diff --git a/cmd/tools/vast/vast.v b/cmd/tools/vast/vast.v
index 5fc1998c35..8d03e49963 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vast/vast.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vast/vast.v
@@ -863,7 +863,6 @@ fn (t Tree) arg(node ast.Param) &Node {
 	obj.add_terse('is_mut', t.bool_node(node.is_mut))
 	obj.add_terse('is_shared', t.bool_node(node.is_shared))
 	obj.add_terse('is_atomic', t.bool_node(node.is_atomic))
-	obj.add_terse('is_auto_rec', t.bool_node(node.is_auto_rec))
 	obj.add_terse('on_newline', t.bool_node(node.on_newline))
 	obj.add('pos', t.pos(node.pos))
 	obj.add('type_pos', t.pos(node.type_pos))
diff --git a/cmd/tools/vdoc/html.v b/cmd/tools/vdoc/html.v
index 315f6d1f1e..172bcbae0a 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vdoc/html.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vdoc/html.v
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ struct SearchResult {
 	link        string
 }
 
-fn (vd VDoc) render_search_index(out Output) {
+fn (vd &VDoc) render_search_index(out Output) {
 	mut js_search_index := strings.new_builder(200)
 	mut js_search_data := strings.new_builder(200)
 	js_search_index.write_string('var searchModuleIndex = [\n')
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ fn (mut vd VDoc) render_static_html(out Output) {
 	}
 }
 
-fn (vd VDoc) get_resource(name string, out Output) string {
+fn (vd &VDoc) get_resource(name string, out Output) string {
 	cfg := vd.cfg
 	path := os.join_path(cfg.theme_dir, name)
 	mut res := os.read_file(path) or { panic('vdoc: could not read ${path}') }
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ fn (mut vd VDoc) create_search_results(mod string, dn doc.DocNode, out Output) {
 	}
 }
 
-fn (vd VDoc) write_content(cn &doc.DocNode, d &doc.Doc, mut hw strings.Builder) {
+fn (vd &VDoc) write_content(cn &doc.DocNode, d &doc.Doc, mut hw strings.Builder) {
 	cfg := vd.cfg
 	base_dir := os.dir(os.real_path(cfg.input_path))
 	file_path_name := if cfg.is_multi {
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ fn (vd VDoc) write_content(cn &doc.DocNode, d &doc.Doc, mut hw strings.Builder)
 	}
 }
 
-fn (vd VDoc) gen_html(d doc.Doc) string {
+fn (vd &VDoc) gen_html(d doc.Doc) string {
 	cfg := vd.cfg
 	mut symbols_toc := strings.new_builder(200)
 	mut modules_toc := strings.new_builder(200)
diff --git a/cmd/tools/vdoc/markdown.v b/cmd/tools/vdoc/markdown.v
index 4fca38c2e1..bb1a2804c6 100644
--- a/cmd/tools/vdoc/markdown.v
+++ b/cmd/tools/vdoc/markdown.v
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ module main
 import strings
 import v.doc
 
-fn (vd VDoc) gen_markdown(d doc.Doc, with_toc bool) string {
+fn (vd &VDoc) gen_markdown(d doc.Doc, with_toc bool) string {
 	cfg := vd.cfg
 	mut hw := strings.new_builder(200)
 	mut cw := strings.new_builder(200)
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ fn (vd VDoc) gen_markdown(d doc.Doc, with_toc bool) string {
 	return hw.str() + '\n' + cw.str()
 }
 
-fn (vd VDoc) write_markdown_content(contents []doc.DocNode, mut cw strings.Builder, mut hw strings.Builder,
+fn (vd &VDoc) write_markdown_content(contents []doc.DocNode, mut cw strings.Builder, mut hw strings.Builder,
 	indent int, with_toc bool) {
 	cfg := vd.cfg
 	for cn in contents {
diff --git a/vlib/cli/command.v b/vlib/cli/command.v
index 0b4fae66a3..b510bb7585 100644
--- a/vlib/cli/command.v
+++ b/vlib/cli/command.v
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ pub mut:
 type Defaults = CommandFlag | bool
 
 // str returns the `string` representation of the `Command`.
-pub fn (cmd Command) str() string {
+pub fn (cmd &Command) str() string {
 	mut res := []string{}
 	res << 'Command{'
 	res << '	name: "${cmd.name}"'
@@ -88,20 +88,20 @@ pub fn (cmd Command) str() string {
 }
 
 // is_root returns `true` if this `Command` has no parents.
-pub fn (cmd Command) is_root() bool {
+pub fn (cmd &Command) is_root() bool {
 	return isnil(cmd.parent)
 }
 
 // root returns the root `Command` of the command chain.
-pub fn (cmd Command) root() Command {
+pub fn (cmd &Command) root() Command {
 	if cmd.is_root() {
-		return cmd
+		return *cmd
 	}
 	return cmd.parent.root()
 }
 
 // full_name returns the full `string` representation of all commands int the chain.
-pub fn (cmd Command) full_name() string {
+pub fn (cmd &Command) full_name() string {
 	if cmd.is_root() {
 		return cmd.name
 	}
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ fn (mut cmd Command) handle_cb(cb FnCommandCallback, label string) {
 	}
 }
 
-fn (cmd Command) check_help_flag() {
+fn (cmd &Command) check_help_flag() {
 	if cmd.defaults.parsed.help.flag && cmd.flags.contains('help') {
 		help_flag := cmd.flags.get_bool('help') or { return } // ignore error and handle command normally
 		if help_flag {
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@ fn (cmd Command) check_help_flag() {
 	}
 }
 
-fn (cmd Command) check_man_flag() {
+fn (cmd &Command) check_man_flag() {
 	if cmd.defaults.parsed.man.flag && cmd.flags.contains('man') {
 		man_flag := cmd.flags.get_bool('man') or { return } // ignore error and handle command normally
 		if man_flag {
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ fn (cmd Command) check_man_flag() {
 	}
 }
 
-fn (cmd Command) check_version_flag() {
+fn (cmd &Command) check_version_flag() {
 	if cmd.defaults.parsed.version.flag && cmd.version != '' && cmd.flags.contains('version') {
 		version_flag := cmd.flags.get_bool('version') or { return } // ignore error and handle command normally
 		if version_flag {
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ fn (cmd Command) check_version_flag() {
 	}
 }
 
-fn (cmd Command) check_required_flags() {
+fn (cmd &Command) check_required_flags() {
 	for flag in cmd.flags {
 		if flag.required && flag.value.len == 0 {
 			full_name := cmd.full_name()
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@ fn (cmd Command) check_required_flags() {
 
 // execute_help executes the callback registered
 // for the `-h`/`--help` flag option.
-pub fn (cmd Command) execute_help() {
+pub fn (cmd &Command) execute_help() {
 	if cmd.commands.contains('help') {
 		help_cmd := cmd.commands.get('help') or { return } // ignore error and handle command normally
 		if !isnil(help_cmd.execute) {
@@ -371,7 +371,7 @@ pub fn (cmd Command) execute_help() {
 
 // execute_help executes the callback registered
 // for the `-man` flag option.
-pub fn (cmd Command) execute_man() {
+pub fn (cmd &Command) execute_man() {
 	if cmd.commands.contains('man') {
 		man_cmd := cmd.commands.get('man') or { return }
 		man_cmd.execute(man_cmd) or { panic(err) }
diff --git a/vlib/cli/flag.v b/vlib/cli/flag.v
index 8d6cb9276a..21ae53191c 100644
--- a/vlib/cli/flag.v
+++ b/vlib/cli/flag.v
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ pub fn (flags []Flag) get_all_found() []Flag {
 
 // get_bool returns `true` if the flag is set.
 // get_bool returns an error if the `FlagType` is not boolean.
-pub fn (flag Flag) get_bool() !bool {
+pub fn (flag &Flag) get_bool() !bool {
 	if flag.flag != .bool {
 		return error('${flag.name}: Invalid flag type `${flag.flag}`, expected `bool`')
 	}
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ pub fn (flags []Flag) get_bool(name string) !bool {
 
