diff --git a/.travis.yml b/.travis.yml
index c26851f0..0b7cf31c 100644
--- a/.travis.yml
+++ b/.travis.yml
@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@ script:
 - (cd serde && travis-cargo build)
 - (cd serde && travis-cargo test)
 - (cd serde && travis-cargo --only nightly test -- --features nightly-testing)
+- (cd serde && travis-cargo --skip 1.5.0 build -- --no-default-features)
+- (cd serde && travis-cargo --only nightly build -- --no-default-features)
+- (cd serde && travis-cargo --only nightly build -- --no-default-features --features alloc)
+- (cd serde && travis-cargo --only nightly build -- --no-default-features --features collections)
 - (cd serde_tests && travis-cargo test)
 - (cd serde_tests && travis-cargo --only nightly test -- --features nightly-testing)
 - (cd serde_macros && travis-cargo --only nightly test -- --features nightly-testing)
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 570289a0..7af59589 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -718,6 +718,20 @@ Field Annotations:
 | `#[serde(serialize_with="$path")]`      | Call a function `fn<S>(&T, &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error> where S: Serializer` to serialize this value of type `T` |
 | `#[serde(deserialize_with="$path")]`    | Call a function `fn<D>(&mut D) -> Result<T, D::Error> where D: Deserializer` to deserialize this value of type `T`  |
 
+Using in `no_std` crates
+========================
+
+The core `serde` package defines a number of features to enable usage in a
+variety of freestanding environments. Enable any or none of the following
+features, and use `default-features = false` in your `Cargo.toml`:
+
+- `alloc` (implies `nightly`)
+- `collections` (implies `alloc` and `nightly`)
+- `std` (default)
+
+If you only use `default-features = false`, you will receive a stock `no_std`
+serde with no support for any of the collection types.
+
 Upgrading from Serde 0.6
 ========================
 
diff --git a/serde/Cargo.toml b/serde/Cargo.toml
index cbdfbd5e..528db293 100644
--- a/serde/Cargo.toml
+++ b/serde/Cargo.toml
@@ -10,8 +10,13 @@ readme = "../README.md"
 keywords = ["serde", "serialization"]
 
 [features]
+default = ["std"]
+
+std = []
 nightly = []
-nightly-testing = ["clippy", "nightly"]
+alloc = ["nightly"]
+collections = ["alloc"]
+nightly-testing = ["clippy", "nightly", "std"]
 
 [dependencies]
 clippy = { version = "^0.*", optional = true }
diff --git a/serde/src/bytes.rs b/serde/src/bytes.rs
index 21f6af0e..f83ab8dd 100644
--- a/serde/src/bytes.rs
+++ b/serde/src/bytes.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,15 @@
 //! Helper module to enable serializing bytes more efficiently
 
-use std::ops;
-use std::fmt;
-use std::ascii;
+use core::{ops, fmt, char, iter, slice};
+use core::fmt::Write;
 
 use ser;
-use de;
+
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
+pub use self::bytebuf::{ByteBuf, ByteBufVisitor};
+
+#[cfg(feature = "collections")]
+use collections::Vec;
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
@@ -17,7 +21,11 @@ pub struct Bytes<'a> {
 
 impl<'a> fmt::Debug for Bytes<'a> {
     fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter) -> fmt::Result {
-        write!(f, "b\"{}\"", escape_bytestring(self.bytes))
+        try!(f.write_str("b\""));
+        for c in escape_bytestring(self.bytes) {
+            try!(f.write_char(c));
+        }
+        f.write_char('"')
     }
 }
 
@@ -29,6 +37,7 @@ impl<'a> From<&'a [u8]> for Bytes<'a> {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<'a> From<&'a Vec<u8>> for Bytes<'a> {
     fn from(bytes: &'a Vec<u8>) -> Self {
         Bytes {
@@ -60,157 +69,172 @@ impl<'a> ser::Serialize for Bytes<'a> {
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-/// `ByteBuf` wraps a `Vec<u8>` and serializes as a byte array.
-#[derive(Clone, Default, Eq, Hash, PartialEq, PartialOrd, Ord)]
-pub struct ByteBuf {
-    bytes: Vec<u8>,
-}
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
+mod bytebuf {
+    use core::ops;
+    use core::fmt;
+    use core::fmt::Write;
 
-impl ByteBuf {
-    /// Construct a new, empty `ByteBuf`.
-    pub fn new() -> Self {
-        ByteBuf {
-            bytes: Vec::new(),
+    use ser;
+    use de;
+
+    #[cfg(feature = "collections")]
+    use collections::Vec;
+
+    /// `ByteBuf` wraps a `Vec<u8>` and serializes as a byte array.
+    #[derive(Clone, Default, Eq, Hash, PartialEq, PartialOrd, Ord)]
+    pub struct ByteBuf {
+        bytes: Vec<u8>,
+    }
+
+    impl ByteBuf {
+        /// Construct a new, empty `ByteBuf`.
+        pub fn new() -> Self {
+            ByteBuf {
+                bytes: Vec::new(),
+            }
+        }
+
+        /// Construct a new, empty `ByteBuf` with the specified capacity.
+        pub fn with_capacity(cap: usize) -> Self {
+            ByteBuf {
+                bytes: Vec::with_capacity(cap)
+            }
         }
     }
 
-    /// Construct a new, empty `ByteBuf` with the specified capacity.
-    pub fn with_capacity(cap: usize) -> Self {
-        ByteBuf {
-            bytes: Vec::with_capacity(cap)
+    impl fmt::Debug for ByteBuf {
+        fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter) -> fmt::Result {
+            try!(f.write_str("b\""));
+            for c in super::escape_bytestring(self.bytes.as_ref()) {
+                try!(f.write_char(c));
+            }
+            f.write_char('"')
         }
     }
-}
 
