diff --git a/include/tree_sitter/compiler.h b/include/tree_sitter/compiler.h
index 9e94ffd3..4439b617 100644
--- a/include/tree_sitter/compiler.h
+++ b/include/tree_sitter/compiler.h
@@ -1,66 +1,30 @@
 #ifndef TREE_SITTER_COMPILER_H_
 #define TREE_SITTER_COMPILER_H_
 
-#include <memory>
-#include <string>
-#include <utility>
-#include <vector>
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
 
-namespace tree_sitter {
+typedef enum {
+  TSCompileErrorTypeNone,
+  TSCompileErrorTypeInvalidGrammar,
+  TSCompileErrorTypeInvalidRegex,
+  TSCompileErrorTypeUndefinedSymbol,
+  TSCompileErrorTypeInvalidUbiquitousToken,
+  TSCompileErrorTypeLexConflict,
+  TSCompileErrorTypeParseConflict,
+} TSCompileErrorType;
 
-class Rule;
-typedef std::shared_ptr<Rule> rule_ptr;
-
-rule_ptr blank();
-rule_ptr choice(const std::vector<rule_ptr> &);
-rule_ptr repeat(const rule_ptr &);
-rule_ptr repeat1(const rule_ptr &);
-rule_ptr seq(const std::vector<rule_ptr> &);
-rule_ptr sym(const std::string &);
-rule_ptr pattern(const std::string &);
-rule_ptr str(const std::string &);
-rule_ptr err(const rule_ptr &);
-rule_ptr prec(int precedence, const rule_ptr &);
-rule_ptr prec_left(const rule_ptr &);
-rule_ptr prec_left(int precedence, const rule_ptr &);
-rule_ptr prec_right(const rule_ptr &);
-rule_ptr prec_right(int precedence, const rule_ptr &);
-rule_ptr token(const rule_ptr &rule);
-
-struct Grammar {
-  std::vector<std::pair<std::string, rule_ptr>> rules;
-  std::vector<rule_ptr> extra_tokens;
-  std::vector<std::vector<std::string>> expected_conflicts;
-};
-
-enum GrammarErrorType {
-  GrammarErrorTypeRegex,
-  GrammarErrorTypeUndefinedSymbol,
-  GrammarErrorTypeInvalidUbiquitousToken,
-  GrammarErrorTypeLexConflict,
-  GrammarErrorTypeParseConflict,
-};
-
-class GrammarError {
- public:
-  GrammarError(GrammarErrorType type, std::string message) : type(type), message(message) {}
-  bool operator==(const GrammarError &other) const {
-    return type == other.type && message == other.message;
-  }
-
-  GrammarErrorType type;
-  std::string message;
-};
-
-std::pair<std::string, const GrammarError *> compile(const Grammar &,
-                                                     std::string);
-struct CompileResult {
+typedef struct {
   const char *code;
   const char *error_message;
-};
+  TSCompileErrorType error_type;
+} TSCompileResult;
 
-extern "C" CompileResult compile(const char *input);
+TSCompileResult ts_compile_grammar(const char *input);
 
-}  // namespace tree_sitter
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+}
+#endif
 
 #endif  // TREE_SITTER_COMPILER_H_
diff --git a/include/tree_sitter/parser.h b/include/tree_sitter/parser.h
index e93d633e..e1872ab4 100644
--- a/include/tree_sitter/parser.h
+++ b/include/tree_sitter/parser.h
@@ -94,17 +94,17 @@ struct TSLanguage {
  *  Lexer Macros
  */
 
-#define START_LEXER()                                        \
-  lexer->start_fn(lexer, state);                             \
-  int32_t lookahead;                                         \
-  next_state:                                                \
+#define START_LEXER()            \
+  lexer->start_fn(lexer, state); \
+  int32_t lookahead;             \
+  next_state:                    \
   lookahead = lexer->lookahead;
 
 #define START_TOKEN() lexer->start_token_fn(lexer);
 
 #define GO_TO_STATE(state_value) \
   {                              \
-    state = state_value;     \
+    state = state_value;         \
     goto next_state;             \
   }
 
diff --git a/spec/compiler/compile_examples.cc b/spec/compiler/compile_examples.cc
index db1e6cd8..67fc9f08 100644
--- a/spec/compiler/compile_examples.cc
+++ b/spec/compiler/compile_examples.cc
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 #include "compiler/compiler_spec_helper.h"
+#include "compiler/compile.h"
 #include <fstream>
 #include <iostream>
 
@@ -29,10 +30,10 @@ describe("compiling the example grammars", []() {
     it(("compiles the " + language + " grammar").c_str(), [&]() {
       auto result = compile(grammar, language);
       string code = result.first;
-      const GrammarError *error = result.second;
+      const CompileError error = result.second;
 
