diff --git a/libr/anal/sign.c b/libr/anal/sign.c
index 567c0fd1b9dd8..af2d84ba5f7d5 100644
--- a/libr/anal/sign.c
+++ b/libr/anal/sign.c
@@ -227,8 +227,8 @@ R_API bool r_sign_deserialize(RAnal *a, RSignItem *it, const char *k, const char
 	R_RETURN_VAL_IF_FAIL (a && it && k && v, false);
 
 	bool success = true;
-	char *k2 = r_str_new (k);
-	char *v2 = r_str_new (v);
+	char *k2 = strdup (k);
+	char *v2 = strdup (v);
 	if (!k2 || !v2) {
 		success = false;
 		goto out;
@@ -248,7 +248,7 @@ R_API bool r_sign_deserialize(RAnal *a, RSignItem *it, const char *k, const char
 	}
 
 	it->space = r_spaces_add (&a->zign_spaces, r_str_word_get0 (k2, 1));
-	it->name = r_str_new (r_str_word_get0 (k2, 2));
+	it->name = R_STR_DUP (r_str_word_get0 (k2, 2));
 
 	// remove newline at end
 	char *save_ptr = NULL;
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ R_API bool r_sign_deserialize(RAnal *a, RSignItem *it, const char *k, const char
 			if (token[0] != 0) {
 				it->hash = R_NEW0 (RSignHash);
 				if (it->hash) {
-					it->hash->bbhash = r_str_new (token);
+					it->hash->bbhash = strdup (token);
 				}
 			}
 			break;
diff --git a/libr/anal/value.c b/libr/anal/value.c
index 3aa19664a4eb6..c10234c5759ee 100644
--- a/libr/anal/value.c
+++ b/libr/anal/value.c
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ R_API const char *r_anal_value_type_tostring(RAnalValue *value) {
 R_API char *r_anal_value_tostring(RAnalValue *value) {
 	char *out = NULL;
 	if (value) {
-		out = r_str_new ("");
+		out = strdup ("");
 		if (!value->base && !value->reg) {
 			if (value->imm != -1LL) {
 				out = r_str_appendf (out, "0x%"PFMT64x, value->imm);
diff --git a/libr/anal/var.c b/libr/anal/var.c
index 0c1f4a69a4f94..91b335580c7af 100644
--- a/libr/anal/var.c
+++ b/libr/anal/var.c
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ R_API RList *r_anal_var_deserialize(const char *ser) {
 			}
 			nxt++;
 		}
-		v->name = r_str_newlen (ser, i);
+		v->name = R_STR_NDUP (ser, i);
 		if (!v->name) {
 			goto bad_serial;
 		}
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@ R_API RList *r_anal_var_deserialize(const char *ser) {
 		for (i = 0; *nxt && *nxt != ','; i++) {
 			nxt++;
 		}
-		v->type = r_str_newlen (ser, i);
+		v->type = R_STR_NDUP (ser, i);
 		if (!v->type) {
 			goto bad_serial;
 		}
diff --git a/libr/arch/arch_value.c b/libr/arch/arch_value.c
index f24a08513ae05..5f4f654650a89 100644
--- a/libr/arch/arch_value.c
+++ b/libr/arch/arch_value.c
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ R_API bool r_arch_value_set_ut64(RArchValue *val, RReg *reg, RIOBind *iob, ut64
 R_API char *r_arch_value_tostring(RArchValue *value) {
 	char *out = NULL;
 	if (value) {
-		out = r_str_new ("");
+		out = strdup ("");
 		if (!value->base && !value->reg) {
 			if (value->imm != -1LL) {
 				out = r_str_appendf (out, "0x%"PFMT64x, value->imm);
diff --git a/libr/arch/p/8051/8051_disas.c b/libr/arch/p/8051/8051_disas.c
index 83a4bd1115fcf..e2fc4cc86517e 100644
--- a/libr/arch/p/8051/8051_disas.c
+++ b/libr/arch/p/8051/8051_disas.c
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ static char *r_8051_disas(ut64 pc, const ut8 *buf, int len, int *olen) {
 				// op @Ri; op Rn
 				disasm = r_str_newf (name, buf[0] & mask);
 			} else {
-				disasm = r_str_new (name);
+				disasm = strdup (name);
 			}
 			break;
 		case 2:
diff --git a/libr/arch/p/dalvik/plugin.c b/libr/arch/p/dalvik/plugin.c
index be29eaab0a523..7bee6d30bafcb 100644
--- a/libr/arch/p/dalvik/plugin.c
+++ b/libr/arch/p/dalvik/plugin.c
@@ -761,9 +761,9 @@ static int dalvik_disassemble(RArchSession *as, RAnalOp *op, ut64 addr, const ut
 			R_FREE (strasm);
 			size = 2;
 		}
-		op->mnemonic = r_str_new (r_str_get_fail (strasm, "invalid"));
+		op->mnemonic = strdup (r_str_get_fail (strasm, "invalid"));
 	} else if (len > 0) {
-		op->mnemonic = r_str_new ("invalid");
+		op->mnemonic = strdup ("invalid");
 		size = len;
 	}
 
@@ -794,7 +794,7 @@ static bool decode(RArchSession *as, RAnalOp *op, RAnalOpMask mask) {
 	int sz = dalvik_opcodes[data[0]].len;
 	if (!op || sz > len) {
 		if (mask & R_ARCH_OP_MASK_DISASM) {
-			op->mnemonic = r_str_new ("invalid");
+			op->mnemonic = strdup ("invalid");
 		}
 		return false;
 	}
diff --git a/libr/arch/p/pyc/opcode_arg_fmt.c b/libr/arch/p/pyc/opcode_arg_fmt.c
index 9974e5a0ca4cc..ead4bef322a19 100644
--- a/libr/arch/p/pyc/opcode_arg_fmt.c
+++ b/libr/arch/p/pyc/opcode_arg_fmt.c
@@ -22,20 +22,20 @@ char *format_CALL_FUNCTION_KW_36(ut32 oparg) {
 }
 
