How to compile shaders for Sokol?

Use the separate sokol-shdc shader cross-compiler tool. You write shaders in a custom format, and it generates C headers for different graphics backends, which you then include in your project—this adds an extra step compared to integrated solutions.

Sokol vs SDL for cross-platform development?

Sokol is more minimal and lower-level, focusing on graphics and audio APIs with a smaller footprint, while SDL provides a broader feature set including input, networking, and more abstracted APIs. Choose Sokol for lightweight control, SDL for comprehensive out-of-the-box functionality.

Is Sokol good for 2D games?

Yes, it can handle 2D games via sokol_gfx.h or utility libraries like sokol_gp.h for 2D drawing. It's suitable for lightweight 2D rendering across platforms, as shown in examples like the Pacman clone and Minigolf game.

How to handle input in Sokol apps?

Use sokol_app.h, which provides event-based input handling for keyboard, mouse, and touch. Set up callbacks in the sapp_desc structure during initialization to respond to events like key presses or mouse movements.

Can Sokol be used with modern C++?

Yes, it's compatible with C++ as it's written in C, but the API is C-style. You'll need to adapt to C++ conventions manually, and it may not integrate seamlessly with RAII or STL without additional wrappers.

How to set up Sokol for WebAssembly?

Use Emscripten to compile your code, include Sokol headers, and ensure proper linking. sokol_app.h handles canvas creation and input for the web, with examples available in the live samples showcasing WebAssembly deployment.

Sokol — Cross-Platform C Graphics Headers

What is Sokol?

Sokol is a collection of minimal, standalone C headers that provide cross-platform abstractions for graphics rendering, audio playback, window management, and other low-level system APIs. It solves the problem of writing portable applications in C/C++ by offering lightweight wrappers around platform-specific APIs like OpenGL, Metal, D3D11, WebGPU, CoreAudio, WASAPI, and more, with a focus on minimal footprint and ease of integration.

Target Audience

C and C++ developers building cross-platform applications, games, or tools that need lightweight, portable access to graphics, audio, input, and system APIs without heavy dependencies or complex build systems.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Sokol for its simplicity, minimal overhead, and cross-platform consistency. Unlike larger frameworks, it provides standalone headers that are easy to integrate, support WebAssembly as a first-class citizen, and follow the STB-style philosophy of being dependency-free and header-only.

minimal cross-platform standalone C headers

Use Cases

Best For

Building cross-platform 2D/3D applications in C or C++ with minimal dependencies
Creating WebAssembly projects that require graphics, audio, or input handling
Developing lightweight game engines or prototyping game ideas quickly
Writing portable tools or emulators that run on desktop, mobile, and web
Integrating low-level system APIs without relying on larger frameworks like SDL or GLFW
Educational projects or demos that need simple, clear access to graphics and audio APIs

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring high-level game engine features like physics, scene management, or built-in asset pipelines
Teams using languages like Python or JavaScript that have mature, higher-level cross-platform libraries available
Rapid prototyping where visual editors, drag-and-drop tools, or extensive pre-built components are essential
Applications needing extensive out-of-the-box GUI tools or editor support without custom integration work

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cross-Platform Graphics Wrapper

sokol_gfx.h seamlessly supports GL/GLES3/WebGL2, Metal, D3D11, and WebGPU, allowing developers to write rendering code once and deploy across desktop, mobile, and web with minimal changes.

Minimal Dependencies and Footprint

As standalone STB-style headers, Sokol adds negligible size overhead and avoids complex build systems, making integration straightforward—evident in its emphasis on lightweight C code for easier language binding.

WebAssembly First-Class Citizen

Explicitly designed with WebAssembly as a priority, Sokol provides consistent APIs for web and native platforms, enabling portable applications with minimal footprint on the web, as noted in the README.

Modular and Lightweight Design

Core headers like sokol_gfx.h, sokol_app.h, and sokol_audio.h can be used independently, allowing developers to pick only what they need and reduce bloat in their projects.

Cons

Separate Shader Compilation Tool

Sokol_gfx.h does not include built-in shader cross-translation; developers must use the external sokol-shdc tool for generating shader code, adding an extra step and potential complexity to the workflow.

Limited High-Level Abstractions

It wraps low-level APIs without providing higher-level features like scene graphs, advanced rendering techniques, or integrated asset management, requiring more manual implementation from developers.

C-Centric API Design

Written in C, the API may not leverage modern C++ features like RAII or smart pointers, which could be a drawback for C++-focused projects preferring object-oriented or resource-safe patterns.

What is Sokol?

Target Audience

Value Proposition

Use Cases

Best For

Building cross-platform 2D/3D applications in C or C++ with minimal dependencies
Creating WebAssembly projects that require graphics, audio, or input handling
Developing lightweight game engines or prototyping game ideas quickly
Writing portable tools or emulators that run on desktop, mobile, and web
Integrating low-level system APIs without relying on larger frameworks like SDL or GLFW
Educational projects or demos that need simple, clear access to graphics and audio APIs

Not Ideal For

Projects requiring high-level game engine features like physics, scene management, or built-in asset pipelines
Teams using languages like Python or JavaScript that have mature, higher-level cross-platform libraries available
Rapid prototyping where visual editors, drag-and-drop tools, or extensive pre-built components are essential
Applications needing extensive out-of-the-box GUI tools or editor support without custom integration work

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cross-Platform Graphics Wrapper

sokol_gfx.h seamlessly supports GL/GLES3/WebGL2, Metal, D3D11, and WebGPU, allowing developers to write rendering code once and deploy across desktop, mobile, and web with minimal changes.

Minimal Dependencies and Footprint

WebAssembly First-Class Citizen

Modular and Lightweight Design

Core headers like sokol_gfx.h, sokol_app.h, and sokol_audio.h can be used independently, allowing developers to pick only what they need and reduce bloat in their projects.

Cons

Separate Shader Compilation Tool

Limited High-Level Abstractions

It wraps low-level APIs without providing higher-level features like scene graphs, advanced rendering techniques, or integrated asset management, requiring more manual implementation from developers.

C-Centric API Design

Written in C, the API may not leverage modern C++ features like RAII or smart pointers, which could be a drawback for C++-focused projects preferring object-oriented or resource-safe patterns.

Sokol

What is Sokol?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

Sokol

What is Sokol?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?