diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index cf700bbdae..d213d27318 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -2595,6 +2595,9 @@ dependencies = [
 [[package]]
 name = "vello_api"
 version = "0.4.0"
+dependencies = [
+ "peniko",
+]
 
 [[package]]
 name = "vello_common"
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 6661c3c92f..d363e224e8 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ clippy.wildcard_dependencies = "warn"
 
 [workspace.dependencies]
 vello = { version = "0.4.0", path = "vello" }
+vello_api = { path = "sparse_strips/vello_api" }
 vello_encoding = { version = "0.4.0", path = "vello_encoding" }
 vello_shaders = { version = "0.4.0", path = "vello_shaders" }
 bytemuck = { version = "1.21.0", features = ["derive"] }
diff --git a/sparse_strips/vello_api/Cargo.toml b/sparse_strips/vello_api/Cargo.toml
index 0af7b11dd4..72ed9858d9 100644
--- a/sparse_strips/vello_api/Cargo.toml
+++ b/sparse_strips/vello_api/Cargo.toml
@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ repository.workspace = true
 publish = false
 
 [dependencies]
+peniko = { workspace = true }
+
+[features]
+simd = []
 
 [lints]
 workspace = true
diff --git a/sparse_strips/vello_api/src/execute.rs b/sparse_strips/vello_api/src/execute.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..cac9043b14
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sparse_strips/vello_api/src/execute.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+// Copyright 2025 the Vello Authors
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0 OR MIT
+
+//! Different execution modes for kernels.
+
+#[derive(Copy, Clone, Debug)]
+/// The execution mode used for the rendering process.
+pub enum ExecutionMode {
+    /// Only use scalar execution. This is recommended if you want to have
+    /// consistent results across different platforms and want to avoid unsafe code,
+    /// and is the only option if you disabled the `simd` feature. Performance will be
+    /// worse, though.
+    Scalar,
+    /// Select the best execution mode according to what is available on the host system.
+    /// This is the recommended option for highest performance.
+    #[cfg(feature = "simd")]
+    Auto,
+    /// Force the usage of neon SIMD instructions. This will lead to panics in case
+    /// the CPU doesn't support the target feature `neon`.
+    #[cfg(all(target_arch = "aarch64", feature = "simd"))]
+    Neon,
+    /// Force the usage of AVX2 SIMD instructions. This will lead to panics in case
+    /// the CPU doesn't support the target features `avx2` and `fma`.
+    #[cfg(all(target_arch = "x86_64", feature = "simd"))]
+    Avx2,
+}
+
+#[cfg(feature = "simd")]
+impl Default for ExecutionMode {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self::Auto
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(not(feature = "simd"))]
+impl Default for ExecutionMode {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self::Scalar
+    }
+}
+
+/// Scalar execution mode.
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct Scalar;
+
+#[cfg(all(target_arch = "aarch64", feature = "simd"))]
+#[derive(Debug)]
+/// Execute using NEON intrinsics.
+pub struct Neon;
+
+#[cfg(all(target_arch = "x86_64", feature = "simd"))]
+#[derive(Debug)]
+/// Execute using AVX2 intrinsics.
+pub struct Avx2;
diff --git a/sparse_strips/vello_api/src/lib.rs b/sparse_strips/vello_api/src/lib.rs
index 4050b450fe..c7ea3ff656 100644
--- a/sparse_strips/vello_api/src/lib.rs
+++ b/sparse_strips/vello_api/src/lib.rs
@@ -4,3 +4,11 @@
 //! This crate defines the public API types, providing a stable interface for CPU and hybrid
 //! CPU/GPU rendering implementations. It provides common interfaces and data structures used
 //! across different implementations
+
+#![forbid(unsafe_code)]
+
+pub use peniko;
+pub use peniko::color;
+pub use peniko::kurbo;
+pub mod execute;
+pub mod paint;
diff --git a/sparse_strips/vello_api/src/paint.rs b/sparse_strips/vello_api/src/paint.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9ac3ccceda
--- /dev/null
+++ b/sparse_strips/vello_api/src/paint.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+// Copyright 2025 the Vello Authors
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0 OR MIT
+
+//! Types for paints.
+
+use peniko::color::{AlphaColor, Srgb};
+
+// TODO: This will probably turn into a generic type where
+// vello-hybrid and vello-cpu provide their own instantiations for
+// a `Pattern` type.
+/// A paint used for filling or stroking paths.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub enum Paint {
+    /// A solid color.
+    Solid(AlphaColor<Srgb>),
+    /// A gradient.
+    Gradient(()),
+    /// A pattern.
+    Pattern(()),
+}
+
+impl From<AlphaColor<Srgb>> for Paint {
+    fn from(value: AlphaColor<Srgb>) -> Self {
+        Self::Solid(value)
+    }
+}