-      if (error)
-        AssertThat(error->message, Equals(""));
+      if (error.type)
+        AssertThat(error.message, Equals(""));
 
       ofstream file(example_parser_dir + language + ".c");
       file << get<0>(result);
diff --git a/spec/compiler/compile_spec.cc b/spec/compiler/compile_spec.cc
index 88a749e4..c72c9449 100644
--- a/spec/compiler/compile_spec.cc
+++ b/spec/compiler/compile_spec.cc
@@ -1,32 +1,45 @@
 #include "compiler/compiler_spec_helper.h"
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/compile.h"
 
 using namespace rules;
 
 START_TEST
 
-describe("Compile", []() {
+describe("compile_grammar", []() {
   describe("when the grammar's start symbol is a token", [&]() {
     it("does not fail", [&]() {
-      Grammar grammar{{
-        { "rule1", str("the-value") }
-      }, {}, {}};
+      TSCompileResult result = ts_compile_grammar(R"JSON(
+        {
+          "name": "the_grammar",
+          "rules": {
+            "rule1": {
+              "type": "STRING",
+              "value": "hello"
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      )JSON");
 
-      auto result = compile(grammar, "test_grammar");
-      const GrammarError *error = result.second;
-      AssertThat(error, Equals<const GrammarError *>(nullptr));
+      AssertThat(string(result.error_message), IsEmpty());
+      AssertThat(string(result.code), !IsEmpty());
     });
   });
 
   describe("when the grammar's start symbol is blank", [&]() {
     it("does not fail", [&]() {
-      Grammar grammar{{
-        { "rule1", blank() }
-      }, {}, {}};
+      TSCompileResult result = ts_compile_grammar(R"JSON(
+        {
+          "name": "the_grammar",
+          "rules": {
+            "rule1": {
+              "type": "BLANK"
+            }
+          }
+        }
+      )JSON");
 
-      auto result = compile(grammar, "test_grammar");
-      const GrammarError *error = result.second;
-      AssertThat(error, Equals<const GrammarError *>(nullptr));
+      AssertThat(string(result.error_message), IsEmpty());
+      AssertThat(string(result.code), !IsEmpty());
     });
   });
 });
diff --git a/spec/compiler/compiler_spec_helper.h b/spec/compiler/compiler_spec_helper.h
index 3db0d1e1..c87b4edb 100644
--- a/spec/compiler/compiler_spec_helper.h
+++ b/spec/compiler/compiler_spec_helper.h
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 #include "compiler/helpers/stream_methods.h"
 #include "compiler/helpers/equals_pointer.h"
 #include "compiler/helpers/rule_helpers.h"
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/rules.h"
 
 using namespace tree_sitter;
 using namespace std;
diff --git a/spec/compiler/helpers/stream_methods.cc b/spec/compiler/helpers/stream_methods.cc
index 652c21f7..693504ca 100644
--- a/spec/compiler/helpers/stream_methods.cc
+++ b/spec/compiler/helpers/stream_methods.cc
@@ -23,11 +23,11 @@ ostream &operator<<(ostream &stream, const Grammar &grammar) {
   return stream << string("}>");
 }
 
-ostream &operator<<(ostream &stream, const GrammarError *error) {
-  if (error)
-    return stream << (string("#<grammar-error '") + error->message + "'>");
+ostream &operator<<(ostream &stream, const CompileError &error) {
+  if (error.type)
+    return stream << (string("#<compile-error '") + error.message + "'>");
   else
-    return stream << string("#<null>");
+    return stream << string("#<no-compile-error>");
 }
 
 ostream &operator<<(ostream &stream, const Rule &rule) {
diff --git a/spec/compiler/helpers/stream_methods.h b/spec/compiler/helpers/stream_methods.h
index 1a9b9aaa..d52f4232 100644
--- a/spec/compiler/helpers/stream_methods.h
+++ b/spec/compiler/helpers/stream_methods.h
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@
 #include <map>
 #include <unordered_set>
 #include <vector>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/grammar.h"
+#include "compiler/compile_error.h"
 
 using std::cout;
 
@@ -98,7 +99,7 @@ struct ProductionStep;
 struct PrecedenceRange;
 
 ostream &operator<<(ostream &, const Grammar &);
-ostream &operator<<(ostream &, const GrammarError &);
+ostream &operator<<(ostream &, const CompileError &);
 ostream &operator<<(ostream &, const Rule &);
 ostream &operator<<(ostream &, const rule_ptr &);
 ostream &operator<<(ostream &, const Variable &);
diff --git a/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_tokens_spec.cc b/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_tokens_spec.cc
index 3b394452..49612572 100644
--- a/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_tokens_spec.cc
+++ b/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_tokens_spec.cc
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ describe("expand_tokens", []() {
 
       auto result = expand_tokens(grammar);
 