 char *format_CALL_FUNCTION_EX_36(ut32 oparg) {
-	return r_str_new ((oparg & 0x01)? "keyword args": "");
+	return strdup ((oparg & 0x01)? "keyword args": "");
 }
 
 static const char *MAKE_FUNCTION_FLAGS[] = { "default", "keyword-only", "annotation", "closure" };
 
 char *format_MAKE_FUNCTION_arg_36(ut32 oparg) {
 	size_t i;
-	char *ret = r_str_new (" ");
+	char *ret = strdup (" ");
 	for (i = 0; i < sizeof (MAKE_FUNCTION_FLAGS) / sizeof (char *); ++i) {
 		if (oparg & 0x1) {
 			ret = r_str_appendf (ret, ", %s", MAKE_FUNCTION_FLAGS[i]);
 		} else {
 			free (ret);
-			ret = r_str_new (MAKE_FUNCTION_FLAGS[i]);
+			ret = R_STR_DUP (MAKE_FUNCTION_FLAGS[i]);
 		}
 		oparg >>= 1;
 	}
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ char *format_value_flags_36(ut32 oparg) {
 		// empty fmt_spec.
 		ret = "";
 	}
-	return r_str_new (ret);
+	return R_STR_DUP (ret);
 }
 
 char *format_extended_arg_36(ut32 oparg) {
diff --git a/libr/arch/p/pyc/pyc_dis.c b/libr/arch/p/pyc/pyc_dis.c
index 43bbecb843eec..0ab97c5acc7bc 100644
--- a/libr/arch/p/pyc/pyc_dis.c
+++ b/libr/arch/p/pyc/pyc_dis.c
@@ -139,14 +139,14 @@ static char *parse_arg(pyc_opcode_object *op, ut32 oparg, pyc_code_object *cobj,
 			arg = r_str_newf ("'%s'", (char *)t->data);
 			break;
 		default:
-			arg = r_str_new (t->data);
+			arg = R_STR_DUP (t->data);
 		}
 	}
 	if (op->type & HASNAME) {
 		if (names) {
 			t = (pyc_object *)r_list_get_n (names, oparg);
 			if (t) {
-				return r_str_new (t->data);
+				return R_STR_DUP (t->data);
 			}
 		}
 		return NULL;
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ static char *parse_arg(pyc_opcode_object *op, ut32 oparg, pyc_code_object *cobj,
 		if (oparg < 0 || oparg >= CMP_OP_SIZE) {
 			return NULL;
 		}
-		arg = r_str_new (cmp_op[oparg]);
+		arg = strdup (cmp_op[oparg]);
 	}
 	if (op->type & HASFREE) {
 		if (!cellvars || !freevars) {
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ static char *parse_arg(pyc_opcode_object *op, ut32 oparg, pyc_code_object *cobj,
 		if (!t) {
 			return NULL;
 		}
-		arg = r_str_new (t->data);
+		arg = R_STR_DUP (t->data);
 	}
 	if (op->type & (HASVARGS | HASNARGS)) {
 		arg = r_str_newf ("%u", oparg);
diff --git a/libr/bin/format/mach0/mach0.c b/libr/bin/format/mach0/mach0.c
index 46127f363289e..23bdbf72909a8 100644
--- a/libr/bin/format/mach0/mach0.c
+++ b/libr/bin/format/mach0/mach0.c
@@ -4184,9 +4184,9 @@ ut64 MACH0_(get_baddr)(struct MACH0_(obj_t) *mo) {
 
 char *MACH0_(get_class)(struct MACH0_(obj_t) *mo) {
 #if R_BIN_MACH064
-	return r_str_new ("MACH064");
+	return strdup ("MACH064");
 #else
-	return r_str_new ("MACH0");
+	return strdup ("MACH0");
 #endif
 }
 
diff --git a/libr/bin/format/xnu/r_cf_dict.c b/libr/bin/format/xnu/r_cf_dict.c
index 6952982125735..a1686885839ca 100644
--- a/libr/bin/format/xnu/r_cf_dict.c
+++ b/libr/bin/format/xnu/r_cf_dict.c
@@ -673,7 +673,7 @@ static RCFValue *r_cf_value_clone(RCFValue *value) {
 			RListIter *iter;
 			RCFKeyValue *item;
 			r_list_foreach (((RCFValueDict *)value)->pairs, iter, item) {
-				char *key = r_str_new (item->key);
+				char *key = strdup (item->key);
 				if (key) {
 					RCFValue *clone = r_cf_value_clone (item->value);
 					if (clone) {
@@ -714,7 +714,7 @@ static RCFValue *r_cf_value_clone(RCFValue *value) {
 	case R_CF_STRING: {
 		RCFValueString *string = R_NEW0 (RCFValueString);
 		if (string) {
-			string->value = r_str_new (((RCFValueString *)value)->value);
+			string->value = R_STR_DUP (((RCFValueString *)value)->value);
 			if (string->value) {
 				copy = (RCFValue *)string;
 			} else {
diff --git a/libr/bin/p/bin_lua.c b/libr/bin/p/bin_lua.c
index f1b80d5d1c84f..a18c0c33fa671 100644
--- a/libr/bin/p/bin_lua.c
+++ b/libr/bin/p/bin_lua.c
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ static void addString(const ut8 *buf, ut64 offset, ut64 length, ParseStruct *par
 		return;
 	}
 
