diff --git a/kinds/gen.go b/kinds/gen.go
index 930a157d2ca..4cf85e53624 100644
--- a/kinds/gen.go
+++ b/kinds/gen.go
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ func main() {
 
 	// Core kinds composite code generator. Produces all generated code in
 	// grafana/grafana that derives from core kinds.
-	coreKindsGen := codejen.JennyListWithNamer(func(def *codegen.DefForGen) string {
-		return def.Properties.Common().MachineName
+	coreKindsGen := codejen.JennyListWithNamer(func(def kindsys.Kind) string {
+		return def.Props().Common().MachineName
 	})
 
 	// All the jennies that comprise the core kinds generator pipeline
@@ -56,28 +56,28 @@ func main() {
 	groot := filepath.Dir(cwd)
 
 	rt := cuectx.GrafanaThemaRuntime()
-	var all []*codegen.DefForGen
+	var all []kindsys.Kind
 
-	f := os.DirFS(filepath.Join(groot, kindsys.CoreDeclParentPath))
+	f := os.DirFS(filepath.Join(groot, kindsys.CoreDefParentPath))
 	kinddirs := elsedie(fs.ReadDir(f, "."))("error reading core kind fs root directory")
-	for _, ent := range kinddirs {
-		if !ent.IsDir() {
+	for _, kinddir := range kinddirs {
+		if !kinddir.IsDir() {
 			continue
 		}
-		rel := filepath.Join(kindsys.CoreDeclParentPath, ent.Name())
-		decl, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKind(rel, rt.Context(), nil)
+		rel := filepath.Join(kindsys.CoreDefParentPath, kinddir.Name())
+		def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKindDef(rel, rt.Context(), nil)
 		if err != nil {
 			die(fmt.Errorf("%s is not a valid kind: %s", rel, errors.Details(err, nil)))
 		}
-		if decl.Properties.MachineName != ent.Name() {
-			die(fmt.Errorf("%s: kind's machine name (%s) must equal parent dir name (%s)", rel, decl.Properties.Name, ent.Name()))
+		if def.Properties.MachineName != kinddir.Name() {
+			die(fmt.Errorf("%s: kind's machine name (%s) must equal parent dir name (%s)", rel, def.Properties.Name, kinddir.Name()))
 		}
 
-		all = append(all, elsedie(codegen.ForGen(rt, decl.Some()))(rel))
+		all = append(all, elsedie(kindsys.BindCore(rt, def))(rel))
 	}
 
 	sort.Slice(all, func(i, j int) bool {
-		return nameFor(all[i].Properties) < nameFor(all[j].Properties)
+		return nameFor(all[i].Props()) < nameFor(all[j].Props())
 	})
 
 	jfs, err := coreKindsGen.GenerateFS(all...)
diff --git a/pkg/codegen/generators.go b/pkg/codegen/generators.go
index 2b5e48b61ca..02e2f21f6f1 100644
--- a/pkg/codegen/generators.go
+++ b/pkg/codegen/generators.go
@@ -10,45 +10,20 @@ import (
 	"github.com/grafana/thema"
 )
 
-type OneToOne codejen.OneToOne[*DefForGen]
-type OneToMany codejen.OneToMany[*DefForGen]
-type ManyToOne codejen.ManyToOne[*DefForGen]
-type ManyToMany codejen.ManyToMany[*DefForGen]
+type OneToOne codejen.OneToOne[kindsys.Kind]
+type OneToMany codejen.OneToMany[kindsys.Kind]
+type ManyToOne codejen.ManyToOne[kindsys.Kind]
+type ManyToMany codejen.ManyToMany[kindsys.Kind]
 
-// ForGen is a codejen input transformer that converts a pure kindsys.SomeDef into
-// a DefForGen by binding its contained lineage.
-func ForGen(rt *thema.Runtime, def kindsys.SomeDef) (*DefForGen, error) {
-	lin, err := def.BindKindLineage(rt)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	return &DefForGen{
-		SomeDef: def,
-		lin:     lin,
-	}, nil
-}
-
-// DefForGen wraps [kindsys.SomeDef] to provide trivial caching of
-// the lineage declared by the kind (nil for raw kinds).
-// TODO this type is unneeded - kindsys.Kind is sufficient.
-type DefForGen struct {
-	kindsys.SomeDef
-	lin thema.Lineage
-}
-
-// Lineage returns the [thema.Lineage] for the underlying [kindsys.SomeDef].
-func (def *DefForGen) Lineage() thema.Lineage {
-	return def.lin
-}
-
-// ForLatestSchema returns a [SchemaForGen] for the latest schema in this
-// DefForGen's lineage.
-func (def *DefForGen) ForLatestSchema() SchemaForGen {
-	comm := def.Properties.Common()
+// ForLatestSchema returns a [SchemaForGen] for the latest schema in the
+// provided [kindsys.Kind]'s lineage.
+//
+// TODO this will be replaced by thema-native constructs
+func ForLatestSchema(k kindsys.Kind) SchemaForGen {
+	comm := k.Props().Common()
 	return SchemaForGen{
 		Name:    comm.Name,
-		Schema:  def.Lineage().Latest(),
+		Schema:  k.Lineage().Latest(),
 		IsGroup: comm.LineageIsGroup,
 	}
 }
@@ -81,6 +56,8 @@ func SlashHeaderMapper(maingen string) codejen.FileMapper {
 // SchemaForGen is an intermediate values type for jennies that holds both a thema.Schema,
 // and values relevant to generating the schema that should properly, eventually, be in
 // thema itself.
+//
+// TODO this will be replaced by thema-native constructs
 type SchemaForGen struct {
 	// The PascalCase name of the schematized type.
 	Name string
diff --git a/pkg/codegen/jenny_basecorereg.go b/pkg/codegen/jenny_basecorereg.go
index 4be4722881a..99522ca060b 100644
--- a/pkg/codegen/jenny_basecorereg.go
+++ b/pkg/codegen/jenny_basecorereg.go
@@ -6,10 +6,11 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 
 	"github.com/grafana/codejen"
+	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/kindsys"
 )
 
 // BaseCoreRegistryJenny generates a static registry for core kinds that
-// only initializes their [kindsys.Interface]. No slot kinds are composed.
+// only initializes their [kindsys.Kind]. No slot kinds are composed.
 //
 // Path should be the relative path to the directory that will contain the
 // generated registry. kindrelroot should be the repo-root-relative path to the
@@ -31,12 +32,12 @@ func (gen *genBaseRegistry) JennyName() string {
 	return "BaseCoreRegistryJenny"
 }
 
-func (gen *genBaseRegistry) Generate(defs ...*DefForGen) (*codejen.File, error) {
+func (gen *genBaseRegistry) Generate(kinds ...kindsys.Kind) (*codejen.File, error) {
 	buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
 	if err := tmpls.Lookup("kind_registry.tmpl").Execute(buf, tvars_kind_registry{
 		PackageName:       filepath.Base(gen.path),
 		KindPackagePrefix: filepath.ToSlash(filepath.Join("github.com/grafana/grafana", gen.kindrelroot)),
-		Kinds:             defs,
+		Kinds:             kinds,
 	}); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed executing kind registry template: %w", err)
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/codegen/jenny_corekind.go b/pkg/codegen/jenny_corekind.go
index 575ef4fdf11..e2c95fa21da 100644
--- a/pkg/codegen/jenny_corekind.go
+++ b/pkg/codegen/jenny_corekind.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 
 	"github.com/grafana/codejen"
+	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/kindsys"
 )
 