-      AssertThat(result.second, Equals((const GrammarError *)nullptr));
+      AssertThat(result.second, Equals(CompileError::none()));
       AssertThat(result.first.variables, Equals(vector<Variable>({
         Variable("rule_A", VariableTypeNamed, seq({
           i_sym(10),
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ describe("expand_tokens", []() {
 
       auto result = expand_tokens(grammar);
 
-      AssertThat(result.second, Equals((const GrammarError *)nullptr));
+      AssertThat(result.second, Equals(CompileError::none()));
       AssertThat(result.first.variables, Equals(vector<Variable>({
         Variable("rule_A", VariableTypeNamed, seq({
           i_sym(10),
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ describe("expand_tokens", []() {
 
       auto result = expand_tokens(grammar);
 
-      AssertThat(result.second, EqualsPointer(new GrammarError(GrammarErrorTypeRegex, "unmatched open paren")));
+      AssertThat(result.second, Equals(CompileError(TSCompileErrorTypeInvalidRegex, "unmatched open paren")));
     });
   });
 });
diff --git a/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_tokens_spec.cc b/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_tokens_spec.cc
index 6bce5ee1..6c5bf7ec 100644
--- a/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_tokens_spec.cc
+++ b/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_tokens_spec.cc
@@ -30,9 +30,9 @@ describe("extract_tokens", []() {
 
     InitialSyntaxGrammar &syntax_grammar = get<0>(result);
     LexicalGrammar &lexical_grammar = get<1>(result);
-    const GrammarError *error = get<2>(result);
+    CompileError error = get<2>(result);
 
-    AssertThat(error, Equals<const GrammarError *>(nullptr));
+    AssertThat(error, Equals(CompileError::none()));
 
     AssertThat(syntax_grammar.variables, Equals(vector<Variable>({
       Variable("rule_A", VariableTypeNamed, repeat1(seq({
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ describe("extract_tokens", []() {
         pattern("\\s+"),
       }, {}});
 
-      AssertThat(get<2>(result), Equals<const GrammarError *>(nullptr));
+      AssertThat(get<2>(result), Equals(CompileError::none()));
 
       AssertThat(get<1>(result).separators.size(), Equals<size_t>(2));
       AssertThat(get<1>(result).separators[0], EqualsPointer(str("y")));
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ describe("extract_tokens", []() {
         str("y"),
       }, {}});
 
-      AssertThat(get<2>(result), Equals<const GrammarError *>(nullptr));
+      AssertThat(get<2>(result), Equals(CompileError::none()));
       AssertThat(get<1>(result).separators.size(), Equals<size_t>(0));
       AssertThat(get<0>(result).extra_tokens, Equals(set<Symbol>({ Symbol(1, true) })));
     });
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ describe("extract_tokens", []() {
         i_sym(2),
       }, {}});
 
-      AssertThat(get<2>(result), Equals<const GrammarError *>(nullptr));
+      AssertThat(get<2>(result), Equals(CompileError::none()));
 
       AssertThat(get<0>(result).extra_tokens, Equals(set<Symbol>({
         { Symbol(3, true) },
@@ -196,9 +196,9 @@ describe("extract_tokens", []() {
         Variable("rule_B", VariableTypeNamed, seq({ str("y"), str("z") })),
       }, { i_sym(1) }, {}});
 
-      AssertThat(get<2>(result), !Equals<const GrammarError *>(nullptr));
-      AssertThat(get<2>(result), EqualsPointer(
-        new GrammarError(GrammarErrorTypeInvalidUbiquitousToken,
+      AssertThat(get<2>(result), !Equals(CompileError::none()));
+      AssertThat(get<2>(result), Equals(
+        CompileError(TSCompileErrorTypeInvalidUbiquitousToken,
                          "Not a token: rule_B")));
     });
 
@@ -208,9 +208,9 @@ describe("extract_tokens", []() {
         Variable("rule_B", VariableTypeNamed, str("y")),
       }, { choice({ i_sym(1), blank() }) }, {}});
 
