@@ -396,8 +407,9 @@ function get_all_packages_modules(target, opt)
 end
 
 -- topological sort
-function sort_modules_by_dependencies(target, objectfiles, modules)
-    local result = {}
+function sort_modules_by_dependencies(target, objectfiles, modules, opt)
+    local build_objectfiles = {}
+    local link_objectfiles = {}
     local edges = _get_edges(objectfiles, modules)
     local dag = graph.new(true)
     for _, e in ipairs(edges) do
@@ -414,31 +426,74 @@ function sort_modules_by_dependencies(target, objectfiles, modules)
         table.insert(names, name or cppfile)
         raise("circular modules dependency detected!\n%s", table.concat(names, "\n   -> import "))
     end
-    local objectfiles_sorted = dag:topological_sort()
-    for _, objectfile in ipairs(objectfiles_sorted) do
-        table.insert(result, objectfile)
-    end
 
+    local objectfiles_sorted = table.reverse(dag:topological_sort())
     local objectfiles_sorted_set = hashset.from(objectfiles_sorted)
     for _, objectfile in ipairs(objectfiles) do
         if not objectfiles_sorted_set:has(objectfile) then
-            if target:policy("build.c++.modules.culling") then
-                -- cull unreferenced non-public named module but add non-module files and implementation modules
-                local _, provide, cppfile = compiler_support.get_provided_module(modules[objectfile])
-                local fileconfig = target:fileconfig(cppfile)
+            table.insert(objectfiles_sorted, objectfile)
+            objectfiles_sorted_set:insert(objectfile)
+        end
+    end
+    local culleds
+    for _, objectfile in ipairs(objectfiles_sorted) do
+        local name, provide, cppfile = compiler_support.get_provided_module(modules[objectfile])
+        local fileconfig = target:fileconfig(cppfile)
+        local public
+        local external
+        local can_cull = true
+        if fileconfig then
+            public = fileconfig.public
+            external = fileconfig.external
+            can_cull = fileconfig.cull == nil and true or fileconfig.cull
+        end
+        can_cull = can_cull and target:policy("build.c++.modules.culling")
+        local insert = true
+        if provide then
+            insert = public or (not external or external.moduleonly)
+            if insert and not public and can_cull then
+                insert = false
+                local edges = dag:adjacent_edges(objectfile)
                 local public = fileconfig and fileconfig.public
-                local dont_cull = fileconfig and fileconfig.cull ~= nil and not fileconfig.cull
-                if not provide or public or dont_cull then
-                    table.insert(result, objectfile)
-                else
-                    wprint("%s has been culled because it's not consumed by its target nor flagged as a public module (add_files(\"xxx.cppm\", {public = true}))", cppfile)
+                if edges then
+                    for _, edge in ipairs(edges) do
+                        if edge:to() ~= objectfile and objectfiles_sorted_set:has(edge:to()) then
+                            insert = true
+                            break
+                        end
+                    end
                 end
-            else
-                table.insert(result, objectfile)
             end
         end
+        if insert then 
+            table.insert(build_objectfiles, objectfile)
+            table.insert(link_objectfiles, objectfile)
+        elseif external and not external.from_moduleonly then
+            table.insert(build_objectfiles, objectfile)
+        else
+            objectfiles_sorted_set:remove(objectfile)
+            if name ~= "std" and name ~= "std.compat" then
+                culleds = culleds or {}
+                culleds[target:name()] = culleds[target:name()] or {}
+                table.insert(culleds[target:name()], format("%s -> %s", name, cppfile))
+            end
+        end
+    end
+
+    if culleds then
+        if option.get("verbose") then
+            local culled_strs = {}
+            for target_name, m in pairs(culleds) do
+                table.insert(culled_strs, format("%s:\n        %s", target_name, table.concat(m, "\n        ")))
+            end
+            wprint("some modules have got culled, because it is not consumed by its target nor flagged as a public module with add_files(\"xxx.mpp\", {public = true})\n    %s",
+                   table.concat(culled_strs, "\n    "))
+        else
+            wprint("some modules have got culled, use verbose (-v) mode to more informations")
+        end
     end
-    return result
+
+    return build_objectfiles, link_objectfiles
 end
 