-impl fmt::Debug for ByteBuf {
-    fn fmt(&self, f: &mut fmt::Formatter) -> fmt::Result {
-        write!(f, "b\"{}\"", escape_bytestring(self.bytes.as_ref()))
-    }
-}
-
-impl Into<Vec<u8>> for ByteBuf {
-    fn into(self) -> Vec<u8> {
-        self.bytes
-    }
-}
-
-impl From<Vec<u8>> for ByteBuf {
-    fn from(bytes: Vec<u8>) -> Self {
-        ByteBuf {
-            bytes: bytes,
+    impl Into<Vec<u8>> for ByteBuf {
+        fn into(self) -> Vec<u8> {
+            self.bytes
         }
     }
-}
 
-impl AsRef<Vec<u8>> for ByteBuf {
-    fn as_ref(&self) -> &Vec<u8> {
-        &self.bytes
-    }
-}
-
-impl AsRef<[u8]> for ByteBuf {
-    fn as_ref(&self) -> &[u8] {
-        &self.bytes
-    }
-}
-
-impl AsMut<Vec<u8>> for ByteBuf {
-    fn as_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Vec<u8> {
-        &mut self.bytes
-    }
-}
-
-impl AsMut<[u8]> for ByteBuf {
-    fn as_mut(&mut self) -> &mut [u8] {
-        &mut self.bytes
-    }
-}
-
-impl ops::Deref for ByteBuf {
-    type Target = [u8];
-
-    fn deref(&self) -> &[u8] { &self.bytes[..] }
-}
-
-impl ops::DerefMut for ByteBuf {
-    fn deref_mut(&mut self) -> &mut [u8] { &mut self.bytes[..] }
-}
-
-impl ser::Serialize for ByteBuf {
-    fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
-        where S: ser::Serializer
-    {
-        serializer.serialize_bytes(&self)
-    }
-}
-
-/// This type implements the `serde::de::Visitor` trait for a `ByteBuf`.
-pub struct ByteBufVisitor;
-
-impl de::Visitor for ByteBufVisitor {
-    type Value = ByteBuf;
-
-    #[inline]
-    fn visit_unit<E>(&mut self) -> Result<ByteBuf, E>
-        where E: de::Error,
-    {
-        Ok(ByteBuf {
-            bytes: Vec::new(),
-        })
+    impl From<Vec<u8>> for ByteBuf {
+        fn from(bytes: Vec<u8>) -> Self {
+            ByteBuf {
+                bytes: bytes,
+            }
+        }
     }
 
-    #[inline]
-    fn visit_seq<V>(&mut self, mut visitor: V) -> Result<ByteBuf, V::Error>
-        where V: de::SeqVisitor,
-    {
-        let (len, _) = visitor.size_hint();
-        let mut values = Vec::with_capacity(len);
+    impl AsRef<Vec<u8>> for ByteBuf {
+        fn as_ref(&self) -> &Vec<u8> {
+            &self.bytes
+        }
+    }
 
-        while let Some(value) = try!(visitor.visit()) {
-            values.push(value);
+    impl AsRef<[u8]> for ByteBuf {
+        fn as_ref(&self) -> &[u8] {
+            &self.bytes
+        }
+    }
+
+    impl AsMut<Vec<u8>> for ByteBuf {
+        fn as_mut(&mut self) -> &mut Vec<u8> {
+            &mut self.bytes
+        }
+    }
+
+    impl AsMut<[u8]> for ByteBuf {
+        fn as_mut(&mut self) -> &mut [u8] {
+            &mut self.bytes
+        }
+    }
+
+    impl ops::Deref for ByteBuf {
+        type Target = [u8];
+
+        fn deref(&self) -> &[u8] { &self.bytes[..] }
+    }
+
+    impl ops::DerefMut for ByteBuf {
+        fn deref_mut(&mut self) -> &mut [u8] { &mut self.bytes[..] }
+    }
+
+    impl ser::Serialize for ByteBuf {
+        fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
+            where S: ser::Serializer
+        {
+            serializer.serialize_bytes(&self)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// This type implements the `serde::de::Visitor` trait for a `ByteBuf`.
+    pub struct ByteBufVisitor;
+
+    impl de::Visitor for ByteBufVisitor {
+        type Value = ByteBuf;
+
+        #[inline]
+        fn visit_unit<E>(&mut self) -> Result<ByteBuf, E>
+            where E: de::Error,
+        {
+            Ok(ByteBuf {
+                bytes: Vec::new(),
+            })
         }
 
-        try!(visitor.end());
+        #[inline]
+        fn visit_seq<V>(&mut self, mut visitor: V) -> Result<ByteBuf, V::Error>
+            where V: de::SeqVisitor,
+        {
+            let (len, _) = visitor.size_hint();
+            let mut values = Vec::with_capacity(len);
 
-        Ok(ByteBuf {
-            bytes: values,
-        })
+            while let Some(value) = try!(visitor.visit()) {
+                values.push(value);
+            }
+
+            try!(visitor.end());
+
+            Ok(ByteBuf {
+                bytes: values,
+            })
+        }
+
+        #[inline]
+        fn visit_bytes<E>(&mut self, v: &[u8]) -> Result<ByteBuf, E>
+            where E: de::Error,
+        {
+            self.visit_byte_buf(v.to_vec())
+        }
+
+        #[inline]
+        fn visit_byte_buf<E>(&mut self, v: Vec<u8>) -> Result<ByteBuf, E>
+            where E: de::Error,
+        {
+            Ok(ByteBuf {
+                bytes: v,
+            })
+        }
     }
 
