Format window title with copyright prefix and backend driver

CLAUDE.md

@@ -4,7 +4,16 @@ This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with co
 
 ## Project Overview
 
-This is a cross-platform Shadertoy-like fragment shader viewer built with SDL3 + OpenGL 3.3. The application loads and displays GLSL shaders from the `shaders/` directory with runtime switching capabilities.
+This is a cross-platform Shadertoy-like fragment shader viewer built with SDL3. It supports two rendering backends:
+- **SDL3 GPU** (default): renders via Vulkan on Linux/Windows and Metal on macOS.
+- **OpenGL 3.3** (fallback): the original backend, used automatically if SDL3 GPU init fails.
+
+Selection at launch:
+```bash
+./shadertoy --backend=gpu     # force SDL3 GPU
+./shadertoy --backend=opengl  # force OpenGL
+./shadertoy --backend=auto    # default: GPU first, fall back to OpenGL on failure
+```
 
 ## Build and Development Commands
 
@@ -30,13 +39,21 @@ make macos_debug
 make linux_debug
 ```
 
+### Compiling Shaders to SPIR-V
+The SDL3 GPU backend reads compiled SPIR-V (`.frag.spv`) at runtime. Run this after touching any `.vk.glsl` file:
+```bash
+cmake --build build --target compile_shaders
+```
+Requires `glslc` (Debian/Ubuntu: `apt install glslang-tools`; macOS: `brew install glslang`).
+
 ### Running the Application
 ```bash
-./shadertoy [SHADER_PATH] [-F|--fullscreen]
+./shadertoy [SHADER_NAME_OR_PATH] [-F|--fullscreen] [--backend=auto|gpu|opengl]
 
 # Examples:
-./shadertoy shaders/test.frag.glsl
-./shadertoy -F shaders/fractal_pyramid.frag.glsl
+./shadertoy test                            # auto backend, shaders/test/
+./shadertoy --backend=gpu seascape          # force SDL3 GPU (Vulkan/Metal)
+./shadertoy -F shaders/fractal_pyramid      # explicit folder path, fullscreen
 ```
 
 **Runtime Controls:**
@@ -46,28 +63,49 @@ make linux_debug
 
 ## Architecture
 
-### Core Design
-All application logic resides in `src/main.cpp` (~469 lines) - a monolithic design that's straightforward to understand. Key components:
+### Layered design
+- `src/main.cpp` — SDL3 window, event loop, shader-list scanning, dispatch to a backend.
+- `src/rendering/shader_backend.hpp` — abstract `IShaderBackend` interface + `ShaderMetadata` / `ShaderUniforms` / `ShaderProgramSpec` shared types. Two factories: `makeOpenGLBackend()`, `makeSdl3GpuBackend()`.
+- `src/rendering/opengl_shader_backend.{hpp,cpp}` — OpenGL 3.3 implementation. Loads `<folder>/<name>.gl.glsl` at runtime.
+- `src/rendering/sdl3gpu/sdl3gpu_shader_backend.{hpp,cpp}` — SDL3 GPU implementation. Loads `<folder>/<name>.frag.spv` (Linux/Windows) or `<folder>/<name>.frag.msl` (macOS); shares one passthrough vertex shader from `shaders/_common/passthrough.vert.{spv,msl}`.
+- `src/rendering/sdl3gpu/shader_factory.hpp` — small helper that loads a shader binary/source from disk and creates an `SDL_GPUShader`.
 
-1. **Shader Loading System** - Automatic directory scanning of `.glsl` files, sorted alphabetically
-2. **OpenGL Rendering** - Single fullscreen quad with fragment shader using GL_TRIANGLE_STRIP
-3. **Event Loop** - SDL3-based with vsync (SDL_GL_SwapWindow + 1ms delay)
-4. **Resource Path Resolution** - Multi-path fallback system for executable, relative, and macOS bundle paths
+### Shader folder layout
+One folder per shader, under `shaders/`:
+```
+shaders/<name>/
+    <name>.gl.glsl    # OpenGL GLSL 3.30 (handwritten)
+    <name>.vk.glsl    # Vulkan GLSL 4.50 (handwritten)
+    <name>.frag.msl   # Metal Shading Language (handwritten)
+    <name>.frag.spv   # generated by `make compile_shaders` from .vk.glsl
+    meta.txt          # Name / Author / iChannelN
+shaders/_common/
+    passthrough.vk.glsl    # shared fullscreen-triangle vertex (Vulkan)
+    passthrough.vert.spv   # generated
+    passthrough.vert.msl   # handwritten Metal
+```
+Folders starting with `_` or `.` are skipped by the scanner. The `meta.txt` parser is in `Rendering::parseMetaFile`.
+
+### Backend selection logic (`main.cpp`)
+1. Parse `--backend=...` flag (default `auto`).
+2. If not OpenGL: create a window with no flags, instantiate `Sdl3GpuShaderBackend`. If `init()` fails AND choice was `auto`, destroy the window and continue. If choice was `gpu`, exit with error.
+3. Otherwise: create a window with `SDL_WINDOW_OPENGL` and instantiate `OpenGLShaderBackend`.
 
 ### Global State (main.cpp)
 ```cpp
-shader_list_           // Vector of discovered .glsl shader paths
+shader_list_           // Vector<ShaderEntry { folder, base_name }>
 current_shader_index_  // Active shader in rotation
-current_program_       // OpenGL shader program handle
 shader_start_ticks_    // Base time for iTime uniform calculation
 window_                // SDL3 window pointer
-shaders_directory_     // Shader directory path (resolved at startup)
+backend_               // unique_ptr<IShaderBackend>
+shaders_directory_     // Shaders root path (resolved at startup)
 ```
 
 ### Dependencies
-- **SDL3** - Window/input management, OpenGL context
-- **GLAD** - OpenGL 3.3 loader (statically linked via `third_party/glad/`)
-- **C++17 stdlib** - filesystem, fstream, vector, algorithms
+- **SDL3** ≥ 3.2 — windowing, events, GPU API (`SDL_gpu.h`)
+- **GLAD** — OpenGL 3.3 loader (used only by the OpenGL backend, statically linked via `third_party/glad/`)
+- **C++17 stdlib** — filesystem, fstream, vector, algorithms
+- Build-time tool: `glslc` (only required to regenerate `.frag.spv`)
 
 ### Platform-Specific Code
 Uses preprocessor defines (`WINDOWS_BUILD`, `MACOS_BUILD`, `LINUX_BUILD`) for:
@@ -77,6 +115,22 @@ Uses preprocessor defines (`WINDOWS_BUILD`, `MACOS_BUILD`, `LINUX_BUILD`) for:
 
 ## Shader System
 
+### Authoring a shader (manual steps)
+For each new shader, three handwritten files live in `shaders/<name>/`:
+1. **`<name>.gl.glsl`** — OpenGL GLSL 3.30 (the original Shadertoy-style format described below).
+2. **`<name>.vk.glsl`** — Vulkan GLSL 4.50 with explicit `layout(set=3, binding=0) uniform ShadertoyUBO { float iTime; vec2 iResolution; } u;` and `layout(set=2, binding=N) uniform sampler2D` for any texture channel.
