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Using the layer.xml file editor (either the GUI which shows for expanding the layer file or simply editing the the layer in the XML editor) it would be nice to have context menus GoTo->Source and GoTo->Declaration for .instance and .shadow files in the layer. For instance if it's a shadow the GoTo->Source would have to resolve the original file and figure out what it is. If it's a file in the project then open that file in the appropriate editor. If it's a class then open the java file in the java editor. Go To->Declaration shouldn't show up for .instance obviously as an instance is the declaration, so Go To->Declaration only makes sense for the shadows,and when selected should jump the cursor to the location of the instance declaration or original file. This just makes it easier to locate the instance in the layer (more useful for more complex layers).
Probably several separate RFEs here. 1. Context menu item on layer file node (folders too? might not make sense) to jump to the layer declaration. That might be in the layer.xml, but for <this layer in context> it could in fact be in another module. If the layer entry comes from a platform module without sources, do nothing, or perhaps jump to JAR entry. 2. Context menu item on layer file node to jump to source definition. 2a. If url="...", jumps to content file. 2b. If a .instance file, jumps to class or method acc. to instanceClass / instanceCreate attributes. 2c. If a .shadow file, jumps to original. 2d. Maybe also for _hidden files, TBD. 3. Hyperlinks in XML editor (Ctrl-Click) with similar functionality to #2, active on XML attributes named 'url', 'newvalue', or 'methodvalue', or also 'stringvalue' in the case of 'instanceClass', 'instanceOf', and 'originalFile' file attributes. May or may not be able to add context menu items to the XML editor corresponding to #3.
#1 already implemented. #2/#3 increasingly less useful as annotations are used.