diff --git a/make/Main.gmk b/make/Main.gmk
index 4690139e6adff..f2f1bce0e1062 100644
--- a/make/Main.gmk
+++ b/make/Main.gmk
@@ -753,6 +753,17 @@ $(eval $(call SetupTarget, test-image-lib, \
     DEPS := build-test-lib, \
 ))
 
+$(eval $(call SetupTarget, build-test-setup-aot, \
+    MAKEFILE := test/BuildTestSetupAOT, \
+    DEPS := interim-langtools exploded-image, \
+))
+
+$(eval $(call SetupTarget, test-image-setup-aot, \
+    MAKEFILE := test/BuildTestSetupAOT, \
+    TARGET := images, \
+    DEPS :=  build-test-setup-aot, \
+))
+
 ifeq ($(BUILD_FAILURE_HANDLER), true)
   # Builds the failure handler jtreg extension
   $(eval $(call SetupTarget, build-test-failure-handler, \
@@ -1281,7 +1292,8 @@ all-docs-bundles: docs-jdk-bundles docs-javase-bundles docs-reference-bundles
 # This target builds the test image
 test-image: prepare-test-image test-image-jdk-jtreg-native \
     test-image-demos-jdk test-image-libtest-jtreg-native \
-    test-image-lib test-image-lib-native
+    test-image-lib test-image-lib-native \
+    test-image-setup-aot
 
 ifneq ($(JVM_TEST_IMAGE_TARGETS), )
   # If JVM_TEST_IMAGE_TARGETS is externally defined, use it instead of the
diff --git a/make/RunTests.gmk b/make/RunTests.gmk
index 3e20de3f82ed0..616341a89019e 100644
--- a/make/RunTests.gmk
+++ b/make/RunTests.gmk
@@ -703,6 +703,9 @@ define SetJtregValue
   endif
 endef
 
+################################################################################
+# Helper function for creating a customized AOT cache for running tests
+################################################################################
 
 # Parameter 1 is the name of the rule.
 #
@@ -713,48 +716,47 @@ endef
 #   $1_AOT_TARGETS   List of all targets that the test rule will need to depend on
 #   $1_AOT_JDK_CACHE The AOT cache file to be used to run the test with
 #
-SetupAot = $(NamedParamsMacroTemplate)
-define SetupAotBody
-  $1_AOT_JDK_CONF  := $$($1_TEST_SUPPORT_DIR)/aot/jdk.aotconf
+SetupAOT = $(NamedParamsMacroTemplate)
+define SetupAOTBody
+  $1_AOT_JDK_CONF := $$($1_TEST_SUPPORT_DIR)/aot/jdk.aotconf
   $1_AOT_JDK_CACHE := $$($1_TEST_SUPPORT_DIR)/aot/jdk.aotcache
-
-  $1_JAVA_TOOL_OPTS := $$(addprefix -J, $$($1_VM_OPTIONS))
+  $1_AOT_JDK_LOG := $$($1_TEST_SUPPORT_DIR)/aot/TestSetupAOT.log
+
+  # We execute the training run with $(TEST_IMAGE_DIR)/setup_aot/TestSetupAOT.class
+  # to touch a fair number of classes inside the JDK. Note that we can't specify a classpath,
+  # or else the AOT cache cannot be used with jtreg test cases that use a different value
+  # for their classpaths. Instead, we run in the $(TEST_IMAGE_DIR)/setup_aot/ directory.
+  # The "java" launcher will have an implicit classpath of ".", so it can pick up the TestSetupAOT
+  # class from the JVM's current directory.
+  #
+  # The TestSetupAOT class (or any other classes that are loaded from ".") will be excluded
+  # from the the AOT cache as "." is an unsupported location. As a result, the AOT cache will contain
+  # only classes from the JDK.
 
   $$($1_AOT_JDK_CACHE): $$(JDK_IMAGE_DIR)/release
 	$$(call MakeDir, $$($1_TEST_SUPPORT_DIR)/aot)
 
-	$(foreach jtool, javac javap jlink jar, \
-	    $(info AOT: Create cache configuration for $(jtool)) \
-	    $$(call ExecuteWithLog, $$($1_TEST_SUPPORT_DIR)/aot.$(jtool), ( \
-	        $$(FIXPATH) $(JDK_UNDER_TEST)/bin/$(jtool) $$($1_JAVA_TOOL_OPTS) \
-	                    -J-XX:AOTMode=record -J-XX:AOTConfiguration=$$($1_AOT_JDK_CONF).$(jtool) --help \
-	    ))
-	)
-
-	$$(info AOT: Copy $(JDK_UNDER_TEST)/lib/classlist to $$($1_AOT_JDK_CONF).jdk )
+	$$(call LogWarn, AOT: Create cache configuration) \
 	$$(call ExecuteWithLog, $$($1_TEST_SUPPORT_DIR)/aot, ( \
-		$$(FIXPATH) $(CP) $(JDK_UNDER_TEST)/lib/classlist $$($1_AOT_JDK_CONF).jdk \
+	    $(CD) $(TEST_IMAGE_DIR)/setup_aot; \
+	    $$(FIXPATH) $(JDK_UNDER_TEST)/bin/java $$($1_VM_OPTIONS) \
+	        -Xlog:cds,cds+class=debug:file=$$($1_AOT_JDK_CONF).log  -Xlog:cds*=error \
+	        -XX:AOTMode=record -XX:AOTConfiguration=$$($1_AOT_JDK_CONF) \
+	        TestSetupAOT > $$($1_AOT_JDK_LOG) \
 	))
 