 // CoreKindJenny generates the implementation of [kindsys.Core] for the provided
@@ -20,8 +21,8 @@ func CoreKindJenny(gokindsdir string, cfg *CoreKindJennyConfig) OneToOne {
 		cfg = new(CoreKindJennyConfig)
 	}
 	if cfg.GenDirName == nil {
-		cfg.GenDirName = func(def *DefForGen) string {
-			return def.Properties.Common().MachineName
+		cfg.GenDirName = func(def kindsys.Kind) string {
+			return def.Props().Common().MachineName
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -35,7 +36,7 @@ func CoreKindJenny(gokindsdir string, cfg *CoreKindJennyConfig) OneToOne {
 type CoreKindJennyConfig struct {
 	// GenDirName returns the name of the directory in which the file should be
 	// generated. Defaults to DefForGen.Lineage().Name() if nil.
-	GenDirName func(*DefForGen) string
+	GenDirName func(kindsys.Kind) string
 }
 
 type coreKindJenny struct {
@@ -49,14 +50,14 @@ func (gen *coreKindJenny) JennyName() string {
 	return "CoreKindJenny"
 }
 
-func (gen *coreKindJenny) Generate(def *DefForGen) (*codejen.File, error) {
-	if !def.IsCore() {
+func (gen *coreKindJenny) Generate(kind kindsys.Kind) (*codejen.File, error) {
+	if _, is := kind.(kindsys.Core); !is {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
 
-	path := filepath.Join(gen.gokindsdir, gen.cfg.GenDirName(def), def.Properties.Common().MachineName+"_kind_gen.go")
+	path := filepath.Join(gen.gokindsdir, gen.cfg.GenDirName(kind), kind.Props().Common().MachineName+"_kind_gen.go")
 	buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
-	if err := tmpls.Lookup("kind_core.tmpl").Execute(buf, def); err != nil {
+	if err := tmpls.Lookup("kind_core.tmpl").Execute(buf, kind); err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed executing kind_core template for %s: %w", path, err)
 	}
 	b, err := postprocessGoFile(genGoFile{
diff --git a/pkg/codegen/jenny_docs.go b/pkg/codegen/jenny_docs.go
index d163e6f895b..6718bd67d77 100644
--- a/pkg/codegen/jenny_docs.go
+++ b/pkg/codegen/jenny_docs.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 	"cuelang.org/go/cue/cuecontext"
 	"github.com/grafana/codejen"
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/components/simplejson"
+	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/kindsys"
 	"github.com/grafana/thema/encoding/jsonschema"
 	"github.com/olekukonko/tablewriter"
 	"github.com/xeipuuv/gojsonpointer"
@@ -34,8 +35,13 @@ func (j docsJenny) JennyName() string {
 	return "DocsJenny"
 }
 
-func (j docsJenny) Generate(def *DefForGen) (*codejen.File, error) {
-	f, err := jsonschema.GenerateSchema(def.Lineage().Latest())
+func (j docsJenny) Generate(kind kindsys.Kind) (*codejen.File, error) {
+	// TODO remove this once codejen catches nils https://github.com/grafana/codejen/issues/5
+	if kind == nil {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+
+	f, err := jsonschema.GenerateSchema(kind.Lineage().Latest())
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to generate json representation for the schema: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -61,10 +67,10 @@ func (j docsJenny) Generate(def *DefForGen) (*codejen.File, error) {
 	// fixes the references between the types within a json after making components.schema.<types> the root of the json
 	kindJsonStr := strings.Replace(string(obj.Components.Schemas), "#/components/schemas/", "#/", -1)
 
-	kindProps := def.Properties.Common()
+	kindProps := kind.Props().Common()
 	data := templateData{
 		KindName:     kindProps.Name,
-		KindVersion:  def.Lineage().Latest().Version().String(),
+		KindVersion:  kind.Lineage().Latest().Version().String(),
 		KindMaturity: string(kindProps.Maturity),
 		Markdown:     "{{ .Markdown 1 }}",
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/codegen/jenny_eachmajor.go b/pkg/codegen/jenny_eachmajor.go
index bd46a66fe94..ba06bf84016 100644
--- a/pkg/codegen/jenny_eachmajor.go
+++ b/pkg/codegen/jenny_eachmajor.go
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ func (j *lmox) JennyName() string {
 	return "LatestMajorsOrXJenny"
 }
 
-func (j *lmox) Generate(def *DefForGen) (codejen.Files, error) {
-	comm := def.Properties.Common()
+func (j *lmox) Generate(kind kindsys.Kind) (codejen.Files, error) {
+	comm := kind.Props().Common()
 	sfg := SchemaForGen{
 		Name:    comm.Name,
 		IsGroup: comm.LineageIsGroup,
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ func (j *lmox) Generate(def *DefForGen) (codejen.Files, error) {
 	do := func(sfg SchemaForGen, infix string) (codejen.Files, error) {
 		f, err := j.inner.Generate(sfg)
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s jenny failed on %s schema for %s: %w", j.inner.JennyName(), sfg.Schema.Version(), def.Properties.Common().Name, err)
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s jenny failed on %s schema for %s: %w", j.inner.JennyName(), sfg.Schema.Version(), kind.Props().Common().Name, err)
 		}
 		if f == nil || !f.Exists() {
 			return nil, nil
@@ -51,12 +51,12 @@ func (j *lmox) Generate(def *DefForGen) (codejen.Files, error) {
 	}
 
 	if comm.Maturity.Less(kindsys.MaturityStable) {
-		sfg.Schema = def.Lineage().Latest()
+		sfg.Schema = kind.Lineage().Latest()
 		return do(sfg, "x")
 	}
 
 	var fl codejen.Files
-	for sch := def.Lineage().First(); sch != nil; sch = sch.Successor() {
+	for sch := kind.Lineage().First(); sch != nil; sch = sch.Successor() {
 		sfg.Schema = sch.LatestInMajor()
 		files, err := do(sfg, fmt.Sprintf("v%v", sch.Version()[0]))
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/codegen/jenny_tsveneerindex.go b/pkg/codegen/jenny_tsveneerindex.go
index ccf1d5d3dbc..313f0dddebc 100644
--- a/pkg/codegen/jenny_tsveneerindex.go
+++ b/pkg/codegen/jenny_tsveneerindex.go
@@ -39,20 +39,20 @@ func (gen *genTSVeneerIndex) JennyName() string {
 	return "TSVeneerIndexJenny"
 }
 
-func (gen *genTSVeneerIndex) Generate(decls ...*DefForGen) (*codejen.File, error) {
+func (gen *genTSVeneerIndex) Generate(kinds ...kindsys.Kind) (*codejen.File, error) {
 	tsf := new(ast.File)
-	for _, def := range decls {
+	for _, def := range kinds {
 		sch := def.Lineage().Latest()
 		f, err := typescript.GenerateTypes(sch, &typescript.TypeConfig{
-			RootName: def.Properties.Common().Name,
-			Group:    def.Properties.Common().LineageIsGroup,
+			RootName: def.Props().Common().Name,
+			Group:    def.Props().Common().LineageIsGroup,
 		})
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", def.Properties.Common().Name, err)
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", def.Props().Common().Name, err)
 		}
 		elems, err := gen.extractTSIndexVeneerElements(def, f)
 		if err != nil {
-			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", def.Properties.Common().Name, err)
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s: %w", def.Props().Common().Name, err)
 		}
 		tsf.Nodes = append(tsf.Nodes, elems...)
 	}
@@ -60,9 +60,9 @@ func (gen *genTSVeneerIndex) Generate(decls ...*DefForGen) (*codejen.File, error
 	return codejen.NewFile(filepath.Join(gen.dir, "index.gen.ts"), []byte(tsf.String()), gen), nil
 }
 
