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Overview
Vulkan Samples is an official collection for learning how to implement Vulkan applications and apply performance recommendations through runnable examples and documentation. It ranges from introductory API samples to performance samples with real-time profiling information. Build guidance covers Windows, Linux, Android, macOS, and iOS.
Features and best fit
Based on official documentation; not hands-on tested · Content checked:
Key features
Inspect API fundamentals and performance practices in working code
The project presents API samples as the starting point for newcomers and performance samples as more advanced demonstrations with real-time profiling and detailed tutorials. Developers can select examples from the catalog and run them through a shared command-line application. The README also documents batch and headless execution examples.
Sources: [1]
Best fit
Fits graphics implementation comparisons and GPU performance investigations
It suits developers who want to study Vulkan features in focused examples and teams measuring how rendering choices affect performance. It is also useful when one shared sample collection must be built across desktop and mobile targets.
Before adoption
Requires C++20, Vulkan 1.1 or newer, and platform-specific dependencies
The samples require a C++20-capable compiler and a device supporting at least Vulkan 1.1; individual samples may require newer versions or extensions. The repository is large and includes asset submodules, while dependencies and build steps differ across Windows, Linux, Android, macOS, and iOS. The project is Apache-2.0 licensed, but third-party dependencies and assets retain their own licenses.
Official sources
- [1]KhronosGroup/Vulkan-Samples — README(2026-10-04)
- [2]KhronosGroup/Vulkan-Samples — Build Guides(2026-10-04)
- [3]KhronosGroup/Vulkan-Samples — LICENSE(2026-10-04)
Supplemental curator note
This collection stands out because working code, recommended practices, and performance analysis live together. Before adopting it, verify the target device's Vulkan version and extensions as well as platform-specific build dependencies.
Try it in 3 steps
- 1
Clone with submodules
Install Git LFS, check out the reviewed commit, and then fetch the asset submodules required by the source.
git clone https://github.com/KhronosGroup/Vulkan-Samples.git cd Vulkan-Samples git checkout 177edebf0cd7d4f669667e49f052cfb56b17e004 git submodule update --init --recursive - 2
Configure and build for Linux
On Linux x86_64, prepare CMake 3.12+, a C++20 compiler, and the documented X11 or Wayland development packages.
cmake -G "Unix Makefiles" -Bbuild/linux -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release cmake --build build/linux --config Release --target vulkan_samples -j$(nproc) - 3
Display the application help
Run the documented Linux x86_64 binary from the repository root. Rendering samples requires a Vulkan-capable GPU and driver.
./build/linux/app/bin/Release/x86_64/vulkan_samples --help
Growth
Growth trends · Last 30 days
5,390 Stars
Trend data is still being collected.
Development activity
Last 90 days · weekly
- Commits (last 30 days)
- 9
- Open PRs
- 20
Development activity is still being collected.
Built with
Categories and tags
Categories
GitHub data
GitHub dataView detailed GitHub data
GitHub Topics
- vulkan-api
- vulkan
- vulkan-samples
- graphics
- graphics-programming
- cpp
- khronos
- tutorials
- best-practices
- Stars
- 5,390
- Forks
- 839
- Watchers
- 88
- Open issues
- 42
- Contributors
- 125
- Owner type
- Organization
- Primary language
- C++
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Repository last updated
- Sep 21, 2026
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