 // get_int returns the `int` value argument of the flag.
 // get_int returns an error if the `FlagType` is not integer.
-pub fn (flag Flag) get_int() !int {
+pub fn (flag &Flag) get_int() !int {
 	if flag.flag != .int {
 		return error('${flag.name}: Invalid flag type `${flag.flag}`, expected `int`')
 	}
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ pub fn (flag Flag) get_int() !int {
 
 // get_ints returns the array of `int` value argument of the flag specified in `name`.
 // get_ints returns an error if the `FlagType` is not integer.
-pub fn (flag Flag) get_ints() ![]int {
+pub fn (flag &Flag) get_ints() ![]int {
 	if flag.flag != .int_array {
 		return error('${flag.name}: Invalid flag type `${flag.flag}`, expected `int_array`')
 	}
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ pub fn (flags []Flag) get_ints(name string) ![]int {
 
 // get_float returns the `f64` value argument of the flag.
 // get_float returns an error if the `FlagType` is not floating point.
-pub fn (flag Flag) get_float() !f64 {
+pub fn (flag &Flag) get_float() !f64 {
 	if flag.flag != .float {
 		return error('${flag.name}: Invalid flag type `${flag.flag}`, expected `float`')
 	}
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ pub fn (flag Flag) get_float() !f64 {
 
 // get_floats returns the `f64` value argument of the flag.
 // get_floats returns an error if the `FlagType` is not floating point.
-pub fn (flag Flag) get_floats() ![]f64 {
+pub fn (flag &Flag) get_floats() ![]f64 {
 	if flag.flag != .float_array {
 		return error('${flag.name}: Invalid flag type `${flag.flag}`, expected `float_array`')
 	}
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ pub fn (flags []Flag) get_floats(name string) ![]f64 {
 
 // get_string returns the `string` value argument of the flag.
 // get_string returns an error if the `FlagType` is not string.
-pub fn (flag Flag) get_string() !string {
+pub fn (flag &Flag) get_string() !string {
 	if flag.flag != .string {
 		return error('${flag.name}: Invalid flag type `${flag.flag}`, expected `string`')
 	}
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ pub fn (flag Flag) get_string() !string {
 
 // get_strings returns the array of `string` value argument of the flag.
 // get_strings returns an error if the `FlagType` is not string.
-pub fn (flag Flag) get_strings() ![]string {
+pub fn (flag &Flag) get_strings() ![]string {
 	if flag.flag != .string_array {
 		return error('${flag.name}: Invalid flag type `${flag.flag}`, expected `string_array`')
 	}
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ fn (flags []Flag) contains(name string) bool {
 }
 
 // Check if value is set by command line option. If not, return default value.
-fn (flag Flag) get_value_or_default_value() []string {
+fn (flag &Flag) get_value_or_default_value() []string {
 	if flag.value.len == 0 && flag.default_value.len > 0 {
 		// If default value is set and no value provide, use default value.
 		return flag.default_value
diff --git a/vlib/cli/help.v b/vlib/cli/help.v
index d5b16a49e7..1f0d425ab0 100644
--- a/vlib/cli/help.v
+++ b/vlib/cli/help.v
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ pub fn print_help_for_command(cmd Command) ! {
 }
 
 // help_message returns a generated help message as a `string` for the `Command`.
-pub fn (cmd Command) help_message() string {
+pub fn (cmd &Command) help_message() string {
 	mut help := ''
 	help += 'Usage: ${cmd.full_name()}'
 	if cmd.flags.len > 0 {
diff --git a/vlib/cli/man.v b/vlib/cli/man.v
index 51de7dac18..c47bc51842 100644
--- a/vlib/cli/man.v
+++ b/vlib/cli/man.v
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ pub fn print_manpage_for_command(cmd Command) ! {
 
 // manpage returns a `string` containing the mdoc(7) manpage for
 // this `Command`
-pub fn (cmd Command) manpage() string {
+pub fn (cmd &Command) manpage() string {
 	mut mdoc := '.Dd ${time.now().strftime('%B %d, %Y')}\n'
 	mdoc += '.Dt ${cmd.full_name().replace(' ', '-').to_upper()} 1\n'
 	mdoc += '.Os\n.Sh NAME\n.Nm ${cmd.full_name().replace(' ', '-')}\n.Nd ${cmd.description}\n'
diff --git a/vlib/cli/version.v b/vlib/cli/version.v
index 0e4b9c125e..7f18439e6a 100644
--- a/vlib/cli/version.v
+++ b/vlib/cli/version.v
@@ -36,6 +36,6 @@ fn print_version_for_command(cmd Command) ! {
 }
 
 // version returns a generated version `string` for the `Command`.
-pub fn (cmd Command) version() string {
+pub fn (cmd &Command) version() string {
 	return '${cmd.name} version ${cmd.version}'
 }
diff --git a/vlib/dlmalloc/dlmalloc.v b/vlib/dlmalloc/dlmalloc.v
index 7ea557bd52..256fd86c4b 100644
--- a/vlib/dlmalloc/dlmalloc.v
+++ b/vlib/dlmalloc/dlmalloc.v
@@ -562,7 +562,7 @@ fn (mut dl Dlmalloc) unlink_large_chunk(chunk_ &TreeChunk) {
 fn (mut dl Dlmalloc) unlink_first_small_chunk(head_ &Chunk, next_ &Chunk, idx u32) {
 	mut next := unsafe { next_ }
 	mut head := unsafe { head_ }
-	println('Unlink first small')
+	// println('Unlink first small')
 	mut ptr := next.prev
 	if voidptr(head) == voidptr(ptr) {
 		unsafe { dl.clear_smallmap(idx) }
@@ -675,7 +675,7 @@ pub fn (mut dl Dlmalloc) free_(mem voidptr) {
 	}
 }
 
-fn (dl Dlmalloc) should_trim(size usize) bool {
+fn (dl &Dlmalloc) should_trim(size usize) bool {
 	return size > dl.trim_check
 }
 
diff --git a/vlib/flag/flag.v b/vlib/flag/flag.v
index 0f445f6c6d..9e76ed28a7 100644
--- a/vlib/flag/flag.v
+++ b/vlib/flag/flag.v
@@ -545,7 +545,7 @@ pub fn (mut fs FlagParser) arguments_description(description string) {
 // usage returns a nicely formatted usage screen, containing all the
 // possible options, as well as the description for the program.
 // That screen is usually shown when the `--help` option is given to the program.
-pub fn (fs FlagParser) usage() string {
+pub fn (fs &FlagParser) usage() string {
 	positive_min_arg := (fs.min_free_args > 0)
 	positive_max_arg := (fs.max_free_args > 0 && fs.max_free_args != max_args_number)
 	no_arguments := (fs.min_free_args == 0 && fs.max_free_args == 0)
diff --git a/vlib/gx/text.v b/vlib/gx/text.v
index 2a794e6c93..95d745fbbf 100644
--- a/vlib/gx/text.v
+++ b/vlib/gx/text.v
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ pub:
 
 // to_css_string returns a CSS compatible string of the TextCfg `cfg`.
 // For example: `'mono 14px serif'`.
-pub fn (cfg TextCfg) to_css_string() string {
+pub fn (cfg &TextCfg) to_css_string() string {
 	mut font_style := ''
 	if cfg.bold {
 		font_style += 'bold '
diff --git a/vlib/net/html/dom.v b/vlib/net/html/dom.v
index befac73e12..3cc0e2e2c2 100644
--- a/vlib/net/html/dom.v
+++ b/vlib/net/html/dom.v
@@ -170,18 +170,18 @@ fn (mut dom DocumentObjectModel) construct(tag_list []&Tag) {
 }
 
 // get_root returns the root of the document.
-pub fn (dom DocumentObjectModel) get_root() &Tag {
+pub fn (dom &DocumentObjectModel) get_root() &Tag {
 	return dom.root
 }
 