 -- get source modulefile for external target deps
@@ -446,7 +501,6 @@ function get_targetdeps_modules(target)
     local sourcefiles
     for _, dep in ipairs(target:orderdeps()) do
         local sourcebatch = dep:sourcebatches()["c++.build.modules.builder"]
-        local private_dep = target:extraconf("deps", dep:name(), "private") or not target:extraconf("deps", dep:name(), "public")
         if sourcebatch and sourcebatch.sourcefiles then
             for _, sourcefile in ipairs(sourcebatch.sourcefiles) do
                 local fileconfig = dep:fileconfig(sourcefile)
@@ -454,7 +508,7 @@ function get_targetdeps_modules(target)
                 if public then
                     sourcefiles = sourcefiles or {}
                     table.insert(sourcefiles, sourcefile)
-                    target:fileconfig_add(sourcefile, {external = true, private_dep = private_dep})
+                    target:fileconfig_add(sourcefile, {external = {moduleonly = dep:is_moduleonly()}})
                 end
             end
         end
diff --git a/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/gcc/builder.lua b/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/gcc/builder.lua
index d4f5a01f1b5..a0a43db5a58 100644
--- a/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/gcc/builder.lua
+++ b/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/gcc/builder.lua
@@ -187,11 +187,7 @@ function make_module_buildjobs(target, batchjobs, job_name, deps, opt)
         job = batchjobs:newjob(name or opt.cppfile, function(index, total, jobopt)
             local mapped_bmi
             if provide and compiler_support.memcache():get2(target:name() .. name, "reuse") then
-                if not target:is_binary() then
-                    return
-                else
-                    mapped_bmi = get_from_target_mapper(target, name).bmi
-                end
+                mapped_bmi = get_from_target_mapper(target, name).bmi
             end
 
             -- generate and append module mapper file
@@ -215,33 +211,27 @@ function make_module_buildjobs(target, batchjobs, job_name, deps, opt)
                     local fileconfig = target:fileconfig(opt.cppfile)
                     local public = fileconfig and fileconfig.public
                     local external = fileconfig and fileconfig.external
-                    local private_dep = fileconfig and fileconfig.private_dep
+                    local from_moduleonly = external and external.moduleonly
                     local bmifile = mapped_bmi or bmifile
                     local flags = {"-x", "c++"}
                     local sourcefile
-                    if target:is_binary() then
-                        if mapped_bmi then
-                            progress.show(jobopt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.objectfile.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                            sourcefile = bmifile
-                        else
-                            progress.show(jobopt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                            sourcefile = opt.cppfile
-                        end
-                    else
-                        if (not public and not external) or (external and private_dep) then
-                            progress.show(jobopt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                            sourcefile = opt.cppfile
-                        else
+                    if external and not from_moduleonly then
+                        if not mapped_bmi then
                             progress.show(jobopt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.bmi.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
                             local module_onlyflag = compiler_support.get_moduleonlyflag(target)
                             table.insert(flags, module_onlyflag)
                             sourcefile = opt.cppfile
                         end
+                    else
+                        progress.show(jobopt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
+                        sourcefile = opt.cppfile
                     end
                     if option.get("diagnosis") then
                         print("mapper file --------\n%s--------", io.readfile(module_mapper))
                     end
-                    _compile(target, flags, sourcefile, opt.objectfile)
+                    if sourcefile then
+                        _compile(target, flags, sourcefile, opt.objectfile)
+                    end
                     os.tryrm(module_mapper)
                 else
                     os.tryrm(opt.objectfile) -- force rebuild for .cpp files
@@ -260,11 +250,7 @@ function make_module_buildcmds(target, batchcmds, opt)
 
     local mapped_bmi
     if provide and compiler_support.memcache():get2(target:name() .. name, "reuse") then
-        if not target:is_binary() then
-            return
-        else
-            mapped_bmi = get_from_target_mapper(target, name).bmi
-        end
+        mapped_bmi = get_from_target_mapper(target, name).bmi
     end
 