+3. **`<name>.frag.msl`** — Metal Shading Language. Entry point must be named `<name>_fs`. Uniforms come in via `[[buffer(0)]]`; samplers via `[[texture(N)]] [[sampler(N)]]`.
+
+After editing any `.vk.glsl`, rebuild SPIR-V: `cmake --build build --target compile_shaders`.
+
+The MSL is **not** auto-generated — write it by hand following the same convention as `aee_2026/source/core/rendering/sdl3gpu/msl/*.msl.h`.
+
+### Shadertoy → Vulkan/Metal porting cheatsheet
+- `iResolution` is `vec2` here (no `.xy`). Reconstruct vec3 manually if needed.
+- Replace `texture(iChannel0, ...)` calls — no texture channels currently wired through the GPU backend (planned).
+- The shared vertex stage emits `vUV` already in Shadertoy convention `(0,0)` bottom-left → `(1,1)` top-right; multiply by `iResolution` to get `fragCoord`.
+- The Y axis is flipped in NDC inside the shared vertex shader so Vulkan/Metal render right-side-up like OpenGL.
+
 ### Shader Format (GLSL 3.3 Core)
 All shaders must follow this structure:
 

CMakeLists.txt

@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ set(OpenGL_GL_PREFERENCE GLVND)
 # --- LISTA EXPLÍCITA DE FUENTES ---
 set(APP_SOURCES
     src/main.cpp
+    src/rendering/shader_backend.cpp
+    src/rendering/opengl_shader_backend.cpp
+    src/rendering/sdl3gpu/sdl3gpu_shader_backend.cpp
 )
 
 # Fuentes de librerías de terceros
@@ -29,6 +32,21 @@ set(EXTERNAL_SOURCES
 find_package(SDL3 REQUIRED CONFIG REQUIRED COMPONENTS SDL3)
 message(STATUS "SDL3 encontrado: ${SDL3_INCLUDE_DIRS}")
 
+# --- COMPILACIÓN DE SHADERS (Vulkan SPIR-V) ---
+find_program(GLSLC_EXE NAMES glslc)
+if(GLSLC_EXE)
+    message(STATUS "glslc encontrado: ${GLSLC_EXE}")
+    add_custom_target(compile_shaders
+        COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND}
+            -D GLSLC=${GLSLC_EXE}
+            -D SHADERS_DIR=${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/shaders
+            -P ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}/tools/shaders/compile_shaders.cmake
+        WORKING_DIRECTORY ${CMAKE_SOURCE_DIR}
+        COMMENT "Compiling .vk.glsl shaders to SPIR-V")
+else()
+    message(STATUS "glslc no encontrado — el target compile_shaders no estará disponible")
+endif()
+
 # --- AÑADIR EJECUTABLE ---
 add_executable(${PROJECT_NAME} ${APP_SOURCES} ${EXTERNAL_SOURCES})
 

Makefile

@@ -11,11 +11,12 @@ APP_NAME       := Shadertoy
 RELEASE_FOLDER := shadertoy_release
 RESOURCE_FILE  := release/shadertoy.res
 
-# Versión automática basada en la fecha actual (específica por SO)
+# Versión automática basada en la fecha actual (formato YYYY.MM.DD para que
+# CFBundleShortVersionString del bundle macOS sea conforme a la spec de Apple).
 ifeq ($(OS),Windows_NT)
-    VERSION := $(shell powershell -Command "Get-Date -Format 'yyyy-MM-dd'")
+    VERSION := $(shell powershell -Command "Get-Date -Format 'yyyy.MM.dd'")
 else
-    VERSION := $(shell date +%Y-%m-%d)
+    VERSION := $(shell date +%Y.%m.%d)
 endif
 
 # Variables específicas para Windows (usando APP_NAME)
@@ -35,6 +36,9 @@ LINUX_RELEASE               := $(TARGET_NAME)-$(VERSION)-linux.tar.gz
 # Lista completa de archivos fuente
 APP_SOURCES := \
     src/main.cpp \
+    src/rendering/shader_backend.cpp \
+    src/rendering/opengl_shader_backend.cpp \
+    src/rendering/sdl3gpu/sdl3gpu_shader_backend.cpp \
     third_party/glad/src/glad.c \
     third_party/jail_audio.cpp
 
@@ -128,8 +132,28 @@ macos_debug:
 macos_release:
 	@echo "Creando release para macOS - Version: $(VERSION)"
 
-# Verificar e instalar create-dmg si es necesario
-	@which create-dmg > /dev/null || (echo "Instalando create-dmg..." && brew install create-dmg)
+# Verifica dependencias necesarias (create-dmg). Si falta, intenta instalarla
+# con brew; si brew tampoco está, indica el comando exacto al usuario.
+	@command -v create-dmg >/dev/null 2>&1 || { \
+		echo ""; \
+		echo "============================================"; \
+		echo "  Falta la dependencia: create-dmg"; \
+		echo "============================================"; \
+		if command -v brew >/dev/null 2>&1; then \
+			echo "  Instalando con: brew install create-dmg"; \
+			brew install create-dmg || { \
+				echo ""; \
+				echo "  ERROR: 'brew install create-dmg' ha fallado."; \
+				echo "  Ejecuta el comando manualmente y vuelve a probar."; \
+				exit 1; \
+			}; \
+		else \
+			echo "  Homebrew no está instalado."; \
+			echo "  Instálalo desde https://brew.sh y luego ejecuta:"; \
+			echo "      brew install create-dmg"; \
+			exit 1; \
+		fi; \
+	}
 
 # Elimina datos de compilaciones anteriores
 	$(RMDIR) "$(RELEASE_FOLDER)"
@@ -150,6 +174,12 @@ macos_release:
 	cp LICENSE "$(RELEASE_FOLDER)"
 	cp README.md "$(RELEASE_FOLDER)"
 
+# Actualiza versión en Info.plist
+	@echo "Actualizando Info.plist con versión $(VERSION)..."
+	@RAW_VERSION=$$(echo "$(VERSION)" | sed 's/^v//'); \
+	sed -i '' '/<key>CFBundleShortVersionString<\/key>/{n;s|<string>.*</string>|<string>'"$$RAW_VERSION"'</string>|;}' "$(RELEASE_FOLDER)/$(APP_NAME).app/Contents/Info.plist"; \
+	sed -i '' '/<key>CFBundleVersion<\/key>/{n;s|<string>.*</string>|<string>'"$$RAW_VERSION"'</string>|;}' "$(RELEASE_FOLDER)/$(APP_NAME).app/Contents/Info.plist"
+
 # Compila la versión para procesadores Apple Silicon
 	$(CXX) $(APP_SOURCES) $(INCLUDES) -DMACOS_BUNDLE -DRELEASE_BUILD $(CXXFLAGS) $(LDFLAGS) -o "$(RELEASE_FOLDER)/$(APP_NAME).app/Contents/MacOS/$(TARGET_NAME)" -rpath @executable_path/../Frameworks/ -target arm64-apple-macos11
 

shaders/_common/passthrough.vert.msl

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+#include <metal_stdlib>
+using namespace metal;
+
+// Shared fullscreen-triangle vertex shader for the SDL3 GPU backend.
+// Emits uv in Shadertoy convention: (0,0) bottom-left, (1,1) top-right.