-func (gen *genTSVeneerIndex) extractTSIndexVeneerElements(def *DefForGen, tf *ast.File) ([]ast.Decl, error) {
+func (gen *genTSVeneerIndex) extractTSIndexVeneerElements(def kindsys.Kind, tf *ast.File) ([]ast.Decl, error) {
 	lin := def.Lineage()
-	comm := def.Properties.Common()
+	comm := def.Props().Common()
 
 	// Check the root, then walk the tree
 	rootv := lin.Latest().Underlying()
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ func (gen *genTSVeneerIndex) extractTSIndexVeneerElements(def *DefForGen, tf *as
 	}
 
 	vpath := fmt.Sprintf("v%v", thema.LatestVersion(lin)[0])
-	if def.Properties.Common().Maturity.Less(kindsys.MaturityStable) {
+	if def.Props().Common().Maturity.Less(kindsys.MaturityStable) {
 		vpath = "x"
 	}
 
diff --git a/pkg/codegen/latest_jenny.go b/pkg/codegen/latest_jenny.go
index 9947559b393..d075d7b01bd 100644
--- a/pkg/codegen/latest_jenny.go
+++ b/pkg/codegen/latest_jenny.go
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import (
 	"path/filepath"
 
 	"github.com/grafana/codejen"
+	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/kindsys"
 )
 
 // LatestJenny returns a jenny that runs another jenny for only the latest
@@ -31,17 +32,17 @@ func (j *latestj) JennyName() string {
 	return "LatestJenny"
 }
 
-func (j *latestj) Generate(def *DefForGen) (*codejen.File, error) {
-	comm := def.Properties.Common()
+func (j *latestj) Generate(kind kindsys.Kind) (*codejen.File, error) {
+	comm := kind.Props().Common()
 	sfg := SchemaForGen{
 		Name:    comm.Name,
-		Schema:  def.Lineage().Latest(),
+		Schema:  kind.Lineage().Latest(),
 		IsGroup: comm.LineageIsGroup,
 	}
 
 	f, err := j.inner.Generate(sfg)
 	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s jenny failed on %s schema for %s: %w", j.inner.JennyName(), sfg.Schema.Version(), def.Properties.Common().Name, err)
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("%s jenny failed on %s schema for %s: %w", j.inner.JennyName(), sfg.Schema.Version(), kind.Props().Common().Name, err)
 	}
 	if f == nil || !f.Exists() {
 		return nil, nil
diff --git a/pkg/codegen/tmpl.go b/pkg/codegen/tmpl.go
index d0b5071dd70..7ca6f1b797a 100644
--- a/pkg/codegen/tmpl.go
+++ b/pkg/codegen/tmpl.go
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/grafana/codejen"
+	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/kindsys"
 )
 
 // All the parsed templates in the tmpl subdirectory
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ type (
 		// Header tvars_autogen_header
 		PackageName       string
 		KindPackagePrefix string
-		Kinds             []*DefForGen
+		Kinds             []kindsys.Kind
 	}
 	tvars_coremodel_imports struct {
 		PackageName string
diff --git a/pkg/codegen/tmpl/kind_core.tmpl b/pkg/codegen/tmpl/kind_core.tmpl
index 1ffb689e385..6a4a94ed1f6 100644
--- a/pkg/codegen/tmpl/kind_core.tmpl
+++ b/pkg/codegen/tmpl/kind_core.tmpl
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package {{ .Properties.MachineName }}
+package {{ .Props.MachineName }}
 
 import (
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/kindsys"
@@ -10,95 +10,59 @@ import (
 // directory containing the .cue files in which this kind is defined. Necessary
 // for runtime errors related to the definition and/or lineage to provide
 // a real path to the correct .cue file.
-const rootrel string = "kinds/{{ .Properties.MachineName }}"
+const rootrel string = "kinds/{{ .Props.MachineName }}"
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 type Kind struct {
-	lin    thema.ConvergentLineage[*{{ .Properties.Name }}]
+  kindsys.Core
+	lin    thema.ConvergentLineage[*{{ .Props.Name }}]
 	jcodec vmux.Codec
-	valmux vmux.ValueMux[*{{ .Properties.Name }}]
-	def   kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties]
+	valmux vmux.ValueMux[*{{ .Props.Name }}]
 }
 
-// type guard
+// type guard - ensure generated Kind type satisfies the kindsys.Core interface
 var _ kindsys.Core = &Kind{}
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 func NewKind(rt *thema.Runtime, opts ...thema.BindOption) (*Kind, error) {
-	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKind(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	k := &Kind{
-		def: def,
-	}
-
-	lin, err := def.Some().BindKindLineage(rt, opts...)
+	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKindDef(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	k := &Kind{}
+	k.Core, err = kindsys.BindCore(rt, def, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+	  return nil, err
+	}
 	// Get the thema.Schema that the meta says is in the current version (which
 	// codegen ensures is always the latest)
-	cursch := thema.SchemaP(lin, k.def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
-	tsch, err := thema.BindType[*{{ .Properties.Name }}](cursch, &{{ .Properties.Name }}{})
+	cursch := thema.SchemaP(k.Core.Lineage(), def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
+	tsch, err := thema.BindType[*{{ .Props.Name }}](cursch, &{{ .Props.Name }}{})
 	if err != nil {
 		// Should be unreachable, modulo bugs in the Thema->Go code generator
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	k.jcodec = vmux.NewJSONCodec("{{ .Properties.MachineName }}.json")
+	k.jcodec = vmux.NewJSONCodec("{{ .Props.MachineName }}.json")
 	k.lin = tsch.ConvergentLineage()
 	k.valmux = vmux.NewValueMux(k.lin.TypedSchema(), k.jcodec)
 	return k, nil
 }
 
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Name() string {
-	return "{{ .Properties.MachineName }}"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) MachineName() string {
-	return "{{ .Properties.MachineName }}"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Lineage() thema.Lineage {
-	return k.lin
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*{{ .Properties.Name }}] {
+// ConvergentLineage returns the same [thema.Lineage] as Lineage, but bound (see [thema.BindType])
+// to the the {{ .Props.Name }} type generated from the current schema, v{{ .Props.CurrentVersion }}.
+func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*{{ .Props.Name }}] {
 	return k.lin
 }
 