     -- generate and append module mapper file
@@ -280,33 +266,27 @@ function make_module_buildcmds(target, batchcmds, opt)
         local fileconfig = target:fileconfig(opt.cppfile)
         local public = fileconfig and fileconfig.public
         local external = fileconfig and fileconfig.external
-        local private_dep = fileconfig and fileconfig.private_dep
+        local from_moduleonly = external and external.moduleonly
         local bmifile = mapped_bmi or bmifile
         local flags = {"-x", "c++"}
         local sourcefile
-        if target:is_binary() then
-            if mapped_bmi then
-                batchcmds:show_progress(opt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.objectfile.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                sourcefile = bmifile
-            else
-                batchcmds:show_progress(opt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                sourcefile = opt.cppfile
-            end
-        else
-            if (not public and not external) or (external and private_dep) then
-                batchcmds:show_progress(opt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                sourcefile = opt.cppfile
-            else
+        if external and not from_moduleonly then
+            if not mapped_bmi then
                 batchcmds:show_progress(opt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.bmi.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
                 local module_onlyflag = compiler_support.get_moduleonlyflag(target)
                 table.insert(flags, module_onlyflag)
                 sourcefile = opt.cppfile
             end
+        else
+            batchcmds:show_progress(opt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
+            sourcefile = opt.cppfile
         end
         if option.get("diagnosis") then
             batchcmds:print("mapper file: %s", io.readfile(module_mapper))
         end
-        _batchcmds_compile(batchcmds, target, flags, sourcefile, opt.objectfile)
+        if sourcefile then
+            _batchcmds_compile(batchcmds, target, flags, sourcefile, opt.objectfile)
+        end
         batchcmds:rm(module_mapper)
     else
         batchcmds:rm(opt.objectfile) -- force rebuild for .cpp files
diff --git a/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/gcc/compiler_support.lua b/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/gcc/compiler_support.lua
index 2253c986687..25e047f8a2c 100644
--- a/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/gcc/compiler_support.lua
+++ b/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/gcc/compiler_support.lua
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ function strip_flags(target, flags)
         "-w",
         "-cxx-isystem",
         "-Q",
+        "-fmodule-mapper",
     }
     if not target:policy("build.c++.modules.tryreuse.discriminate_on_defines") then
         table.join2(strippable_flags, {"-D", "-U"})
diff --git a/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/msvc/builder.lua b/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/msvc/builder.lua
index ccdbea141a6..89d9b6b606b 100644
--- a/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/msvc/builder.lua
+++ b/xmake/rules/c++/modules/modules_support/msvc/builder.lua
@@ -271,11 +271,7 @@ function make_module_buildjobs(target, batchjobs, job_name, deps, opt)
 
             local mapped_bmi
             if provide and compiler_support.memcache():get2(target:name() .. name, "reuse") then
-                if not target:is_binary() then
-                    return
-                else
-                    mapped_bmi = get_from_target_mapper(target, name).bmi
-                end
+                mapped_bmi = get_from_target_mapper(target, name).bmi
             end
 
             local build, dependinfo
@@ -312,24 +308,16 @@ function make_module_buildjobs(target, batchjobs, job_name, deps, opt)
                     local fileconfig = target:fileconfig(opt.cppfile)
                     local public = fileconfig and fileconfig.public
                     local external = fileconfig and fileconfig.external
-                    local private_dep = fileconfig and fileconfig.private_dep
+                    local from_moduleonly = external and external.moduleonly
                     local bmifile = mapped_bmi or bmifile
-                    if target:is_binary() then
-                        if mapped_bmi then
-                            progress.show(jobopt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.objectfile.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                            _compile_objectfile_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, provide)
-                        else
-                            progress.show(jobopt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                            _compile_one_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, provide)
-                        end
-                    else
-                        if (not public and not external) or (external and private_dep) then
-                            progress.show(jobopt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                            _compile_one_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, provide)
-                        else
+                    if external and not from_moduleonly then
+                        if not mapped_bmi then
                             progress.show(jobopt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.bmi.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
                             _compile_bmi_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, provide)
                         end
+                    else
+                        progress.show(jobopt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
+                        _compile_one_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, provide)
                     end
                 else
                     os.tryrm(opt.objectfile) -- force rebuild for .cpp files
@@ -347,11 +335,7 @@ function make_module_buildcmds(target, batchcmds, opt)
 
     local mapped_bmi
     if provide and compiler_support.memcache():get2(target:name() .. name, "reuse") then
-        if not target:is_binary() then
-            return
-        else
-            mapped_bmi = get_from_target_mapper(target, name).bmi
-        end
+        mapped_bmi = get_from_target_mapper(target, name).bmi
     end
 
     -- append requires flags
@@ -366,24 +350,16 @@ function make_module_buildcmds(target, batchcmds, opt)
         local fileconfig = target:fileconfig(opt.cppfile)
         local public = fileconfig and fileconfig.public
         local external = fileconfig and fileconfig.external
-        local private_dep = fileconfig and fileconfig.private_dep
+        local from_moduleonly = external and external.moduleonly
         local bmifile = mapped_bmi or bmifile
-        if target:is_binary() then
-            if mapped_bmi then
-                batchcmds:show_progress(opt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.objectfile.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                _compile_objectfile_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, provide, {batchcmds = batchcmds})
-            else
-                batchcmds:show_progress(opt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                _compile_one_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, provide, {batchcmds = batchcmds})
-            end
-        else
-            if (not public and not external) or (external and private_dep) then
-                batchcmds:show_progress(opt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
-                _compile_one_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, provide, {batchcmds = batchcmds})
-            else
+        if external and not from_moduleonly then
+            if not mapped_bmi then
                 batchcmds:show_progress(opt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.bmi.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
                 _compile_bmi_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, provide, {batchcmds = batchcmds})
             end
+        else
+            batchcmds:show_progress(opt.progress, "${color.build.target}<%s> ${clear}${color.build.object}compiling.module.$(mode) %s", target:name(), name or opt.cppfile)
+            _compile_one_step(target, bmifile, opt.cppfile, opt.objectfile, provide, {batchcmds = batchcmds})
         end
     else
         batchcmds:rm(opt.objectfile) -- force rebuild for .cpp files
diff --git a/xmake/rules/c++/modules/xmake.lua b/xmake/rules/c++/modules/xmake.lua
index d658815aa8b..4874082cfb3 100644
--- a/xmake/rules/c++/modules/xmake.lua
+++ b/xmake/rules/c++/modules/xmake.lua
@@ -87,8 +87,6 @@ rule("c++.build.modules.builder")
             local std_modules = compiler_support.get_stdmodules(target)
             if std_modules then
                 table.join2(sourcebatch.sourcefiles, std_modules)
-                target:fileconfig_set(std_modules[1], {external = true})
-                target:fileconfig_set(std_modules[2], {external = true})
             end
 