-	$$(FIXPATH) $$(CAT) $$($1_AOT_JDK_CONF).* > $$($1_AOT_JDK_CONF).temp
-	$$(FIXPATH) $$(CAT) $$($1_AOT_JDK_CONF).temp | $(GREP) -v '#' | $(GREP) -v '@' | $(SORT) | \
-	        $(SED) -e 's/id:.*//g' | uniq \
-		> $$($1_AOT_JDK_CONF)
-	$$(FIXPATH) $$(CAT) $$($1_AOT_JDK_CONF).temp | $(GREP) '@cp' | $(SORT) \
-	        >> $$($1_AOT_JDK_CONF)
-
-	$$(info AOT: Generate AOT cache $$($1_AOT_JDK_CACHE) with flags: $$($1_VM_OPTIONS))
+	$$(call LogWarn, AOT: Generate AOT cache $$($1_AOT_JDK_CACHE) with flags: $$($1_VM_OPTIONS))
 	$$(call ExecuteWithLog, $$($1_TEST_SUPPORT_DIR)/aot, ( \
-		$$(FIXPATH) $(JDK_UNDER_TEST)/bin/java \
-	        $$($1_VM_OPTIONS) -Xlog:cds,cds+class=debug:file=$$($1_AOT_JDK_CACHE).log \
-		-XX:AOTMode=create -XX:AOTConfiguration=$$($1_AOT_JDK_CONF) -XX:AOTCache=$$($1_AOT_JDK_CACHE) \
+	    $$(FIXPATH) $(JDK_UNDER_TEST)/bin/java \
+	        $$($1_VM_OPTIONS) -Xlog:cds,cds+class=debug:file=$$($1_AOT_JDK_CACHE).log -Xlog:cds*=error \
+	        -XX:ExtraSharedClassListFile=$(JDK_UNDER_TEST)/lib/classlist \
+	        -XX:AOTMode=create -XX:AOTConfiguration=$$($1_AOT_JDK_CONF) -XX:AOTCache=$$($1_AOT_JDK_CACHE) \
 	))
 
   $1_AOT_TARGETS += $$($1_AOT_JDK_CACHE)
 
 endef
 
-
 SetupRunJtregTest = $(NamedParamsMacroTemplate)
 define SetupRunJtregTestBody
   $1_TEST_RESULTS_DIR := $$(TEST_RESULTS_DIR)/$1
@@ -946,11 +948,10 @@ define SetupRunJtregTestBody
   endif
 
   ifeq ($$(JTREG_AOT_JDK), true)
-    $$(info Add AOT target for $1)
-    $$(eval $$(call SetupAot, $1, VM_OPTIONS := $$(JTREG_ALL_OPTIONS) ))
+    $$(call LogWarn, Add AOT target for $1)
+    $$(eval $$(call SetupAOT, $1, VM_OPTIONS := $$(JTREG_ALL_OPTIONS) ))
 
-    $$(info AOT_TARGETS=$$($1_AOT_TARGETS))
-    $$(info AOT_JDK_CACHE=$$($1_AOT_JDK_CACHE))
+    $$(call LogWarn, AOT_JDK_CACHE=$$($1_AOT_JDK_CACHE))
 