+
+struct PassthroughVOut {
+    float4 pos [[position]];
+    float2 uv;
+};
+
+vertex PassthroughVOut passthrough_vs(uint vid [[vertex_id]]) {
+    const float2 positions[3] = { {-1.0, -1.0}, {3.0, -1.0}, {-1.0, 3.0} };
+    PassthroughVOut out;
+    float2 pos = positions[vid];
+    out.uv = pos * 0.5 + 0.5;
+    out.pos = float4(pos.x, -pos.y, 0.0, 1.0);
+    return out;
+}

shaders/_common/passthrough.vk.glsl

@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+#version 450
+
+// Shared fullscreen-triangle vertex shader for the SDL3 GPU backend.
+// Emits vUV in Shadertoy convention: (0,0) bottom-left, (1,1) top-right.
+// Y flipped in NDC because Vulkan/Metal point Y down by default.
+
+layout(location = 0) out vec2 vUV;
+
+void main() {
+    const vec2 positions[3] = vec2[3](
+        vec2(-1.0, -1.0),
+        vec2( 3.0, -1.0),
+        vec2(-1.0,  3.0)
+    );
+    vec2 pos = positions[gl_VertexIndex];
+    vUV = pos * 0.5 + 0.5;
+    gl_Position = vec4(pos.x, -pos.y, 0.0, 1.0);
+}

shaders/cineshader_lava/meta.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Name: Cineshader Lava
+Author: edankwan

shaders/creation/meta.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Name: Creation by Silexars
+Author: Danguafer

shaders/cube_lines/meta.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Name: Cube lines
+Author: Danil

shaders/dbz/meta.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Name: New Leaked 3I/Atlas NASA Footage
+Author: msm01

shaders/fractal_pyramid/meta.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Name: Fractal Pyramid
+Author: bradjamesgrant

shaders/just_another_cube/meta.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Name: Just Another Cube
+Author: mrange

shaders/octograms/meta.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Name: Octograms
+Author: whisky_shusuky

shaders/remember/meta.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Name: Remember
+Author: diatribes

shaders/seascape/meta.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Name: Seascape
+Author: Alexander Alekseev

shaders/shader_art_coding_introduction/meta.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Name: Shader Art Coding Introduction
+Author: kishimisu

shaders/test/meta.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Name: Test
+Author: JailDesigner

shaders/test/test.frag.msl

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+#include <metal_stdlib>
+using namespace metal;
+
+// Test shader (Metal Shading Language port of test.vk.glsl).
+// Author: JailDesigner
+
+struct ShadertoyUBO {
+    float iTime;
+    float2 iResolution;
+};
+
+struct PassthroughVOut {
+    float4 pos [[position]];
+    float2 uv;
+};
+
+static float3 palette(float t) {
+    float3 a = float3(1.0, 0.5, 0.5);
+    float3 b = float3(1.0, 0.5, 0.5);
+    float3 c = float3(1.0, 1.0, 1.0);
+    float3 d = float3(0.263, 0.416, 0.557);
+    return a + b * cos(6.28318 * (c * t * d));
+}
+
+fragment float4 test_fs(PassthroughVOut in [[stage_in]],
+                        constant ShadertoyUBO& u [[buffer(0)]]) {
+    float2 fragCoord = in.uv * u.iResolution;
+    float2 uv = (fragCoord * 2.0 - u.iResolution) / u.iResolution.y;
+    float d = length(uv);
+    float3 col = palette(d);
+    d = sin(d * 8.0 + u.iTime) / 8.0;
+    d = abs(d);
+    d = 0.02 / d;
+    col *= d;
+    return float4(col, 1.0);
+}

shaders/test/test.vk.glsl

@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+#version 450
+
+// Name: Test
+// Author: JailDesigner
+//
+// Vulkan port of test.gl.glsl. Bindings follow the SDL3 GPU convention:
+//   set=3, binding=0 — fragment uniform buffer (ShadertoyUniforms in C++).
+
+layout(location = 0) in  vec2 vUV;
+layout(location = 0) out vec4 FragColor;
+
+layout(set = 3, binding = 0) uniform ShadertoyUBO {
+    float iTime;
+    vec2  iResolution;
+} u;
+
+vec3 palette(float t) {
+    vec3 a = vec3(1.0, 0.5, 0.5);
+    vec3 b = vec3(1.0, 0.5, 0.5);
+    vec3 c = vec3(1.0, 1.0, 1.0);
+    vec3 d = vec3(0.263, 0.416, 0.557);
+    return a + b * cos(6.28318 * (c * t * d));
+}
+
+void mainImage(out vec4 fragColor, in vec2 fragCoord) {
+    vec2 uv = (fragCoord * 2.0 - u.iResolution) / u.iResolution.y;
+    float d = length(uv);
+    vec3 col = palette(d);
+    d = sin(d * 8.0 + u.iTime) / 8.0;
+    d = abs(d);
+    d = 0.02 / d;
+    col *= d;
+    fragColor = vec4(col, 1.0);
+}
+
+void main() {
+    vec2 fragCoordPixels = vUV * u.iResolution;
+    vec4 outColor;
+    mainImage(outColor, fragCoordPixels);
+    FragColor = outColor;
+}

shaders/water/meta.txt

@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Name: Water
+Author: diatribes

src/defines.hpp

@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@
 // Nombre de la aplicación
 constexpr const char* APP_NAME = "Shadertoy";
 
+// Prefijo del título de la ventana (estilo aee_2026).