             -- extract packages modules dependencies
@@ -97,7 +95,7 @@ rule("c++.build.modules.builder")
                 -- append to sourcebatch
                 for _, package_module_data in table.orderpairs(package_modules_data) do
                     table.insert(sourcebatch.sourcefiles, package_module_data.file)
-                    target:fileconfig_set(package_module_data.file, {external = true, defines = package_module_data.metadata.defines})
+                    target:fileconfig_set(package_module_data.file, {external = package_module_data.external, defines = package_module_data.metadata.defines})
                 end
             end
 
@@ -109,7 +107,8 @@ rule("c++.build.modules.builder")
 
             if not target:is_moduleonly() then
                 -- avoid building non referenced modules
-                sourcebatch.objectfiles = dependency_scanner.sort_modules_by_dependencies(target, sourcebatch.objectfiles, modules)
+                local build_objectfiles, link_objectfiles = dependency_scanner.sort_modules_by_dependencies(target, sourcebatch.objectfiles, modules)
+                sourcebatch.objectfiles = build_objectfiles
 
                 -- build modules
                 builder.build_modules_for_batchjobs(target, batchjobs, sourcebatch, modules, opt)
@@ -117,8 +116,7 @@ rule("c++.build.modules.builder")
                 -- build headerunits and we need to do it before building modules
                 builder.build_headerunits_for_batchjobs(target, batchjobs, sourcebatch, modules, opt)
 
-                -- cull external modules objectfile
-                compiler_support.cull_objectfiles(target, modules, sourcebatch)
+                sourcebatch.objectfiles = link_objectfiles
             else
                 sourcebatch.objectfiles = {}
             end
@@ -150,8 +148,6 @@ rule("c++.build.modules.builder")
             local std_modules = compiler_support.get_stdmodules(target)
             if std_modules then
                 table.join2(sourcebatch.sourcefiles, std_modules)
-                target:fileconfig_set(std_modules[1], {external = true})
-                target:fileconfig_set(std_modules[2], {external = true})
             end
 
             -- extract packages modules dependencies
@@ -160,7 +156,7 @@ rule("c++.build.modules.builder")
                 -- append to sourcebatch
                 for _, package_module_data in table.orderpairs(package_modules_data) do
                     table.insert(sourcebatch.sourcefiles, package_module_data.file)
-                    target:fileconfig_set(package_module_data.file, {external = true, defines = package_module_data.metadata.defines})
+                    target:fileconfig_set(package_module_data.file, {external = package_module_data.external, defines = package_module_data.metadata.defines})
                 end
             end
 
@@ -172,7 +168,8 @@ rule("c++.build.modules.builder")
 
             if not target:is_moduleonly() then
                 -- avoid building non referenced modules
-                sourcebatch.objectfiles = dependency_scanner.sort_modules_by_dependencies(target, sourcebatch.objectfiles, modules)
+                local build_objectfiles, link_objectfiles = dependency_scanner.sort_modules_by_dependencies(target, sourcebatch.objectfiles, modules)
+                sourcebatch.objectfiles = build_objectfiles
 
                 -- build headerunits
                 builder.build_headerunits_for_batchcmds(target, batchcmds, sourcebatch, modules, opt)
@@ -180,8 +177,7 @@ rule("c++.build.modules.builder")
                 -- build modules
                 builder.build_modules_for_batchcmds(target, batchcmds, sourcebatch, modules, opt)
 
-                -- cull external modules objectfile
-                compiler_support.cull_objectfiles(target, modules, sourcebatch)
+                sourcebatch.objectfiles = link_objectfiles
             else
                 -- avoid duplicate linking of object files of non-module programs
                 sourcebatch.objectfiles = {}