 // get_tag retrieves all tags in the document that have the given tag name.
 @[deprecated: 'use get_tags instead']
-pub fn (dom DocumentObjectModel) get_tag(name string) []&Tag {
+pub fn (dom &DocumentObjectModel) get_tag(name string) []&Tag {
 	return dom.get_tags(name: name)
 }
 
 // get_tags returns all tags stored in the document.
-pub fn (dom DocumentObjectModel) get_tags(options GetTagsOptions) []&Tag {
+pub fn (dom &DocumentObjectModel) get_tags(options GetTagsOptions) []&Tag {
 	if options.name != '' {
 		return if options.name in dom.tag_type {
 			unsafe { dom.tag_type[options.name] }
@@ -193,18 +193,18 @@ pub fn (dom DocumentObjectModel) get_tags(options GetTagsOptions) []&Tag {
 }
 
 // get_tags_by_class_name retrieves all tags recursively in the document root that have the given class name(s).
-pub fn (dom DocumentObjectModel) get_tags_by_class_name(names ...string) []&Tag {
+pub fn (dom &DocumentObjectModel) get_tags_by_class_name(names ...string) []&Tag {
 	return dom.root.get_tags_by_class_name(...names)
 }
 
 // get_tag_by_attribute retrieves all tags in the document that have the given attribute name.
 @[deprecated: 'use get_tags_by_attribute instead']
-pub fn (dom DocumentObjectModel) get_tag_by_attribute(name string) []&Tag {
+pub fn (dom &DocumentObjectModel) get_tag_by_attribute(name string) []&Tag {
 	return dom.get_tags_by_attribute(name)
 }
 
 // get_tags_by_attribute retrieves all tags in the document that have the given attribute name.
-pub fn (dom DocumentObjectModel) get_tags_by_attribute(name string) []&Tag {
+pub fn (dom &DocumentObjectModel) get_tags_by_attribute(name string) []&Tag {
 	return if name in dom.all_attributes { unsafe { dom.all_attributes[name] } } else { []&Tag{} }
 }
 
diff --git a/vlib/net/html/tag.v b/vlib/net/html/tag.v
index 78d6653422..7059b4f5ed 100644
--- a/vlib/net/html/tag.v
+++ b/vlib/net/html/tag.v
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ fn (mut tag Tag) add_child(t &Tag) int {
 }
 
 // text returns the text contents of the tag.
-pub fn (tag Tag) text() string {
+pub fn (tag &Tag) text() string {
 	if tag.name.len >= 2 && tag.name[..2] == 'br' {
 		return '\n'
 	}
diff --git a/vlib/net/websocket/message.v b/vlib/net/websocket/message.v
index d230342073..e8000de14a 100644
--- a/vlib/net/websocket/message.v
+++ b/vlib/net/websocket/message.v
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ pub fn (mut ws Client) read_next_message() !Message {
 }
 
 // payload_from_fragments returns the whole paylaod from fragmented message
-fn (ws Client) payload_from_fragments(fin_payload []u8) ![]u8 {
+fn (ws &Client) payload_from_fragments(fin_payload []u8) ![]u8 {
 	mut total_size := 0
 	for f in ws.fragments {
 		if f.data.len > 0 {
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ fn (ws Client) payload_from_fragments(fin_payload []u8) ![]u8 {
 }
 
 // opcode_from_fragments returns the opcode for message from the first fragment sent
-fn (ws Client) opcode_from_fragments() OPCode {
+fn (ws &Client) opcode_from_fragments() OPCode {
 	return OPCode(ws.fragments[0].opcode)
 }
 
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ pub fn (mut ws Client) parse_frame_header() !Frame {
 }
 
 // unmask_sequence unmask any given sequence
-fn (f Frame) unmask_sequence(mut buffer []u8) {
+fn (f &Frame) unmask_sequence(mut buffer []u8) {
 	for i in 0 .. buffer.len {
 		buffer[i] ^= f.masking_key[i % 4] & 0xff
 	}
diff --git a/vlib/net/websocket/websocket_client.v b/vlib/net/websocket/websocket_client.v
index e8ad62e44f..d3b7026747 100644
--- a/vlib/net/websocket/websocket_client.v
+++ b/vlib/net/websocket/websocket_client.v
@@ -456,14 +456,14 @@ pub fn (mut ws Client) set_state(state State) {
 }
 
 // get_state return the current state of the websocket connection
-pub fn (ws Client) get_state() State {
+pub fn (ws &Client) get_state() State {
 	return rlock ws.client_state {
 		ws.client_state.state
 	}
 }
 
 // assert_not_connected returns error if the connection is not connected
-fn (ws Client) assert_not_connected() ! {
+fn (ws &Client) assert_not_connected() ! {
 	match ws.get_state() {
 		.connecting { return error('connect: websocket is connecting') }
 		.open { return error('connect: websocket already open') }
diff --git a/vlib/net/websocket/websocket_server.v b/vlib/net/websocket/websocket_server.v
index cf03fa1678..4fbd17f513 100644
--- a/vlib/net/websocket/websocket_server.v
+++ b/vlib/net/websocket/websocket_server.v
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ pub fn (mut s Server) set_state(state State) {
 }
 
 // get_state return current state in a thread safe way
-pub fn (s Server) get_state() State {
+pub fn (s &Server) get_state() State {
 	return rlock s.server_state {
 		s.server_state.state
 	}
diff --git a/vlib/toml/checker/checker.v b/vlib/toml/checker/checker.v
index 665c36085c..305200b722 100644
--- a/vlib/toml/checker/checker.v
+++ b/vlib/toml/checker/checker.v
@@ -25,11 +25,11 @@ pub:
 
 // check checks the `ast.Value` and all it's children
 // for common errors.
-pub fn (c Checker) check(n &ast.Value) ! {
+pub fn (c &Checker) check(n &ast.Value) ! {
 	walker.walk(c, n)!
 }
 
-fn (c Checker) visit(value &ast.Value) ! {
+fn (c &Checker) visit(value &ast.Value) ! {
 	match value {
 		ast.Bool {
 			c.check_boolean(value)!
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ fn (c Checker) visit(value &ast.Value) ! {
 }
 
 // excerpt returns a string of the token's surroundings
-fn (c Checker) excerpt(tp token.Pos) string {
+fn (c &Checker) excerpt(tp token.Pos) string {
 	return c.scanner.excerpt(tp.pos, 10)
 }
 
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ fn has_repeating(str string, repeats []rune) bool {
 }
 
 // check_number returns an error if `num` is not a valid TOML number.
-fn (c Checker) check_number(num ast.Number) ! {
+fn (c &Checker) check_number(num ast.Number) ! {
 	lit := num.text
 	lit_lower_case := lit.to_lower()
 	if lit in ['0', '0.0', '+0', '-0', '+0.0', '-0.0', '0e0', '+0e0', '-0e0', '0e00'] {
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ fn (c Checker) check_number(num ast.Number) ! {
 }
 
 // is_valid_binary_literal returns true if `num` is valid TOML binary literal.
-fn (c Checker) is_valid_binary_literal(num string) bool {
+fn (c &Checker) is_valid_binary_literal(num string) bool {
 	for ch in num {
 		if ch == `_` {
 			continue
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ fn (c Checker) is_valid_binary_literal(num string) bool {
 }
 
 // is_valid_octal_literal returns true if `num` is valid TOML octal literal.
-fn (c Checker) is_valid_octal_literal(num string) bool {
+fn (c &Checker) is_valid_octal_literal(num string) bool {
 	for ch in num {
 		if ch == `_` {
 			continue
@@ -255,7 +255,7 @@ fn (c Checker) is_valid_octal_literal(num string) bool {
 }
 
 // is_valid_hex_literal returns true if `num` is valid TOML hexadecimal literal.
-fn (c Checker) is_valid_hex_literal(num string) bool {
+fn (c &Checker) is_valid_hex_literal(num string) bool {
 	for ch in num {
 		if ch == `_` {
 			continue
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ fn (c Checker) is_valid_hex_literal(num string) bool {
 }
 