-      AssertThat(get<2>(result), !Equals<const GrammarError *>(nullptr));
-      AssertThat(get<2>(result), EqualsPointer(
-        new GrammarError(GrammarErrorTypeInvalidUbiquitousToken,
+      AssertThat(get<2>(result), !Equals(CompileError::none()));
+      AssertThat(get<2>(result), Equals(
+        CompileError(TSCompileErrorTypeInvalidUbiquitousToken,
                          "Not a token: (choice (sym 1) (blank))")));
     });
   });
diff --git a/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/intern_symbols_spec.cc b/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/intern_symbols_spec.cc
index ea3f7a72..1b31f50c 100644
--- a/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/intern_symbols_spec.cc
+++ b/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/intern_symbols_spec.cc
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ describe("intern_symbols", []() {
 
     auto result = intern_symbols(grammar);
 
-    AssertThat(result.second, Equals((GrammarError *)nullptr));
+    AssertThat(result.second, Equals(CompileError::none()));
     AssertThat(result.first.variables, Equals(vector<Variable>({
       Variable("x", VariableTypeNamed, choice({ i_sym(1), i_sym(2) })),
       Variable("y", VariableTypeNamed, i_sym(2)),
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ describe("intern_symbols", []() {
 
       auto result = intern_symbols(grammar);
 
-      AssertThat(result.second->message, Equals("Undefined rule 'y'"));
+      AssertThat(result.second.message, Equals("Undefined rule 'y'"));
     });
   });
 
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ describe("intern_symbols", []() {
 
     auto result = intern_symbols(grammar);
 
-    AssertThat(result.second, Equals((GrammarError *)nullptr));
+    AssertThat(result.second, Equals(CompileError::none()));
     AssertThat(result.first.extra_tokens.size(), Equals<size_t>(1));
     AssertThat(*result.first.extra_tokens.begin(), EqualsPointer(i_sym(2)));
   });
diff --git a/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/parse_regex_spec.cc b/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/parse_regex_spec.cc
index 7b11151d..0dee70ee 100644
--- a/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/parse_regex_spec.cc
+++ b/spec/compiler/prepare_grammar/parse_regex_spec.cc
@@ -222,8 +222,8 @@ describe("parse_regex", []() {
   for (auto &row : invalid_inputs) {
     it(("handles invalid regexes with " + row.description).c_str(), [&]() {
       auto result = parse_regex(row.pattern);
-      AssertThat(result.second, !Equals((const GrammarError *)nullptr));
-      AssertThat(result.second->message, Contains(row.message));
+      AssertThat(result.second.type, Equals(TSCompileErrorTypeInvalidRegex));
+      AssertThat(result.second.message, Contains(row.message));
     });
   }
 });
diff --git a/spec/fixtures/grammars/helpers.cc b/spec/fixtures/grammars/helpers.cc
index 5d827a0b..e4ec5ae8 100644
--- a/spec/fixtures/grammars/helpers.cc
+++ b/spec/fixtures/grammars/helpers.cc
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/rules.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter_examples {
 
diff --git a/spec/fixtures/grammars/helpers.h b/spec/fixtures/grammars/helpers.h
index f79ab401..f9648f8b 100644
--- a/spec/fixtures/grammars/helpers.h
+++ b/spec/fixtures/grammars/helpers.h
@@ -1,7 +1,8 @@
 #ifndef TREESITTER_EXAMPLES_HELPERS_
 #define TREESITTER_EXAMPLES_HELPERS_
 
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/rules.h"
+#include "compiler/grammar.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter_examples {
 
diff --git a/src/compiler/build_tables/build_lex_table.h b/src/compiler/build_tables/build_lex_table.h
index 2117489d..26bfe6c2 100644
--- a/src/compiler/build_tables/build_lex_table.h
+++ b/src/compiler/build_tables/build_lex_table.h
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 #ifndef COMPILER_BUILD_TABLES_BUILD_LEX_TABLE_H_
 #define COMPILER_BUILD_TABLES_BUILD_LEX_TABLE_H_
 
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
 #include "compiler/lex_table.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
diff --git a/src/compiler/build_tables/build_parse_table.cc b/src/compiler/build_tables/build_parse_table.cc
index 2eec11f1..32ff6ce1 100644
--- a/src/compiler/build_tables/build_parse_table.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/build_tables/build_parse_table.cc
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ class ParseTableBuilder {
                     const LexicalGrammar &lex_grammar)
       : grammar(grammar), lexical_grammar(lex_grammar) {}
 
-  pair<ParseTable, const GrammarError *> build() {
+  pair<ParseTable, CompileError> build() {
     Symbol start_symbol = Symbol(0, grammar.variables.empty());
     Production start_production({
       ProductionStep(start_symbol, 0, rules::AssociativityNone),
@@ -68,9 +68,9 @@ class ParseTableBuilder {
       add_shift_actions(item_set, state_id);
 
       if (!conflicts.empty())
-        return { parse_table, new GrammarError(GrammarErrorTypeParseConflict,
-                                               "Unresolved conflict.\n\n" +
-                                                 *conflicts.begin()) };
+        return { parse_table,
+                 CompileError(TSCompileErrorTypeParseConflict,
+                              "Unresolved conflict.\n\n" + *conflicts.begin()) };
     }
 
     for (ParseStateId state = 0; state < parse_table.states.size(); state++) {
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ class ParseTableBuilder {
 
     parse_table.symbols.insert({ rules::ERROR(), {} });
 
