Vulkan validation layers

Layers validate Vulkan usage: object lifetime, call parameters and synchronization. They do not automatically repair lighting, textures or performance.

Enable validation

1. Install compatible Vulkan validation layers for your OS and architecture. A Vulkan driver alone does not provide the layer.
2. Start the console engine executable with --path <project> --gpu-validation --verbose; add --editor for editor-only failures.
3. Confirm in the log that the renderer actually uses Vulkan and the layer was found. The implementation prefers VK_LAYER_KHRONOS_validation.
4. Reproduce one failing action and retain the complete first message, including VUID and object names.

If the layer is missing, fix its installation/discovery rather than material code. If validation is silent, verify that the failing path ran; silence does not establish a correct image.

Validation adds overhead. Disable it after diagnosis and measure performance again without it. Source review confirms the switch and layer selection; installed-layer execution and output on a particular GPU were not tested.