-    #[inline]
-    fn visit_bytes<E>(&mut self, v: &[u8]) -> Result<ByteBuf, E>
-        where E: de::Error,
-    {
-        self.visit_byte_buf(v.to_vec())
-    }
-
-    #[inline]
-    fn visit_byte_buf<E>(&mut self, v: Vec<u8>) -> Result<ByteBuf, E>
-        where E: de::Error,
-    {
-        Ok(ByteBuf {
-            bytes: v,
-        })
-    }
-}
-
-impl de::Deserialize for ByteBuf {
-    #[inline]
-    fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: &mut D) -> Result<ByteBuf, D::Error>
-        where D: de::Deserializer
-    {
-        deserializer.deserialize_bytes(ByteBufVisitor)
+    impl de::Deserialize for ByteBuf {
+        #[inline]
+        fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: &mut D) -> Result<ByteBuf, D::Error>
+            where D: de::Deserializer
+        {
+            deserializer.deserialize_bytes(ByteBufVisitor)
+        }
     }
 }
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-fn escape_bytestring(bytes: &[u8]) -> String {
-    let mut result = String::new();
-    for &b in bytes {
-        for esc in ascii::escape_default(b) {
-            result.push(esc as char);
-        }
+#[inline]
+fn escape_bytestring<'a>(bytes: &'a [u8]) -> iter::FlatMap<slice::Iter<'a, u8>, char::EscapeDefault, fn(&u8) -> char::EscapeDefault> {
+    fn f(b: &u8) -> char::EscapeDefault {
+        char::from_u32(*b as u32).unwrap().escape_default()
     }
-    result
+    bytes.iter().flat_map(f as fn(&u8) -> char::EscapeDefault)
 }
diff --git a/serde/src/de/from_primitive.rs b/serde/src/de/from_primitive.rs
index fea4173d..14e51860 100644
--- a/serde/src/de/from_primitive.rs
+++ b/serde/src/de/from_primitive.rs
@@ -13,10 +13,10 @@
 // Rust 1.5 is unhappy that this private module is undocumented.
 #![allow(missing_docs)]
 
-use std::{usize, u8, u16, u32, u64};
-use std::{isize, i8, i16, i32, i64};
-use std::{f32, f64};
-use std::mem::size_of;
+use core::{usize, u8, u16, u32, u64};
+use core::{isize, i8, i16, i32, i64};
+use core::{f32, f64};
+use core::mem::size_of;
 
 /// Numbers which have upper and lower bounds
 pub trait Bounded {
@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ macro_rules! impl_to_primitive_float_to_float {
             Some($slf as $DstT)
         } else {
             let n = $slf as f64;
-            let max_value: $SrcT = ::std::$SrcT::MAX;
+            let max_value: $SrcT = ::core::$SrcT::MAX;
             if -max_value as f64 <= n && n <= max_value as f64 {
                 Some($slf as $DstT)
             } else {
diff --git a/serde/src/de/impls.rs b/serde/src/de/impls.rs
index cfff6704..6cfa84cb 100644
--- a/serde/src/de/impls.rs
+++ b/serde/src/de/impls.rs
@@ -1,30 +1,63 @@
 //! This module contains `Deserialize` and `Visitor` implementations.
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::borrow::Cow;
-use std::collections::{
+#[cfg(all(feature = "nightly", feature = "collections", not(feature = "std")))]
+use collections::borrow::Cow;
+
+#[cfg(all(feature = "collections", not(feature = "std")))]
+use collections::{
     BinaryHeap,
     BTreeMap,
     BTreeSet,
     LinkedList,
+    VecDeque,
+    Vec,
+    String,
+};
+
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
+use std::collections::{
     HashMap,
     HashSet,
+    BinaryHeap,
+    BTreeMap,
+    BTreeSet,
+    LinkedList,
     VecDeque,
 };
-#[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
+
+#[cfg(all(feature = "nightly", feature = "collections"))]
 use collections::enum_set::{CLike, EnumSet};
-use std::hash::Hash;
-use std::marker::PhantomData;
+#[cfg(all(feature = "nightly", feature = "collections"))]
+use collections::borrow::ToOwned;
+
+use core::hash::Hash;
+use core::marker::PhantomData;
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::net;
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::path;
+use core::str;
+
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::rc::Rc;
-use std::str;
+#[cfg(all(feature = "nightly", feature = "alloc", not(feature = "std")))]
+use alloc::rc::Rc;
+
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::sync::Arc;
+#[cfg(all(feature = "nightly", feature = "alloc", not(feature = "std")))]
+use alloc::arc::Arc;
+
+#[cfg(all(feature = "nightly", feature = "alloc", not(feature = "std")))]
+use alloc::boxed::Box;
 
 #[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
 use core::nonzero::{NonZero, Zeroable};
 
 #[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
-use std::num::Zero;
+use core::num::Zero;
 
 use de::{
     Deserialize,
@@ -85,7 +118,7 @@ impl Visitor for BoolVisitor {
     fn visit_str<E>(&mut self, s: &str) -> Result<bool, E>
         where E: Error,
     {
-        match s.trim() {
+        match s.trim_matches(|c| ::utils::Pattern_White_Space(c)) {
             "true" => Ok(true),
             "false" => Ok(false),
             _ => Err(Error::invalid_type(Type::Bool)),
@@ -151,10 +184,10 @@ impl<T> Visitor for PrimitiveVisitor<T>
     impl_deserialize_num_method!(f64, visit_f64, from_f64, Type::F64);
 
     #[inline]
-    fn visit_str<E>(&mut self, v: &str) -> Result<T, E>
+    fn visit_str<E>(&mut self, s: &str) -> Result<T, E>
         where E: Error,
     {
-        str::FromStr::from_str(v.trim()).or_else(|_| {
+        str::FromStr::from_str(s.trim_matches(::utils::Pattern_White_Space)).or_else(|_| {
             Err(Error::invalid_type(Type::Str))
         })
     }
@@ -228,8 +261,10 @@ impl Deserialize for char {
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 struct StringVisitor;
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl Visitor for StringVisitor {
     type Value = String;
 
@@ -264,6 +299,7 @@ impl Visitor for StringVisitor {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl Deserialize for String {
     fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: &mut D) -> Result<String, D::Error>
         where D: Deserializer,
@@ -406,6 +442,7 @@ macro_rules! seq_impl {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 seq_impl!(
     BinaryHeap<T>,
     <Deserialize, Ord>,
@@ -415,6 +452,7 @@ seq_impl!(
     BinaryHeap::with_capacity(visitor.size_hint().0),
     BinaryHeap::push);
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 seq_impl!(
     BTreeSet<T>,
     <Deserialize, Eq, Ord>,
@@ -424,7 +462,7 @@ seq_impl!(
     BTreeSet::new(),
     BTreeSet::insert);
 