 // check_boolean returns an error if `b` is not a valid TOML boolean.
-fn (c Checker) check_boolean(b ast.Bool) ! {
+fn (c &Checker) check_boolean(b ast.Bool) ! {
 	lit := b.text
 	if lit in ['true', 'false'] {
 		return
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ fn (c Checker) check_boolean(b ast.Bool) ! {
 // check_date_time returns an error if `dt` is not a valid TOML date-time string (RFC 3339).
 // See also https://ijmacd.github.io/rfc3339-iso8601 for a more
 // visual representation of the RFC 3339 format.
-fn (c Checker) check_date_time(dt ast.DateTime) ! {
+fn (c &Checker) check_date_time(dt ast.DateTime) ! {
 	lit := dt.text
 	mut split := []string{}
 	// RFC 3339 Date-Times can be split via 4 separators (` `, `_`, `T` and `t`).
@@ -330,7 +330,7 @@ fn (c Checker) check_date_time(dt ast.DateTime) ! {
 }
 
 // check_time returns an error if `date` is not a valid TOML date string (RFC 3339).
-fn (c Checker) check_date(date ast.Date) ! {
+fn (c &Checker) check_date(date ast.Date) ! {
 	lit := date.text
 	parts := lit.split('-')
 	if parts.len != 3 {
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ fn (c Checker) check_date(date ast.Date) ! {
 }
 
 // check_time returns an error if `t` is not a valid TOML time string (RFC 3339).
-fn (c Checker) check_time(t ast.Time) ! {
+fn (c &Checker) check_time(t ast.Time) ! {
 	lit := t.text
 	// Split any offsets from the time
 	mut offset_splitter := if lit.contains('+') { '+' } else { '-' }
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ fn (c Checker) check_time(t ast.Time) ! {
 }
 
 // check_quoted returns an error if `q` is not a valid quoted TOML string.
-pub fn (c Checker) check_quoted(q ast.Quoted) ! {
+pub fn (c &Checker) check_quoted(q ast.Quoted) ! {
 	lit := q.text
 	quote := q.quote.ascii_str()
 	triple_quote := quote + quote + quote
@@ -414,7 +414,7 @@ pub fn (c Checker) check_quoted(q ast.Quoted) ! {
 // \\         - backslash       (U+005C)
 // \uXXXX     - Unicode         (U+XXXX)
 // \UXXXXXXXX - Unicode         (U+XXXXXXXX)
-fn (c Checker) check_quoted_escapes(q ast.Quoted) ! {
+fn (c &Checker) check_quoted_escapes(q ast.Quoted) ! {
 	// Setup a scanner in stack memory for easier navigation.
 	mut s := scanner.new_simple_text(q.text)!
 
@@ -494,7 +494,7 @@ fn (c Checker) check_quoted_escapes(q ast.Quoted) ! {
 }
 
 // check_utf8_string returns an error if `str` is not valid UTF-8.
-fn (c Checker) check_utf8_validity(q ast.Quoted) ! {
+fn (c &Checker) check_utf8_validity(q ast.Quoted) ! {
 	lit := q.text
 	if !utf8.validate_str(lit) {
 		return error(@MOD + '.' + @STRUCT + '.' + @FN +
@@ -524,7 +524,7 @@ fn validate_utf8_codepoint_string(str string) ! {
 // check_unicode_escape returns an error if `esc_unicode` is not
 // a valid Unicode escape sequence. `esc_unicode` is expected to be
 // prefixed with either `u` or `U`.
-fn (c Checker) check_unicode_escape(esc_unicode string) ! {
+fn (c &Checker) check_unicode_escape(esc_unicode string) ! {
 	if esc_unicode.len < 5 || !esc_unicode.to_lower().starts_with('u') {
 		// Makes sure the input to this function is actually valid.
 		return error('`${esc_unicode}` is not a valid escaped Unicode sequence.')
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ fn (c Checker) check_unicode_escape(esc_unicode string) ! {
 
 // check_comment returns an error if the contents of `comment` isn't
 // a valid TOML comment.
-pub fn (c Checker) check_comment(comment ast.Comment) ! {
+pub fn (c &Checker) check_comment(comment ast.Comment) ! {
 	lit := comment.text
 	// Setup a scanner in stack memory for easier navigation.
 	mut s := scanner.new_simple_text(lit)!
diff --git a/vlib/toml/parser/parser.v b/vlib/toml/parser/parser.v
index 6a5c3ba0d4..5446afd5bc 100644
--- a/vlib/toml/parser/parser.v
+++ b/vlib/toml/parser/parser.v
@@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ fn (mut p Parser) expect(expected_token token.Kind) ! {
 }
 
 // build_abs_dotted_key returns the absolute dotted key path.
-fn (p Parser) build_abs_dotted_key(key DottedKey) DottedKey {
+fn (p &Parser) build_abs_dotted_key(key DottedKey) DottedKey {
 	if p.root_map_key.len > 0 {
 		mut abs_dotted_key := DottedKey([]string{})
 		abs_dotted_key << p.root_map_key
@@ -277,7 +277,7 @@ fn todo_msvc_astring2dkey(s []string) DottedKey {
 }
 
 // check_explicitly_declared returns an error if `key` has been explicitly declared.
-fn (p Parser) check_explicitly_declared(key DottedKey) ! {
+fn (p &Parser) check_explicitly_declared(key DottedKey) ! {
 	if p.explicit_declared.len > 0 && p.explicit_declared.has(key) {
 		return error(@MOD + '.' + @STRUCT + '.' + @FN +
 			' key `${key.str()}` is already explicitly declared. Unexpected redeclaration at "${p.tok.kind}" "${p.tok.lit}" in this (excerpt): "...${p.excerpt()}..."')
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ fn (p Parser) check_explicitly_declared(key DottedKey) ! {
 
 // check_explicitly_declared_array_of_tables returns an error if `key` has been
 // explicitly declared as an array of tables.
-fn (p Parser) check_explicitly_declared_array_of_tables(key DottedKey) ! {
+fn (p &Parser) check_explicitly_declared_array_of_tables(key DottedKey) ! {
 	if p.explicit_declared_array_of_tables.len > 0 && p.explicit_declared_array_of_tables.has(key) {
 		return error(@MOD + '.' + @STRUCT + '.' + @FN +
 			' key `${key.str()}` is already an explicitly declared array of tables. Unexpected redeclaration at "${p.tok.kind}" "${p.tok.lit}" in this (excerpt): "...${p.excerpt()}..."')
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ fn (p Parser) check_explicitly_declared_array_of_tables(key DottedKey) ! {
 }
 
 // check_implicitly_declared returns an error if `key` has been implicitly declared.
-fn (p Parser) check_implicitly_declared(key DottedKey) ! {
+fn (p &Parser) check_implicitly_declared(key DottedKey) ! {
 	if p.implicit_declared.len > 0 && p.implicit_declared.has(key) {
 		return error(@MOD + '.' + @STRUCT + '.' + @FN +
 			' key `${key.str()}` is already implicitly declared. Unexpected redeclaration at "${p.tok.kind}" "${p.tok.lit}" in this (excerpt): "...${p.excerpt()}..."')
@@ -665,7 +665,7 @@ pub fn (mut p Parser) root_table() ! {
 }
 
 // excerpt returns a string of the characters surrounding `Parser.tok.pos`
-fn (p Parser) excerpt() string {
+fn (p &Parser) excerpt() string {
 	return p.scanner.excerpt(p.tok.pos, 10)
 }
 
diff --git a/vlib/toml/scanner/scanner.v b/vlib/toml/scanner/scanner.v
index b0d35d89ec..822bfe888a 100644
--- a/vlib/toml/scanner/scanner.v
+++ b/vlib/toml/scanner/scanner.v
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ pub fn (s &Scanner) at() u32 {
 
 // at_crlf returns `true` if the scanner is at a `\r` character
 // and the next character is a `\n`.
-fn (s Scanner) at_crlf() bool {
+fn (s &Scanner) at_crlf() bool {
 	return s.at() == `\r` && s.peek(1) == `\n`
 }
 
