diff --git a/.github/workflows/benchmark.yml b/.github/workflows/benchmark.yml
index bdf7e7177..6f5160126 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/benchmark.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/benchmark.yml
@@ -42,14 +42,14 @@ jobs:
       - run: make install
       - run: make build
       - name: Run NoSQL Injection Benchmark
-        run: cd benchmarks/nosql-injection && AIKIDO_CI=true node --preserve-symlinks benchmark.js
+        run: cd benchmarks/nosql-injection && AIKIDO_CI=true node benchmark.js
       - name: Run SQL Injection Benchmark
-        run: cd benchmarks/sql-injection && node --preserve-symlinks benchmark.js
+        run: cd benchmarks/sql-injection && node benchmark.js
       - name: Run shell injection Benchmark
-        run: cd benchmarks/shell-injection && node --preserve-symlinks benchmark.js
+        run: cd benchmarks/shell-injection && node benchmark.js
       - name: Run Hono with Postgres Benchmark
-        run: cd benchmarks/hono-pg && node --preserve-symlinks benchmark.js
+        run: cd benchmarks/hono-pg && node benchmark.js
       - name: Run API Discovery Benchmark
-        run: cd benchmarks/api-discovery && node --preserve-symlinks benchmark.js
+        run: cd benchmarks/api-discovery && node benchmark.js
       - name: Run Express Benchmark
-        run: cd benchmarks/express && node --preserve-symlinks benchmark.js
+        run: cd benchmarks/express && node benchmark.js
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 81e184eb0..48743f616 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -10,51 +10,51 @@ containers:
 
 .PHONY: express-mongodb
 express-mongodb:
-	cd sample-apps/express-mongodb && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node --preserve-symlinks app.js
+	cd sample-apps/express-mongodb && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node app.js
 
 .PHONY: express-mongoose
 express-mongoose:
-	cd sample-apps/express-mongoose && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node --preserve-symlinks app.js
+	cd sample-apps/express-mongoose && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node app.js
 
 .PHONY: express-postgres
 express-postgres:
-	cd sample-apps/express-postgres && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node --preserve-symlinks app.js
+	cd sample-apps/express-postgres && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node app.js
 
 .PHONY: express-mysql
 express-mysql:
-	cd sample-apps/express-mysql && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node --preserve-symlinks app.js
+	cd sample-apps/express-mysql && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node app.js
 
 .PHONY: express-mysql2
 express-mysql2:
-	cd sample-apps/express-mysql2 && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node --preserve-symlinks app.js
+	cd sample-apps/express-mysql2 && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node app.js
 
 .PHONY: express-mariadb
 express-mariadb:
-	cd sample-apps/express-mariadb && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node --preserve-symlinks app.js
+	cd sample-apps/express-mariadb && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node app.js
 
 .PHONY: express-path-traversal
 express-path-traversal:
-	cd sample-apps/express-path-traversal && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node --preserve-symlinks app.js
+	cd sample-apps/express-path-traversal && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node app.js
 
 .PHONY: express-graphql
 express-graphql:
-	cd sample-apps/express-graphql && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node --preserve-symlinks app.js
+	cd sample-apps/express-graphql && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node app.js
 
 .PHONY: hono-xml
 hono-xml:
-	cd sample-apps/hono-xml && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node --preserve-symlinks app.js
+	cd sample-apps/hono-xml && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node app.js
 
 .PHONY: hono-sqlite3
 hono-sqlite3:
-	cd sample-apps/hono-sqlite3 && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node --preserve-symlinks app.js
+	cd sample-apps/hono-sqlite3 && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node app.js
 
 .PHONY: hapi-postgres
 hapi-postgres:
-	cd sample-apps/hapi-postgres && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node --preserve-symlinks app.js
+	cd sample-apps/hapi-postgres && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node app.js
 
 .PHONY: micro
 micro:
-	cd sample-apps/micro && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node --preserve-symlinks --require @aikidosec/firewall ./node_modules/.bin/micro
+	cd sample-apps/micro && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node --require @aikidosec/firewall ./node_modules/.bin/micro
 
 .PHONY: lambda-mongodb-nosql-injection
 lambda-mongodb-nosql-injection:
@@ -66,19 +66,19 @@ lambda-mongodb-safe:
 
 .PHONY: nestjs-sentry
 nestjs-sentry:
-	cd sample-apps/nestjs-sentry && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true NODE_OPTIONS=--preserve-symlinks npm run start
+	cd sample-apps/nestjs-sentry && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true NODE_OPTIONS=npm run start
 
