If an API you rely on has changed, you can use Xref to find all instances of that function across the entire codebase to understand how to migrate your code. How to Use xref.aosp.org Effectively 1. Searching for Definitions and Usages
Eliminates the need to manually iterate through stack frames or search for call addresses by hand.
codebase is significantly easier with cross-reference (XRef) tools. These tools allow you to jump between definitions, find usages of classes or methods, and browse different versions without downloading hundreds of gigabytes of data. Top AOSP XRef Tools Android Code Search xref aosp
Click on a symbol to automatically jump to its definition. If you click on a usage, it takes you to the code where that symbol is invoked. 2. Filtering by Project/Path
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Android documentation describes how startActivity behaves, but you need to confirm the actual implementation details. Using Definition search for "startActivity" immediately reveals the implementing classes and methods, allowing you to trace the execution path from framework through native layers.
: Many developers use tools like AOSPXRef on GitHub to deploy their own local cross-reference servers. This involves cloning the AOSP source and indexing it locally to speed up internal development. Use Cases in Development Report and track bugs | Android Open Source Project If an API you rely on has changed,
"Xref AOSP" reads like a terse command from the scaffolding of large software projects — three syllables that point toward a problem every engineer and maintainer confronts: connecting pieces in a sprawling, interdependent codebase so humans can find meaning and change with confidence.
