diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 5aa0e7a..12e045f 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -1,10 +1,5 @@
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.29)
 
-project(lsfg-vk-base-base
-    VERSION 0.0.1
-    DESCRIPTION "lsfg-vk-base: LSFG on Linux through Vulkan"
-    LANGUAGES CXX)
-
 # cmake options
 
 set(CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER clang++)
@@ -16,20 +11,24 @@ set(CMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS ON)
 
 # main project
 
+project(lsfg-vk
+    VERSION 0.0.1
+    DESCRIPTION "lsfg-vk: LSFG on Linux through Vulkan"
+    LANGUAGES CXX)
+
+add_subdirectory(lsfg-vk-gen)
+
 file(GLOB SOURCES
-    "src/core/*.cpp"
-    "src/shaderchains/*.cpp"
     "src/*.cpp"
 )
 
-add_library(lsfg-vk-base SHARED ${SOURCES})
+add_library(lsfg-vk SHARED ${SOURCES})
 
-target_include_directories(lsfg-vk-base
-    PRIVATE include
-    PUBLIC public)
-target_link_libraries(lsfg-vk-base
-    PUBLIC vulkan)
-target_compile_options(lsfg-vk-base PRIVATE
+target_include_directories(lsfg-vk
+    PRIVATE include)
+target_link_libraries(lsfg-vk
+    PRIVATE lsfg-vk-gen)
+target_compile_options(lsfg-vk PRIVATE
     -Weverything
     # disable compat c++ flags
     -Wno-pre-c++20-compat-pedantic
@@ -43,7 +42,6 @@ target_compile_options(lsfg-vk-base PRIVATE
     -Wno-switch-default # ignore missing default
     -Wno-padded         # ignore automatic padding
     -Wno-exit-time-destructors # allow globals
-    -Wno-global-constructors
     # required for vulkan
     -Wno-cast-function-type-strict
 )
diff --git a/include/log.hpp b/include/log.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7327eba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/include/log.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+#ifndef LOG_HPP
+#define LOG_HPP
+
+#include <format>
+#include <iostream>
+
+namespace Log {
+
+    const std::string_view WHITE = "\033[1;37m";
+    const std::string_view YELLOW = "\033[1;33m";
+    const std::string_view RED = "\033[1;31m";
+    const std::string_view GRAY = "\033[1;30m";
+    const std::string_view RESET = "\033[0m";
+
+    template<typename... Args>
+    void info(std::format_string<Args...> fmt, Args&&... args) {
+        std::cerr << WHITE << std::format(fmt, std::forward<Args>(args)...) << RESET << '\n';
+    }
+
+    template<typename... Args>
+    void warn(std::format_string<Args...> fmt, Args&&... args) {
+        std::cerr << YELLOW << std::format(fmt, std::forward<Args>(args)...) << RESET << '\n';
+    }
+
+    template<typename... Args>
+    void error(std::format_string<Args...> fmt, Args&&... args) {
+        std::cerr << RED << std::format(fmt, std::forward<Args>(args)...) << RESET << '\n';
+    }
+
+    template<typename... Args>
+    void debug(std::format_string<Args...> fmt, Args&&... args) {
+        std::cerr << GRAY << std::format(fmt, std::forward<Args>(args)...) << RESET << '\n';
+    }
+
+}
+
+#endif // LOG_HPP
diff --git a/lsfg-vk-gen/CMakeLists.txt b/lsfg-vk-gen/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b4a7c95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/lsfg-vk-gen/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+project(lsfg-vk-gen
+    VERSION 0.0.1
+    DESCRIPTION "lsfg-vk-gen: LSFG on Linux through Vulkan (backend)"
+    LANGUAGES CXX)
+
+file(GLOB BACKEND_SOURCES
+    "src/core/*.cpp"
+    "src/shaderchains/*.cpp"
+    "src/*.cpp"
+)
+
+add_library(lsfg-vk-gen SHARED ${BACKEND_SOURCES})
+
+target_include_directories(lsfg-vk-gen
+    PRIVATE include
+    PUBLIC public)
+target_link_libraries(lsfg-vk-gen
+    PUBLIC vulkan)
+target_compile_options(lsfg-vk-gen PRIVATE
+    -Weverything
+    # disable compat c++ flags
+    -Wno-pre-c++20-compat-pedantic
+    -Wno-pre-c++17-compat
+    -Wno-c++98-compat-pedantic
+    -Wno-c++98-compat
+    # disable other flags
+    -Wno-missing-designated-field-initializers
+    -Wno-shadow         # allow shadowing
+    -Wno-switch-enum    # ignore missing cases
+    -Wno-switch-default # ignore missing default
+    -Wno-padded         # ignore automatic padding
+    -Wno-exit-time-destructors # allow globals
+    -Wno-global-constructors
+    # required for vulkan
+    -Wno-cast-function-type-strict
+)
diff --git a/include/context.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/context.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/context.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/context.hpp
diff --git a/include/core/buffer.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/buffer.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/core/buffer.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/buffer.hpp
diff --git a/include/core/commandbuffer.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/commandbuffer.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/core/commandbuffer.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/commandbuffer.hpp
diff --git a/include/core/commandpool.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/commandpool.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/core/commandpool.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/commandpool.hpp
diff --git a/include/core/descriptorpool.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/descriptorpool.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/core/descriptorpool.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/descriptorpool.hpp