 .PHONY: nestjs-fastify
 nestjs-fastify:
-	cd sample-apps/nestjs-fastify && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true NODE_OPTIONS=--preserve-symlinks npm run start
+	cd sample-apps/nestjs-fastify && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true NODE_OPTIONS=npm run start
 
 .PHONY: fastify-mysql2
 fastify-mysql2:
-	cd sample-apps/fastify-mysql2 && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node --preserve-symlinks app.js
+	cd sample-apps/fastify-mysql2 && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node app.js
 
 .PHONY: koa-sqlite3
 koa-sqlite3:
-	cd sample-apps/koa-sqlite3 && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node --preserve-symlinks app.js
+	cd sample-apps/koa-sqlite3 && AIKIDO_DEBUG=true AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true node app.js
 
 .PHONY: fastify-clickhouse
 fastify-clickhouse:
@@ -145,9 +145,9 @@ end2end:
 	cd end2end && npm run test
 
 benchmark: build
-	cd benchmarks/nosql-injection && AIKIDO_CI=true node --preserve-symlinks benchmark.js
-	cd benchmarks/shell-injection && node --preserve-symlinks benchmark.js
-	cd benchmarks/sql-injection && node --preserve-symlinks benchmark.js
-	cd benchmarks/hono-pg && node --preserve-symlinks benchmark.js
-	cd benchmarks/api-discovery && node --preserve-symlinks benchmark.js
-	cd benchmarks/express && node --preserve-symlinks benchmark.js
+	cd benchmarks/nosql-injection && AIKIDO_CI=true node benchmark.js
+	cd benchmarks/shell-injection && node benchmark.js
+	cd benchmarks/sql-injection && node benchmark.js
+	cd benchmarks/hono-pg && node benchmark.js
+	cd benchmarks/api-discovery && node benchmark.js
+	cd benchmarks/express && node benchmark.js
diff --git a/benchmarks/hono-pg/benchmark.js b/benchmarks/hono-pg/benchmark.js
index 9eaca474a..e3341383f 100644
--- a/benchmarks/hono-pg/benchmark.js
+++ b/benchmarks/hono-pg/benchmark.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ async function startServer(firewallEnabled) {
     };
   }
 
-  const server = spawn("node", ["--preserve-symlinks", "server.js", "4000"], {
+  const server = spawn("node", ["server.js", "4000"], {
     env,
     cwd: join(__dirname, "app"),
   });
diff --git a/end2end/tests/big-payloads.test.js b/end2end/tests/big-payloads.test.js
index 35fe63306..2295241db 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/big-payloads.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/big-payloads.test.js
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ const pathToApp = resolve(
 );
 
 t.test("it does not crash if many attacks with big payloads", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4000"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4000"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
   });
 
diff --git a/end2end/tests/express-graphql.test.js b/end2end/tests/express-graphql.test.js
index a146577f2..810f32617 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/express-graphql.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/express-graphql.test.js
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4001"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4001"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true" },
   });
 
diff --git a/end2end/tests/express-mariadb.test.js b/end2end/tests/express-mariadb.test.js
index 02eec40c6..46b963f5b 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/express-mariadb.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/express-mariadb.test.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const pathToApp = resolve(
 );
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4000"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4000"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
   });
 
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4001"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4001"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true" },
   });
 
diff --git a/end2end/tests/express-mongodb.shell-injection.test.js b/end2end/tests/express-mongodb.shell-injection.test.js
index 7209b3d34..4ff18d0d8 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/express-mongodb.shell-injection.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/express-mongodb.shell-injection.test.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const pathToApp = resolve(
 );
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4000"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4000"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCK: "true" },
   });
 
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4001"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4001"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true" },
   });
 
diff --git a/end2end/tests/express-mongodb.ssrf.test.js b/end2end/tests/express-mongodb.ssrf.test.js
index 2255875b6..0c1c38d6c 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/express-mongodb.ssrf.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/express-mongodb.ssrf.test.js
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ t.beforeEach(async () => {
 });
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4000"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4000"], {
     env: {
       ...process.env,
       AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true",
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4001"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4001"], {
     env: {
       ...process.env,
       AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true",
diff --git a/end2end/tests/express-mongodb.test.js b/end2end/tests/express-mongodb.test.js
index cd94d02f2..70c309fda 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/express-mongodb.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/express-mongodb.test.js
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ const pathToApp = resolve(
 t.setTimeout(60000);
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4000"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4000"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
   });
 