@@ -654,14 +654,14 @@ fn (mut s Scanner) extract_nan_or_inf_number() !string {
 // excerpt returns a string excerpt of the input text centered
 // at `pos`. The `margin` argument defines how many chacters
 // on each side of `pos` is returned
-pub fn (s Scanner) excerpt(pos int, margin int) string {
+pub fn (s &Scanner) excerpt(pos int, margin int) string {
 	start := if pos > 0 && pos >= margin { pos - margin } else { 0 }
 	end := if pos + margin < s.text.len { pos + margin } else { s.text.len }
 	return s.text[start..end].replace('\n', r'\n')
 }
 
 // state returns a read-only view of the scanner's internal state.
-pub fn (s Scanner) state() State {
+pub fn (s &Scanner) state() State {
 	return State{
 		col:     s.col
 		line_nr: s.line_nr
diff --git a/vlib/v/ast/ast.v b/vlib/v/ast/ast.v
index 9bcd34e291..c8cd71cf56 100644
--- a/vlib/v/ast/ast.v
+++ b/vlib/v/ast/ast.v
@@ -707,15 +707,14 @@ fn (f &Fn) method_equals(o &Fn) bool {
 @[minify]
 pub struct Param {
 pub:
-	pos         token.Pos
-	name        string
-	is_mut      bool
-	is_shared   bool
-	is_atomic   bool
-	is_auto_rec bool
-	type_pos    token.Pos
-	is_hidden   bool // interface first arg
-	on_newline  bool // whether the argument starts on a new line
+	pos        token.Pos
+	name       string
+	is_mut     bool
+	is_shared  bool
+	is_atomic  bool
+	type_pos   token.Pos
+	is_hidden  bool // interface first arg
+	on_newline bool // whether the argument starts on a new line
 pub mut:
 	typ Type
 }
diff --git a/vlib/v/ast/attr.v b/vlib/v/ast/attr.v
index c2b4661e0c..445651994f 100644
--- a/vlib/v/ast/attr.v
+++ b/vlib/v/ast/attr.v
@@ -30,12 +30,12 @@ pub mut:
 	ct_skip   bool // is the comptime expr *false*, filled by checker
 }
 
-pub fn (a Attr) debug() string {
+pub fn (a &Attr) debug() string {
 	return 'Attr{ name: "${a.name}", has_arg: ${a.has_arg}, arg: "${a.arg}", kind: ${a.kind}, ct_expr: ${a.ct_expr}, ct_opt: ${a.ct_opt}, ct_skip: ${a.ct_skip}}'
 }
 
 // str returns the string representation without square brackets
-pub fn (a Attr) str() string {
+pub fn (a &Attr) str() string {
 	mut s := ''
 	mut arg := if a.has_arg {
 		s += '${a.name}: '
diff --git a/vlib/v/ast/str.v b/vlib/v/ast/str.v
index 24e0418b8e..a9f10a5194 100644
--- a/vlib/v/ast/str.v
+++ b/vlib/v/ast/str.v
@@ -113,9 +113,6 @@ pub fn (t &Table) stringify_fn_decl(node &FnDecl, cur_mod string, m2a map[string
 		}
 		f.write_string(node.receiver.name + ' ')
 		styp = util.no_cur_mod(styp, cur_mod)
-		if node.params[0].is_auto_rec {
-			styp = styp.trim('&')
-		}
 		f.write_string(styp + ') ')
 	} else if node.is_static_type_method {
 		mut styp := util.no_cur_mod(t.type_to_code(node.receiver.typ.clear_flag(.shared_f)),
diff --git a/vlib/v/ast/table.v b/vlib/v/ast/table.v
index 03703984ac..62442c84f6 100644
--- a/vlib/v/ast/table.v
+++ b/vlib/v/ast/table.v
@@ -1506,7 +1506,7 @@ pub fn (mut t Table) bitsize_to_type(bit_size int) Type {
 	}
 }
 
-pub fn (t Table) does_type_implement_interface(typ Type, inter_typ Type) bool {
+pub fn (t &Table) does_type_implement_interface(typ Type, inter_typ Type) bool {
 	if typ.idx() == inter_typ.idx() {
 		// same type -> already casted to the interface
 		return true
diff --git a/vlib/v/ast/types.v b/vlib/v/ast/types.v
index 3ed336f80c..fb7e8fa232 100644
--- a/vlib/v/ast/types.v
+++ b/vlib/v/ast/types.v
@@ -416,7 +416,7 @@ pub fn (t Type) has_option_or_result() bool {
 }
 
 @[inline]
-pub fn (ts TypeSymbol) scoped_name() string {
+pub fn (ts &TypeSymbol) scoped_name() string {
 	return if ts.info is Struct && ts.info.scoped_name != '' {
 		ts.info.scoped_name
 	} else {
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ pub fn (ts TypeSymbol) scoped_name() string {
 }
 
 @[inline]
-pub fn (ts TypeSymbol) scoped_cname() string {
+pub fn (ts &TypeSymbol) scoped_cname() string {
 	return if ts.info is Struct && ts.info.scoped_name != '' {
 		ts.info.scoped_name.replace('.', '__')
 	} else {
@@ -434,7 +434,7 @@ pub fn (ts TypeSymbol) scoped_cname() string {
 }
 
 // debug returns a verbose representation of the information in ts, useful for tracing/debugging
-pub fn (ts TypeSymbol) debug() []string {
+pub fn (ts &TypeSymbol) debug() []string {
 	mut res := []string{}
 	ts.dbg_common(mut res)
 	res << 'info: ${ts.info}'
@@ -443,13 +443,13 @@ pub fn (ts TypeSymbol) debug() []string {
 }
 
 // same as .debug(), but without the verbose .info and .methods fields
-pub fn (ts TypeSymbol) dbg() []string {
+pub fn (ts &TypeSymbol) dbg() []string {
 	mut res := []string{}
 	ts.dbg_common(mut res)
 	return res
 }
 
-fn (ts TypeSymbol) dbg_common(mut res []string) {
+fn (ts &TypeSymbol) dbg_common(mut res []string) {
 	res << 'idx: 0x${ts.idx.hex()}'
 	res << 'parent_idx: 0x${ts.parent_idx.hex()}'
 	res << 'mod: ${ts.mod}'
@@ -460,7 +460,7 @@ fn (ts TypeSymbol) dbg_common(mut res []string) {
 	res << 'language: ${ts.language}'
 }
 
-pub fn (ts TypeSymbol) nr_dims() int {
+pub fn (ts &TypeSymbol) nr_dims() int {
 	match ts.info {
 		Alias {
 			parent_sym := global_table.sym(ts.info.parent_type)
@@ -831,7 +831,7 @@ pub enum Kind {
 }
 
 // str returns the internal & source name of the type
-pub fn (t TypeSymbol) str() string {
+pub fn (t &TypeSymbol) str() string {
 	return t.name
 }
 
@@ -1550,7 +1550,7 @@ pub fn (t &Table) type_to_str_using_aliases(typ Type, import_aliases map[string]
 	return res
 }
 
-fn (t Table) shorten_user_defined_typenames(original_name string, import_aliases map[string]string) string {
+fn (t &Table) shorten_user_defined_typenames(original_name string, import_aliases map[string]string) string {
 	if alias := import_aliases[original_name] {
 		return alias
 	}
diff --git a/vlib/v/builder/builder.v b/vlib/v/builder/builder.v
index 2915db16a6..0ecc003f8b 100644
--- a/vlib/v/builder/builder.v
+++ b/vlib/v/builder/builder.v
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ pub fn (b &Builder) import_graph() &depgraph.DepGraph {
 	return graph
 }
 
-pub fn (b Builder) v_files_from_dir(dir string) []string {
+pub fn (b &Builder) v_files_from_dir(dir string) []string {
 	if !os.exists(dir) {
 		if dir == 'compiler' && os.is_dir('vlib') {
 			println('looks like you are trying to build V with an old command')
@@ -367,13 +367,13 @@ pub fn (b Builder) v_files_from_dir(dir string) []string {
 	return res
 }
 
-pub fn (b Builder) log(s string) {
+pub fn (b &Builder) log(s string) {
 	if b.pref.is_verbose {
 		println(s)
 	}
 }
 