-#[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
+#[cfg(all(feature = "nightly", feature = "collections"))]
 seq_impl!(
     EnumSet<T>,
     <Deserialize, CLike>,
@@ -434,6 +472,7 @@ seq_impl!(
     EnumSet::new(),
     EnumSet::insert);
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 seq_impl!(
     LinkedList<T>,
     <Deserialize>,
@@ -443,6 +482,7 @@ seq_impl!(
     LinkedList::new(),
     LinkedList::push_back);
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 seq_impl!(
     HashSet<T>,
     <Deserialize, Eq, Hash>,
@@ -452,6 +492,7 @@ seq_impl!(
     HashSet::with_capacity(visitor.size_hint().0),
     HashSet::insert);
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 seq_impl!(
     Vec<T>,
     <Deserialize>,
@@ -461,6 +502,7 @@ seq_impl!(
     Vec::with_capacity(visitor.size_hint().0),
     Vec::push);
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 seq_impl!(
     VecDeque<T>,
     <Deserialize>,
@@ -747,6 +789,7 @@ macro_rules! map_impl {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 map_impl!(
     BTreeMap<K, V>,
     <Deserialize, Eq, Ord>,
@@ -756,6 +799,7 @@ map_impl!(
     BTreeMap::new(),
     BTreeMap::insert);
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 map_impl!(
     HashMap<K, V>,
     <Deserialize, Eq, Hash>,
@@ -767,7 +811,7 @@ map_impl!(
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-#[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
+#[cfg(all(feature = "nightly", feature = "std"))]
 impl Deserialize for net::IpAddr {
     fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: &mut D) -> Result<Self, D::Error>
         where D: Deserializer,
@@ -780,6 +824,7 @@ impl Deserialize for net::IpAddr {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl Deserialize for net::Ipv4Addr {
     fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: &mut D) -> Result<Self, D::Error>
         where D: Deserializer,
@@ -792,6 +837,7 @@ impl Deserialize for net::Ipv4Addr {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl Deserialize for net::Ipv6Addr {
     fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: &mut D) -> Result<Self, D::Error>
         where D: Deserializer,
@@ -806,6 +852,7 @@ impl Deserialize for net::Ipv6Addr {
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl Deserialize for net::SocketAddr {
     fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: &mut D) -> Result<Self, D::Error>
         where D: Deserializer,
@@ -818,6 +865,7 @@ impl Deserialize for net::SocketAddr {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl Deserialize for net::SocketAddrV4 {
     fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: &mut D) -> Result<Self, D::Error>
         where D: Deserializer,
@@ -830,6 +878,7 @@ impl Deserialize for net::SocketAddrV4 {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl Deserialize for net::SocketAddrV6 {
     fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: &mut D) -> Result<Self, D::Error>
         where D: Deserializer,
@@ -844,8 +893,10 @@ impl Deserialize for net::SocketAddrV6 {
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 struct PathBufVisitor;
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl Visitor for PathBufVisitor {
     type Value = path::PathBuf;
 
@@ -862,6 +913,7 @@ impl Visitor for PathBufVisitor {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl Deserialize for path::PathBuf {
     fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: &mut D) -> Result<path::PathBuf, D::Error>
         where D: Deserializer,
@@ -872,6 +924,7 @@ impl Deserialize for path::PathBuf {
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "alloc"))]
 impl<T: Deserialize> Deserialize for Box<T> {
     fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: &mut D) -> Result<Box<T>, D::Error>
         where D: Deserializer,
@@ -881,6 +934,7 @@ impl<T: Deserialize> Deserialize for Box<T> {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<T: Deserialize> Deserialize for Box<[T]> {
     fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: &mut D) -> Result<Box<[T]>, D::Error>
         where D: Deserializer,
@@ -890,6 +944,7 @@ impl<T: Deserialize> Deserialize for Box<[T]> {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "alloc"))]
 impl<T: Deserialize> Deserialize for Arc<T> {
     fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: &mut D) -> Result<Arc<T>, D::Error>
         where D: Deserializer,
@@ -899,6 +954,7 @@ impl<T: Deserialize> Deserialize for Arc<T> {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "alloc"))]
 impl<T: Deserialize> Deserialize for Rc<T> {
     fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: &mut D) -> Result<Rc<T>, D::Error>
         where D: Deserializer,
@@ -908,6 +964,7 @@ impl<T: Deserialize> Deserialize for Rc<T> {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<'a, T: ?Sized> Deserialize for Cow<'a, T> where T: ToOwned, T::Owned: Deserialize, {
     #[inline]
     fn deserialize<D>(deserializer: &mut D) -> Result<Cow<'a, T>, D::Error>
@@ -954,7 +1011,10 @@ impl<T, E> Deserialize for Result<T, E> where T: Deserialize, E: Deserialize {
                 impl ::de::Visitor for FieldVisitor {
                     type Value = Field;
 
+                    #[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
                     fn visit_usize<E>(&mut self, value: usize) -> Result<Field, E> where E: Error {
+                        #[cfg(feature = "collections")]
+                        use collections::string::ToString;
                         match value {
                             0 => Ok(Field::Ok),
                             1 => Ok(Field::Err),
@@ -962,6 +1022,17 @@ impl<T, E> Deserialize for Result<T, E> where T: Deserialize, E: Deserialize {
                         }
                     }
 
