diff --git a/core/state.c b/core/state.c
index 4a9f47a..4f81e4f 100644
--- a/core/state.c
+++ b/core/state.c
@@ -32,6 +32,11 @@ quip_state_init(const char *build_file, struct quip_state *state)
         return -1;
     }
 
+    if (ptrbox_init(&state->ptrbox) < 0) {
+        close(state->in_fd);
+        return -1;
+    }
+
     return 0;
 }
 
@@ -42,6 +47,7 @@ quip_state_destroy(struct quip_state *state)
         return;
     }
 
+    ptrbox_destroy(&state->ptrbox);
     close(state->in_fd);
     state->in_fd = -1;
 }
diff --git a/include/common/state.h b/include/common/state.h
index 05f1c33..923f298 100644
--- a/include/common/state.h
+++ b/include/common/state.h
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include <stddef.h>
 #include "common/knobs.h"
+#include "common/ptrbox.h"
 
 /*
  * Represents the build state machine
@@ -24,6 +25,7 @@
  * @lex_buf_cap:    Lexer buffer capacity
  * @lex_buf_i:      Lexer buffer index
  * @lex_putback:    Lexer putback buffer
+ * @ptrbox:         Global pointer box
  */
 struct quip_state {
     int in_fd;
@@ -32,6 +34,7 @@ struct quip_state {
     size_t lex_buf_cap;
     size_t lex_buf_i;
     char lex_putback;
+    struct ptrbox ptrbox;
 };
 
 /*