+constexpr const char* WINDOW_TITLE_PREFIX = "\xC2\xA9 2025 Shadertoy \xE2\x80\x94 JailDesigner";
+
 // Tamaño de ventana por defecto
 constexpr int WINDOW_WIDTH = 800;
 constexpr int WINDOW_HEIGHT = 800;

src/rendering/opengl_shader_backend.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,297 @@
+#include "rendering/opengl_shader_backend.hpp"
+
+#include <iostream>
+#include <vector>
+
+namespace Rendering {
+
+    namespace {
+
+        constexpr const char* VERTEX_SHADER_SRC = R"glsl(
+#version 330 core
+layout(location = 0) in vec2 aPos;
+out vec2 vUV;
+void main() {
+    vUV = aPos * 0.5 + 0.5;
+    gl_Position = vec4(aPos, 0.0, 1.0);
+}
+)glsl";
+
+        void logInfo(const std::string& msg) { std::cout << "[INFO] " << msg << '\n'; }
+        void logError(const std::string& msg) { std::cerr << "[ERROR] " << msg << '\n'; }
+
+        auto compileShader(GLenum type, const char* src) -> GLuint {
+            const GLuint s = glCreateShader(type);
+            glShaderSource(s, 1, &src, nullptr);
+            glCompileShader(s);
+            GLint ok = 0;
+            glGetShaderiv(s, GL_COMPILE_STATUS, &ok);
+            if (ok == 0) {
+                GLint len = 0;
+                glGetShaderiv(s, GL_INFO_LOG_LENGTH, &len);
+                std::string log(len > 0 ? len : 1, ' ');
+                glGetShaderInfoLog(s, len, nullptr, log.data());
+                logError("Shader compile error: " + log);
+                glDeleteShader(s);
+                return 0;
+            }
+            return s;
+        }
+
+        auto linkProgram(GLuint vs, GLuint fs) -> GLuint {
+            const GLuint p = glCreateProgram();
+            glAttachShader(p, vs);
+            glAttachShader(p, fs);
+            glLinkProgram(p);
+            GLint ok = 0;
+            glGetProgramiv(p, GL_LINK_STATUS, &ok);
+            if (ok == 0) {
+                GLint len = 0;
+                glGetProgramiv(p, GL_INFO_LOG_LENGTH, &len);
+                std::string log(len > 0 ? len : 1, ' ');
+                glGetProgramInfoLog(p, len, nullptr, log.data());
+                logError("Program link error: " + log);
+                glDeleteProgram(p);
+                return 0;
+            }
+            return p;
+        }
+
+        auto detectFeedbackChannel(const ShaderMetadata& metadata) -> int {
+            if (metadata.iChannel0 == "self") { return 0; }
+            if (metadata.iChannel1 == "self") { return 1; }
+            if (metadata.iChannel2 == "self") { return 2; }
+            if (metadata.iChannel3 == "self") { return 3; }
+            return -1;
+        }
+
+    }  // namespace
+
+    OpenGLShaderBackend::~OpenGLShaderBackend() { cleanup(); }
+
+    auto OpenGLShaderBackend::init(SDL_Window* window) -> bool {
+        window_ = window;
+
+        gl_context_ = SDL_GL_CreateContext(window_);
+        if (gl_context_ == nullptr) {
+            logError(std::string("SDL_GL_CreateContext error: ") + SDL_GetError());
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (gladLoadGLLoader(reinterpret_cast<GLADloadproc>(SDL_GL_GetProcAddress)) == 0) {
+            logError("Failed to initialize GL loader");
+            SDL_GL_DestroyContext(gl_context_);
+            gl_context_ = nullptr;
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        constexpr float QUAD_VERTICES[] = {
+            -1.0f, -1.0f,
+             1.0f, -1.0f,
+            -1.0f,  1.0f,
+             1.0f,  1.0f,
+        };
+
+        glGenVertexArrays(1, &vao_);
+        glGenBuffers(1, &vbo_);
+        glBindVertexArray(vao_);
+        glBindBuffer(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, vbo_);
+        glBufferData(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, sizeof(QUAD_VERTICES), QUAD_VERTICES, GL_STATIC_DRAW);
+        glEnableVertexAttribArray(0);
+        glVertexAttribPointer(0, 2, GL_FLOAT, GL_FALSE, 2 * sizeof(float), nullptr);
+        glBindBuffer(GL_ARRAY_BUFFER, 0);
+        glBindVertexArray(0);
+
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    auto OpenGLShaderBackend::loadShader(const ShaderProgramSpec& spec) -> bool {
+        const std::filesystem::path source_path = spec.folder / (spec.base_name + ".gl.glsl");
+
+        std::string fragSrc;
+        if (!loadFileToString(source_path, fragSrc)) {
+            logError("Failed to load shader file: " + source_path.string());
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        const int feedback = detectFeedbackChannel(spec.metadata);
+
+        const GLuint vs = compileShader(GL_VERTEX_SHADER, VERTEX_SHADER_SRC);
+        const GLuint fs = compileShader(GL_FRAGMENT_SHADER, fragSrc.c_str());
+
+        if (vs == 0 || fs == 0) {
+            if (vs != 0) { glDeleteShader(vs); }
+            if (fs != 0) { glDeleteShader(fs); }
+            logError("Shader compilation failed for: " + source_path.string());
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        const GLuint program = linkProgram(vs, fs);
+        glDeleteShader(vs);
+        glDeleteShader(fs);
+
+        if (program == 0) {
+            logError("Program linking failed for: " + source_path.string());
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (current_program_ != 0) {
+            glDeleteProgram(current_program_);
+        }
+        current_program_ = program;
+
+        destroyFeedbackFBO();
+        feedback_channel_ = feedback;
+        current_shader_uses_feedback_ = (feedback >= 0);
+
+        if (current_shader_uses_feedback_) {
+            logInfo("Shader uses self-feedback on iChannel" + std::to_string(feedback_channel_));
+        }
+
+        logInfo("Shader loaded successfully: " + spec.base_name);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    auto OpenGLShaderBackend::createFeedbackFBO(int width, int height) -> bool {
+        destroyFeedbackFBO();
+
+        glGenTextures(1, &feedback_texture_);
+        glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, feedback_texture_);
+        glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_MIN_FILTER, GL_LINEAR);
+        glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_MAG_FILTER, GL_LINEAR);
+        glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_WRAP_S, GL_CLAMP_TO_EDGE);
+        glTexParameteri(GL_TEXTURE_2D, GL_TEXTURE_WRAP_T, GL_CLAMP_TO_EDGE);
+
+        std::vector<float> black(static_cast<std::size_t>(width) * static_cast<std::size_t>(height) * 4U, 0.0f);
+        glTexImage2D(GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0, GL_RGBA32F, width, height, 0, GL_RGBA, GL_FLOAT, black.data());
+        glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0);
+
+        glGenFramebuffers(1, &feedback_fbo_);
+        glBindFramebuffer(GL_FRAMEBUFFER, feedback_fbo_);