 // JSONValueMux is a version multiplexer that maps a []byte containing JSON data
-// at any schematized dashboard version to an instance of {{ .Properties.Name }}.
+// at any schematized dashboard version to an instance of {{ .Props.Name }}.
 //
 // Validation and translation errors emitted from this func will identify the
 // input bytes as "dashboard.json".
 //
 // This is a thin wrapper around Thema's [vmux.ValueMux].
-func (k *Kind) JSONValueMux(b []byte) (*{{ .Properties.Name }}, thema.TranslationLacunas, error) {
+func (k *Kind) JSONValueMux(b []byte) (*{{ .Props.Name }}, thema.TranslationLacunas, error) {
 	return k.valmux(b)
 }
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Maturity() kindsys.Maturity {
-	return k.def.Properties.Maturity
-}
-
-// Def returns the [kindsys.Def] containing both CUE and Go representations of the
-// {{ .Properties.MachineName }} declaration in .cue files.
-func (k *Kind) Def() kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties] {
-  return k.def
-}
-
-// Props returns a [kindsys.SomeKindProps], with underlying type [kindsys.CoreProperties],
-// representing the static properties declared in the {{ .Properties.MachineName }} kind.
-//
-// This method is identical to calling Def().Props. It is provided to satisfy [kindsys.Interface].
-func (k *Kind) Props() kindsys.SomeKindProperties {
-  return k.def.Properties
-}
diff --git a/pkg/codegen/tmpl/kind_registry.tmpl b/pkg/codegen/tmpl/kind_registry.tmpl
index 11a86de2e59..40537988012 100644
--- a/pkg/codegen/tmpl/kind_registry.tmpl
+++ b/pkg/codegen/tmpl/kind_registry.tmpl
@@ -5,38 +5,43 @@ import (
 	"sync"
 
 	{{range .Kinds }}
-	"{{ $.KindPackagePrefix }}/{{ .Properties.MachineName }}"{{end}}
+	"{{ $.KindPackagePrefix }}/{{ .Props.MachineName }}"{{end}}
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/cuectx"
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/kindsys"
 	"github.com/grafana/thema"
 )
 
-// Base is a registry of kindsys.Interface. It provides two modes for accessing
-// kinds: individually via literal named methods, or as a slice returned from
-// an All*() method.
+// Base is a registry of all Grafana core kinds. It is designed for use both inside
+// of Grafana itself, and for import by external Go programs wanting to work with Grafana's
+// kind system.
+//
+// The registry provides two modes for accessing core kinds:
+//  * Per-kind methods, which return the kind-specific type, e.g. Dashboard() returns [dashboard.Dashboard].
+//  * All(), which returns a slice of [kindsys.Core].
 //
 // Prefer the individual named methods for use cases where the particular kind(s) that
 // are needed are known to the caller. For example, a dashboard linter can know that it
 // specifically wants the dashboard kind.
 //
-// Prefer All*() methods when performing operations generically across all kinds.
-// For example, a validation HTTP middleware for any kind-schematized object type.
+// Prefer All() when performing operations generically across all kinds. For example,
+// a generic HTTP middleware for validating request bodies expected to contain some
+// kind-schematized type.
 type Base struct {
 	all []kindsys.Core
 	{{- range .Kinds }}
-	{{ .Properties.MachineName }} *{{ .Properties.MachineName }}.Kind{{end}}
+	{{ .Props.MachineName }} *{{ .Props.MachineName }}.Kind{{end}}
 }
 
 // type guards
 var (
 {{- range .Kinds }}
-	_ kindsys.Core = &{{ .Properties.MachineName }}.Kind{}{{end}}
+	_ kindsys.Core = &{{ .Props.MachineName }}.Kind{}{{end}}
 )
 
 {{range .Kinds }}
-// {{ .Properties.Name }} returns the [kindsys.Interface] implementation for the {{ .Properties.MachineName }} kind.
-func (b *Base) {{ .Properties.Name }}() *{{ .Properties.MachineName }}.Kind {
-	return b.{{ .Properties.MachineName }}
+// {{ .Props.Name }} returns the [kindsys.Interface] implementation for the {{ .Props.MachineName }} kind.
+func (b *Base) {{ .Props.Name }}() *{{ .Props.MachineName }}.Kind {
+	return b.{{ .Props.MachineName }}
 }
 {{end}}
 
@@ -45,11 +50,11 @@ func doNewBase(rt *thema.Runtime) *Base {
 	reg := &Base{}
 
 {{range .Kinds }}
-	reg.{{ .Properties.MachineName }}, err = {{ .Properties.MachineName }}.NewKind(rt)
+	reg.{{ .Props.MachineName }}, err = {{ .Props.MachineName }}.NewKind(rt)
 	if err != nil {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("error while initializing the {{ .Properties.MachineName }} Kind: %s", err))
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("error while initializing the {{ .Props.MachineName }} Kind: %s", err))
 	}
-  reg.all = append(reg.all, reg.{{ .Properties.MachineName }})
+  reg.all = append(reg.all, reg.{{ .Props.MachineName }})
 {{end}}
 
 	return reg
diff --git a/pkg/kinds/dashboard/dashboard_kind_gen.go b/pkg/kinds/dashboard/dashboard_kind_gen.go
index a77fd521dc7..8d0f215f4d9 100644
--- a/pkg/kinds/dashboard/dashboard_kind_gen.go
+++ b/pkg/kinds/dashboard/dashboard_kind_gen.go
@@ -23,33 +23,30 @@ const rootrel string = "kinds/dashboard"
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 type Kind struct {
+	kindsys.Core
 	lin    thema.ConvergentLineage[*Dashboard]
 	jcodec vmux.Codec
 	valmux vmux.ValueMux[*Dashboard]
-	def    kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties]
 }
 
-// type guard
+// type guard - ensure generated Kind type satisfies the kindsys.Core interface
 var _ kindsys.Core = &Kind{}
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 func NewKind(rt *thema.Runtime, opts ...thema.BindOption) (*Kind, error) {
-	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKind(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	k := &Kind{
-		def: def,
-	}
-
-	lin, err := def.Some().BindKindLineage(rt, opts...)
+	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKindDef(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	k := &Kind{}
+	k.Core, err = kindsys.BindCore(rt, def, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	// Get the thema.Schema that the meta says is in the current version (which
 	// codegen ensures is always the latest)
-	cursch := thema.SchemaP(lin, k.def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
+	cursch := thema.SchemaP(k.Core.Lineage(), def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
 	tsch, err := thema.BindType[*Dashboard](cursch, &Dashboard{})
 	if err != nil {
 		// Should be unreachable, modulo bugs in the Thema->Go code generator
@@ -62,22 +59,8 @@ func NewKind(rt *thema.Runtime, opts ...thema.BindOption) (*Kind, error) {
 	return k, nil
 }
 
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Name() string {
-	return "dashboard"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) MachineName() string {
-	return "dashboard"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Lineage() thema.Lineage {
-	return k.lin
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
+// ConvergentLineage returns the same [thema.Lineage] as Lineage, but bound (see [thema.BindType])
+// to the the Dashboard type generated from the current schema, v0.0.
 func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*Dashboard] {
 	return k.lin
 }
@@ -92,22 +75,3 @@ func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*Dashboard] {
 func (k *Kind) JSONValueMux(b []byte) (*Dashboard, thema.TranslationLacunas, error) {
 	return k.valmux(b)
 }
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Maturity() kindsys.Maturity {
-	return k.def.Properties.Maturity
-}
-
-// Def returns the [kindsys.Def] containing both CUE and Go representations of the
-// dashboard declaration in .cue files.
-func (k *Kind) Def() kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties] {
-	return k.def
-}
-
-// Props returns a [kindsys.SomeKindProps], with underlying type [kindsys.CoreProperties],
-// representing the static properties declared in the dashboard kind.
-//
-// This method is identical to calling Def().Props. It is provided to satisfy [kindsys.Interface].
-func (k *Kind) Props() kindsys.SomeKindProperties {
-	return k.def.Properties
-}
diff --git a/pkg/kinds/librarypanel/librarypanel_kind_gen.go b/pkg/kinds/librarypanel/librarypanel_kind_gen.go
index c5d24146c73..ce2fdf9325d 100644
--- a/pkg/kinds/librarypanel/librarypanel_kind_gen.go
+++ b/pkg/kinds/librarypanel/librarypanel_kind_gen.go
@@ -23,33 +23,30 @@ const rootrel string = "kinds/librarypanel"
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 type Kind struct {
+	kindsys.Core
 	lin    thema.ConvergentLineage[*LibraryPanel]
 	jcodec vmux.Codec
 	valmux vmux.ValueMux[*LibraryPanel]
-	def    kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties]
 }
 