+                    #[cfg(all(not(feature = "std"), not(feature = "collections")))]
+                    fn visit_usize<E>(&mut self, value: usize) -> Result<Field, E> where E: Error {
+                        #[cfg(feature = "collections")]
+                        use collections::string::ToString;
+                        match value {
+                            0 => Ok(Field::Ok),
+                            1 => Ok(Field::Err),
+                            _ => Err(Error::unknown_field("some number")),
+                        }
+                    }
+
                     fn visit_str<E>(&mut self, value: &str) -> Result<Field, E> where E: Error {
                         match value {
                             "Ok" => Ok(Field::Ok),
diff --git a/serde/src/de/mod.rs b/serde/src/de/mod.rs
index a251e715..3a90438f 100644
--- a/serde/src/de/mod.rs
+++ b/serde/src/de/mod.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,12 @@
 //! Generic deserialization framework.
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::error;
+#[cfg(not(feature = "std"))]
+use error;
+
+#[cfg(all(not(feature = "std"), feature = "collections"))]
+use collections::{String, Vec};
 
 pub mod impls;
 pub mod value;
@@ -12,8 +18,13 @@ mod from_primitive;
 /// `Deserializer` error.
 pub trait Error: Sized + error::Error {
     /// Raised when there is general error when deserializing a type.
+    #[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
     fn custom<T: Into<String>>(msg: T) -> Self;
 
+    /// Raised when there is general error when deserializing a type.
+    #[cfg(all(not(feature = "std"), not(feature = "collections")))]
+    fn custom<T: Into<&'static str>>(msg: T) -> Self;
+
     /// Raised when a `Deserialize` type unexpectedly hit the end of the stream.
     fn end_of_stream() -> Self;
 
@@ -558,9 +569,7 @@ pub trait Visitor {
     fn visit_char<E>(&mut self, v: char) -> Result<Self::Value, E>
         where E: Error,
     {
-        // FIXME: this allocation is required in order to be compatible with stable rust, which
-        // doesn't support encoding a `char` into a stack buffer.
-        self.visit_string(v.to_string())
+        self.visit_str(::core::str::from_utf8(::utils::encode_utf8(v).as_slice()).unwrap())
     }
 
     /// `visit_str` deserializes a `&str` into a `Value`.
@@ -574,6 +583,7 @@ pub trait Visitor {
     /// a copy if it is deserializing a string from a `String` type.  By default it passes a `&str`
     /// to the `visit_str` method.
     #[inline]
+    #[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
     fn visit_string<E>(&mut self, v: String) -> Result<Self::Value, E>
         where E: Error,
     {
@@ -638,6 +648,7 @@ pub trait Visitor {
     }
 
     /// `visit_byte_buf` deserializes a `Vec<u8>` into a `Value`.
+    #[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
     fn visit_byte_buf<E>(&mut self, v: Vec<u8>) -> Result<Self::Value, E>
         where E: Error,
     {
diff --git a/serde/src/de/value.rs b/serde/src/de/value.rs
index 791cb900..b2349a17 100644
--- a/serde/src/de/value.rs
+++ b/serde/src/de/value.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 //! This module supports deserializing from primitives with the `ValueDeserializer` trait.
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::collections::{
     BTreeMap,
     BTreeSet,
@@ -10,11 +11,31 @@ use std::collections::{
     hash_map,
     hash_set,
 };
-use std::hash::Hash;
-use std::error;
-use std::fmt;
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::vec;
-use std::marker::PhantomData;
+
+#[cfg(all(feature = "collections", not(feature = "std")))]
+use collections::{
+    BTreeMap,
+    BTreeSet,
+    Vec,
+    String,
+    btree_map,
+    btree_set,
+    vec,
+};
+
+#[cfg(all(feature = "nightly", feature = "collections"))]
+use collections::borrow::ToOwned;
+
+use core::hash::Hash;
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
+use std::error;
+#[cfg(not(feature = "std"))]
+use error;
+
+use core::fmt;
+use core::marker::PhantomData;
 
 use de;
 use bytes;
@@ -25,7 +46,11 @@ use bytes;
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq)]
 pub enum Error {
     /// The value had some custom error.
+    #[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
     Custom(String),
+    /// The value had some custom error.
+    #[cfg(all(not(feature = "std"), not(feature = "collections")))]
+    Custom(&'static str),
 
     /// The value had an incorrect type.
     InvalidType(de::Type),
@@ -34,29 +59,60 @@ pub enum Error {
     InvalidLength(usize),
 
     /// The value is invalid and cannot be deserialized.
+    #[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
     InvalidValue(String),
+    /// The value is invalid and cannot be deserialized.
+    #[cfg(all(not(feature = "std"), not(feature = "collections")))]
+    InvalidValue(&'static str),
 
     /// EOF while deserializing a value.
     EndOfStream,
 
     /// Unknown variant in enum.
+    #[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
     UnknownVariant(String),
+    /// Unknown variant in enum.
+    #[cfg(all(not(feature = "std"), not(feature = "collections")))]
+    UnknownVariant(&'static str),
 
     /// Unknown field in struct.
+    #[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
     UnknownField(String),
+    /// Unknown field in struct.
+    #[cfg(all(not(feature = "std"), not(feature = "collections")))]
+    UnknownField(&'static str),
 
     /// Struct is missing a field.
     MissingField(&'static str),
 }
 
 impl de::Error for Error {
+    #[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
     fn custom<T: Into<String>>(msg: T) -> Self { Error::Custom(msg.into()) }
+
+    #[cfg(all(not(feature = "std"), not(feature = "collections")))]
+    fn custom<T: Into<&'static str>>(msg: T) -> Self { Error::Custom(msg.into()) }
+
     fn end_of_stream() -> Self { Error::EndOfStream }
     fn invalid_type(ty: de::Type) -> Self { Error::InvalidType(ty) }
+
+    #[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
     fn invalid_value(msg: &str) -> Self { Error::InvalidValue(msg.to_owned()) }
+
+    #[cfg(all(not(feature = "std"), not(feature = "collections")))]
+    fn invalid_value(msg: &str) -> Self { Error::InvalidValue("invalid value") }
+
     fn invalid_length(len: usize) -> Self { Error::InvalidLength(len) }
+
+    #[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
     fn unknown_variant(variant: &str) -> Self { Error::UnknownVariant(String::from(variant)) }
+    #[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
     fn unknown_field(field: &str) -> Self { Error::UnknownField(String::from(field)) }
+
+    #[cfg(all(not(feature = "std"), not(feature = "collections")))]
+    fn unknown_variant(variant: &str) -> Self { Error::UnknownVariant("unknown variant") }
+    #[cfg(all(not(feature = "std"), not(feature = "collections")))]
+    fn unknown_field(field: &str) -> Self { Error::UnknownField("unknown field") }
     fn missing_field(field: &'static str) -> Self { Error::MissingField(field) }
 }
 