+        glFramebufferTexture2D(GL_FRAMEBUFFER, GL_COLOR_ATTACHMENT0, GL_TEXTURE_2D, feedback_texture_, 0);
+
+        const GLenum status = glCheckFramebufferStatus(GL_FRAMEBUFFER);
+        glBindFramebuffer(GL_FRAMEBUFFER, 0);
+
+        if (status != GL_FRAMEBUFFER_COMPLETE) {
+            logError("Feedback FBO creation failed: " + std::to_string(status));
+            destroyFeedbackFBO();
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        feedback_width_ = width;
+        feedback_height_ = height;
+        logInfo("Created feedback FBO (" + std::to_string(width) + "x" + std::to_string(height) + ")");
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    void OpenGLShaderBackend::destroyFeedbackFBO() {
+        if (feedback_fbo_ != 0) {
+            glDeleteFramebuffers(1, &feedback_fbo_);
+            feedback_fbo_ = 0;
+        }
+        if (feedback_texture_ != 0) {
+            glDeleteTextures(1, &feedback_texture_);
+            feedback_texture_ = 0;
+        }
+        feedback_width_ = 0;
+        feedback_height_ = 0;
+    }
+
+    void OpenGLShaderBackend::render(const ShaderUniforms& uniforms) {
+        if (current_program_ == 0 || window_ == nullptr) { return; }
+
+        int w = 0;
+        int h = 0;
+        SDL_GetWindowSize(window_, &w, &h);
+
+        if (current_shader_uses_feedback_) {
+            if (feedback_fbo_ == 0 || feedback_width_ != w || feedback_height_ != h) {
+                createFeedbackFBO(w, h);
+            }
+        }
+
+        glUseProgram(current_program_);
+
+        const GLint locRes = glGetUniformLocation(current_program_, "iResolution");
+        const GLint locTime = glGetUniformLocation(current_program_, "iTime");
+
+        if (current_shader_uses_feedback_) {
+            const std::string channel_name = "iChannel" + std::to_string(feedback_channel_);
+            const GLint locChannel = glGetUniformLocation(current_program_, channel_name.c_str());
+
+            if (locChannel >= 0) {
+                glActiveTexture(GL_TEXTURE0 + feedback_channel_);
+                glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, feedback_texture_);
+                glUniform1i(locChannel, feedback_channel_);
+            }
+
+            glBindFramebuffer(GL_FRAMEBUFFER, feedback_fbo_);
+            glViewport(0, 0, w, h);
+            glClearColor(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+            glClear(GL_COLOR_BUFFER_BIT);
+
+            if (locRes >= 0) { glUniform2f(locRes, static_cast<float>(w), static_cast<float>(h)); }
+            if (locTime >= 0) { glUniform1f(locTime, uniforms.iTime); }
+
+            glBindVertexArray(vao_);
+            glDrawArrays(GL_TRIANGLE_STRIP, 0, 4);
+            glBindVertexArray(0);
+
+            glBindFramebuffer(GL_FRAMEBUFFER, 0);
+            glViewport(0, 0, w, h);
+
+            if (locRes >= 0) { glUniform2f(locRes, static_cast<float>(w), static_cast<float>(h)); }
+            if (locTime >= 0) { glUniform1f(locTime, uniforms.iTime); }
+
+            glBindVertexArray(vao_);
+            glDrawArrays(GL_TRIANGLE_STRIP, 0, 4);
+            glBindVertexArray(0);
+
+            glActiveTexture(GL_TEXTURE0 + feedback_channel_);
+            glBindTexture(GL_TEXTURE_2D, 0);
+        } else {
+            glViewport(0, 0, w, h);
+            glClearColor(0.0f, 0.0f, 0.0f, 1.0f);
+            glClear(GL_COLOR_BUFFER_BIT);
+
+            if (locRes >= 0) { glUniform2f(locRes, static_cast<float>(w), static_cast<float>(h)); }
+            if (locTime >= 0) { glUniform1f(locTime, uniforms.iTime); }
+
+            glBindVertexArray(vao_);
+            glDrawArrays(GL_TRIANGLE_STRIP, 0, 4);
+            glBindVertexArray(0);
+        }
+
+        SDL_GL_SwapWindow(window_);
+    }
+
+    void OpenGLShaderBackend::setVSync(bool vsync) {
+        const int result = SDL_GL_SetSwapInterval(vsync ? 1 : 0);
+        if (result == 0) {
+            logInfo(vsync ? "VSync enabled" : "VSync disabled");
+        } else {
+            logError(std::string("Failed to set VSync: ") + SDL_GetError());
+        }
+    }
+
+    void OpenGLShaderBackend::cleanup() {
+        if (gl_context_ == nullptr) { return; }
+
+        if (vbo_ != 0) { glDeleteBuffers(1, &vbo_); vbo_ = 0; }
+        if (vao_ != 0) { glDeleteVertexArrays(1, &vao_); vao_ = 0; }
+        if (current_program_ != 0) { glDeleteProgram(current_program_); current_program_ = 0; }
+        destroyFeedbackFBO();
+        current_shader_uses_feedback_ = false;
+        feedback_channel_ = -1;
+
+        SDL_GL_DestroyContext(gl_context_);
+        gl_context_ = nullptr;
+        window_ = nullptr;
+    }
+
+    auto makeOpenGLBackend() -> std::unique_ptr<IShaderBackend> {
+        return std::make_unique<OpenGLShaderBackend>();
+    }
+
+}  // namespace Rendering

src/rendering/opengl_shader_backend.hpp

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <glad/glad.h>
+
+#include "rendering/shader_backend.hpp"
+
+namespace Rendering {
+
+    class OpenGLShaderBackend final : public IShaderBackend {
+       public:
+        OpenGLShaderBackend() = default;
+        ~OpenGLShaderBackend() override;
+
+        auto init(SDL_Window* window) -> bool override;
+        auto loadShader(const ShaderProgramSpec& spec) -> bool override;
+        void render(const ShaderUniforms& uniforms) override;
+        void setVSync(bool vsync) override;
+        void cleanup() override;
+        [[nodiscard]] auto driverName() const -> std::string override { return "OpenGL"; }
+
+       private:
+        auto createFeedbackFBO(int width, int height) -> bool;
+        void destroyFeedbackFBO();
+
+        SDL_Window* window_{nullptr};
+        SDL_GLContext gl_context_{nullptr};
+
+        GLuint vao_{0};
+        GLuint vbo_{0};
+        GLuint current_program_{0};
+
+        GLuint feedback_fbo_{0};
+        GLuint feedback_texture_{0};
+        bool current_shader_uses_feedback_{false};
+        int feedback_channel_{-1};
+        int feedback_width_{0};
+        int feedback_height_{0};
+    };
+
+}  // namespace Rendering

src/rendering/sdl3gpu/sdl3gpu_shader_backend.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,238 @@
+#include "rendering/sdl3gpu/sdl3gpu_shader_backend.hpp"
+
+#include <iostream>
+
+#include "rendering/sdl3gpu/shader_factory.hpp"
+
+namespace Rendering {
+
+    namespace {
+
+        void logInfo(const std::string& msg) { std::cout << "[INFO] " << msg << '\n'; }
+        void logError(const std::string& msg) { std::cerr << "[ERROR] " << msg << '\n'; }
+
+#ifdef __APPLE__
+        constexpr SDL_GPUShaderFormat SHADER_FORMAT = SDL_GPU_SHADERFORMAT_MSL;
+        constexpr const char* VERTEX_ENTRY = "passthrough_vs";
+        constexpr const char* FRAGMENT_ENTRY = "test_fs";  // overridden per-shader (see loadShader)