-// type guard
+// type guard - ensure generated Kind type satisfies the kindsys.Core interface
 var _ kindsys.Core = &Kind{}
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 func NewKind(rt *thema.Runtime, opts ...thema.BindOption) (*Kind, error) {
-	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKind(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	k := &Kind{
-		def: def,
-	}
-
-	lin, err := def.Some().BindKindLineage(rt, opts...)
+	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKindDef(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	k := &Kind{}
+	k.Core, err = kindsys.BindCore(rt, def, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	// Get the thema.Schema that the meta says is in the current version (which
 	// codegen ensures is always the latest)
-	cursch := thema.SchemaP(lin, k.def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
+	cursch := thema.SchemaP(k.Core.Lineage(), def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
 	tsch, err := thema.BindType[*LibraryPanel](cursch, &LibraryPanel{})
 	if err != nil {
 		// Should be unreachable, modulo bugs in the Thema->Go code generator
@@ -62,22 +59,8 @@ func NewKind(rt *thema.Runtime, opts ...thema.BindOption) (*Kind, error) {
 	return k, nil
 }
 
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Name() string {
-	return "librarypanel"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) MachineName() string {
-	return "librarypanel"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Lineage() thema.Lineage {
-	return k.lin
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
+// ConvergentLineage returns the same [thema.Lineage] as Lineage, but bound (see [thema.BindType])
+// to the the LibraryPanel type generated from the current schema, v0.0.
 func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*LibraryPanel] {
 	return k.lin
 }
@@ -92,22 +75,3 @@ func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*LibraryPanel] {
 func (k *Kind) JSONValueMux(b []byte) (*LibraryPanel, thema.TranslationLacunas, error) {
 	return k.valmux(b)
 }
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Maturity() kindsys.Maturity {
-	return k.def.Properties.Maturity
-}
-
-// Def returns the [kindsys.Def] containing both CUE and Go representations of the
-// librarypanel declaration in .cue files.
-func (k *Kind) Def() kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties] {
-	return k.def
-}
-
-// Props returns a [kindsys.SomeKindProps], with underlying type [kindsys.CoreProperties],
-// representing the static properties declared in the librarypanel kind.
-//
-// This method is identical to calling Def().Props. It is provided to satisfy [kindsys.Interface].
-func (k *Kind) Props() kindsys.SomeKindProperties {
-	return k.def.Properties
-}
diff --git a/pkg/kinds/playlist/playlist_kind_gen.go b/pkg/kinds/playlist/playlist_kind_gen.go
index 34ecf687be9..39a2457b28b 100644
--- a/pkg/kinds/playlist/playlist_kind_gen.go
+++ b/pkg/kinds/playlist/playlist_kind_gen.go
@@ -23,33 +23,30 @@ const rootrel string = "kinds/playlist"
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 type Kind struct {
+	kindsys.Core
 	lin    thema.ConvergentLineage[*Playlist]
 	jcodec vmux.Codec
 	valmux vmux.ValueMux[*Playlist]
-	def    kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties]
 }
 
-// type guard
+// type guard - ensure generated Kind type satisfies the kindsys.Core interface
 var _ kindsys.Core = &Kind{}
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 func NewKind(rt *thema.Runtime, opts ...thema.BindOption) (*Kind, error) {
-	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKind(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	k := &Kind{
-		def: def,
-	}
-
-	lin, err := def.Some().BindKindLineage(rt, opts...)
+	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKindDef(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	k := &Kind{}
+	k.Core, err = kindsys.BindCore(rt, def, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	// Get the thema.Schema that the meta says is in the current version (which
 	// codegen ensures is always the latest)
-	cursch := thema.SchemaP(lin, k.def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
+	cursch := thema.SchemaP(k.Core.Lineage(), def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
 	tsch, err := thema.BindType[*Playlist](cursch, &Playlist{})
 	if err != nil {
 		// Should be unreachable, modulo bugs in the Thema->Go code generator
@@ -62,22 +59,8 @@ func NewKind(rt *thema.Runtime, opts ...thema.BindOption) (*Kind, error) {
 	return k, nil
 }
 
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Name() string {
-	return "playlist"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) MachineName() string {
-	return "playlist"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Lineage() thema.Lineage {
-	return k.lin
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
+// ConvergentLineage returns the same [thema.Lineage] as Lineage, but bound (see [thema.BindType])
+// to the the Playlist type generated from the current schema, v0.0.
 func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*Playlist] {
 	return k.lin
 }
@@ -92,22 +75,3 @@ func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*Playlist] {
 func (k *Kind) JSONValueMux(b []byte) (*Playlist, thema.TranslationLacunas, error) {
 	return k.valmux(b)
 }
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Maturity() kindsys.Maturity {
-	return k.def.Properties.Maturity
-}
-
-// Def returns the [kindsys.Def] containing both CUE and Go representations of the
-// playlist declaration in .cue files.
-func (k *Kind) Def() kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties] {
-	return k.def
-}
-
-// Props returns a [kindsys.SomeKindProps], with underlying type [kindsys.CoreProperties],
-// representing the static properties declared in the playlist kind.
-//
-// This method is identical to calling Def().Props. It is provided to satisfy [kindsys.Interface].
-func (k *Kind) Props() kindsys.SomeKindProperties {
-	return k.def.Properties
-}
diff --git a/pkg/kinds/preferences/preferences_kind_gen.go b/pkg/kinds/preferences/preferences_kind_gen.go
index 43cd677757b..fbb855fef2f 100644
--- a/pkg/kinds/preferences/preferences_kind_gen.go
+++ b/pkg/kinds/preferences/preferences_kind_gen.go
@@ -23,33 +23,30 @@ const rootrel string = "kinds/preferences"
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 type Kind struct {
+	kindsys.Core
 	lin    thema.ConvergentLineage[*Preferences]
 	jcodec vmux.Codec
 	valmux vmux.ValueMux[*Preferences]
-	def    kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties]
 }
 
-// type guard
+// type guard - ensure generated Kind type satisfies the kindsys.Core interface
 var _ kindsys.Core = &Kind{}
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 func NewKind(rt *thema.Runtime, opts ...thema.BindOption) (*Kind, error) {
-	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKind(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	k := &Kind{
-		def: def,
-	}
-
-	lin, err := def.Some().BindKindLineage(rt, opts...)
+	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKindDef(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	k := &Kind{}
+	k.Core, err = kindsys.BindCore(rt, def, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	// Get the thema.Schema that the meta says is in the current version (which
 	// codegen ensures is always the latest)
-	cursch := thema.SchemaP(lin, k.def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
+	cursch := thema.SchemaP(k.Core.Lineage(), def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
 	tsch, err := thema.BindType[*Preferences](cursch, &Preferences{})
 	if err != nil {
 		// Should be unreachable, modulo bugs in the Thema->Go code generator
@@ -62,22 +59,8 @@ func NewKind(rt *thema.Runtime, opts ...thema.BindOption) (*Kind, error) {
 	return k, nil
 }
 