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4001"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4001"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true" },
   });
 
@@ -117,7 +117,6 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode (with open telemetry enabled)", (t) => {
   const server = spawn(
     `node`,
     [
-      "--preserve-symlinks",
       "--require",
       "@opentelemetry/auto-instrumentations-node/register",
       pathToApp,
@@ -186,7 +185,6 @@ t.test("it does not block in dry mode (with open telemetry enabled)", (t) => {
   const server = spawn(
     `node`,
     [
-      "--preserve-symlinks",
       "--require",
       "@opentelemetry/auto-instrumentations-node/register",
       pathToApp,
diff --git a/end2end/tests/express-mongoose.test.js b/end2end/tests/express-mongoose.test.js
index 3abe88025..4ea1d06fc 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/express-mongoose.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/express-mongoose.test.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const pathToApp = resolve(
 );
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4000"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4000"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
   });
 
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4001"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4001"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true" },
   });
 
diff --git a/end2end/tests/express-mysql.test.js b/end2end/tests/express-mysql.test.js
index 863c9a31d..ec69f29a3 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/express-mysql.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/express-mysql.test.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const pathToApp = resolve(
 );
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4000"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4000"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
   });
 
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4001"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4001"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true" },
   });
 
diff --git a/end2end/tests/express-mysql2.test.js b/end2end/tests/express-mysql2.test.js
index c9b35588a..2ee30b11c 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/express-mysql2.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/express-mysql2.test.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const pathToApp = resolve(
 );
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4000"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4000"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
   });
 
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4001"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4001"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true" },
   });
 
diff --git a/end2end/tests/express-path-traversal.test.js b/end2end/tests/express-path-traversal.test.js
index 1654fecca..520667fdc 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/express-path-traversal.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/express-path-traversal.test.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const pathToApp = resolve(
 );
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4000"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4000"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
   });
 
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4001"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4001"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true" },
   });
 
diff --git a/end2end/tests/express-postgres.test.js b/end2end/tests/express-postgres.test.js
index aff04b9d0..241b1acaf 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/express-postgres.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/express-postgres.test.js
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ t.before(() => {
 
 entrypoints.forEach((entrypoint) => {
   t.test(`it blocks in blocking mode (${entrypoint})`, (t) => {
-    const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", entrypoint, "4000"], {
+    const server = spawn(`node`, [entrypoint, "4000"], {
       env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
       cwd: directory,
     });
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ entrypoints.forEach((entrypoint) => {
   });
 
   t.test(`it does not block in dry mode (${entrypoint})`, (t) => {
-    const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", entrypoint, "4001"], {
+    const server = spawn(`node`, [entrypoint, "4001"], {
       env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true" },
       cwd: directory,
     });
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ entrypoints.forEach((entrypoint) => {
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode (with dd-trace)", (t) => {
   const server = spawn(
     `node`,
-    ["--preserve-symlinks", "--require", "dd-trace/init", "app.js", "4002"],
+    ["--require", "dd-trace/init", "app.js", "4002"],
     {
       env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
       cwd: directory,
diff --git a/end2end/tests/fastify-mysql2.test.js b/end2end/tests/fastify-mysql2.test.js
index acbeaed9e..a036febb9 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/fastify-mysql2.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/fastify-mysql2.test.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const pathToApp = resolve(
 );
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4000"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4000"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
   });
 
diff --git a/end2end/tests/hapi-postgres.test.js b/end2end/tests/hapi-postgres.test.js
index 2b30757e9..5c32288c4 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/hapi-postgres.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/hapi-postgres.test.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const pathToApp = resolve(
 );
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4000"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4000"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
   });
 
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4001"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4001"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true" },
   });
 
diff --git a/end2end/tests/hono-mongodb.test.js b/end2end/tests/hono-mongodb.test.js
index 5b813ea6d..aaf87b07a 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/hono-mongodb.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/hono-mongodb.test.js
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ const pathToApp = resolve(
 t.setTimeout(60000);
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4000"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4000"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
   });
 
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4001"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4001"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true" },
   });
 
diff --git a/end2end/tests/hono-sqlite3.test.js b/end2end/tests/hono-sqlite3.test.js
index a428124fd..16485a46a 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/hono-sqlite3.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/hono-sqlite3.test.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const pathToApp = resolve(
 );
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4002"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4002"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
   });
 