+        constexpr const char* VERTEX_SUFFIX = ".vert.msl";
+        constexpr const char* FRAGMENT_SUFFIX = ".frag.msl";
+#else
+        constexpr SDL_GPUShaderFormat SHADER_FORMAT = SDL_GPU_SHADERFORMAT_SPIRV;
+        constexpr const char* VERTEX_ENTRY = "main";
+        constexpr const char* FRAGMENT_ENTRY = "main";
+        constexpr const char* VERTEX_SUFFIX = ".vert.spv";
+        constexpr const char* FRAGMENT_SUFFIX = ".frag.spv";
+#endif
+
+    }  // namespace
+
+    Sdl3GpuShaderBackend::~Sdl3GpuShaderBackend() { cleanup(); }
+
+    auto Sdl3GpuShaderBackend::init(SDL_Window* window) -> bool {
+        window_ = window;
+        return createDevice();
+    }
+
+    auto Sdl3GpuShaderBackend::createDevice() -> bool {
+        device_ = SDL_CreateGPUDevice(SHADER_FORMAT, false, nullptr);
+        if (device_ == nullptr) {
+            logError(std::string("SDL_CreateGPUDevice failed: ") + SDL_GetError());
+            return false;
+        }
+        if (!SDL_ClaimWindowForGPUDevice(device_, window_)) {
+            logError(std::string("SDL_ClaimWindowForGPUDevice failed: ") + SDL_GetError());
+            SDL_DestroyGPUDevice(device_);
+            device_ = nullptr;
+            return false;
+        }
+        SDL_SetGPUSwapchainParameters(device_, window_, SDL_GPU_SWAPCHAINCOMPOSITION_SDR, bestPresentMode());
+
+        const char* name = SDL_GetGPUDeviceDriver(device_);
+        const std::string raw = (name != nullptr) ? name : "GPU";
+        if (raw == "vulkan") { driver_name_ = "Vulkan"; }
+        else if (raw == "metal") { driver_name_ = "Metal"; }
+        else if (raw == "d3d12") { driver_name_ = "D3D12"; }
+        else if (!raw.empty()) {
+            driver_name_ = raw;
+            driver_name_[0] = static_cast<char>(std::toupper(static_cast<unsigned char>(driver_name_[0])));
+        } else {
+            driver_name_ = "GPU";
+        }
+        logInfo("GPU driver: " + driver_name_);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    auto Sdl3GpuShaderBackend::loadVertexShaderFor(const ShaderProgramSpec& spec) -> bool {
+        if (vertex_shader_ != nullptr) { return true; }
+
+        const std::filesystem::path common_dir = spec.folder.parent_path() / "_common";
+        const std::filesystem::path vertex_path = common_dir / (std::string("passthrough") + VERTEX_SUFFIX);
+
+        vertex_shader_ = Sdl3Gpu::loadShaderFromFile(device_, vertex_path, SHADER_FORMAT,
+            VERTEX_ENTRY, SDL_GPU_SHADERSTAGE_VERTEX, 0, 0);
+        if (vertex_shader_ == nullptr) {
+            logError("Failed to load shared vertex shader: " + vertex_path.string() + " (" + SDL_GetError() + ")");
+            return false;
+        }
+        logInfo("Loaded shared vertex shader: " + vertex_path.filename().string());
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    auto Sdl3GpuShaderBackend::buildPipeline(SDL_GPUShader* fragment) -> SDL_GPUGraphicsPipeline* {
+        const SDL_GPUTextureFormat SWAPCHAIN_FORMAT = SDL_GetGPUSwapchainTextureFormat(device_, window_);
+
+        SDL_GPUColorTargetBlendState no_blend{};
+        SDL_GPUColorTargetDescription color_target{};
+        color_target.format = SWAPCHAIN_FORMAT;
+        color_target.blend_state = no_blend;
+
+        SDL_GPUGraphicsPipelineCreateInfo info{};
+        info.vertex_shader = vertex_shader_;
+        info.fragment_shader = fragment;
+        info.primitive_type = SDL_GPU_PRIMITIVETYPE_TRIANGLELIST;
+        info.target_info.num_color_targets = 1;
+        info.target_info.color_target_descriptions = &color_target;
+
+        SDL_GPUGraphicsPipeline* pipeline = SDL_CreateGPUGraphicsPipeline(device_, &info);
+        if (pipeline == nullptr) {
+            logError(std::string("SDL_CreateGPUGraphicsPipeline failed: ") + SDL_GetError());
+        }
+        return pipeline;
+    }
+
+    auto Sdl3GpuShaderBackend::loadShader(const ShaderProgramSpec& spec) -> bool {
+        if (device_ == nullptr) { return false; }
+
+        if (!loadVertexShaderFor(spec)) { return false; }
+
+        const std::filesystem::path frag_path = spec.folder / (spec.base_name + FRAGMENT_SUFFIX);
+
+#ifdef __APPLE__
+        const std::string entry = spec.base_name + "_fs";
+        const char* fragment_entry = entry.c_str();
+#else
+        const char* fragment_entry = FRAGMENT_ENTRY;
+#endif
+
+        SDL_GPUShader* new_fragment = Sdl3Gpu::loadShaderFromFile(device_, frag_path, SHADER_FORMAT,
+            fragment_entry, SDL_GPU_SHADERSTAGE_FRAGMENT, 0, 1);
+        if (new_fragment == nullptr) {
+            logError("Failed to load fragment shader: " + frag_path.string() + " (" + SDL_GetError() + ")");
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        SDL_GPUGraphicsPipeline* new_pipeline = buildPipeline(new_fragment);
+        if (new_pipeline == nullptr) {
+            SDL_ReleaseGPUShader(device_, new_fragment);
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        SDL_WaitForGPUIdle(device_);
+        if (pipeline_ != nullptr) { SDL_ReleaseGPUGraphicsPipeline(device_, pipeline_); }
+        if (fragment_shader_ != nullptr) { SDL_ReleaseGPUShader(device_, fragment_shader_); }
+
+        pipeline_ = new_pipeline;
+        fragment_shader_ = new_fragment;
+        logInfo("Shader loaded successfully: " + spec.base_name);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    void Sdl3GpuShaderBackend::render(const ShaderUniforms& uniforms) {
+        if (device_ == nullptr || pipeline_ == nullptr) { return; }
+
+        SDL_GPUCommandBuffer* cmd = SDL_AcquireGPUCommandBuffer(device_);
+        if (cmd == nullptr) { return; }
+
+        SDL_GPUTexture* swapchain = nullptr;
+        Uint32 sw = 0;
+        Uint32 sh = 0;
+        if (!SDL_AcquireGPUSwapchainTexture(cmd, window_, &swapchain, &sw, &sh) || swapchain == nullptr) {
+            SDL_SubmitGPUCommandBuffer(cmd);
+            return;
+        }
+
+        SDL_GPUColorTargetInfo color_target{};
+        color_target.texture = swapchain;
+        color_target.load_op = SDL_GPU_LOADOP_CLEAR;
+        color_target.store_op = SDL_GPU_STOREOP_STORE;
+        color_target.clear_color = {.r = 0.0f, .g = 0.0f, .b = 0.0f, .a = 1.0f};
+
+        SDL_GPURenderPass* pass = SDL_BeginGPURenderPass(cmd, &color_target, 1, nullptr);
+        if (pass != nullptr) {
+            SDL_GPUViewport vp{};
+            vp.x = 0.0f;
+            vp.y = 0.0f;
+            vp.w = static_cast<float>(sw);
+            vp.h = static_cast<float>(sh);
+            vp.min_depth = 0.0f;
+            vp.max_depth = 1.0f;
+            SDL_SetGPUViewport(pass, &vp);
+
+            SDL_BindGPUGraphicsPipeline(pass, pipeline_);
+
+            UniformsStd140 ubo{};
+            ubo.iTime = uniforms.iTime;
+            ubo.iResolutionX = uniforms.iResolutionX;