diff --git a/include/core/descriptorset.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/descriptorset.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/core/descriptorset.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/descriptorset.hpp
diff --git a/include/core/device.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/device.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/core/device.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/device.hpp
diff --git a/include/core/fence.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/fence.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/core/fence.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/fence.hpp
diff --git a/include/core/image.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/image.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/core/image.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/image.hpp
diff --git a/include/core/instance.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/instance.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/core/instance.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/instance.hpp
diff --git a/include/core/pipeline.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/pipeline.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/core/pipeline.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/pipeline.hpp
diff --git a/include/core/sampler.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/sampler.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/core/sampler.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/sampler.hpp
diff --git a/include/core/semaphore.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/semaphore.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/core/semaphore.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/semaphore.hpp
diff --git a/include/core/shadermodule.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/shadermodule.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/core/shadermodule.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/core/shadermodule.hpp
diff --git a/include/shaderchains/alpha.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/alpha.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/shaderchains/alpha.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/alpha.hpp
diff --git a/include/shaderchains/beta.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/beta.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/shaderchains/beta.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/beta.hpp
diff --git a/include/shaderchains/delta.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/delta.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/shaderchains/delta.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/delta.hpp
diff --git a/include/shaderchains/downsample.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/downsample.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/shaderchains/downsample.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/downsample.hpp
diff --git a/include/shaderchains/epsilon.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/epsilon.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/shaderchains/epsilon.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/epsilon.hpp
diff --git a/include/shaderchains/extract.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/extract.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/shaderchains/extract.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/extract.hpp
diff --git a/include/shaderchains/gamma.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/gamma.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/shaderchains/gamma.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/gamma.hpp
diff --git a/include/shaderchains/magic.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/magic.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/shaderchains/magic.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/magic.hpp
diff --git a/include/shaderchains/merge.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/merge.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/shaderchains/merge.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/merge.hpp
diff --git a/include/shaderchains/zeta.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/zeta.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/shaderchains/zeta.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/shaderchains/zeta.hpp
diff --git a/include/utils.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/include/utils.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from include/utils.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/include/utils.hpp
diff --git a/public/lsfg.hpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/public/lsfg.hpp
similarity index 100%
rename from public/lsfg.hpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/public/lsfg.hpp
diff --git a/src/context.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/context.cpp
similarity index 98%
rename from src/context.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/context.cpp
index 37cb651..46ee8ed 100644
--- a/src/context.cpp
+++ b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/context.cpp
@@ -94,8 +94,8 @@ Context::Context(const Core::Device& device, uint32_t width, uint32_t height, in
 }
 
 void Context::present(const Core::Device& device, int inSem, int outSem) {
-    Core::Semaphore inSemaphore(device, inSem);
-    Core::Semaphore outSemaphore(device, outSem);
+    const Core::Semaphore inSemaphore(device, inSem);
+    const Core::Semaphore outSemaphore(device, outSem);
 