-    return { parse_table, nullptr };
+    return { parse_table, CompileError::none() };
   }
 
  private:
@@ -370,7 +370,7 @@ class ParseTableBuilder {
   }
 };
 
-pair<ParseTable, const GrammarError *> build_parse_table(
+pair<ParseTable, CompileError> build_parse_table(
   const SyntaxGrammar &grammar, const LexicalGrammar &lex_grammar) {
   return ParseTableBuilder(grammar, lex_grammar).build();
 }
diff --git a/src/compiler/build_tables/build_parse_table.h b/src/compiler/build_tables/build_parse_table.h
index 2d41a4f7..e0dc52f4 100644
--- a/src/compiler/build_tables/build_parse_table.h
+++ b/src/compiler/build_tables/build_parse_table.h
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 #include <utility>
 #include <vector>
 #include "compiler/parse_table.h"
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/compile_error.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
 
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ struct LexicalGrammar;
 
 namespace build_tables {
 
-std::pair<ParseTable, const GrammarError *> build_parse_table(
-  const SyntaxGrammar &, const LexicalGrammar &);
+std::pair<ParseTable, CompileError> build_parse_table(const SyntaxGrammar &,
+                                                      const LexicalGrammar &);
 
 }  // namespace build_tables
 }  // namespace tree_sitter
diff --git a/src/compiler/build_tables/build_tables.cc b/src/compiler/build_tables/build_tables.cc
index 2106108b..b226a403 100644
--- a/src/compiler/build_tables/build_tables.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/build_tables/build_tables.cc
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 #include "compiler/build_tables/build_parse_table.h"
 #include "compiler/syntax_grammar.h"
 #include "compiler/lexical_grammar.h"
+#include "compiler/compile_error.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
 namespace build_tables {
@@ -13,11 +14,11 @@ using std::tuple;
 using std::vector;
 using std::make_tuple;
 
-tuple<ParseTable, LexTable, const GrammarError *> build_tables(
+tuple<ParseTable, LexTable, CompileError> build_tables(
   const SyntaxGrammar &grammar, const LexicalGrammar &lex_grammar) {
   auto parse_table_result = build_parse_table(grammar, lex_grammar);
   ParseTable parse_table = parse_table_result.first;
-  const GrammarError *error = parse_table_result.second;
+  const CompileError error = parse_table_result.second;
   LexTable lex_table = build_lex_table(&parse_table, lex_grammar);
   return make_tuple(parse_table, lex_table, error);
 }
diff --git a/src/compiler/build_tables/build_tables.h b/src/compiler/build_tables/build_tables.h
index a08e7639..32982b88 100644
--- a/src/compiler/build_tables/build_tables.h
+++ b/src/compiler/build_tables/build_tables.h
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@
 #include <string>
 #include <tuple>
 #include <vector>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
 #include "compiler/parse_table.h"
 #include "compiler/lex_table.h"
+#include "compiler/compile_error.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
 
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ struct LexicalGrammar;
 
 namespace build_tables {
 
-std::tuple<ParseTable, LexTable, const GrammarError *> build_tables(
+std::tuple<ParseTable, LexTable, CompileError> build_tables(
   const SyntaxGrammar &, const LexicalGrammar &);
 
 }  // namespace build_tables
diff --git a/src/compiler/build_tables/does_match_any_line.h b/src/compiler/build_tables/does_match_any_line.h
index 1948f385..cfc5ed8d 100644
--- a/src/compiler/build_tables/does_match_any_line.h
+++ b/src/compiler/build_tables/does_match_any_line.h
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #ifndef COMPILER_BUILD_TABLES_DOES_MATCH_ANY_LINE_H_
 #define COMPILER_BUILD_TABLES_DOES_MATCH_ANY_LINE_H_
 
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/rule.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
 namespace build_tables {
diff --git a/src/compiler/build_tables/item_set_closure.cc b/src/compiler/build_tables/item_set_closure.cc
index 61367197..56ed5066 100644
--- a/src/compiler/build_tables/item_set_closure.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/build_tables/item_set_closure.cc
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 #include <set>
 #include <vector>
 #include <utility>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
 #include "compiler/syntax_grammar.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
diff --git a/src/compiler/build_tables/lex_conflict_manager.h b/src/compiler/build_tables/lex_conflict_manager.h
index dd09d779..b62bc5d7 100644
--- a/src/compiler/build_tables/lex_conflict_manager.h
+++ b/src/compiler/build_tables/lex_conflict_manager.h
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 #define COMPILER_BUILD_TABLES_LEX_CONFLICT_MANAGER_H_
 
