MapLibre Native FFI

MapLibre Native FFI provides an experimental C API for MapLibre Native. It targets low-level language bindings and host integrations that need a C boundary instead of direct C++ interop.

The API exposes MapLibre Native concepts directly. Framework concerns such as gestures, widgets, declarative UI, and application lifecycle integration belong in downstream adapters.

Use the Docs

• Start with Concepts to understand the runtime, map, render target, ownership, threading, and host integration model.
• Read the Usage guides for integration tasks.
• Consult the API Reference for declarations, ownership rules, and status values.
• If you are contributing, read the Development overview first.

Status

MapLibre Native FFI is pre-1.0. The C ABI is unstable while mln_c_version() returns 0.

The C API covers most of the MapLibre Native API surface. Advanced extension APIs, including custom layers and shader registry access, are not yet included.

Tested in CI Built only

Environment	Backends	Bindings	Examples
Linux x64	Vulkan OpenGL	C# Go Kotlin/JVM Kotlin/Native Python Rust Swift Zig	compose-map lwjgl-map rust-map zig-map zig-readback
Linux arm64	Vulkan OpenGL	C# Go Kotlin/JVM Python Rust Swift Zig	compose-map lwjgl-map rust-map zig-map zig-readback
macOS arm64	Vulkan OpenGL Metal	C# Go Kotlin/JVM Kotlin/Native Python Rust Swift Zig	compose-map lwjgl-map rust-map swift-map zig-map zig-readback
Windows x64	Vulkan OpenGL	C# Kotlin/JVM Python Rust Zig	compose-map lwjgl-map rust-map zig-map zig-readback
Windows arm64	Vulkan OpenGL	C# Kotlin/JVM Python Rust Zig	compose-map lwjgl-map rust-map zig-map zig-readback
Android arm64	Vulkan OpenGL	Kotlin/Android	android-map
Android x64	Vulkan OpenGL	Kotlin/Android	android-map
iOS device arm64	Metal	Swift	swift-map
iOS Simulator arm64	Metal	Swift Zig	swift-map
OpenHarmony arm64	Vulkan OpenGL	Rust	-

OpenGL uses WGL on Windows and EGL on other platforms. macOS EGL uses ANGLE.