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Name() string {
-	return "preferences"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) MachineName() string {
-	return "preferences"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Lineage() thema.Lineage {
-	return k.lin
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
+// ConvergentLineage returns the same [thema.Lineage] as Lineage, but bound (see [thema.BindType])
+// to the the Preferences type generated from the current schema, v0.0.
 func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*Preferences] {
 	return k.lin
 }
@@ -92,22 +75,3 @@ func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*Preferences] {
 func (k *Kind) JSONValueMux(b []byte) (*Preferences, thema.TranslationLacunas, error) {
 	return k.valmux(b)
 }
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Maturity() kindsys.Maturity {
-	return k.def.Properties.Maturity
-}
-
-// Def returns the [kindsys.Def] containing both CUE and Go representations of the
-// preferences declaration in .cue files.
-func (k *Kind) Def() kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties] {
-	return k.def
-}
-
-// Props returns a [kindsys.SomeKindProps], with underlying type [kindsys.CoreProperties],
-// representing the static properties declared in the preferences kind.
-//
-// This method is identical to calling Def().Props. It is provided to satisfy [kindsys.Interface].
-func (k *Kind) Props() kindsys.SomeKindProperties {
-	return k.def.Properties
-}
diff --git a/pkg/kinds/publicdashboard/publicdashboard_kind_gen.go b/pkg/kinds/publicdashboard/publicdashboard_kind_gen.go
index cf4d833dffc..40ed6542fdc 100644
--- a/pkg/kinds/publicdashboard/publicdashboard_kind_gen.go
+++ b/pkg/kinds/publicdashboard/publicdashboard_kind_gen.go
@@ -23,33 +23,30 @@ const rootrel string = "kinds/publicdashboard"
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 type Kind struct {
+	kindsys.Core
 	lin    thema.ConvergentLineage[*PublicDashboard]
 	jcodec vmux.Codec
 	valmux vmux.ValueMux[*PublicDashboard]
-	def    kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties]
 }
 
-// type guard
+// type guard - ensure generated Kind type satisfies the kindsys.Core interface
 var _ kindsys.Core = &Kind{}
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 func NewKind(rt *thema.Runtime, opts ...thema.BindOption) (*Kind, error) {
-	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKind(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	k := &Kind{
-		def: def,
-	}
-
-	lin, err := def.Some().BindKindLineage(rt, opts...)
+	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKindDef(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	k := &Kind{}
+	k.Core, err = kindsys.BindCore(rt, def, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	// Get the thema.Schema that the meta says is in the current version (which
 	// codegen ensures is always the latest)
-	cursch := thema.SchemaP(lin, k.def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
+	cursch := thema.SchemaP(k.Core.Lineage(), def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
 	tsch, err := thema.BindType[*PublicDashboard](cursch, &PublicDashboard{})
 	if err != nil {
 		// Should be unreachable, modulo bugs in the Thema->Go code generator
@@ -62,22 +59,8 @@ func NewKind(rt *thema.Runtime, opts ...thema.BindOption) (*Kind, error) {
 	return k, nil
 }
 
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Name() string {
-	return "publicdashboard"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) MachineName() string {
-	return "publicdashboard"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Lineage() thema.Lineage {
-	return k.lin
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
+// ConvergentLineage returns the same [thema.Lineage] as Lineage, but bound (see [thema.BindType])
+// to the the PublicDashboard type generated from the current schema, v0.0.
 func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*PublicDashboard] {
 	return k.lin
 }
@@ -92,22 +75,3 @@ func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*PublicDashboard] {
 func (k *Kind) JSONValueMux(b []byte) (*PublicDashboard, thema.TranslationLacunas, error) {
 	return k.valmux(b)
 }
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Maturity() kindsys.Maturity {
-	return k.def.Properties.Maturity
-}
-
-// Def returns the [kindsys.Def] containing both CUE and Go representations of the
-// publicdashboard declaration in .cue files.
-func (k *Kind) Def() kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties] {
-	return k.def
-}
-
-// Props returns a [kindsys.SomeKindProps], with underlying type [kindsys.CoreProperties],
-// representing the static properties declared in the publicdashboard kind.
-//
-// This method is identical to calling Def().Props. It is provided to satisfy [kindsys.Interface].
-func (k *Kind) Props() kindsys.SomeKindProperties {
-	return k.def.Properties
-}
diff --git a/pkg/kinds/serviceaccount/serviceaccount_kind_gen.go b/pkg/kinds/serviceaccount/serviceaccount_kind_gen.go
index ee9237e3b18..391b7455dfa 100644
--- a/pkg/kinds/serviceaccount/serviceaccount_kind_gen.go
+++ b/pkg/kinds/serviceaccount/serviceaccount_kind_gen.go
@@ -23,33 +23,30 @@ const rootrel string = "kinds/serviceaccount"
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 type Kind struct {
+	kindsys.Core
 	lin    thema.ConvergentLineage[*ServiceAccount]
 	jcodec vmux.Codec
 	valmux vmux.ValueMux[*ServiceAccount]
-	def    kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties]
 }
 
-// type guard
+// type guard - ensure generated Kind type satisfies the kindsys.Core interface
 var _ kindsys.Core = &Kind{}
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 func NewKind(rt *thema.Runtime, opts ...thema.BindOption) (*Kind, error) {
-	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKind(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	k := &Kind{
-		def: def,
-	}
-
-	lin, err := def.Some().BindKindLineage(rt, opts...)
+	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKindDef(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	k := &Kind{}
+	k.Core, err = kindsys.BindCore(rt, def, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	// Get the thema.Schema that the meta says is in the current version (which
 	// codegen ensures is always the latest)
-	cursch := thema.SchemaP(lin, k.def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
+	cursch := thema.SchemaP(k.Core.Lineage(), def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
 	tsch, err := thema.BindType[*ServiceAccount](cursch, &ServiceAccount{})
 	if err != nil {
 		// Should be unreachable, modulo bugs in the Thema->Go code generator
@@ -62,22 +59,8 @@ func NewKind(rt *thema.Runtime, opts ...thema.BindOption) (*Kind, error) {
 	return k, nil
 }
 
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Name() string {
-	return "serviceaccount"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) MachineName() string {
-	return "serviceaccount"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Lineage() thema.Lineage {
-	return k.lin
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
+// ConvergentLineage returns the same [thema.Lineage] as Lineage, but bound (see [thema.BindType])
+// to the the ServiceAccount type generated from the current schema, v0.0.
 func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*ServiceAccount] {
 	return k.lin
 }
@@ -92,22 +75,3 @@ func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*ServiceAccount] {
 func (k *Kind) JSONValueMux(b []byte) (*ServiceAccount, thema.TranslationLacunas, error) {
 	return k.valmux(b)
 }
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Maturity() kindsys.Maturity {
-	return k.def.Properties.Maturity
-}
-
-// Def returns the [kindsys.Def] containing both CUE and Go representations of the
-// serviceaccount declaration in .cue files.
-func (k *Kind) Def() kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties] {
-	return k.def
-}
-
-// Props returns a [kindsys.SomeKindProps], with underlying type [kindsys.CoreProperties],
-// representing the static properties declared in the serviceaccount kind.
-//
-// This method is identical to calling Def().Props. It is provided to satisfy [kindsys.Interface].
-func (k *Kind) Props() kindsys.SomeKindProperties {
-	return k.def.Properties
-}
diff --git a/pkg/kinds/team/team_kind_gen.go b/pkg/kinds/team/team_kind_gen.go
index 0fed5765bc3..df531e7753a 100644
--- a/pkg/kinds/team/team_kind_gen.go
+++ b/pkg/kinds/team/team_kind_gen.go
@@ -23,33 +23,30 @@ const rootrel string = "kinds/team"
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 type Kind struct {
+	kindsys.Core
 	lin    thema.ConvergentLineage[*Team]
 	jcodec vmux.Codec
 	valmux vmux.ValueMux[*Team]
-	def    kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties]
 }
 