     Core::CommandBuffer cmdBuffer(device, this->cmdPool);
     cmdBuffer.begin();
diff --git a/src/core/buffer.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/buffer.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/core/buffer.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/buffer.cpp
diff --git a/src/core/commandbuffer.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/commandbuffer.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/core/commandbuffer.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/commandbuffer.cpp
diff --git a/src/core/commandpool.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/commandpool.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/core/commandpool.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/commandpool.cpp
diff --git a/src/core/descriptorpool.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/descriptorpool.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/core/descriptorpool.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/descriptorpool.cpp
diff --git a/src/core/descriptorset.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/descriptorset.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/core/descriptorset.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/descriptorset.cpp
diff --git a/src/core/device.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/device.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/core/device.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/device.cpp
diff --git a/src/core/fence.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/fence.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/core/fence.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/fence.cpp
diff --git a/src/core/image.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/image.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/core/image.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/image.cpp
diff --git a/src/core/instance.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/instance.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/core/instance.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/instance.cpp
diff --git a/src/core/pipeline.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/pipeline.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/core/pipeline.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/pipeline.cpp
diff --git a/src/core/sampler.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/sampler.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/core/sampler.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/sampler.cpp
diff --git a/src/core/semaphore.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/semaphore.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/core/semaphore.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/semaphore.cpp
diff --git a/src/core/shadermodule.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/shadermodule.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/core/shadermodule.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/core/shadermodule.cpp
diff --git a/src/lsfg.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/lsfg.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/lsfg.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/lsfg.cpp
diff --git a/src/shaderchains/alpha.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/alpha.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/shaderchains/alpha.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/alpha.cpp
diff --git a/src/shaderchains/beta.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/beta.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/shaderchains/beta.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/beta.cpp
diff --git a/src/shaderchains/delta.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/delta.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/shaderchains/delta.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/delta.cpp
diff --git a/src/shaderchains/downsample.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/downsample.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/shaderchains/downsample.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/downsample.cpp
diff --git a/src/shaderchains/epsilon.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/epsilon.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/shaderchains/epsilon.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/epsilon.cpp
diff --git a/src/shaderchains/extract.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/extract.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/shaderchains/extract.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/extract.cpp
diff --git a/src/shaderchains/gamma.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/gamma.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/shaderchains/gamma.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/gamma.cpp
diff --git a/src/shaderchains/magic.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/magic.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/shaderchains/magic.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/magic.cpp
diff --git a/src/shaderchains/merge.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/merge.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/shaderchains/merge.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/merge.cpp
diff --git a/src/shaderchains/zeta.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/zeta.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/shaderchains/zeta.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/shaderchains/zeta.cpp
diff --git a/src/utils.cpp b/lsfg-vk-gen/src/utils.cpp
similarity index 100%
rename from src/utils.cpp
rename to lsfg-vk-gen/src/utils.cpp
diff --git a/src/init.cpp b/src/init.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3938c8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/init.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+#include "log.hpp"
+
+extern "C" void __attribute__((constructor)) init();
+extern "C" [[noreturn]] void __attribute__((destructor)) deinit();
+
+void init() {
+    Log::info("lsfg-vk: init() called");
+}
+
+void deinit() {
+    Log::debug("lsfg-vk: deinit() called, exiting");
+    // for some reason some applications unload the library despite it containing
+    // the dl functions. this will lead to a segmentation fault, so we exit early.
+    exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
+}