+            ubo.iResolutionY = uniforms.iResolutionY;
+            SDL_PushGPUFragmentUniformData(cmd, 0, &ubo, sizeof(ubo));
+
+            SDL_DrawGPUPrimitives(pass, 3, 1, 0, 0);
+            SDL_EndGPURenderPass(pass);
+        }
+
+        SDL_SubmitGPUCommandBuffer(cmd);
+    }
+
+    void Sdl3GpuShaderBackend::setVSync(bool vsync) {
+        vsync_ = vsync;
+        if (device_ != nullptr && window_ != nullptr) {
+            SDL_SetGPUSwapchainParameters(device_, window_, SDL_GPU_SWAPCHAINCOMPOSITION_SDR, bestPresentMode());
+            logInfo(vsync ? "VSync enabled" : "VSync disabled");
+        }
+    }
+
+    auto Sdl3GpuShaderBackend::bestPresentMode() const -> SDL_GPUPresentMode {
+        if (vsync_) { return SDL_GPU_PRESENTMODE_VSYNC; }
+        if (device_ != nullptr && window_ != nullptr) {
+            if (SDL_WindowSupportsGPUPresentMode(device_, window_, SDL_GPU_PRESENTMODE_IMMEDIATE)) {
+                return SDL_GPU_PRESENTMODE_IMMEDIATE;
+            }
+            if (SDL_WindowSupportsGPUPresentMode(device_, window_, SDL_GPU_PRESENTMODE_MAILBOX)) {
+                return SDL_GPU_PRESENTMODE_MAILBOX;
+            }
+        }
+        return SDL_GPU_PRESENTMODE_VSYNC;
+    }
+
+    void Sdl3GpuShaderBackend::cleanup() {
+        if (device_ == nullptr) { return; }
+
+        SDL_WaitForGPUIdle(device_);
+
+        if (pipeline_ != nullptr) {
+            SDL_ReleaseGPUGraphicsPipeline(device_, pipeline_);
+            pipeline_ = nullptr;
+        }
+        if (fragment_shader_ != nullptr) {
+            SDL_ReleaseGPUShader(device_, fragment_shader_);
+            fragment_shader_ = nullptr;
+        }
+        if (vertex_shader_ != nullptr) {
+            SDL_ReleaseGPUShader(device_, vertex_shader_);
+            vertex_shader_ = nullptr;
+        }
+
+        if (window_ != nullptr) {
+            SDL_ReleaseWindowFromGPUDevice(device_, window_);
+        }
+        SDL_DestroyGPUDevice(device_);
+        device_ = nullptr;
+        window_ = nullptr;
+    }
+
+    auto makeSdl3GpuBackend() -> std::unique_ptr<IShaderBackend> {
+        return std::make_unique<Sdl3GpuShaderBackend>();
+    }
+
+}  // namespace Rendering

src/rendering/sdl3gpu/sdl3gpu_shader_backend.hpp

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <SDL3/SDL.h>
+
+#include "rendering/shader_backend.hpp"
+
+namespace Rendering {
+
+    class Sdl3GpuShaderBackend final : public IShaderBackend {
+       public:
+        Sdl3GpuShaderBackend() = default;
+        ~Sdl3GpuShaderBackend() override;
+
+        auto init(SDL_Window* window) -> bool override;
+        auto loadShader(const ShaderProgramSpec& spec) -> bool override;
+        void render(const ShaderUniforms& uniforms) override;
+        void setVSync(bool vsync) override;
+        void cleanup() override;
+        [[nodiscard]] auto driverName() const -> std::string override { return driver_name_; }
+
+       private:
+        struct UniformsStd140 {
+            float iTime{0.0f};
+            float pad0{0.0f};
+            float iResolutionX{0.0f};
+            float iResolutionY{0.0f};
+        };
+
+        auto createDevice() -> bool;
+        auto loadVertexShaderFor(const ShaderProgramSpec& spec) -> bool;
+        auto buildPipeline(SDL_GPUShader* fragment) -> SDL_GPUGraphicsPipeline*;
+        [[nodiscard]] auto bestPresentMode() const -> SDL_GPUPresentMode;
+
+        SDL_Window* window_{nullptr};
+        SDL_GPUDevice* device_{nullptr};
+        SDL_GPUShader* vertex_shader_{nullptr};
+        SDL_GPUShader* fragment_shader_{nullptr};
+        SDL_GPUGraphicsPipeline* pipeline_{nullptr};
+
+        bool vsync_{true};
+        std::string driver_name_;
+    };
+
+}  // namespace Rendering

src/rendering/sdl3gpu/shader_factory.hpp

@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <SDL3/SDL.h>
+
+#include <filesystem>
+
+namespace Rendering::Sdl3Gpu {
+
+    // Loads a compiled shader binary or source from disk and creates an SDL_GPUShader.
+    // For SPIR-V: pass the .spv path with format = SDL_GPU_SHADERFORMAT_SPIRV.
+    // For MSL: pass the .msl text path with format = SDL_GPU_SHADERFORMAT_MSL.
+    inline auto loadShaderFromFile(SDL_GPUDevice* device,
+        const std::filesystem::path& path,
+        SDL_GPUShaderFormat format,
+        const char* entrypoint,
+        SDL_GPUShaderStage stage,
+        Uint32 num_samplers,
+        Uint32 num_uniform_buffers) -> SDL_GPUShader* {
+        std::size_t size = 0;
+        void* data = SDL_LoadFile(path.string().c_str(), &size);
+        if (data == nullptr) {
+            return nullptr;
+        }
+
+        SDL_GPUShaderCreateInfo info{};
+        info.code_size = size;
+        info.code = static_cast<Uint8*>(data);
+        info.entrypoint = entrypoint;
+        info.format = format;
+        info.stage = stage;
+        info.num_samplers = num_samplers;
+        info.num_storage_textures = 0;
+        info.num_storage_buffers = 0;
+        info.num_uniform_buffers = num_uniform_buffers;
+
+        SDL_GPUShader* shader = SDL_CreateGPUShader(device, &info);
+        SDL_free(data);
+        return shader;
+    }
+
+}  // namespace Rendering::Sdl3Gpu

src/rendering/shader_backend.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+#include "rendering/shader_backend.hpp"
+
+#include <algorithm>
+#include <fstream>
+#include <sstream>
+
+namespace Rendering {
+
+    namespace {
+
+        auto trimString(const std::string& str) -> std::string {
+            const std::size_t start = str.find_first_not_of(" \t\r\n");
+            const std::size_t end = str.find_last_not_of(" \t\r\n");
+            if (start != std::string::npos && end != std::string::npos) {
+                return str.substr(start, end - start + 1);
+            }
+            return "";
+        }
+
+    }  // namespace
+
+    auto loadFileToString(const std::filesystem::path& path, std::string& out) -> bool {
+        std::ifstream ifs(path, std::ios::in | std::ios::binary);
+        if (!ifs) { return false; }
+        std::ostringstream ss;
+        ss << ifs.rdbuf();
+        out = ss.str();
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    auto parseMetaFile(const std::filesystem::path& meta_path) -> ShaderMetadata {
+        ShaderMetadata metadata;
+        std::ifstream ifs(meta_path);
+        if (!ifs) { return metadata; }
+
+        std::string line;
+        while (std::getline(ifs, line)) {
+            const std::size_t colon = line.find(':');
+            if (colon == std::string::npos) { continue; }
+
+            std::string key = line.substr(0, colon);
+            std::string value = trimString(line.substr(colon + 1));
+
+            std::transform(key.begin(), key.end(), key.begin(),
+                [](unsigned char c) { return static_cast<char>(std::tolower(c)); });