-pub fn (b Builder) info(s string) {
+pub fn (b &Builder) info(s string) {
 	if b.pref.is_verbose {
 		println(s)
 	}
diff --git a/vlib/v/checker/check_types.v b/vlib/v/checker/check_types.v
index 1eac083ddf..f80eb04e16 100644
--- a/vlib/v/checker/check_types.v
+++ b/vlib/v/checker/check_types.v
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ fn (mut c Checker) check_types(got ast.Type, expected ast.Type) bool {
 	return true
 }
 
-fn (c Checker) check_multiple_ptr_match(got ast.Type, expected ast.Type, param ast.Param, arg ast.CallArg) bool {
+fn (c &Checker) check_multiple_ptr_match(got ast.Type, expected ast.Type, param ast.Param, arg ast.CallArg) bool {
 	param_nr_muls := if param.is_mut && !expected.is_ptr() { 1 } else { expected.nr_muls() }
 	if got.is_ptr() && got.nr_muls() > 1 && got.nr_muls() != param_nr_muls {
 		if arg.expr is ast.PrefixExpr && arg.expr.op == .amp {
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ fn (mut c Checker) check_expected_call_arg(got ast.Type, expected_ ast.Type, lan
 	}
 }
 
-fn (c Checker) get_string_names_of(got ast.Type, expected ast.Type) (string, string) {
+fn (c &Checker) get_string_names_of(got ast.Type, expected ast.Type) (string, string) {
 	got_typ_str := c.table.type_to_str(got.clear_flag(.variadic))
 	expected_typ_str := c.table.type_to_str(expected.clear_flag(.variadic))
 	return got_typ_str, expected_typ_str
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ fn (c Checker) get_string_names_of(got ast.Type, expected ast.Type) (string, str
 // helper method to check if the type is of the same module.
 // FIXME(vincenzopalazzo) This is a work around to the issue
 // explained in the https://github.com/vlang/v/pull/13718#issuecomment-1074517800
-fn (c Checker) check_same_module(got ast.Type, expected ast.Type) bool {
+fn (c &Checker) check_same_module(got ast.Type, expected ast.Type) bool {
 	clean_got_typ := c.table.clean_generics_type_str(got.clear_flag(.variadic)).all_before('<')
 	clean_expected_typ := c.table.clean_generics_type_str(expected.clear_flag(.variadic)).all_before('<')
 	if clean_got_typ == clean_expected_typ {
diff --git a/vlib/v/checker/fn.v b/vlib/v/checker/fn.v
index 6334d850b5..d01cc4bc0b 100644
--- a/vlib/v/checker/fn.v
+++ b/vlib/v/checker/fn.v
@@ -568,7 +568,7 @@ fn (mut c Checker) fn_decl(mut node ast.FnDecl) {
 // check_same_type_ignoring_pointers util function to check if the Types are the same, including all
 // corner cases.
 // FIXME: if the optimization is done after the checker, we can safely remove this util function
-fn (c Checker) check_same_type_ignoring_pointers(type_a ast.Type, type_b ast.Type) bool {
+fn (c &Checker) check_same_type_ignoring_pointers(type_a ast.Type, type_b ast.Type) bool {
 	// FIXME: if possible pass the ast.Node and check the property `is_auto_rec`
 	if type_a != type_b {
 		// before failing we must be sure that the parser didn't optimize the function
diff --git a/vlib/v/checker/lambda_expr.v b/vlib/v/checker/lambda_expr.v
index bc72772250..ca3ca933b3 100644
--- a/vlib/v/checker/lambda_expr.v
+++ b/vlib/v/checker/lambda_expr.v
@@ -28,17 +28,15 @@ pub fn (mut c Checker) lambda_expr(mut node ast.LambdaExpr, exp_typ ast.Type) as
 		for idx, mut x in node.params {
 			eparam := exp_sym.info.func.params[idx]
 			eparam_type := eparam.typ
-			eparam_auto_deref := eparam.typ.is_ptr()
 			c.lambda_expr_fix_type_of_param(mut node, mut x, eparam_type)
 			if eparam_type.has_flag(.generic) {
 				generic_types[eparam_type] = true
 			}
 			params << ast.Param{
-				pos:         x.pos
-				name:        x.name
-				typ:         eparam_type
-				type_pos:    x.pos
-				is_auto_rec: eparam_auto_deref
+				pos:      x.pos
+				name:     x.name
+				typ:      eparam_type
+				type_pos: x.pos
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -139,18 +137,15 @@ pub fn (mut c Checker) lambda_expr_fix_type_of_param(mut node ast.LambdaExpr, mu
 }
 
 pub fn (mut c Checker) support_lambda_expr_in_sort(param_type ast.Type, return_type ast.Type, mut expr ast.LambdaExpr) {
-	is_auto_rec := param_type.is_ptr()
 	mut expected_fn := ast.Fn{
 		params:      [
 			ast.Param{
-				name:        'zza'
-				typ:         param_type
-				is_auto_rec: is_auto_rec
+				name: 'zza'
+				typ:  param_type
 			},
 			ast.Param{
-				name:        'zzb'
-				typ:         param_type
-				is_auto_rec: is_auto_rec
+				name: 'zzb'
+				typ:  param_type
 			},
 		]
 		return_type: return_type
@@ -164,9 +159,8 @@ pub fn (mut c Checker) support_lambda_expr_one_param(param_type ast.Type, return
 	mut expected_fn := ast.Fn{
 		params:      [
 			ast.Param{
-				name:        'xx'
-				typ:         param_type
-				is_auto_rec: param_type.is_ptr()
+				name: 'xx'
+				typ:  param_type
 			},
 		]
 		return_type: return_type
diff --git a/vlib/v/eval/eval.v b/vlib/v/eval/eval.v
index f8e1f7c4bd..8f615be284 100644
--- a/vlib/v/eval/eval.v
+++ b/vlib/v/eval/eval.v
@@ -276,20 +276,20 @@ pub fn (mut e Eval) register_symbol(stmt ast.Stmt, mod string, file string) {
 	}
 }
 
-fn (e Eval) error(msg string) {
+fn (e &Eval) error(msg string) {
 	eprintln('> V interpreter backtrace:')
 	e.print_backtrace()
 	util.verror('interpreter', msg)
 }
 
-fn (e Eval) panic(s string) {
+fn (e &Eval) panic(s string) {
 	eprintln('V panic: ${s}')
 	eprintln('V hash: ${@VCURRENTHASH}')
 	e.print_backtrace()
 	exit(1)
 }
 
-fn (e Eval) print_backtrace() {
+fn (e &Eval) print_backtrace() {
 	for i := e.back_trace.len - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
 		t := e.back_trace[i]
 		file_path := if path := e.trace_file_paths[t.file_idx] {
diff --git a/vlib/v/eval/expr.c.v b/vlib/v/eval/expr.c.v
index 0b29bc9766..036094d6b7 100644
--- a/vlib/v/eval/expr.c.v
+++ b/vlib/v/eval/expr.c.v
@@ -584,7 +584,7 @@ pub fn (mut e Eval) expr(expr ast.Expr, expecting ast.Type) Object {
 	return empty
 }
 
-fn (e Eval) type_to_size(typ ast.Type) u64 {
+fn (e &Eval) type_to_size(typ ast.Type) u64 {
 	match typ {
 		ast.voidptr_type_idx, ast.nil_type_idx, ast.byteptr_type_idx, ast.charptr_type_idx {
 			return u64(if e.pref.m64 {
@@ -612,7 +612,7 @@ fn (e Eval) type_to_size(typ ast.Type) u64 {
 	}
 }
 