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4003"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4003"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true" },
   });
 
diff --git a/end2end/tests/hono-xml-geo-blocking.test.js b/end2end/tests/hono-xml-geo-blocking.test.js
index 94bbeceeb..a523e7a07 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/hono-xml-geo-blocking.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/hono-xml-geo-blocking.test.js
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ t.beforeEach(async () => {
 });
 
 t.test("it blocks geo restricted IPs", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4002"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4002"], {
     env: {
       ...process.env,
       AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true",
diff --git a/end2end/tests/hono-xml-rate-limiting.test.js b/end2end/tests/hono-xml-rate-limiting.test.js
index f9f75a1a1..a5f8ca8ee 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/hono-xml-rate-limiting.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/hono-xml-rate-limiting.test.js
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ t.beforeEach(async () => {
 });
 
 t.test("it rate limits requests", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4002"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4002"], {
     env: {
       ...process.env,
       AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true",
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ t.test("it rate limits requests", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("user rate limiting works", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4003"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4003"], {
     env: {
       ...process.env,
       AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true",
diff --git a/end2end/tests/hono-xml.test.js b/end2end/tests/hono-xml.test.js
index 20334bf20..95039486d 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/hono-xml.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/hono-xml.test.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ const timeout = require("../timeout");
 const pathToApp = resolve(__dirname, "../../sample-apps/hono-xml", "app.js");
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4002"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4002"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
   });
 
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4003"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4003"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true" },
   });
 
diff --git a/end2end/tests/http2.test.js b/end2end/tests/http2.test.js
index bec6291f3..9b7f1b5e1 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/http2.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/http2.test.js
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ const pathToApp = resolve(__dirname, "../../sample-apps/http2", "index.js");
 process.env.NODE_TLS_REJECT_UNAUTHORIZED = "0";
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4002"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4002"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
   });
 
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4003"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4003"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true" },
   });
 
diff --git a/end2end/tests/koa-sqlite3.test.js b/end2end/tests/koa-sqlite3.test.js
index df9ba5b53..ef2e8554b 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/koa-sqlite3.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/koa-sqlite3.test.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ const timeout = require("../timeout");
 const pathToApp = resolve(__dirname, "../../sample-apps/koa-sqlite3", "app.js");
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4002"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4002"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true", AIKIDO_BLOCKING: "true" },
   });
 
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", pathToApp, "4003"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, [pathToApp, "4003"], {
     env: { ...process.env, AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true" },
   });
 
diff --git a/end2end/tests/lambda-mongodb.test.js b/end2end/tests/lambda-mongodb.test.js
index bfe00787c..23aded65e 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/lambda-mongodb.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/lambda-mongodb.test.js
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ t.before(async () => {
 
 t.test("it does not block by default", async (t) => {
   const { stdout, stderr } = await execAsync(
-    "npx --node-options='--no-deprecation --preserve-symlinks' --loglevel=error serverless@3.38.0 invoke local --function login --path payloads/nosql-injection-request.json",
+    "npx --node-options='--no-deprecation' --loglevel=error serverless@3.38.0 invoke local --function login --path payloads/nosql-injection-request.json",
     {
       cwd: directory,
     }
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ t.test("it does not block by default", async (t) => {
 
 t.test("it blocks when AIKIDO_BLOCKING is true", async (t) => {
   const { stdout, stderr } = await execAsync(
-    "npx --node-options='--no-deprecation --preserve-symlinks' --loglevel=error serverless@3.38.0 invoke local -e AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true --function login --path payloads/nosql-injection-request.json",
+    "npx --node-options='--no-deprecation' --loglevel=error serverless@3.38.0 invoke local -e AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true --function login --path payloads/nosql-injection-request.json",
     {
       cwd: directory,
     }
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ t.test(
   "it does not block safe requests when AIKIDO_BLOCKING is true",
   async (t) => {
     const { stdout, stderr } = await execAsync(
-      "npx --node-options='--no-deprecation --preserve-symlinks' --loglevel=error serverless@3.38.0 invoke local -e AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true --function login --path payloads/safe-request.json",
+      "npx --node-options='--no-deprecation' --loglevel=error serverless@3.38.0 invoke local -e AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true --function login --path payloads/safe-request.json",
       {
         cwd: directory,
       }
diff --git a/end2end/tests/nestjs-fastify-reate-limiting.test.js b/end2end/tests/nestjs-fastify-reate-limiting.test.js
index 6f8c649b0..4b1cc95e7 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/nestjs-fastify-reate-limiting.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/nestjs-fastify-reate-limiting.test.js
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ t.beforeEach(async () => {
 });
 