-// type guard
+// type guard - ensure generated Kind type satisfies the kindsys.Core interface
 var _ kindsys.Core = &Kind{}
 
 // TODO standard generated docs
 func NewKind(rt *thema.Runtime, opts ...thema.BindOption) (*Kind, error) {
-	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKind(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	k := &Kind{
-		def: def,
-	}
-
-	lin, err := def.Some().BindKindLineage(rt, opts...)
+	def, err := kindsys.LoadCoreKindDef(rootrel, rt.Context(), nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
+	k := &Kind{}
+	k.Core, err = kindsys.BindCore(rt, def, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
 	// Get the thema.Schema that the meta says is in the current version (which
 	// codegen ensures is always the latest)
-	cursch := thema.SchemaP(lin, k.def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
+	cursch := thema.SchemaP(k.Core.Lineage(), def.Properties.CurrentVersion)
 	tsch, err := thema.BindType[*Team](cursch, &Team{})
 	if err != nil {
 		// Should be unreachable, modulo bugs in the Thema->Go code generator
@@ -62,22 +59,8 @@ func NewKind(rt *thema.Runtime, opts ...thema.BindOption) (*Kind, error) {
 	return k, nil
 }
 
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Name() string {
-	return "team"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) MachineName() string {
-	return "team"
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Lineage() thema.Lineage {
-	return k.lin
-}
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
+// ConvergentLineage returns the same [thema.Lineage] as Lineage, but bound (see [thema.BindType])
+// to the the Team type generated from the current schema, v0.0.
 func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*Team] {
 	return k.lin
 }
@@ -92,22 +75,3 @@ func (k *Kind) ConvergentLineage() thema.ConvergentLineage[*Team] {
 func (k *Kind) JSONValueMux(b []byte) (*Team, thema.TranslationLacunas, error) {
 	return k.valmux(b)
 }
-
-// TODO standard generated docs
-func (k *Kind) Maturity() kindsys.Maturity {
-	return k.def.Properties.Maturity
-}
-
-// Def returns the [kindsys.Def] containing both CUE and Go representations of the
-// team declaration in .cue files.
-func (k *Kind) Def() kindsys.Def[kindsys.CoreProperties] {
-	return k.def
-}
-
-// Props returns a [kindsys.SomeKindProps], with underlying type [kindsys.CoreProperties],
-// representing the static properties declared in the team kind.
-//
-// This method is identical to calling Def().Props. It is provided to satisfy [kindsys.Interface].
-func (k *Kind) Props() kindsys.SomeKindProperties {
-	return k.def.Properties
-}
diff --git a/pkg/kindsys/bind.go b/pkg/kindsys/bind.go
index 848867b4771..302cedf3a94 100644
--- a/pkg/kindsys/bind.go
+++ b/pkg/kindsys/bind.go
@@ -4,13 +4,15 @@ import (
 	"github.com/grafana/thema"
 )
 
-var _ Composable = genericComposable{}
-
+// genericComposable is a general representation of a parsed and validated
+// Composable kind.
 type genericComposable struct {
 	def Def[ComposableProperties]
 	lin thema.Lineage
 }
 
+var _ Composable = genericComposable{}
+
 func (k genericComposable) Props() SomeKindProperties {
 	return k.def.Properties
 }
@@ -35,14 +37,60 @@ func (k genericComposable) Lineage() thema.Lineage {
 	return k.lin
 }
 
-func BindComposable(rt *thema.Runtime, decl Def[ComposableProperties], opts ...thema.BindOption) (Composable, error) {
-	lin, err := decl.Some().BindKindLineage(rt, opts...)
+// TODO docs
+func BindComposable(rt *thema.Runtime, def Def[ComposableProperties], opts ...thema.BindOption) (Composable, error) {
+	lin, err := def.Some().BindKindLineage(rt, opts...)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
 
 	return genericComposable{
-		def: decl,
+		def: def,
+		lin: lin,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+// genericCore is a general representation of a parsed and validated Core kind.
+type genericCore struct {
+	def Def[CoreProperties]
+	lin thema.Lineage
+}
+
+var _ Core = genericCore{}
+
+func (k genericCore) Props() SomeKindProperties {
+	return k.def.Properties
+}
+
+func (k genericCore) Name() string {
+	return k.def.Properties.Name
+}
+
+func (k genericCore) MachineName() string {
+	return k.def.Properties.MachineName
+}
+
+func (k genericCore) Maturity() Maturity {
+	return k.def.Properties.Maturity
+}
+
+func (k genericCore) Def() Def[CoreProperties] {
+	return k.def
+}
+
+func (k genericCore) Lineage() thema.Lineage {
+	return k.lin
+}
+
+// TODO docs
+func BindCore(rt *thema.Runtime, def Def[CoreProperties], opts ...thema.BindOption) (Core, error) {
+	lin, err := def.Some().BindKindLineage(rt, opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	return genericCore{
+		def: def,
 		lin: lin,
 	}, nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/kindsys/load.go b/pkg/kindsys/load.go
index ab6413aa93a..b82c3971c6d 100644
--- a/pkg/kindsys/load.go
+++ b/pkg/kindsys/load.go
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ import (
 	"github.com/grafana/thema"
 )
 
-// CoreDeclParentPath is the path, relative to the repository root, where
+// CoreDefParentPath is the path, relative to the repository root, where
 // each child directory is expected to contain .cue files defining one
 // Core kind.
-var CoreDeclParentPath = "kinds"
+var CoreDefParentPath = "kinds"
 
 // GoCoreKindParentPath is the path, relative to the repository root, to the directory
 // containing one directory per kind, full of generated Go kind output: types and bindings.
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ func ToKindProps[T KindProperties](v cue.Value) (T, error) {
 }
 
 // SomeDef represents a single kind definition, having been loaded and
-// validated by a func such as [LoadCoreKind].
+// validated by a func such as [LoadCoreKindDef].
 //
 // The underlying type of the Properties field indicates the category of kind.
 type SomeDef struct {
@@ -155,10 +155,13 @@ func (def SomeDef) IsComposable() bool {
 	return is
 }
 
-// Def represents a single kind definition, having been loaded
-// and validated by a func such as [LoadCoreKind].
+// Def represents a single kind definition, having been loaded and validated by
+// a func such as [LoadCoreKindDef].
 //
 // Its type parameter indicates the category of kind.
+//
+// Thema lineages in the contained definition have not yet necessarily been
+// validated.
 type Def[T KindProperties] struct {
 	// V is the cue.Value containing the entire Kind definition.
 	V cue.Value
@@ -174,7 +177,7 @@ func (def Def[T]) Some() SomeDef {
 	}
 }
 
