Movable Type at is core is nothing more than a shell. In essence core provides no functionality directly to user, instead, the core provides a framework for add ons called "components" to register features, functionality, behavior, rules and capabilities with the core framework. The framework then assembles all of these features into a collection of user interfaces and backend components that make Movable Type what it is: a powerful and infinitely extensible publishing and application framework.

The glue that holds all of these features together is called the "registry." Related features and functionality are grouped together in bundles called components. Components, then, provide a very useful, convenient and portable way to define new features and functionality within Movable Type.

This reference manual defines the structure of the core Movable Type registry. New entries can be added to the registry by plugins to augment Movable Type's core feature set.