-	binstring->string = r_str_newlen ((char *) buf + offset, length);
+	binstring->string = r_str_ndup ((char *) buf + offset, length);
 	binstring->vaddr = binstring->paddr = offset;
 	binstring->ordinal = 0;
 	binstring->size = length;
diff --git a/libr/core/anal_tp.c b/libr/core/anal_tp.c
index ef42754374571..3be06b244347e 100644
--- a/libr/core/anal_tp.c
+++ b/libr/core/anal_tp.c
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ static void type_match(RCore *core, char *fcn_name, ut64 addr, ut64 baddr, const
 				break;
 			}
 			const String *type_ = RVecString_at (&types, pos++);
-			type = type_ ? r_str_new (*type_) : NULL;
+			type = type_ ? R_STR_DUP (*type_) : NULL;
 			DD R_LOG_INFO ("TYPE (%s)", type);
 		} else {
 			type = r_type_func_args_type (TDB, fcn_name, arg_num);
diff --git a/libr/core/canal.c b/libr/core/canal.c
index 60e3f77b3689d..0e70b2c28fadc 100644
--- a/libr/core/canal.c
+++ b/libr/core/canal.c
@@ -2452,7 +2452,7 @@ static void add_single_addr_xrefs(RCore *core, ut64 addr, RGraph *graph) {
 	}
 	RFlagItem *f = r_flag_get_at (core->flags, addr, false);
 	char *me = (f && f->offset == addr)
-		? r_str_new (f->name)
+		? strdup (f->name)
 		: r_str_newf ("0x%" PFMT64x, addr);
 
 	RGraphNode *curr_node = r_graph_add_node_info (graph, me, NULL, addr);
@@ -2472,7 +2472,7 @@ static void add_single_addr_xrefs(RCore *core, ut64 addr, RGraph *graph) {
 			continue;
 		}
 		RFlagItem *item = r_flag_get_i (core->flags, ref->addr);
-		char *src = item? r_str_new (item->name): r_str_newf ("0x%08" PFMT64x, ref->addr);
+		char *src = item? strdup (item->name): r_str_newf ("0x%08" PFMT64x, ref->addr);
 		RGraphNode *reference_from = r_graph_add_node_info (graph, src, NULL, ref->addr);
 		free (src);
 		r_graph_add_edge (graph, reference_from, curr_node);
diff --git a/libr/core/cbin.c b/libr/core/cbin.c
index d698c23575314..8b7f07cdce9f0 100644
--- a/libr/core/cbin.c
+++ b/libr/core/cbin.c
@@ -2969,7 +2969,7 @@ static bool bin_map_sections_to_segments(RBin *bin, PJ *pj, int mode) {
 
 	r_list_foreach (segments, iter, segment) {
 		RInterval segment_itv = (RInterval){segment->vaddr, segment->size};
-		char *tmp2 = r_str_new ("");
+		char *tmp2 = strdup ("");
 		r_list_foreach (sections, iter2, section) {
 			RInterval section_itv = (RInterval){section->vaddr, section->size};
 			if (r_itv_begin (section_itv) >= r_itv_begin (segment_itv) && r_itv_end (section_itv) <= r_itv_end (segment_itv) && section->name[0]) {
diff --git a/libr/core/cmd.c b/libr/core/cmd.c
index d6d299e8518a3..0cffd7ce54028 100644
--- a/libr/core/cmd.c
+++ b/libr/core/cmd.c
@@ -2522,7 +2522,6 @@ static int cmd_kuery(void *data, const char *input) {
 		RLine *line = core->cons->line;
 		if (!line->sdbshell_hist) {
 			line->sdbshell_hist = r_list_newf (free);
-			r_list_append (line->sdbshell_hist, r_str_new ("\0"));
 		}
 		RList *sdb_hist = line->sdbshell_hist;
 		r_line_set_hist_callback (line, &r_line_hist_sdb_up, &r_line_hist_sdb_down);
diff --git a/libr/core/cmd_anal.inc.c b/libr/core/cmd_anal.inc.c
index 98f691e6210fb..5d51712d15238 100644
--- a/libr/core/cmd_anal.inc.c
+++ b/libr/core/cmd_anal.inc.c
@@ -10183,7 +10183,7 @@ static char *get_buf_asm(RCore *core, ut64 from, ut64 addr, RAnalFunction *fcn,
 		buf_asm = r_print_colorize_opcode (core->print, str,
 				core->cons->context->pal.reg, core->cons->context->pal.num, false, fcn ? fcn->addr : 0);
 	} else {
-		buf_asm = r_str_new (str);
+		buf_asm = strdup (str);
 	}
 	return buf_asm;
 }
diff --git a/libr/core/cmd_cmp.inc.c b/libr/core/cmd_cmp.inc.c
index 418df4c98dd16..8012f153819f7 100644
--- a/libr/core/cmd_cmp.inc.c
+++ b/libr/core/cmd_cmp.inc.c
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ R_API bool r_core_cmpwatch_add(RCore *core, ut64 addr, int size, const char *cmd
 		found = true;
 	}
 	cmpw->size = size;
-	cmpw->cmd = r_str_new (cmd);
+	cmpw->cmd = strdup (cmd);
 	if (!cmpw->cmd) {
 		free (cmpw);
 		return false;
diff --git a/libr/core/cmd_debug.inc.c b/libr/core/cmd_debug.inc.c
index fe5d5dcf8d48e..ff1e3ef43afe9 100644
--- a/libr/core/cmd_debug.inc.c
+++ b/libr/core/cmd_debug.inc.c
@@ -2163,7 +2163,7 @@ R_API void r_core_debug_rr(RCore *core, RReg *reg, int mode) {
 			valuestr = r_str_newf ("%s0x%"PFMT64x"%s", color, value, colorend);
 			r_cons_print (Color_RESET);
 		} else {
-			namestr = r_str_new (r->name);
+			namestr = strdup (r->name);
 			valuestr = r_str_newf ("0x%"PFMT64x, value);
 		}
 		ut64 o_offset = core->offset;
diff --git a/libr/core/cmd_help.inc.c b/libr/core/cmd_help.inc.c
index 361ecd557bf3a..5544dcfe574fb 100644
--- a/libr/core/cmd_help.inc.c
+++ b/libr/core/cmd_help.inc.c
@@ -455,7 +455,7 @@ static char *filterFlags(RCore *core, const char *msg) {
 			// find }
 			end = strchr (dollar + 2, '}');
 			if (end) {
-				word = r_str_newlen (dollar+2, end-dollar-2);
+				word = r_str_ndup (dollar + 2, end - dollar - 2);
 				end++;
 			} else {
 				msg = dollar + 1;
@@ -471,7 +471,7 @@ static char *filterFlags(RCore *core, const char *msg) {
 			if (!end) {
 				end = dollar + strlen (dollar);
 			}
-			word = r_str_newlen (dollar+1, end-dollar-1);
+			word = r_str_ndup (dollar + 1, end - dollar - 1);
 		}
 		if (end && word) {
 			ut64 val = r_num_math (core->num, word);
diff --git a/libr/core/cmd_zign.inc.c b/libr/core/cmd_zign.inc.c
index 09ff2181bf13b..94a7d8aace351 100644
--- a/libr/core/cmd_zign.inc.c
+++ b/libr/core/cmd_zign.inc.c
@@ -842,7 +842,7 @@ static double get_zb_threshold(RCore *core) {
 static bool bestmatch_fcn(RCore *core, const char *input, bool json) {
 	r_return_val_if_fail (input && core, false);
 