-// LoadCoreKind loads and validates a core kind definition of the kind category
+// LoadCoreKindDef loads and validates a core kind definition of the kind category
 // indicated by the type parameter. On success, it returns a [Def] which
 // contains the entire contents of the kind definition.
 //
@@ -191,7 +194,7 @@ func (def Def[T]) Some() SomeDef {
 // This is a low-level function, primarily intended for use in code generation.
 // For representations of core kinds that are useful in Go programs at runtime,
 // see ["github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/registry/corekind"].
-func LoadCoreKind(defpath string, ctx *cue.Context, overlay fs.FS) (Def[CoreProperties], error) {
+func LoadCoreKindDef(defpath string, ctx *cue.Context, overlay fs.FS) (Def[CoreProperties], error) {
 	none := Def[CoreProperties]{}
 	vk, err := cuectx.BuildGrafanaInstance(ctx, defpath, "kind", overlay)
 	if err != nil {
diff --git a/pkg/kindsys/props.go b/pkg/kindsys/props.go
index 9cd507db447..91e12adacfb 100644
--- a/pkg/kindsys/props.go
+++ b/pkg/kindsys/props.go
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ type CommonProperties struct {
 // excludes Thema schemas.
 //
 // When .cue file(s) containing a Core definition is loaded through the standard
-// [LoadCoreKind], func, it is fully validated and populated according to all
+// [LoadCoreKindDef], func, it is fully validated and populated according to all
 // rules specified in CUE for Core kinds.
 type CoreProperties struct {
 	CommonProperties
diff --git a/pkg/kindsys/report.go b/pkg/kindsys/report.go
index 00703a6b91c..4cc691e03db 100644
--- a/pkg/kindsys/report.go
+++ b/pkg/kindsys/report.go
@@ -194,17 +194,14 @@ func buildKindStateReport() *KindStateReport {
 	for _, k := range b.All() {
 		seen[k.Props().Common().Name] = true
 		lin := k.Lineage()
-		switch k.Props().(type) {
-		case kindsys.CoreProperties:
-			links := buildCoreLinks(lin, k.Def().Properties)
-			r.add(Kind{
-				SomeKindProperties:   k.Props(),
-				Category:             "core",
-				Links:                links,
-				GrafanaMaturityCount: grafanaMaturityAttrCount(lin.Latest().Underlying()),
-				CodeOwners:           findCodeOwners(of, links),
-			})
-		}
+		links := buildCoreLinks(lin, k.Def().Properties)
+		r.add(Kind{
+			SomeKindProperties:   k.Props(),
+			Category:             "core",
+			Links:                links,
+			GrafanaMaturityCount: grafanaMaturityAttrCount(lin.Latest().Underlying()),
+			CodeOwners:           findCodeOwners(of, links),
+		})
 	}
 
 	for _, kn := range plannedCoreKinds {
diff --git a/pkg/plugins/codegen/jenny_plugindocs.go b/pkg/plugins/codegen/jenny_plugindocs.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 7db376dbc49..00000000000
--- a/pkg/plugins/codegen/jenny_plugindocs.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,28 +0,0 @@
-package codegen
-
-import (
-	"github.com/grafana/codejen"
-	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/plugins/pfs"
-)
-
-func PluginDocsJenny(inner codejen.OneToOne[*pfs.PluginDecl]) codejen.OneToOne[*pfs.PluginDecl] {
-	return &docsJenny{
-		inner: inner,
-	}
-}
-
-type docsJenny struct {
-	inner codejen.OneToOne[*pfs.PluginDecl]
-}
-
-func (j *docsJenny) JennyName() string {
-	return "PluginDocsJenny"
-}
-
-func (j *docsJenny) Generate(decl *pfs.PluginDecl) (*codejen.File, error) {
-	if !decl.HasSchema() {
-		return nil, nil
-	}
-
-	return j.inner.Generate(decl)
-}
diff --git a/pkg/registry/corekind/base_gen.go b/pkg/registry/corekind/base_gen.go
index 99d00e9c0d0..9a2e2b605e8 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/corekind/base_gen.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/corekind/base_gen.go
@@ -23,16 +23,21 @@ import (
 	"github.com/grafana/thema"
 )
 
-// Base is a registry of kindsys.Interface. It provides two modes for accessing
-// kinds: individually via literal named methods, or as a slice returned from
-// an All*() method.
+// Base is a registry of all Grafana core kinds. It is designed for use both inside
+// of Grafana itself, and for import by external Go programs wanting to work with Grafana's
+// kind system.
+//
+// The registry provides two modes for accessing core kinds:
+//   - Per-kind methods, which return the kind-specific type, e.g. Dashboard() returns [dashboard.Dashboard].
+//   - All(), which returns a slice of [kindsys.Core].
 //
 // Prefer the individual named methods for use cases where the particular kind(s) that
 // are needed are known to the caller. For example, a dashboard linter can know that it
 // specifically wants the dashboard kind.
 //
-// Prefer All*() methods when performing operations generically across all kinds.
-// For example, a validation HTTP middleware for any kind-schematized object type.
+// Prefer All() when performing operations generically across all kinds. For example,
+// a generic HTTP middleware for validating request bodies expected to contain some
+// kind-schematized type.
 type Base struct {
 	all             []kindsys.Core
 	dashboard       *dashboard.Kind
diff --git a/public/app/plugins/gen.go b/public/app/plugins/gen.go
index 3497d286437..83a67330f29 100644
--- a/public/app/plugins/gen.go
+++ b/public/app/plugins/gen.go
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/grafana/codejen"
 	corecodegen "github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/codegen"
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/cuectx"
+	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/kindsys"
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/plugins/codegen"
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/plugins/pfs"
 )
@@ -54,9 +55,9 @@ func main() {
 		codegen.PluginTreeListJenny(),
 		codegen.PluginGoTypesJenny("pkg/tsdb"),
 		codegen.PluginTSTypesJenny("public/app/plugins", adaptToPipeline(corecodegen.TSTypesJenny{})),
-		codegen.PluginDocsJenny(toDeclForGen(corecodegen.DocsJenny(
+		kind2pd(corecodegen.DocsJenny(
 			filepath.Join("docs", "sources", "developers", "kinds", "composable"),
-		))),
+		)),
 	)
 
 	pluginKindGen.AddPostprocessors(corecodegen.SlashHeaderMapper("public/app/plugins/gen.go"))
@@ -91,11 +92,11 @@ func adaptToPipeline(j codejen.OneToOne[corecodegen.SchemaForGen]) codejen.OneTo
 	})
 }
 
-func toDeclForGen(j codejen.OneToOne[*corecodegen.DefForGen]) codejen.OneToOne[*pfs.PluginDecl] {
-	return codejen.AdaptOneToOne(j, func(pd *pfs.PluginDecl) *corecodegen.DefForGen {
-		kd, err := corecodegen.ForGen(pd.Lineage.Runtime(), pd.KindDecl.Some())
+func kind2pd(j codejen.OneToOne[kindsys.Kind]) codejen.OneToOne[*pfs.PluginDecl] {
+	return codejen.AdaptOneToOne(j, func(pd *pfs.PluginDecl) kindsys.Kind {
+		kd, err := kindsys.BindComposable(nil, pd.KindDecl)
 		if err != nil {
-			panic("should be unreachable")
+			return nil
 		}
 		return kd
 	})