 #include <set>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
 #include "compiler/lexical_grammar.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/symbol.h"
 
diff --git a/src/compiler/build_tables/parse_conflict_manager.h b/src/compiler/build_tables/parse_conflict_manager.h
index b4927373..567ecaa0 100644
--- a/src/compiler/build_tables/parse_conflict_manager.h
+++ b/src/compiler/build_tables/parse_conflict_manager.h
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 #define COMPILER_BUILD_TABLES_PARSE_CONFLICT_MANAGER_H_
 
 #include <utility>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
 #include "compiler/syntax_grammar.h"
 #include "compiler/build_tables/parse_item.h"
 
diff --git a/src/compiler/build_tables/parse_item.cc b/src/compiler/build_tables/parse_item.cc
index 1691872a..a9e6a20b 100644
--- a/src/compiler/build_tables/parse_item.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/build_tables/parse_item.cc
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 #include "compiler/build_tables/parse_item.h"
 #include <string>
 #include "compiler/syntax_grammar.h"
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
 namespace build_tables {
diff --git a/src/compiler/build_tables/rule_can_be_blank.cc b/src/compiler/build_tables/rule_can_be_blank.cc
index 22ede282..0ae95749 100644
--- a/src/compiler/build_tables/rule_can_be_blank.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/build_tables/rule_can_be_blank.cc
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 #include "compiler/build_tables/rule_can_be_blank.h"
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/symbol.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/visitor.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/seq.h"
diff --git a/src/compiler/build_tables/rule_can_be_blank.h b/src/compiler/build_tables/rule_can_be_blank.h
index f3f84d0f..96a4a279 100644
--- a/src/compiler/build_tables/rule_can_be_blank.h
+++ b/src/compiler/build_tables/rule_can_be_blank.h
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #ifndef COMPILER_BUILD_TABLES_RULE_CAN_BE_BLANK_H_
 #define COMPILER_BUILD_TABLES_RULE_CAN_BE_BLANK_H_
 
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/rule.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
 namespace build_tables {
diff --git a/src/compiler/compile.cc b/src/compiler/compile.cc
index 6cc8c9c0..fdd6af3c 100644
--- a/src/compiler/compile.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/compile.cc
@@ -15,28 +15,44 @@ using std::vector;
 using std::get;
 using std::make_tuple;
 
-CompileResult compile(const char *input) {
+extern "C" TSCompileResult ts_compile_grammar(const char *input) {
   ParseGrammarResult parse_result = parse_grammar(string(input));
   if (!parse_result.error_message.empty()) {
-    return {nullptr, parse_result.error_message.c_str()};
+    return { "", strdup(parse_result.error_message.c_str()),
+             TSCompileErrorTypeInvalidGrammar };
   }
 
-  auto compile_result = compile(parse_result.grammar, parse_result.name);
-  if (compile_result.second) {
-    return {nullptr, compile_result.second->message.c_str()};
+  auto prepare_grammar_result =
+    prepare_grammar::prepare_grammar(parse_result.grammar);
+  const SyntaxGrammar &syntax_grammar = get<0>(prepare_grammar_result);
+  const LexicalGrammar &lexical_grammar = get<1>(prepare_grammar_result);
+  CompileError error = get<2>(prepare_grammar_result);
+  if (error.type) {
+    return { "", strdup(error.message.c_str()), error.type };
   }
 
-  return {compile_result.first.c_str(), nullptr};
+  auto table_build_result =
+    build_tables::build_tables(syntax_grammar, lexical_grammar);
+  const ParseTable &parse_table = get<0>(table_build_result);
+  const LexTable &lex_table = get<1>(table_build_result);
+  error = get<2>(table_build_result);
+  if (error.type) {
+    return { "", strdup(error.message.c_str()), error.type };
+  }
+
+  string code = generate_code::c_code(parse_result.name, parse_table, lex_table,
+                                      syntax_grammar, lexical_grammar);
+
+  return { strdup(code.c_str()), "", TSCompileErrorTypeNone };
 }
 