     $1_JTREG_BASIC_OPTIONS += -vmoption:-XX:AOTCache="$$($1_AOT_JDK_CACHE)"
   endif
diff --git a/make/test/BuildTestSetupAOT.gmk b/make/test/BuildTestSetupAOT.gmk
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..46b18005366dc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/make/test/BuildTestSetupAOT.gmk
@@ -0,0 +1,69 @@
+#
+# Copyright (c) 2025, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
+# DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
+#
+# This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+# under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 2 only, as
+# published by the Free Software Foundation.  Oracle designates this
+# particular file as subject to the "Classpath" exception as provided
+# by Oracle in the LICENSE file that accompanied this code.
+#
+# This code is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+# ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+# FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+# version 2 for more details (a copy is included in the LICENSE file that
+# accompanied this code).
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License version
+# 2 along with this work; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+# Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+#
+# Please contact Oracle, 500 Oracle Parkway, Redwood Shores, CA 94065 USA
+# or visit www.oracle.com if you need additional information or have any
+# questions.
+#
+
+include MakeFileStart.gmk
+
+################################################################################
+# This file builds the TestSetupAOT.class, which is used by SetupAOT
+# in ../RunTests.gmk
+################################################################################
+
+include CopyFiles.gmk
+include JavaCompilation.gmk
+
+################################################################################
+
+SETUP_AOT_BASEDIR := $(TOPDIR)/test/setup_aot
+SETUP_AOT_SUPPORT := $(SUPPORT_OUTPUTDIR)/test/setup_aot
+SETUP_AOT_CLASS := $(SETUP_AOT_SUPPORT)/classes/TestSetupAOT.class
+
+$(eval $(call SetupJavaCompilation, BUILD_SETUP_AOT, \
+    TARGET_RELEASE := $(TARGET_RELEASE_NEWJDK_UPGRADED), \
+    SRC := $(SETUP_AOT_BASEDIR), \
+    BIN := $(SETUP_AOT_SUPPORT)/classes, \
+))
+
+TARGETS += $(BUILD_SETUP_AOT)
+
+################################################################################
+# Targets for building test-image.
+################################################################################
+
+# Copy to hotspot jtreg test image
+$(eval $(call SetupCopyFiles, COPY_SETUP_AOT, \
+    SRC := $(SETUP_AOT_SUPPORT)/classes, \
+    DEST := $(TEST_IMAGE_DIR)/setup_aot, \
+    FILES := TestSetupAOT.class, \
+))
+
+IMAGES_TARGETS += $(COPY_SETUP_AOT)
+
+images: $(IMAGES_TARGETS)
+
+.PHONY: images
+
+################################################################################
+
+include MakeFileEnd.gmk
diff --git a/src/hotspot/share/cds/classListParser.cpp b/src/hotspot/share/cds/classListParser.cpp
index 1b4b6ffb22c7a..9a5ac12b475da 100644
--- a/src/hotspot/share/cds/classListParser.cpp
+++ b/src/hotspot/share/cds/classListParser.cpp
@@ -443,10 +443,9 @@ void ClassListParser::print_diagnostic_info(outputStream* st, const char* msg, v
     error_index = 0;
   }
 
-  jio_fprintf(defaultStream::error_stream(),
-              "An error has occurred while processing class list file %s %zu:%d.\n",
-              _classlist_file, lineno(), (error_index + 1));
-  jio_vfprintf(defaultStream::error_stream(), msg, ap);
+  st->print("An error has occurred while processing class list file %s %zu:%d.\n",
+            _classlist_file, lineno(), (error_index + 1));
+  st->vprint(msg, ap);
 
   if (_line_len <= 0) {
     st->print("\n");
diff --git a/test/setup_aot/TestSetupAOT.java b/test/setup_aot/TestSetupAOT.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..1cae8bae2461f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/setup_aot/TestSetupAOT.java
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2025, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
+ * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
+ *
+ * This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+ * under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 2 only, as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation.  Oracle designates this
+ * particular file as subject to the "Classpath" exception as provided
+ * by Oracle in the LICENSE file that accompanied this code.
+ *
+ * This code is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+ * ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+ * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+ * version 2 for more details (a copy is included in the LICENSE file that
+ * accompanied this code).
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License version
+ * 2 along with this work; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+ * Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ *
+ * Please contact Oracle, 500 Oracle Parkway, Redwood Shores, CA 94065 USA
+ * or visit www.oracle.com if you need additional information or have any
+ * questions.
+ */
+
+import java.util.spi.ToolProvider;
+
+// This program is executed by make/RunTests.gmk to support running HotSpot tests
+// in the "AOT mode", for example:
+//
+//     make test JTREG=AOT_JDK=true TEST=open/test/hotspot/jtreg/runtime/invokedynamic
+//
+// All JDK classes touched by this program will be stored into a customized AOT cache.
+// This is a larger set of classes than those stored in the JDK's default CDS archive.
+// This customized cache can also have additional optimizations that are not
+// enabled in the default CDS archive. For example, AOT-linked classes and lambda
+// expressions. In the future, it can also contain AOT profiles and AOT compiled methods.
+//
+// We can use this customized AOT cache to run various HotSpot tests to improve
+// coverage on AOT.
+//
+// Note that make/RunTests.gmk loads this class using an implicit classpath of ".", so
+// this class will be excluded from the customized AOT cache. As a result,
+// the customized AOT cache contains *only* classes from the JDK itself.
+
+public class TestSetupAOT {
+    public static void main(String[] args) throws Throwable {
+        String[] tools = {
+            "javac", "javap", "jlink", "jar",
+        };
+        // TODO: we should do more substantial work than just running with "--help".
+        // E.g., use javac to compile a program.
+        for (String tool : tools) {
+            ToolProvider t = ToolProvider.findFirst(tool)
+                .orElseThrow(() -> new RuntimeException(tool + " not found"));
+            t.run(System.out, System.out, "--help");
+        }
+    }
+}