-	char *argv = r_str_new (input);
+	char *argv = strdup (input);
 	if (!argv) {
 		return false;
 	}
@@ -1099,7 +1099,7 @@ static bool diff_zig(void *data, const char *input) {
 		return false;
 	}
 
-	char *argv = r_str_new (input);
+	char *argv = strdup (input);
 	if (!argv) {
 		return false;
 	}
diff --git a/libr/core/core.c b/libr/core/core.c
index 6191d323d8fb9..b4fb5e3689c58 100644
--- a/libr/core/core.c
+++ b/libr/core/core.c
@@ -1185,12 +1185,12 @@ static void autocomplete_ms_path(RLineCompletion *completion, RCore *core, const
 	char *pwd = strdup (core->rfs->cwd? (const char *)core->rfs->cwd: ".");
 	int n = 0;
 	RFSFile *file;
-	char *lpath = r_str_new (path);
+	char *lpath = strdup (path);
 	char *p = (char *)r_str_last (lpath, R_SYS_DIR);
 	if (p) {
 		*p = 0;
 		if (p == lpath) { // /xxx
-			dirname  = r_str_new ("/");
+			dirname  = strdup ("/");
 		} else if (lpath[0] == '.') { // ./xxx/yyy
 			dirname = r_str_newf ("%s%s", pwd, R_SYS_DIR);
 		} else if (lpath[0] == '/') { // /xxx/yyy
@@ -1202,14 +1202,14 @@ static void autocomplete_ms_path(RLineCompletion *completion, RCore *core, const
 				dirname = r_file_new (pwd, lpath, NULL);
 			}
 		}
-		basename = r_str_new (p + 1);
+		basename = strdup (p + 1);
 	} else { // xxx
 		if (strlen (pwd) == 1) {
 			dirname = r_str_newf ("%s", R_SYS_DIR);
 		} else {
 			dirname = r_str_newf ("%s%s", pwd, R_SYS_DIR);
 		}
-		basename = r_str_new (lpath);
+		basename = strdup (lpath);
 	}
 	R_FREE (pwd);
 
@@ -1340,7 +1340,7 @@ static void autocomplete_process_path(RLineCompletion *completion, const char *s
 		path++;
 	}
 #endif
-	lpath = r_str_new (path);
+	lpath = strdup (path);
 #if R2__WINDOWS__
 	r_str_replace_ch (lpath, '/', '\\', true);
 #endif
@@ -1351,7 +1351,7 @@ static void autocomplete_process_path(RLineCompletion *completion, const char *s
 #if R2__WINDOWS__
 			dirname = strdup ("\\.\\");
 #else
-			dirname = r_str_new (R_SYS_DIR);
+			dirname = strdup (R_SYS_DIR);
 #endif
 		} else if (lpath[0] == '~' && lpath[1]) { // ~/xxx/yyy
 			dirname = r_file_home (lpath + 2);
@@ -1372,10 +1372,10 @@ static void autocomplete_process_path(RLineCompletion *completion, const char *s
 #endif
 			dirname = r_str_newf (fmt, R_SYS_DIR, lpath, R_SYS_DIR);
 		}
-		basename = r_str_new (p + 1);
+		basename = strdup (p + 1);
 	} else { // xxx
 		dirname = r_str_newf (".%s", R_SYS_DIR);
-		basename = r_str_new (lpath);
+		basename = strdup (lpath);
 	}
 
 	if (!dirname || !basename) {
@@ -1419,7 +1419,7 @@ static void autocomplete_filename(RLineCompletion *completion, RLineBuffer *buf,
 	char *pipe = strchr (buf->data, '>');
 
 	if (pipe) {
-		args = r_str_new (pipe);
+		args = strdup (pipe);
 #if 0
 		if (pipe[1] == ' ') {
 			// currently unreachable
@@ -1427,7 +1427,7 @@ static void autocomplete_filename(RLineCompletion *completion, RLineBuffer *buf,
 		}
 #endif
 	} else {
-		args = r_str_new (buf->data);
+		args = R_STR_DUP (buf->data);
 	}
 
 	if (!args) {
@@ -1439,7 +1439,7 @@ static void autocomplete_filename(RLineCompletion *completion, RLineBuffer *buf,
 		goto out;
 	}
 