-fn (e Eval) get_escape(r rune) rune {
+fn (e &Eval) get_escape(r rune) rune {
 	res := match r {
 		`\\` {
 			`\\`
diff --git a/vlib/v/eval/gen/infix_gen.v b/vlib/v/eval/gen/infix_gen.v
index 75c8cdf81d..445939e16f 100644
--- a/vlib/v/eval/gen/infix_gen.v
+++ b/vlib/v/eval/gen/infix_gen.v
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ const header = '[generated]
 module eval
 import v.token
 import v.ast
-fn(e Eval)infix_expr(left Object,right Object,op token.Kind,expecting ast.Type)Object{match op{'
+fn(e &Eval)infix_expr(left Object,right Object,op token.Kind,expecting ast.Type)Object{match op{'
 
 const footer = "else{e.error('unknown infix expression: \$op')}}return empty // should e.error before this anyway
 }
diff --git a/vlib/v/eval/infix.v b/vlib/v/eval/infix.v
index ca64f2c217..aa0b008621 100644
--- a/vlib/v/eval/infix.v
+++ b/vlib/v/eval/infix.v
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ module eval
 import v.token
 import v.ast
 
-fn (e Eval) infix_expr(left Object, right Object, op token.Kind, expecting ast.Type) Object {
+fn (e &Eval) infix_expr(left Object, right Object, op token.Kind, expecting ast.Type) Object {
 	match op {
 		.gt {
 			match left {
diff --git a/vlib/v/gen/c/cgen.v b/vlib/v/gen/c/cgen.v
index 79f2f07a11..b55d570323 100644
--- a/vlib/v/gen/c/cgen.v
+++ b/vlib/v/gen/c/cgen.v
@@ -1213,7 +1213,7 @@ fn (mut g Gen) result_type_name(t ast.Type) (string, string) {
 	return styp, base
 }
 
-fn (g Gen) option_type_text(styp string, base string) string {
+fn (g &Gen) option_type_text(styp string, base string) string {
 	// replace void with something else
 	size := if base == 'void' {
 		'u8'
@@ -1234,7 +1234,7 @@ fn (g Gen) option_type_text(styp string, base string) string {
 	return ret
 }
 
-fn (g Gen) result_type_text(styp string, base string) string {
+fn (g &Gen) result_type_text(styp string, base string) string {
 	// replace void with something else
 	size := if base == 'void' {
 		'u8'
@@ -7515,7 +7515,7 @@ fn (mut g Gen) type_default(typ_ ast.Type) string {
 	}
 }
 
-fn (g Gen) get_all_test_function_names() []string {
+fn (g &Gen) get_all_test_function_names() []string {
 	mut tfuncs := []string{}
 	mut tsuite_begin := ''
 	mut tsuite_end := ''
@@ -7704,7 +7704,7 @@ fn (mut g Gen) as_cast(node ast.AsCast) {
 	}
 }
 
-fn (g Gen) as_cast_name_table() string {
+fn (g &Gen) as_cast_name_table() string {
 	if g.as_cast_type_names.len == 0 {
 		return 'new_array_from_c_array(1, 1, sizeof(VCastTypeIndexName), _MOV((VCastTypeIndexName[1]){(VCastTypeIndexName){.tindex = 0,.tname = _SLIT("unknown")}}));\n'
 	}
@@ -7719,7 +7719,7 @@ fn (g Gen) as_cast_name_table() string {
 	return name_ast.str()
 }
 
-fn (g Gen) has_been_referenced(fn_name string) bool {
+fn (g &Gen) has_been_referenced(fn_name string) bool {
 	mut referenced := false
 	lock g.referenced_fns {
 		referenced = g.referenced_fns[fn_name]
diff --git a/vlib/v/gen/c/fn.v b/vlib/v/gen/c/fn.v
index 70511b36d2..140cc87ed9 100644
--- a/vlib/v/gen/c/fn.v
+++ b/vlib/v/gen/c/fn.v
@@ -1342,7 +1342,7 @@ fn (mut g Gen) resolve_fn_return_type(node ast.CallExpr) ast.Type {
 	return ast.void_type
 }
 
-fn (g Gen) get_generic_array_element_type(array ast.Array) ast.Type {
+fn (g &Gen) get_generic_array_element_type(array ast.Array) ast.Type {
 	mut cparam_elem_info := array as ast.Array
 	mut cparam_elem_sym := g.table.sym(cparam_elem_info.elem_type)
 	mut typ := ast.void_type
diff --git a/vlib/v/gen/c/reflection.v b/vlib/v/gen/c/reflection.v
index 5ef3e56cdc..c74efaab96 100644
--- a/vlib/v/gen/c/reflection.v
+++ b/vlib/v/gen/c/reflection.v
@@ -25,13 +25,13 @@ fn (mut g Gen) gen_reflection_strings() {
 
 // gen_empty_array generates code for empty array
 @[inline]
-fn (g Gen) gen_empty_array(type_name string) string {
+fn (g &Gen) gen_empty_array(type_name string) string {
 	return '__new_array_with_default(0, 0, sizeof(${type_name}), 0)'
 }
 
 // gen_functionarg_array generates the code for functionarg argument
 @[inline]
-fn (g Gen) gen_functionarg_array(type_name string, node ast.Fn) string {
+fn (g &Gen) gen_functionarg_array(type_name string, node ast.Fn) string {
 	if node.params.len == 0 {
 		return g.gen_empty_array(type_name)
 	}
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ fn (mut g Gen) gen_reflection_sym(tsym ast.TypeSymbol) string {
 
 // gen_attrs_array generates C code for []Attr
 @[inline]
-fn (g Gen) gen_attrs_array(attrs []ast.Attr) string {
+fn (g &Gen) gen_attrs_array(attrs []ast.Attr) string {
 	if attrs.len == 0 {
 		return g.gen_empty_array('string')
 	}
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ fn (g Gen) gen_attrs_array(attrs []ast.Attr) string {
 
 // gen_fields_array generates C code for []StructField
 @[inline]
-fn (g Gen) gen_fields_array(fields []ast.StructField) string {
+fn (g &Gen) gen_fields_array(fields []ast.StructField) string {
 	if fields.len == 0 {
 		return g.gen_empty_array('${cprefix}StructField')
 	}
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ fn (g Gen) gen_fields_array(fields []ast.StructField) string {
 
 // gen_type_array generates C code for []Type
 @[inline]
-fn (g Gen) gen_type_array(types []ast.Type) string {
+fn (g &Gen) gen_type_array(types []ast.Type) string {
 	if types.len == 0 {
 		return g.gen_empty_array(ast.int_type_name)
 	}
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ fn (g Gen) gen_type_array(types []ast.Type) string {
 
 // gen_string_array generates C code for []string
 @[inline]
-fn (g Gen) gen_string_array(strs []string) string {
+fn (g &Gen) gen_string_array(strs []string) string {
 	if strs.len == 0 {
 		return g.gen_empty_array('string')
 	}
diff --git a/vlib/v/gen/native/blacklist.v b/vlib/v/gen/native/blacklist.v
index 3ce367005d..d9c7468f2b 100644
--- a/vlib/v/gen/native/blacklist.v
+++ b/vlib/v/gen/native/blacklist.v
@@ -32,6 +32,6 @@ const whitelist = {
 	'main.main': false
 }
 
-fn (g Gen) is_blacklisted(name string, is_builtin bool) bool {
+fn (g &Gen) is_blacklisted(name string, is_builtin bool) bool {
 	return whitelist[name] or { is_builtin }
 }
diff --git a/vlib/v/gen/wasm/gen.v b/vlib/v/gen/wasm/gen.v
index 79ea3e3832..4530f4c709 100644
--- a/vlib/v/gen/wasm/gen.v
+++ b/vlib/v/gen/wasm/gen.v
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ pub fn (mut g Gen) w_error(s string) {
 	util.verror('wasm error', s)
 }
 
-pub fn (g Gen) unpack_type(typ ast.Type) []ast.Type {
+pub fn (g &Gen) unpack_type(typ ast.Type) []ast.Type {
 	ts := g.table.sym(typ)
 	return match ts.info {
 		ast.MultiReturn {
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ pub fn (g Gen) unpack_type(typ ast.Type) []ast.Type {
 	}
 }
 