@@ -238,8 +294,10 @@ impl<'a, E> de::VariantVisitor for StrDeserializer<'a, E>
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 /// A helper deserializer that deserializes a `String`.
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 pub struct StringDeserializer<E>(Option<String>, PhantomData<E>);
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<E> ValueDeserializer<E> for String
     where E: de::Error,
 {
@@ -250,6 +308,7 @@ impl<E> ValueDeserializer<E> for String
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<E> de::Deserializer for StringDeserializer<E>
     where E: de::Error,
 {
@@ -274,6 +333,7 @@ impl<E> de::Deserializer for StringDeserializer<E>
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<'a, E> de::VariantVisitor for StringDeserializer<E>
     where E: de::Error,
 {
@@ -361,6 +421,7 @@ impl<I, T, E> de::SeqVisitor for SeqDeserializer<I, E>
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<T, E> ValueDeserializer<E> for Vec<T>
     where T: ValueDeserializer<E>,
           E: de::Error,
@@ -373,6 +434,7 @@ impl<T, E> ValueDeserializer<E> for Vec<T>
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<T, E> ValueDeserializer<E> for BTreeSet<T>
     where T: ValueDeserializer<E> + Eq + Ord,
           E: de::Error,
@@ -385,6 +447,7 @@ impl<T, E> ValueDeserializer<E> for BTreeSet<T>
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl<T, E> ValueDeserializer<E> for HashSet<T>
     where T: ValueDeserializer<E> + Eq + Hash,
           E: de::Error,
@@ -527,6 +590,7 @@ impl<I, K, V, E> de::MapVisitor for MapDeserializer<I, K, V, E>
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<K, V, E> ValueDeserializer<E> for BTreeMap<K, V>
     where K: ValueDeserializer<E> + Eq + Ord,
           V: ValueDeserializer<E>,
@@ -540,6 +604,7 @@ impl<K, V, E> ValueDeserializer<E> for BTreeMap<K, V>
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl<K, V, E> ValueDeserializer<E> for HashMap<K, V>
     where K: ValueDeserializer<E> + Eq + Hash,
           V: ValueDeserializer<E>,
@@ -618,6 +683,7 @@ impl<'a, E> de::Deserializer for BytesDeserializer<'a, E>
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<E> ValueDeserializer<E> for bytes::ByteBuf
     where E: de::Error,
 {
@@ -629,8 +695,10 @@ impl<E> ValueDeserializer<E> for bytes::ByteBuf
 }
 
 /// A helper deserializer that deserializes a `Vec<u8>`.
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 pub struct ByteBufDeserializer<E>(Option<Vec<u8>>, PhantomData<E>);
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<E> de::Deserializer for ByteBufDeserializer<E>
     where E: de::Error,
 {
diff --git a/serde/src/error.rs b/serde/src/error.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..9852e1f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/serde/src/error.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+//! A stand-in for `std::error`
+use core::any::TypeId;
+use core::fmt::{Debug, Display};
+
+
+/// A stand-in for `std::error::Error`, which requires no allocation.
+#[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
+pub trait Error: Debug + Display + ::core::marker::Reflect {
+    /// A short description of the error.
+    ///
+    /// The description should not contain newlines or sentence-ending
+    /// punctuation, to facilitate embedding in larger user-facing
+    /// strings.
+    fn description(&self) -> &str;
+
+    /// The lower-level cause of this error, if any.
+    fn cause(&self) -> Option<&Error> { None }
+
+    /// Get the `TypeId` of `self`
+    #[doc(hidden)]
+    fn type_id(&self) -> TypeId where Self: 'static {
+        TypeId::of::<Self>()
+    }
+}
+
+/// A stand-in for `std::error::Error`, which requires no allocation.
+#[cfg(not(feature = "nightly"))]
+pub trait Error: Debug + Display {
+    /// A short description of the error.
+    ///
+    /// The description should not contain newlines or sentence-ending
+    /// punctuation, to facilitate embedding in larger user-facing
+    /// strings.
+    fn description(&self) -> &str;
+
+    /// The lower-level cause of this error, if any.
+    fn cause(&self) -> Option<&Error> { None }
+
+    /// Stubbed! Returns type_id of `()`
+    #[doc(hidden)]
+    fn type_id(&self) -> TypeId where Self: 'static {
+        TypeId::of::<()>()
+    }
+}
diff --git a/serde/src/lib.rs b/serde/src/lib.rs
index b00fdc17..e98741c6 100644
--- a/serde/src/lib.rs
+++ b/serde/src/lib.rs
@@ -10,23 +10,46 @@
 //! [github repository](https://github.com/serde-rs/serde)
 
 #![doc(html_root_url="https://serde-rs.github.io/serde/serde")]
-#![cfg_attr(feature = "nightly", feature(collections, enumset, nonzero, plugin, step_trait,
-                                         zero_one))]
+#![cfg_attr(not(feature = "std"), no_std)]
+#![cfg_attr(feature = "nightly", feature(reflect_marker, unicode, nonzero, plugin, step_trait, zero_one))]
+#![cfg_attr(feature = "alloc", feature(alloc))]
+#![cfg_attr(feature = "collections", feature(collections, enumset))]
 #![cfg_attr(feature = "nightly-testing", plugin(clippy))]
 #![cfg_attr(feature = "nightly-testing", allow(linkedlist))]
 
+#![cfg_attr(any(not(feature = "std"), feature = "nightly"), allow(unused_variables, unused_imports, unused_features, dead_code))]
+
 #![deny(missing_docs)]
 
-#[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
+#[cfg(all(feature = "nightly", feature = "collections"))]
 extern crate collections;
 