-	input = r_str_new (r_str_word_get0 (args, narg));
+	input = R_STR_DUP (r_str_word_get0 (args, narg));
 	if (!input) {
 		goto out;
 	}
@@ -1608,7 +1608,7 @@ static void autocomplete_sdb(RCore *core, RLineCompletion *completion, const cha
 	if (pipe) {
 		str = r_str_trim_head_ro (pipe + 1);
 	}
-	lpath = r_str_new (str);
+	lpath = strdup (str);
 	p1 = strchr (lpath, '/');
 	if (p1) {
 		*p1 = 0;
diff --git a/libr/core/disasm.c b/libr/core/disasm.c
index 54955d0e900f3..ba956ab216765 100644
--- a/libr/core/disasm.c
+++ b/libr/core/disasm.c
@@ -1283,7 +1283,7 @@ static void ds_build_op_str(RDisasmState *ds, bool print_color) {
 		char **wc_array = r_str_argv (wcdata, &argc);
 		for (i = 0; i < argc; i++) {
 			bgcolor = strchr (wc_array[i], '\x1b');
-			word = r_str_newlen (wc_array[i], bgcolor - wc_array[i]);
+			word = R_STR_NDUP (wc_array[i], bgcolor - wc_array[i]);
 			ds_highlight_word (ds, word, bgcolor);
 		}
 	}
@@ -4856,7 +4856,7 @@ static void ds_print_ptr(RDisasmState *ds, int len, int idx) {
 		f = r_flag_get_i (core->flags, refaddr);
 		if (f) {
 			if (strlen (msg) != 1) {
-				char *msg2 = r_str_new (msg);
+				char *msg2 = strdup (msg);
 				if (msg2) {
 					r_str_filter (msg2, 0);
 					if (!strncmp (msg2, "UH..", 4)) {
diff --git a/libr/core/fortune.c b/libr/core/fortune.c
index e2be4985f89f6..a4ee1673e4195 100644
--- a/libr/core/fortune.c
+++ b/libr/core/fortune.c
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ static bool _push_types(RList *type_list, char *fortune_dir) {
 	char *file;
 	r_list_foreach (files, iter, file) {
 		if (r_str_startswith (file, "fortunes.") && file[9]) {
-			r_list_push (type_list, r_str_new (file + 9));
+			r_list_push (type_list, strdup (file + 9));
 		}
 	}
 	r_list_free (files);
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ static char *getrandomline(RCore *core) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
 	const char *file = (const char *)r_list_get_n (types, r_num_rand (r_list_length (types)));
-	char *type = r_str_new (file);
+	char *type = R_STR_DUP (file);
 	r_list_free (types);
 	if (!type) {
 		return NULL;
diff --git a/libr/core/panels.c b/libr/core/panels.c
index ca57f47fae0f0..614702752113d 100644
--- a/libr/core/panels.c
+++ b/libr/core/panels.c
@@ -514,7 +514,7 @@ static bool __check_panel_type(RPanel *panel, const char *type) {
 	if (!panel || !panel->model->cmd || !type) {
 		return false;
 	}
-	char *tmp = r_str_new (panel->model->cmd);
+	char *tmp = strdup (panel->model->cmd);
 	int n = r_str_split (tmp, ' ');
 	if (!n) {
 		free (tmp);
@@ -623,14 +623,14 @@ static void __set_decompiler_cache(RCore *core, char *s) {
 	RAnalFunction *func = r_anal_get_fcn_in (core->anal, core->offset, R_ANAL_FCN_TYPE_NULL);
 	if (func) {
 		if (core->panels_root->cur_pdc_cache) {
-			sdb_ptr_set (core->panels_root->cur_pdc_cache, r_num_as_string (NULL, func->addr, false), r_str_new (s), 0);
+			sdb_ptr_set (core->panels_root->cur_pdc_cache, r_num_as_string (NULL, func->addr, false), strdup (s), 0);
 		} else {
 			Sdb *sdb = sdb_new0 ();
 			const char *pdc_now = r_config_get (core->config, "cmd.pdc");
-			sdb_ptr_set (sdb, r_num_as_string (NULL, func->addr, false), r_str_new (s), 0);
+			sdb_ptr_set (sdb, r_num_as_string (NULL, func->addr, false), strdup (s), 0);
 			core->panels_root->cur_pdc_cache = sdb;
 			if (!sdb_exists (core->panels_root->pdc_caches, pdc_now)) {
-				sdb_ptr_set (core->panels_root->pdc_caches, r_str_new (pdc_now), sdb, 0);
+				sdb_ptr_set (core->panels_root->pdc_caches, strdup (pdc_now), sdb, 0);
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -639,7 +639,7 @@ static void __set_decompiler_cache(RCore *core, char *s) {
 
 static void __set_read_only(RCore *core, RPanel *p, char *s) {
 	free (p->model->readOnly);
-	p->model->readOnly = r_str_new (s);
+	p->model->readOnly = strdup (s);
 	__set_dcb (core, p);
 	__set_pcb (p);
 }
@@ -2294,7 +2294,7 @@ static int __show_all_decompiler_cb(void *user) {
 		r_config_set (core->config, "cmd.pdc", opt);
 		RPanel *panel = __get_panel (panels, i++);
 		panels->n_panels = i;
-		panel->model->title = r_str_new (opt);
+		panel->model->title = strdup (opt);
 		__set_read_only (core, panel, r_core_cmd_str (core, opt));
 	}
 	__layout_equal_hor (panels);
@@ -2317,7 +2317,7 @@ static void __init_modal_db(RCore *core) {
 	SdbList *sdb_list = sdb_foreach_list (core->panels->db, true);
 	ls_foreach (sdb_list, sdb_iter, kv) {
 		const char *key = sdbkv_key (kv);
-		sdb_ptr_set (db, r_str_new (key), &__create_panel_db, 0);
+		sdb_ptr_set (db, strdup (key), &__create_panel_db, 0);
 	}
 	sdb_ptr_set (db, "Search strings in data sections", &__search_strings_data_create, 0);
 	sdb_ptr_set (db, "Search strings in the whole bin", &__search_strings_bin_create, 0);
@@ -2597,7 +2597,7 @@ static void __handle_tab_new_with_cur_panel(RCore *core) {
 	RPanel *new_panel = __get_panel (new_panels, 0);
 	__init_panel_param (core, new_panel, cur->model->title, cur->model->cmd);
 	new_panel->model->cache = cur->model->cache;
-	new_panel->model->funcName = r_str_new (cur->model->funcName);
+	new_panel->model->funcName = strdup (cur->model->funcName);
 	__set_cmd_str_cache (core, new_panel, cur->model->cmdStrCache);
 	__maximize_panel_size (new_panels);
 