 t.test("it rate limits requests", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", "dist/main"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, ["dist/main"], {
     cwd: pathToApp,
     env: {
       ...process.env,
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ t.test("it rate limits requests", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("user rate limiting works", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", "dist/main"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, ["dist/main"], {
     cwd: pathToApp,
     env: {
       ...process.env,
diff --git a/end2end/tests/nestjs-fastify.test.js b/end2end/tests/nestjs-fastify.test.js
index 1fba4eb0b..cc4efe065 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/nestjs-fastify.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/nestjs-fastify.test.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ t.before(() => {
 });
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", "dist/main"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, ["dist/main"], {
     env: {
       ...process.env,
       AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true",
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in non-blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", "dist/main"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, ["dist/main"], {
     env: {
       ...process.env,
       AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true",
diff --git a/end2end/tests/nestjs-sentry.test.js b/end2end/tests/nestjs-sentry.test.js
index 1db24e1b2..3771d60e9 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/nestjs-sentry.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/nestjs-sentry.test.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ t.before(() => {
 });
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", "dist/main"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, ["dist/main"], {
     env: {
       ...process.env,
       AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true",
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in non-blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(`node`, ["--preserve-symlinks", "dist/main"], {
+  const server = spawn(`node`, ["dist/main"], {
     env: {
       ...process.env,
       AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true",
diff --git a/end2end/tests/nextjs-standalone.test.js b/end2end/tests/nextjs-standalone.test.js
index edbcfdfba..a75b92bf1 100644
--- a/end2end/tests/nextjs-standalone.test.js
+++ b/end2end/tests/nextjs-standalone.test.js
@@ -37,19 +37,15 @@ t.before(() => {
 });
 
 t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(
-    `node`,
-    ["--preserve-symlinks", "-r", "@aikidosec/firewall", "server.js"],
-    {
-      env: {
-        ...process.env,
-        AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true",
-        AIKIDO_BLOCK: "true",
-        PORT: 4000,
-      },
-      cwd: join(pathToApp, ".next/standalone"),
-    }
-  );
+  const server = spawn(`node`, ["-r", "@aikidosec/firewall", "server.js"], {
+    env: {
+      ...process.env,
+      AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true",
+      AIKIDO_BLOCK: "true",
+      PORT: 4000,
+    },
+    cwd: join(pathToApp, ".next/standalone"),
+  });
 
   server.on("close", () => {
     t.end();
@@ -119,18 +115,14 @@ t.test("it blocks in blocking mode", (t) => {
 });
 
 t.test("it does not block in dry mode", (t) => {
-  const server = spawn(
-    `node`,
-    ["--preserve-symlinks", "-r", "@aikidosec/firewall", "server.js"],
-    {
-      env: {
-        ...process.env,
-        AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true",
-        PORT: 4001,
-      },
-      cwd: join(pathToApp, ".next/standalone"),
-    }
-  );
+  const server = spawn(`node`, ["-r", "@aikidosec/firewall", "server.js"], {
+    env: {
+      ...process.env,
+      AIKIDO_DEBUG: "true",
+      PORT: 4001,
+    },
+    cwd: join(pathToApp, ".next/standalone"),
+  });
 
   server.on("close", () => {
     t.end();
diff --git a/sample-apps/nextjs-standalone/package.json b/sample-apps/nextjs-standalone/package.json
index 946a7ac1b..1e2eec37c 100644
--- a/sample-apps/nextjs-standalone/package.json
+++ b/sample-apps/nextjs-standalone/package.json
@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@
   "version": "0.1.0",
   "private": true,
   "scripts": {
-    "dev": "AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true AIKIDO_DEBUG=true NODE_OPTIONS='-r @aikidosec/firewall --preserve-symlinks' next dev -p 4000",
+    "dev": "AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true AIKIDO_DEBUG=true NODE_OPTIONS='-r @aikidosec/firewall' next dev -p 4000",
     "build": "next build",
-    "start": "AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true AIKIDO_DEBUG=true NODE_OPTIONS='-r @aikidosec/firewall --preserve-symlinks' next start -p 4000",
+    "start": "AIKIDO_BLOCKING=true AIKIDO_DEBUG=true NODE_OPTIONS='-r @aikidosec/firewall' next start -p 4000",
     "lint": "next lint"
   },
   "dependencies": {