-#[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
-extern crate core;
+#[cfg(all(feature = "nightly", feature = "alloc"))]
+extern crate alloc;
+
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
+mod core {
+    pub use std::{ops, hash, fmt, cmp, marker, mem, i8, i16, i32, i64, u8, u16, u32, u64, isize,
+            usize, f32, f64, char, str, num, slice, iter};
+    #[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
+    extern crate core;
+    #[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
+    pub use self::core::nonzero;
+}
 
 pub use ser::{Serialize, Serializer};
 pub use de::{Deserialize, Deserializer, Error};
 
+#[cfg(not(feature = "std"))]
+macro_rules! format {
+    ($s:expr, $($rest:tt)*) => ($s)
+}
+
 pub mod bytes;
 pub mod de;
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 pub mod iter;
 pub mod ser;
+#[cfg(not(feature = "std"))]
+pub mod error;
+mod utils;
diff --git a/serde/src/ser/impls.rs b/serde/src/ser/impls.rs
index fec942d7..b51226a9 100644
--- a/serde/src/ser/impls.rs
+++ b/serde/src/ser/impls.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
 //! Implementations for all of Rust's builtin types.
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::borrow::Cow;
+#[cfg(all(feature = "collections", not(feature = "std")))]
+use collections::borrow::Cow;
+
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::collections::{
     BinaryHeap,
     BTreeMap,
@@ -10,20 +15,47 @@ use std::collections::{
     HashSet,
     VecDeque,
 };
-#[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
+#[cfg(all(feature = "collections", not(feature = "std")))]
+use collections::{
+    BinaryHeap,
+    BTreeMap,
+    BTreeSet,
+    LinkedList,
+    VecDeque,
+    String,
+    Vec,
+};
+
+#[cfg(all(feature = "nightly", feature = "collections"))]
 use collections::enum_set::{CLike, EnumSet};
-use std::hash::Hash;
+#[cfg(all(feature = "nightly", feature = "collections"))]
+use collections::borrow::ToOwned;
+
+use core::hash::Hash;
 #[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
-use std::iter;
+use core::iter;
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::net;
 #[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
-use std::num;
+use core::num;
 #[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
-use std::ops;
+use core::ops;
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::path;
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::rc::Rc;
+#[cfg(all(feature = "alloc", not(feature = "std")))]
+use alloc::rc::Rc;
+
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::sync::Arc;
-use std::marker::PhantomData;
+#[cfg(all(feature = "alloc", not(feature = "std")))]
+use alloc::arc::Arc;
+
+#[cfg(all(feature = "alloc", not(feature = "std")))]
+use alloc::boxed::Box;
+
+use core::marker::PhantomData;
 
 #[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
 use core::nonzero::{NonZero, Zeroable};
@@ -77,6 +109,7 @@ impl Serialize for str {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl Serialize for String {
     #[inline]
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
@@ -260,6 +293,7 @@ array_impls!(32);
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<T> Serialize for BinaryHeap<T>
     where T: Serialize + Ord
 {
@@ -271,6 +305,7 @@ impl<T> Serialize for BinaryHeap<T>
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<T> Serialize for BTreeSet<T>
     where T: Serialize + Ord,
 {
@@ -282,7 +317,7 @@ impl<T> Serialize for BTreeSet<T>
     }
 }
 
-#[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
+#[cfg(all(feature = "nightly", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<T> Serialize for EnumSet<T>
     where T: Serialize + CLike
 {
@@ -294,6 +329,7 @@ impl<T> Serialize for EnumSet<T>
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl<T> Serialize for HashSet<T>
     where T: Serialize + Eq + Hash,
 {
@@ -305,6 +341,7 @@ impl<T> Serialize for HashSet<T>
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<T> Serialize for LinkedList<T>
     where T: Serialize,
 {
@@ -330,6 +367,7 @@ impl<A> Serialize for ops::Range<A>
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<T> Serialize for Vec<T> where T: Serialize {
     #[inline]
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
@@ -339,6 +377,7 @@ impl<T> Serialize for Vec<T> where T: Serialize {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<T> Serialize for VecDeque<T> where T: Serialize {
     #[inline]
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
@@ -598,6 +637,7 @@ impl<K, V, I> MapVisitor for MapIteratorVisitor<I>
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<K, V> Serialize for BTreeMap<K, V>
     where K: Serialize + Ord,
           V: Serialize,
@@ -610,6 +650,7 @@ impl<K, V> Serialize for BTreeMap<K, V>
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl<K, V> Serialize for HashMap<K, V>
     where K: Serialize + Eq + Hash,
           V: Serialize,
@@ -642,6 +683,7 @@ impl<'a, T: ?Sized> Serialize for &'a mut T where T: Serialize {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "alloc"))]
 impl<T: ?Sized> Serialize for Box<T> where T: Serialize {
     #[inline]
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
@@ -651,6 +693,7 @@ impl<T: ?Sized> Serialize for Box<T> where T: Serialize {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "alloc"))]
 impl<T> Serialize for Rc<T> where T: Serialize, {
     #[inline]
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
@@ -660,6 +703,7 @@ impl<T> Serialize for Rc<T> where T: Serialize, {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "alloc"))]
 impl<T> Serialize for Arc<T> where T: Serialize, {
     #[inline]
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
@@ -669,6 +713,7 @@ impl<T> Serialize for Arc<T> where T: Serialize, {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
 impl<'a, T: ?Sized> Serialize for Cow<'a, T> where T: Serialize + ToOwned, {
     #[inline]
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
@@ -695,7 +740,7 @@ impl<T, E> Serialize for Result<T, E> where T: Serialize, E: Serialize {
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
-#[cfg(feature = "nightly")]
+#[cfg(all(feature = "std", feature = "nightly"))]
 impl Serialize for net::IpAddr {
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
         where S: Serializer,
@@ -707,6 +752,7 @@ impl Serialize for net::IpAddr {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl Serialize for net::Ipv4Addr {
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
         where S: Serializer,
@@ -715,6 +761,7 @@ impl Serialize for net::Ipv4Addr {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl Serialize for net::Ipv6Addr {
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
         where S: Serializer,
@@ -725,6 +772,7 @@ impl Serialize for net::Ipv6Addr {
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl Serialize for net::SocketAddr {
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
         where S: Serializer,
@@ -736,6 +784,7 @@ impl Serialize for net::SocketAddr {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl Serialize for net::SocketAddrV4 {
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
         where S: Serializer,
@@ -744,6 +793,7 @@ impl Serialize for net::SocketAddrV4 {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl Serialize for net::SocketAddrV6 {
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
         where S: Serializer,
@@ -754,6 +804,7 @@ impl Serialize for net::SocketAddrV6 {
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl Serialize for path::Path {
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
         where S: Serializer,
@@ -765,6 +816,7 @@ impl Serialize for path::Path {
     }
 }
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 impl Serialize for path::PathBuf {
     fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: &mut S) -> Result<(), S::Error>
         where S: Serializer,
diff --git a/serde/src/ser/mod.rs b/serde/src/ser/mod.rs
index 7129ebfb..22f28498 100644
--- a/serde/src/ser/mod.rs
+++ b/serde/src/ser/mod.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,12 @@
 //! Generic serialization framework.
 