-pair<string, const GrammarError *> compile(const Grammar &grammar,
-                                           std::string name) {
+pair<string, const CompileError> compile(const Grammar &grammar,
+                                         std::string name) {
   auto prepare_grammar_result = prepare_grammar::prepare_grammar(grammar);
   const SyntaxGrammar &syntax_grammar = get<0>(prepare_grammar_result);
   const LexicalGrammar &lexical_grammar = get<1>(prepare_grammar_result);
-  const GrammarError *error = get<2>(prepare_grammar_result);
-
-  if (error)
+  CompileError error = get<2>(prepare_grammar_result);
+  if (error.type)
     return { "", error };
 
   auto table_build_result =
@@ -44,14 +60,13 @@ pair<string, const GrammarError *> compile(const Grammar &grammar,
   const ParseTable &parse_table = get<0>(table_build_result);
   const LexTable &lex_table = get<1>(table_build_result);
   error = get<2>(table_build_result);
-
-  if (error)
+  if (error.type)
     return { "", error };
 
   string code = generate_code::c_code(name, parse_table, lex_table,
                                       syntax_grammar, lexical_grammar);
 
-  return { code, nullptr };
+  return { code, CompileError::none() };
 }
 
 }  // namespace tree_sitter
diff --git a/src/compiler/compile.h b/src/compiler/compile.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..649c38ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/compiler/compile.h
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+#ifndef COMPILER_COMPILE_H_
+#define COMPILER_COMPILE_H_
+
+#include <string>
+#include <utility>
+#include "compiler/compile_error.h"
+
+namespace tree_sitter {
+
+struct Grammar;
+
+std::pair<std::string, CompileError> compile(const Grammar &, std::string);
+
+}  // namespace tree_sitter
+
+#endif  // COMPILER_COMPILE_H_
diff --git a/src/compiler/compile_error.h b/src/compiler/compile_error.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..7035d7a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/compiler/compile_error.h
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+#ifndef COMPILER_COMPILE_ERROR_H_
+#define COMPILER_COMPILE_ERROR_H_
+
+#include <string>
+#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+
+namespace tree_sitter {
+
+class CompileError {
+ public:
+  CompileError(TSCompileErrorType type, std::string message)
+      : type(type), message(message) {}
+
+  static CompileError none() {
+    return CompileError(TSCompileErrorTypeNone, "");
+  }
+
+  bool operator==(const CompileError &other) const {
+    return type == other.type && message == other.message;
+  }
+
+  TSCompileErrorType type;
+  std::string message;
+};
+
+}  // namespace tree_sitter
+
+#endif  // COMPILER_COMPILE_ERROR_H_
diff --git a/src/compiler/generate_code/c_code.cc b/src/compiler/generate_code/c_code.cc
index 7e96cdcf..5a54f032 100644
--- a/src/compiler/generate_code/c_code.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/generate_code/c_code.cc
@@ -188,7 +188,9 @@ class CCodeGenerator {
   }
 
   void add_lex_function() {
-    line("static TSTree *ts_lex(TSLexer *lexer, TSStateId state, bool error_mode) {");
+    line(
+      "static TSTree *ts_lex(TSLexer *lexer, TSStateId state, bool error_mode) "
+      "{");
     indent([&]() {
       line("START_LEXER();");
       _switch("state", [&]() {
diff --git a/src/compiler/grammar.h b/src/compiler/grammar.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a8955c02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/compiler/grammar.h
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+#ifndef COMPILER_GRAMMAR_H_
+#define COMPILER_GRAMMAR_H_
+
+#include <vector>
+#include <string>
+#include <utility>
+#include "compiler/rule.h"
+
+namespace tree_sitter {
+
+struct Grammar {
+  std::vector<std::pair<std::string, rule_ptr>> rules;
+  std::vector<rule_ptr> extra_tokens;
+  std::vector<std::vector<std::string>> expected_conflicts;
+};
+
+}  // namespace tree_sitter
+
+#endif  // COMPILER_GRAMMAR_H_
diff --git a/src/compiler/lexical_grammar.h b/src/compiler/lexical_grammar.h
index 1964306d..58aa54f3 100644
--- a/src/compiler/lexical_grammar.h
+++ b/src/compiler/lexical_grammar.h
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 #include <vector>
 #include <string>
 #include <set>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/rule.h"
 #include "compiler/variable.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
diff --git a/src/compiler/parse_grammar.cc b/src/compiler/parse_grammar.cc
index 83f3e212..d71e0030 100644
--- a/src/compiler/parse_grammar.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/parse_grammar.cc
@@ -2,8 +2,9 @@
 #include <string>
 #include <vector>
 #include <utility>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
 #include "json.h"
+#include "compiler/rule.h"
+#include "compiler/rules.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
 