@@ -3923,7 +3923,7 @@ static char *__get_word_from_canvas_for_menu(RCore *core, RPanels *panels, int x
 		tmp++;
 		i++;
 	}
-	char *ret = r_str_newlen (pos += strlen (padding), i - strlen (padding));
+	char *ret = R_STR_NDUP (pos += strlen (padding), i - strlen (padding));
 	if (!ret) {
 		ret = strdup (pos);
 	}
@@ -4685,7 +4685,7 @@ static void __print_decompiler_cb(void *user, void *p) {
 	return;
 #if 0
 	if (core->panels_root->cur_pdc_cache) {
-		cmdstr = r_str_new ((char *)sdb_ptr_get (core->panels_root->cur_pdc_cache,
+		cmdstr = R_STR_DUP ((char *)sdb_ptr_get (core->panels_root->cur_pdc_cache,
 					r_num_as_string (NULL, func->addr, false), 0));
 		if (R_STR_ISNOTEMPTY (cmdstr)) {
 			__set_cmd_str_cache (core, panel, cmdstr);
@@ -5233,7 +5233,7 @@ static void __add_menu(RCore *core, const char *parent, const char *name, RPanel
 	}
 	item->n_sub = 0;
 	item->selectedIndex = 0;
-	item->name = name ? r_str_new (name) : NULL;
+	item->name = R_STR_DUP (name);
 	item->sub = NULL;
 	item->cb = cb;
 	item->p = R_NEW0 (RPanel);
@@ -6569,7 +6569,7 @@ static char *__parse_panels_config(const char *cfg, int len) {
 	if (R_STR_ISEMPTY (cfg) || len < 2) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
-	char *tmp = r_str_newlen (cfg, len + 1);
+	char *tmp = R_STR_NDUP (cfg, len + 1);
 	if (!tmp) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
@@ -7564,10 +7564,10 @@ R_API bool r_core_panels_root(RCore *core, RPanelsRoot *panels_root) {
 		}
 		const char *pdc_now = r_config_get (core->config, "cmd.pdc");
 		if (sdb_exists (panels_root->pdc_caches, pdc_now)) {
-			panels_root->cur_pdc_cache = sdb_ptr_get (panels_root->pdc_caches, r_str_new (pdc_now), 0);
+			panels_root->cur_pdc_cache = sdb_ptr_get (panels_root->pdc_caches, R_STR_DUP (pdc_now), 0);
 		} else {
 			Sdb *sdb = sdb_new0();
-			sdb_ptr_set (panels_root->pdc_caches, r_str_new (pdc_now), sdb, 0);
+			sdb_ptr_set (panels_root->pdc_caches, R_STR_DUP (pdc_now), sdb, 0);
 			panels_root->cur_pdc_cache = sdb;
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/libr/core/visual.c b/libr/core/visual.c
index f29023f4b028a..abb9e74f99733 100644
--- a/libr/core/visual.c
+++ b/libr/core/visual.c
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ static const char *__core_visual_print_command(RCore *core) {
 	}
 	if (r_config_get_b (core->config, "scr.dumpcols")) {
 		free (core->stkcmd);
-		core->stkcmd = r_str_new (stackPrintCommand (core));
+		core->stkcmd = R_STR_DUP (stackPrintCommand (core));
 		return printfmtColumns[PIDX];
 	}
 	return printfmtSingle[PIDX];
diff --git a/libr/include/r_util/r_str.h b/libr/include/r_util/r_str.h
index bface5c64901a..b3940d593030d 100644
--- a/libr/include/r_util/r_str.h
+++ b/libr/include/r_util/r_str.h
@@ -65,7 +65,6 @@ typedef struct r_charset_t {
 
 #define R_STR_ISEMPTY(x) (!(x) || !*(x))
 #define R_STR_ISNOTEMPTY(x) ((x) && *(x))
-// XXX must deprecate
 #define R_STR_DUP(x) (((x) != NULL) ? strdup ((x)) : NULL)
 #define r_str_array(x,y) ((y >= 0 && y < (sizeof (x) / sizeof (*(x))))?(x)[(y)]: "")
 R_API RCharset *r_charset_new(void);
@@ -301,6 +300,9 @@ R_UNUSED static const char *r_str_skip_prefix(const char *str, const char *prefi
 	}
 	return str;
 }
+static inline char *R_STR_NDUP(R_NULLABLE const char *x, int len) {
+	int _len = len; return (_len > 0) ? r_str_ndup (x, _len) : NULL;
+}
 R_API bool r_str_endswith(const char *str, const char *needle);
 R_API bool r_str_isnumber(const char *str);
 R_API const char *r_str_last(const char *in, const char *ch);
diff --git a/libr/lang/p/lib.c b/libr/lang/p/lib.c
index 37388bb2718f6..761f03951c670 100644
--- a/libr/lang/p/lib.c
+++ b/libr/lang/p/lib.c
@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@
 #include <r_lang.h>
 