+            key = trimString(key);
+
+            if (key == "name") { metadata.name = value; }
+            else if (key == "author") { metadata.author = value; }
+            else if (key == "ichannel0") { metadata.iChannel0 = value; }
+            else if (key == "ichannel1") { metadata.iChannel1 = value; }
+            else if (key == "ichannel2") { metadata.iChannel2 = value; }
+            else if (key == "ichannel3") { metadata.iChannel3 = value; }
+        }
+        return metadata;
+    }
+
+    auto extractShaderMetadata(const std::string& source) -> ShaderMetadata {
+        ShaderMetadata metadata;
+
+        std::istringstream stream(source);
+        std::string line;
+        int line_count = 0;
+        constexpr int MAX_LINES_TO_CHECK = 30;
+
+        while (std::getline(stream, line) && line_count < MAX_LINES_TO_CHECK) {
+            line_count++;
+
+            const std::size_t pos = line.find("//");
+            if (pos == std::string::npos) { continue; }
+
+            const std::string comment = line.substr(pos + 2);
+            std::string lower = comment;
+            std::transform(lower.begin(), lower.end(), lower.begin(),
+                [](unsigned char c) { return static_cast<char>(std::tolower(c)); });
+
+            auto valueAfterColon = [&]() {
+                return trimString(comment.substr(comment.find(':') + 1));
+            };
+
+            if (lower.find("name:") != std::string::npos) {
+                metadata.name = valueAfterColon();
+            } else if (lower.find("author:") != std::string::npos) {
+                metadata.author = valueAfterColon();
+            } else if (lower.find("ichannel0:") != std::string::npos) {
+                metadata.iChannel0 = valueAfterColon();
+            } else if (lower.find("ichannel1:") != std::string::npos) {
+                metadata.iChannel1 = valueAfterColon();
+            } else if (lower.find("ichannel2:") != std::string::npos) {
+                metadata.iChannel2 = valueAfterColon();
+            } else if (lower.find("ichannel3:") != std::string::npos) {
+                metadata.iChannel3 = valueAfterColon();
+            }
+        }
+
+        return metadata;
+    }
+
+}  // namespace Rendering

src/rendering/shader_backend.hpp

@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <SDL3/SDL.h>
+
+#include <filesystem>
+#include <memory>
+#include <string>
+
+namespace Rendering {
+
+    struct ShaderMetadata {
+        std::string name;
+        std::string author;
+        std::string iChannel0{"none"};
+        std::string iChannel1{"none"};
+        std::string iChannel2{"none"};
+        std::string iChannel3{"none"};
+    };
+
+    struct ShaderUniforms {
+        float iTime{0.0f};
+        float iResolutionX{0.0f};
+        float iResolutionY{0.0f};
+    };
+
+    struct ShaderProgramSpec {
+        std::filesystem::path folder;
+        std::string base_name;
+        ShaderMetadata metadata;
+    };
+
+    class IShaderBackend {
+       public:
+        IShaderBackend() = default;
+        virtual ~IShaderBackend() = default;
+
+        IShaderBackend(const IShaderBackend&) = delete;
+        IShaderBackend(IShaderBackend&&) = delete;
+        auto operator=(const IShaderBackend&) -> IShaderBackend& = delete;
+        auto operator=(IShaderBackend&&) -> IShaderBackend& = delete;
+
+        virtual auto init(SDL_Window* window) -> bool = 0;
+        virtual auto loadShader(const ShaderProgramSpec& spec) -> bool = 0;
+        virtual void render(const ShaderUniforms& uniforms) = 0;
+        virtual void setVSync(bool vsync) = 0;
+        virtual void cleanup() = 0;
+        [[nodiscard]] virtual auto driverName() const -> std::string = 0;
+    };
+
+    [[nodiscard]] auto makeOpenGLBackend() -> std::unique_ptr<IShaderBackend>;
+    [[nodiscard]] auto makeSdl3GpuBackend() -> std::unique_ptr<IShaderBackend>;
+
+    [[nodiscard]] auto extractShaderMetadata(const std::string& source) -> ShaderMetadata;
+    [[nodiscard]] auto loadFileToString(const std::filesystem::path& path, std::string& out) -> bool;
+    [[nodiscard]] auto parseMetaFile(const std::filesystem::path& meta_path) -> ShaderMetadata;
+
+}  // namespace Rendering

tools/shaders/compile_shaders.cmake

@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+# compile_shaders.cmake — invoked via `cmake -P`.
+#
+# Required cache vars:
+#   GLSLC       — path to the glslc executable.
+#   SHADERS_DIR — path to the shaders/ directory.
+#
+# Walks SHADERS_DIR for:
+#   _common/passthrough.vk.glsl         -> _common/passthrough.vert.spv
+#   <name>/<name>.vk.glsl               -> <name>/<name>.frag.spv
+#
+# Shaders are recompiled only if the .spv is missing or older than its source.
+
+if(NOT GLSLC)
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "compile_shaders.cmake: GLSLC not provided")
+endif()
+if(NOT SHADERS_DIR)
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "compile_shaders.cmake: SHADERS_DIR not provided")
+endif()
+if(NOT EXISTS "${SHADERS_DIR}")
+    message(FATAL_ERROR "compile_shaders.cmake: SHADERS_DIR does not exist: ${SHADERS_DIR}")
+endif()
+
+function(_compile_to_spv SOURCE STAGE OUTPUT)
+    if(EXISTS "${OUTPUT}")
+        file(TIMESTAMP "${SOURCE}" SRC_T "%s")
+        file(TIMESTAMP "${OUTPUT}" OUT_T "%s")
+        if(NOT "${SRC_T}" STREQUAL "" AND NOT "${OUT_T}" STREQUAL "")
+            if(SRC_T LESS_EQUAL OUT_T)
+                return()
+            endif()
+        endif()
+    endif()
+    message(STATUS "glslc (${STAGE}) ${SOURCE} -> ${OUTPUT}")
+    execute_process(
+        COMMAND "${GLSLC}" "-fshader-stage=${STAGE}" "${SOURCE}" -o "${OUTPUT}"
+        RESULT_VARIABLE RC
+        OUTPUT_VARIABLE STDOUT
+        ERROR_VARIABLE STDERR
+    )
+    if(NOT RC EQUAL 0)
+        message(FATAL_ERROR "glslc failed for ${SOURCE}:\n${STDERR}")
+    endif()
+endfunction()
+
+set(VERT_SOURCE "${SHADERS_DIR}/_common/passthrough.vk.glsl")
+set(VERT_OUTPUT "${SHADERS_DIR}/_common/passthrough.vert.spv")
+if(EXISTS "${VERT_SOURCE}")
+    _compile_to_spv("${VERT_SOURCE}" "vert" "${VERT_OUTPUT}")
+else()
+    message(WARNING "Missing shared vertex shader: ${VERT_SOURCE}")
+endif()
+
+file(GLOB SHADER_DIRS LIST_DIRECTORIES true RELATIVE "${SHADERS_DIR}" "${SHADERS_DIR}/*")
+foreach(DIR ${SHADER_DIRS})
+    set(ABS_DIR "${SHADERS_DIR}/${DIR}")
+    if(NOT IS_DIRECTORY "${ABS_DIR}")
+        continue()
+    endif()
+    string(SUBSTRING "${DIR}" 0 1 FIRST_CHAR)
+    if(FIRST_CHAR STREQUAL "_" OR FIRST_CHAR STREQUAL ".")
+        continue()
+    endif()
+
+    set(VK_SOURCE "${ABS_DIR}/${DIR}.vk.glsl")
+    set(SPV_OUTPUT "${ABS_DIR}/${DIR}.frag.spv")
+
+    if(EXISTS "${VK_SOURCE}")
+        _compile_to_spv("${VK_SOURCE}" "frag" "${SPV_OUTPUT}")
+    endif()
+endforeach()