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::error;
+#[cfg(not(feature = "std"))]
+use error;
+
+#[cfg(all(feature = "collections", not(feature = "std")))]
+use collections::String;
 
 pub mod impls;
 
@@ -10,8 +16,13 @@ pub mod impls;
 /// `Serializer` error.
 pub trait Error: Sized + error::Error {
     /// Raised when there is general error when deserializing a type.
+    #[cfg(any(feature = "std", feature = "collections"))]
     fn custom<T: Into<String>>(msg: T) -> Self;
 
+    /// Raised when there is general error when deserializing a type.
+    #[cfg(all(not(feature = "std"), not(feature = "collections")))]
+    fn custom<T: Into<&'static str>>(msg: T) -> Self;
+
     /// Raised when a `Serialize` was passed an incorrect value.
     fn invalid_value(msg: &str) -> Self {
         Error::custom(format!("invalid value: {}", msg))
@@ -111,13 +122,10 @@ pub trait Serializer {
     /// Serializes a `f64` value.
     fn serialize_f64(&mut self, v: f64) -> Result<(), Self::Error>;
 
-    /// Serializes a character. By default it serializes it as a `&str` containing a
-    /// single character.
-    #[inline]
+    /// Serializes a character. By default it serializes as bytes containing the UTF-8 encoding
+    /// of the character.
     fn serialize_char(&mut self, v: char) -> Result<(), Self::Error> {
-        // FIXME: this allocation is required in order to be compatible with stable rust, which
-        // doesn't support encoding a `char` into a stack buffer.
-        self.serialize_str(&v.to_string())
+        self.serialize_bytes(::utils::encode_utf8(v).as_slice())
     }
 
     /// Serializes a `&str`.
diff --git a/serde/src/utils.rs b/serde/src/utils.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..44931cb4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/serde/src/utils.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+//! Private utility functions
+
+const TAG_CONT: u8    = 0b1000_0000;
+const TAG_TWO_B: u8   = 0b1100_0000;
+const TAG_THREE_B: u8 = 0b1110_0000;
+const TAG_FOUR_B: u8  = 0b1111_0000;
+const MAX_ONE_B: u32   =     0x80;
+const MAX_TWO_B: u32   =    0x800;
+const MAX_THREE_B: u32 =  0x10000;
+
+#[inline]
+pub fn encode_utf8(c: char) -> EncodeUtf8 {
+    let code = c as u32;
+    let mut buf = [0; 4];
+    let pos = if code < MAX_ONE_B {
+        buf[3] = code as u8;
+        3
+    } else if code < MAX_TWO_B {
+        buf[2] = (code >> 6 & 0x1F) as u8 | TAG_TWO_B;
+        buf[3] = (code & 0x3F) as u8 | TAG_CONT;
+        2
+    } else if code < MAX_THREE_B {
+        buf[1] = (code >> 12 & 0x0F) as u8 | TAG_THREE_B;
+        buf[2] = (code >>  6 & 0x3F) as u8 | TAG_CONT;
+        buf[3] = (code & 0x3F) as u8 | TAG_CONT;
+        1
+    } else {
+        buf[0] = (code >> 18 & 0x07) as u8 | TAG_FOUR_B;
+        buf[1] = (code >> 12 & 0x3F) as u8 | TAG_CONT;
+        buf[2] = (code >>  6 & 0x3F) as u8 | TAG_CONT;
+        buf[3] = (code & 0x3F) as u8 | TAG_CONT;
+        0
+    };
+    EncodeUtf8 { buf: buf, pos: pos }
+}
+
+pub struct EncodeUtf8 {
+    buf: [u8; 4],
+    pos: usize,
+}
+
+impl EncodeUtf8 {
+    /// Returns the remaining bytes of this iterator as a slice.
+    pub fn as_slice(&self) -> &[u8] {
+        &self.buf[self.pos..]
+    }
+}
+
+#[allow(non_upper_case_globals)]
+const Pattern_White_Space_table: &'static [(char, char)] = &[
+    ('\u{9}', '\u{d}'), ('\u{20}', '\u{20}'), ('\u{85}', '\u{85}'), ('\u{200e}', '\u{200f}'),
+    ('\u{2028}', '\u{2029}')
+];
+
+fn bsearch_range_table(c: char, r: &'static [(char, char)]) -> bool {
+    use core::cmp::Ordering::{Equal, Less, Greater};
+    r.binary_search_by(|&(lo, hi)| {
+        if c < lo {
+            Greater
+        } else if hi < c {
+            Less
+        } else {
+            Equal
+        }
+    })
+    .is_ok()
+}
+
+#[allow(non_snake_case)]
+pub fn Pattern_White_Space(c: char) -> bool {
+    bsearch_range_table(c, Pattern_White_Space_table)
+}