 static bool lang_lib_file_run(RLangSession *user, const char *file) {
-	char *libpath;
+	char *libpath = R_STR_DUP (file);
 	void *lib;
-	if (!(libpath = r_str_new (file))) {
+	if (!libpath) {
 		return false;
 	}
 	if (!r_str_startswith (libpath, "/") && !r_str_startswith (libpath, "./")) {
diff --git a/libr/main/ravc2.c b/libr/main/ravc2.c
index d55df1eeda838..c63e502cd7330 100644
--- a/libr/main/ravc2.c
+++ b/libr/main/ravc2.c
@@ -139,13 +139,13 @@ R_API int r_main_ravc2(int argc, const char **argv) {
 			free (rp);
 			return 1;
 		}
-		char *message = r_str_new (opt.argv[opt.ind + 1]);
+		char *message = R_STR_DUP (opt.argv[opt.ind + 1]);
 		if (message) {
 			RList *files = r_list_new();
 			if (files) {
 				size_t i;
 				for (i = 2; i < argc - 1; i++) {
-					char *file = r_str_new(argv[opt.ind + i]);
+					char *file = strdup (argv[opt.ind + i]);
 					if (!file || !r_list_append (files, file)) {
 						free (message);
 						r_list_free (files);
diff --git a/libr/main/rax2.c b/libr/main/rax2.c
index a8a1f81d55e48..e07aab28bb225 100644
--- a/libr/main/rax2.c
+++ b/libr/main/rax2.c
@@ -688,7 +688,7 @@ static bool rax(RNum *num, char *str, int len, int last, RaxActions *flags, RaxM
 	}
 	if (flags->octal2raw) { // -o
 		char *modified_str = (*str == '0')
-			? r_str_new (str)
+			? strdup (str)
 			: r_str_newf ("0%s", str);
 		const char *errstr = NULL;
 		ut64 n = r_num_calc (num, modified_str, &errstr);
diff --git a/libr/util/axml.c b/libr/util/axml.c
index d3402ef9210f2..8f3d917eb9fe2 100644
--- a/libr/util/axml.c
+++ b/libr/util/axml.c
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ static char *resource_value(string_pool_t *pool, const ut8 *data, ut64 data_size
 		resource_value_t *value) {
 	switch (value->type) {
 	case RESOURCE_NULL:
-		return r_str_new ("");
+		return strdup ("");
 	case RESOURCE_REFERENCE:
 		return r_str_newf ("@0x%x", value->data.d);
 	case RESOURCE_STRING:
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ static char *resource_value(string_pool_t *pool, const ut8 *data, ut64 data_size
 		R_LOG_WARN ("Resource type is not recognized: %#x", value->type);
 		break;
 	}
-	return r_str_new ("null");
+	return strdup ("null");
 }
 
 static bool dump_element(PJ *pj, RStrBuf *sb, string_pool_t *pool, namespace_t *namespace,
diff --git a/libr/util/file.c b/libr/util/file.c
index a7567f7ef837e..86a39fa1935d7 100644
--- a/libr/util/file.c
+++ b/libr/util/file.c
@@ -1549,11 +1549,11 @@ R_API RList* r_file_glob(const char *_globbed_path, int maxdepth) {
 		if (last_slash) {
 			glob_ptr = last_slash + 1;
 			if (globbed_path[0] == '~') {
-				char *rpath = r_str_newlen (globbed_path + 2, last_slash - globbed_path - 1);
+				char *rpath = R_STR_NDUP (globbed_path + 2, last_slash - globbed_path - 1);
 				path = r_file_home (r_str_get (rpath));
 				free (rpath);
 			} else {
-				path = r_str_newlen (globbed_path, last_slash - globbed_path + 1);
+				path = R_STR_NDUP (globbed_path, last_slash - globbed_path + 1);
 			}
 		} else {
 			glob_ptr = globbed_path;
diff --git a/libr/util/rvc_git.c b/libr/util/rvc_git.c
index 15fe860eac054..cb80b74e300b3 100644
--- a/libr/util/rvc_git.c
+++ b/libr/util/rvc_git.c
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ static Rvc *open_git(const char *path) {
 	if (!vc) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
-	vc->path = r_str_new (path);
+	vc->path = strdup (path);
 	if (!vc->path) {
 		free (vc);
 		return NULL;
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ R_API RList *branches_git(Rvc *rvc) {
 			char *name;
 			r_list_foreach (ret, iter, name) {
 				if (*(char *)iter->data == '*') {
-					iter->data = r_str_new (name + 2);
+					iter->data = strdup (name + 2);
 					free (name);
 				}
 
diff --git a/libr/util/rvc_rvc.c b/libr/util/rvc_rvc.c
index fe9b30986481a..ddb52ef4e8593 100644
--- a/libr/util/rvc_rvc.c
+++ b/libr/util/rvc_rvc.c
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ static Rvc *rvc_rvc_new(const char *path) {
 		R_LOG_ERROR ("Failed to create repo");
 		return NULL;
 	}
-	rvc->path = r_str_new (path);
+	rvc->path = strdup (path);
 	if (!rvc->path) {
 		free (rvc);
 		return NULL;
@@ -183,15 +183,15 @@ static bool update_blobs(const RList *ignore, RList *blobs, const RList *nh) {
 		if (strcmp (nh->head->data, blob->fname)) {
 			continue;
 		}
-		blob->fhash = r_str_new (nh->tail->data);
+		blob->fhash = R_STR_DUP (nh->tail->data);
 		return (bool) blob->fhash;
 	}
 	blob = R_NEW (RvcBlob);
 	if (!blob) {
 		return false;
 	}
-	blob->fhash = r_str_new (nh->tail->data);
-	blob->fname = r_str_new (nh->head->data);
+	blob->fhash = R_STR_DUP (nh->tail->data);
+	blob->fname = R_STR_DUP (nh->head->data);
 	if (!blob->fhash || !blob->fname) {
 		goto fail_ret;
 	}
@@ -325,7 +325,7 @@ static char *absp2rp(Rvc *rvc, const char *absp) {
 		free (arp);
 		return NULL;
 	}
-	char *p = r_str_new (absp + r_str_len_utf8 (arp));
+	char *p = strdup (absp + r_str_len_utf8 (arp));
 	free (arp);
 	if (!p) {
 		return NULL;
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ static RvcBlob *bfadd(Rvc *rvc, const char *fname) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
 	if (!r_file_exists (absp)) {
-		ret->fhash = r_str_new (NULLVAL);
+		ret->fhash = strdup (NULLVAL);
 		if (!ret->fhash) {
 			goto fail_ret;
 		}
@@ -642,7 +642,7 @@ static char *find_blob_hash(Rvc *rvc, const char *fname) {
 		RvcBlob *b;
 		r_list_foreach_prev (blobs, i, b) {
 			if (!strcmp (b->fname, fname)) {
-				char *bhash = r_str_new (b->fhash);
+				char *bhash = strdup (b->fhash);
 				free_blobs (blobs);
 				return bhash;
 			}
@@ -716,7 +716,7 @@ R_API RList *branches_rvc(Rvc *rvc) {
 		if (!r_str_startswith ((char *)kv->base.key, BPREFIX)) {
 			continue;
 		}
-		if (!r_list_append (ret, r_str_new ((char *)kv->base.key + bplen))
+		if (!r_list_append (ret, strdup ((char *)kv->base.key + bplen))
 				&& !ret->head->data) {
 			r_list_free (ret);
 			ret = NULL;
@@ -944,7 +944,7 @@ R_API char *curbranch_rvc(Rvc *rvc) {
 	if (!rvc->db) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
-	char *ret = r_str_new (sdb_const_get (rvc->db, CURRENTB, 0)
+	char *ret = R_STR_DUP (sdb_const_get (rvc->db, CURRENTB, 0)
 			+ r_str_len_utf8 (BPREFIX));
 	return ret;
 }
@@ -1162,7 +1162,7 @@ static RList *uncommited_rvc(Rvc *rvc) {
 			continue;
 		}
 		free (rfp);
-		char *append = r_str_new (file);
+		char *append = R_STR_DUP (file);
 		if (!append) {
 			goto fail_ret;
 		}
diff --git a/libr/util/str.c b/libr/util/str.c
index 950d8aafd470e..6378de5e0de96 100644
--- a/libr/util/str.c
+++ b/libr/util/str.c
@@ -672,7 +672,7 @@ R_API char *r_str_trunc_ellipsis(const char *str, int len) {
 	if (strlen (str) < len) {
 		return strdup (str);
 	}
-	char *buf = r_str_newlen (str, len);
+	char *buf = r_str_ndup (str, len);
 	if (buf && len > 4) {
 		strcpy (buf + len - 4, "...");
 	}
@@ -817,7 +817,7 @@ R_API char *r_str_prepend(char *ptr, const char *string) {
 
