Question 1

How do I use Xargo to cross-compile for ARM Cortex-M targets?

Accepted Answer

Install Xargo, add the rust-src component, then run xargo build --target thumbv6m-none-eabi. It will automatically compile core and cache it, but you may need an Xargo.toml for additional crates like alloc.

Question 2

Xargo vs Cargo: which is better for embedded Rust development?

Accepted Answer

Xargo is essential for targets without binary std releases, as it builds sysroots from source, while Cargo alone relies on pre-compiled binaries. For common embedded targets like ARM, Xargo simplifies cross-compilation where Cargo falls short.

Question 3

How to patch a transitive dependency like libc in the sysroot with Xargo?

Accepted Answer

Use the [patch] section in Xargo.toml to replace crates-io dependencies, similar to Cargo. For example, add [patch.crates-io.libc] with a path to your custom version, but avoid listing it in dependencies to prevent duplication.

Question 4

Does Xargo work with stable Rust?

Accepted Answer

No, Xargo requires nightly Rust because the standard crates depend on unstable features. Attempting to use it with stable or beta will fail, as noted in the caveats.

Question 5

How to build std with panic abort using Xargo?

Accepted Answer

Set panic = 'abort' in your Cargo.toml's profile, then in Xargo.toml, specify [dependencies.std] without the panic-unwind feature. Xargo will compile std accordingly, as shown in the examples.

Question 6

Is Xargo still maintained in 2023 or later?

Accepted Answer

Xargo is in maintenance mode, meaning only critical fixes are applied, and no new features are added. Developers should consider alternatives like cargo-xbuild or direct rustc flags for newer Rust versions, but it remains usable for existing setups.

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