# Vulkan Tools Framework

The LunarG Vulkan SDK provides a framework to build and debug applications and games. The main components in the Vulkan tools framework include:

- The Vulkan API
- Common Loader
- Validation and Debugging Layers
- Tracer and Replayer

## Vulkan API

The Vulkan API is a low overhead, explicit cross-platform graphics application programming interface. This API provides applications direct control over the GPU, maximizing application performance.

## Common Loader

The Vulkan Common Loader provides the interface between Vulkan applications and layer and installable client driver libraries.

Refer to the Vulkan Common Loader guide for additional information on the loader and its driver, layer, and extension management capabilities.

## Validation and Debugging Layers

Vulkan supports intercepting, or hooking, API entry points via the Layer framework. A layer can intercept a subset of, or all, Vulkan entry points. The SDK provides many validation layers, including those that track memory, objects, and state.

Refer to the Vulkan Validation and Debugging Layers guide for detailed information on the Layer framework and those layers included in the SDK.

## Supporting Tools

The Vulkan SDK also provides other debugging tools for Vulkan applications, including trace and replay and SPIR-V generation, disassembly, and remapping tools.

Refer to the Vulkan Trace and Replay Tools guide for additional information on Vulkan application tracing and replay.

Refer to the SPIR-V Toolchain guide for additional information on SPIR-V related tools.