-pub fn (g Gen) is_param_type(typ ast.Type) bool {
+pub fn (g &Gen) is_param_type(typ ast.Type) bool {
 	return !typ.is_ptr() && !g.is_pure_type(typ)
 }
 
diff --git a/vlib/v/gen/wasm/mem.v b/vlib/v/gen/wasm/mem.v
index bf67a54298..c1d37f43c0 100644
--- a/vlib/v/gen/wasm/mem.v
+++ b/vlib/v/gen/wasm/mem.v
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ pub fn (mut g Gen) new_global(name string, typ_ ast.Type, init ast.Expr, is_glob
 
 // is_pure_type(voidptr) == true
 // is_pure_type(&Struct) == false
-pub fn (g Gen) is_pure_type(typ ast.Type) bool {
+pub fn (g &Gen) is_pure_type(typ ast.Type) bool {
 	if typ.is_pure_int() || typ.is_pure_float() || typ == ast.char_type_idx
 		|| typ.is_any_kind_of_pointer() || typ.is_bool() {
 		return true
diff --git a/vlib/v/parser/fn.v b/vlib/v/parser/fn.v
index e40631150a..cf7b7d3718 100644
--- a/vlib/v/parser/fn.v
+++ b/vlib/v/parser/fn.v
@@ -453,7 +453,7 @@ fn (mut p Parser) fn_decl() ast.FnDecl {
 				name:          param.name
 				typ:           param.typ
 				is_mut:        param.is_mut
-				is_auto_deref: param.is_mut || param.is_auto_rec
+				is_auto_deref: param.is_mut
 				is_stack_obj:  is_stack_obj
 				pos:           param.pos
 				is_used:       true
@@ -771,16 +771,6 @@ fn (mut p Parser) fn_receiver(mut params []ast.Param, mut rec ReceiverParsingInf
 	if is_atomic {
 		rec.typ = rec.typ.set_flag(.atomic_f)
 	}
-	// optimize method `automatic use fn (a &big_foo) instead of fn (a big_foo)`
-	type_sym := p.table.sym(rec.typ)
-	mut is_auto_rec := false
-	if type_sym.kind == .struct {
-		info := type_sym.info as ast.Struct
-		if !rec.is_mut && !rec.typ.is_ptr() && info.fields.len > 8 {
-			rec.typ = rec.typ.ref()
-			is_auto_rec = true
-		}
-	}
 
 	if rec.language != .v {
 		p.check_for_impure_v(rec.language, rec.type_pos)
@@ -788,22 +778,14 @@ fn (mut p Parser) fn_receiver(mut params []ast.Param, mut rec ReceiverParsingInf
 
 	p.check(.rpar)
 
-	if is_auto_rec && p.tok.kind != .name {
-		// Disable the auto-reference conversion for methodlike operators like ==, <=, > etc,
-		// since their parameters and receivers, *must* always be of the same type.
-		is_auto_rec = false
-		rec.typ = rec.typ.deref()
-	}
-
 	params << ast.Param{
-		pos:         rec_start_pos
-		name:        rec.name
-		is_mut:      rec.is_mut
-		is_atomic:   is_atomic
-		is_shared:   is_shared
-		is_auto_rec: is_auto_rec
-		typ:         rec.typ
-		type_pos:    rec.type_pos
+		pos:       rec_start_pos
+		name:      rec.name
+		is_mut:    rec.is_mut
+		is_atomic: is_atomic
+		is_shared: is_shared
+		typ:       rec.typ
+		type_pos:  rec.type_pos
 	}
 }
 
@@ -846,7 +828,7 @@ fn (mut p Parser) anon_fn() ast.AnonFn {
 			name:          param.name
 			typ:           param.typ
 			is_mut:        param.is_mut
-			is_auto_deref: param.is_mut || param.is_auto_rec
+			is_auto_deref: param.is_mut
 			pos:           param.pos
 			is_used:       true
 			is_arg:        true
diff --git a/vlib/v/parser/parser.v b/vlib/v/parser/parser.v
index d46ca5d955..4f9880040c 100644
--- a/vlib/v/parser/parser.v
+++ b/vlib/v/parser/parser.v
@@ -3497,7 +3497,7 @@ fn (mut p Parser) parse_concrete_types() []ast.Type {
 }
 
 // is_generic_name returns true if the current token is a generic name.
-fn (p Parser) is_generic_name() bool {
+fn (p &Parser) is_generic_name() bool {
 	return p.tok.kind == .name && util.is_generic_type_name(p.tok.lit)
 }
 
diff --git a/vlib/v/scanner/scanner.v b/vlib/v/scanner/scanner.v
index f31a4b7119..b169ce4202 100644
--- a/vlib/v/scanner/scanner.v
+++ b/vlib/v/scanner/scanner.v
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ fn (mut s Scanner) ident_name() string {
 	return name
 }
 
-fn (s Scanner) num_lit(start int, end int) string {
+fn (s &Scanner) num_lit(start int, end int) string {
 	if s.is_fmt {
 		return s.text[start..end]
 	}
diff --git a/vlib/v/tests/concurrency/lock_selector_test.v b/vlib/v/tests/concurrency/lock_selector_test.v
index 8076cfb78c..5a50e812f1 100644
--- a/vlib/v/tests/concurrency/lock_selector_test.v
+++ b/vlib/v/tests/concurrency/lock_selector_test.v
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ struct Gen {
 	s shared St
 }
 
-fn (g Gen) set_val() bool {
+fn (g &Gen) set_val() bool {
 	lock g.s {
 		g.s.x = 6.25
 		if g.s.x == 6.25 {
diff --git a/vlib/v/vmod/parser.v b/vlib/v/vmod/parser.v
index 376105fe08..9fdf3b5515 100644
--- a/vlib/v/vmod/parser.v
+++ b/vlib/v/vmod/parser.v
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ fn (mut s Scanner) create_ident() string {
 	return text
 }
 
-fn (s Scanner) peek_char(c u8) bool {
+fn (s &Scanner) peek_char(c u8) bool {
 	return s.pos - 1 < s.text.len && s.text[s.pos - 1] == c
 }
 
diff --git a/vlib/vweb/vweb.v b/vlib/vweb/vweb.v
index d084108b06..f0eb1bea65 100644
--- a/vlib/vweb/vweb.v
+++ b/vlib/vweb/vweb.v
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ struct Route {
 // Defining this method is optional.
 // This method called at server start.
 // You can use it for initializing globals.
-pub fn (ctx Context) init_server() {
+pub fn (ctx &Context) init_server() {
 	eprintln('init_server() has been deprecated, please init your web app in `fn main()`')
 }
 
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ pub fn (ctx &Context) before_accept_loop() {
 // It will be called in one of multiple threads in a pool, serving requests,
 // the same one, in which the matching route method will be executed right after it.
 // Defining this method is optional.
-pub fn (ctx Context) before_request() {}
+pub fn (ctx &Context) before_request() {}
 
 // TODO: test
 // vweb intern function
diff --git a/vlib/x/json2/scanner.v b/vlib/x/json2/scanner.v
index 90702eba22..09d4a864aa 100644
--- a/vlib/x/json2/scanner.v
+++ b/vlib/x/json2/scanner.v
@@ -101,12 +101,12 @@ fn (mut s Scanner) move_pos(include_space bool, include_newlines bool) {
 }
 
 // error returns an error token.
-fn (s Scanner) error(description string) Token {
+fn (s &Scanner) error(description string) Token {
 	return s.tokenize(description.bytes(), .error)
 }
 
 // tokenize returns a token based on the given lit and kind.
-fn (s Scanner) tokenize(lit []u8, kind TokenKind) Token {
+fn (s &Scanner) tokenize(lit []u8, kind TokenKind) Token {
 	return Token{
 		lit:  lit
 		kind: kind
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ fn (mut s Scanner) num_scan() Token {
 }
 
 // invalid_token returns an error token with the invalid token message.
-fn (s Scanner) invalid_token() Token {
+fn (s &Scanner) invalid_token() Token {
 	if s.text[s.pos] >= 32 && s.text[s.pos] <= 126 {
 		x := s.text[s.pos].ascii_str()
 		return s.error('invalid token `${x}`')