 R_API char *r_str_appendlen(char *ptr, const char *string, int slen) {
 	r_return_val_if_fail (string, NULL);
-	char *msg = r_str_newlen (string, slen);
+	char *msg = R_STR_NDUP (string, slen); // only fails for token.c
 	char *ret = r_str_append (ptr, msg);
 	free (msg);
 	return ret;
@@ -2417,7 +2417,7 @@ R_API bool r_str_glob(const char* str, const char *glob) {
 				needle_end++;
 			}
 			// Find the pattern in between wildcards
-			char* needle = r_str_ndup(glob, needle_end - glob);
+			char* needle = r_str_ndup (glob, needle_end - glob);
 			const char *advance_to = strstr (str, needle);
 			free (needle);
 			if (!advance_to) {
diff --git a/libr/util/strbuf.c b/libr/util/strbuf.c
index 855b5f3165336..05c9020f7ebaa 100644
--- a/libr/util/strbuf.c
+++ b/libr/util/strbuf.c
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ R_API bool r_strbuf_slice(RStrBuf *sb, int from, int len) {
 	const char *s = r_strbuf_get (sb);
 	const char *fr = r_str_ansi_chrn (s, from + 1);
 	const char *to = r_str_ansi_chrn (s, from + len + 1);
-	char *r = r_str_newlen (fr, to - fr);
+	char *r = R_STR_NDUP (fr, to - fr);
 	r_strbuf_fini (sb);
 	r_strbuf_init (sb);
 	if (from >= len) {
diff --git a/libr/util/syscmd.c b/libr/util/syscmd.c
index 32fc642e73615..238f1862fa20b 100644
--- a/libr/util/syscmd.c
+++ b/libr/util/syscmd.c
@@ -483,7 +483,7 @@ R_API char *r_syscmd_join(const char *file1, const char *file2) {
 			}
 			r_list_foreach (list2, iter2, str2) {
 				if (r_str_startswith (str2, field)) {
-					char *out = r_str_new (field);
+					char *out = strdup (field);
 					char *first = strchr (str1, ' ');
 					char *second = strchr (str2, ' ');
 					out = r_str_append (out, r_str_get_fail (first, " "));
diff --git a/libr/util/table.c b/libr/util/table.c
index efb82615f660d..8ef8885ddacb9 100644
--- a/libr/util/table.c
+++ b/libr/util/table.c
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ R_API void r_table_add_rowf(RTable *t, const char *fmt, ...) {
 			r_list_append (list, r_str_newf ("%.03lf", va_arg (ap, double)));
 			break;
 		case 'b':
-			r_list_append (list, r_str_new (r_str_bool (va_arg (ap, int))));
+			r_list_append (list, strdup (r_str_bool (va_arg (ap, int))));
 			break;
 		case 'i':
 		case 'd':
diff --git a/shlr/ar/ar.c b/shlr/ar/ar.c
index 77a9421cba18d..24172012206cb 100644
--- a/shlr/ar/ar.c
+++ b/shlr/ar/ar.c
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ static char *name_from_table(ut64 off, filetable *tbl) {
 	if (i == off) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
-	return r_str_newlen (buf + off, i - off - 1);
+	return R_STR_NDUP (buf + off, i - off - 1);
 }
 
 #define VERIFY_AR_NUM_FIELD(x, s)                                                                \
diff --git a/test/unit/test_str.c b/test/unit/test_str.c
index aac979e735652..e7d5e616c07ec 100644
--- a/test/unit/test_str.c
+++ b/test/unit/test_str.c
@@ -671,6 +671,15 @@ bool test_r_mem_to_binstring(void) {
 	mu_end;
 }
 
+bool test_r_str_ndup_zero_len (void) {
+	char str[] = "deadbeef";
+
+	mu_assert_null (R_STR_NDUP (str, 0), "uppercase yields NULL");
+	mu_assert_streq (r_str_ndup (str, 0), "", "lowercase yields empty string");
+
+	mu_end;
+}
+
 bool all_tests(void) {
 	mu_run_test (test_r_str_wrap);
 	mu_run_test (test_r_str_newf);
@@ -707,6 +716,7 @@ bool all_tests(void) {
 	mu_run_test (test_r_str_tok_r);
 	mu_run_test (test_r_mem_from_binstring);
 	mu_run_test (test_r_mem_to_binstring);
+	mu_run_test (test_r_str_ndup_zero_len);
 	return tests_passed != tests_run;
 }