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ ParseRuleResult parse_rule(json_value *rule_json) {
   type = rule_type_json.u.string.ptr;
 
   if (type == "BLANK") {
-    return {blank(), ""};
+    return { blank(), "" };
   }
 
   if (type == "CHOICE") {
@@ -61,7 +62,7 @@ ParseRuleResult parse_rule(json_value *rule_json) {
         goto error;
       }
     }
-    return {choice(members), ""};
+    return { choice(members), "" };
   }
 
   if (type == "SEQ") {
@@ -82,14 +83,14 @@ ParseRuleResult parse_rule(json_value *rule_json) {
         goto error;
       }
     }
-    return {seq(members), ""};
+    return { seq(members), "" };
   }
 
   if (type == "ERROR") {
     json_value content_json = rule_json->operator[]("content");
     ParseRuleResult content = parse_rule(&content_json);
     if (content.rule.get()) {
-      return {err(content.rule), ""};
+      return { err(content.rule), "" };
     } else {
       error_message = "Invalid error content: " + content.error_message;
       goto error;
@@ -100,7 +101,7 @@ ParseRuleResult parse_rule(json_value *rule_json) {
     json_value content_json = rule_json->operator[]("content");
     ParseRuleResult content = parse_rule(&content_json);
     if (content.rule.get()) {
-      return {repeat(content.rule), ""};
+      return { repeat(content.rule), "" };
     } else {
       error_message = "Invalid repeat content: " + content.error_message;
       goto error;
@@ -111,7 +112,7 @@ ParseRuleResult parse_rule(json_value *rule_json) {
     json_value content_json = rule_json->operator[]("content");
     ParseRuleResult content = parse_rule(&content_json);
     if (content.rule.get()) {
-      return {repeat1(content.rule), ""};
+      return { repeat1(content.rule), "" };
     } else {
       error_message = "Invalid repeat1 content: " + content.error_message;
       goto error;
@@ -122,7 +123,7 @@ ParseRuleResult parse_rule(json_value *rule_json) {
     json_value content_json = rule_json->operator[]("content");
     ParseRuleResult content = parse_rule(&content_json);
     if (content.rule.get()) {
-      return {token(content.rule), ""};
+      return { token(content.rule), "" };
     } else {
       error_message = "Invalid token content: " + content.error_message;
       goto error;
@@ -132,7 +133,7 @@ ParseRuleResult parse_rule(json_value *rule_json) {
   if (type == "PATTERN") {
     json_value value_json = rule_json->operator[]("value");
     if (value_json.type == json_string) {
-      return {pattern(value_json.u.string.ptr), ""};
+      return { pattern(value_json.u.string.ptr), "" };
     } else {
       error_message = "Pattern value must be a string";
       goto error;
@@ -142,7 +143,7 @@ ParseRuleResult parse_rule(json_value *rule_json) {
   if (type == "STRING") {
     json_value value_json = rule_json->operator[]("value");
     if (value_json.type == json_string) {
-      return {str(value_json.u.string.ptr), ""};
+      return { str(value_json.u.string.ptr), "" };
     } else {
       error_message = "String rule value must be a string";
       goto error;
@@ -152,7 +153,7 @@ ParseRuleResult parse_rule(json_value *rule_json) {
   if (type == "SYMBOL") {
     json_value value_json = rule_json->operator[]("name");
     if (value_json.type == json_string) {
-      return {sym(value_json.u.string.ptr), ""};
+      return { sym(value_json.u.string.ptr), "" };
     } else {
       error_message = "Symbol value must be a string";
       goto error;
@@ -173,7 +174,7 @@ ParseRuleResult parse_rule(json_value *rule_json) {
       goto error;
     }
 
-    return {prec(precedence_json.u.integer, content.rule), ""};
+    return { prec(precedence_json.u.integer, content.rule), "" };
   }
 
   if (type == "PREC_LEFT") {
@@ -190,7 +191,7 @@ ParseRuleResult parse_rule(json_value *rule_json) {
       goto error;
     }
 
-    return {prec_left(precedence_json.u.integer, content.rule), ""};
+    return { prec_left(precedence_json.u.integer, content.rule), "" };
   }
 
   if (type == "PREC_RIGHT") {
@@ -207,13 +208,13 @@ ParseRuleResult parse_rule(json_value *rule_json) {
       goto error;
     }
 
-    return {prec_right(precedence_json.u.integer, content.rule), ""};
+    return { prec_right(precedence_json.u.integer, content.rule), "" };
   }
 
   error_message = "Unknown rule type " + type;
 
 error:
-  return {rule_ptr(), error_message};
+  return { rule_ptr(), error_message };
 }
 
 ParseGrammarResult parse_grammar(const string &input) {
@@ -222,11 +223,12 @@ ParseGrammarResult parse_grammar(const string &input) {
   Grammar grammar;
   json_value name_json, rules_json, extras_json, conflicts_json;
 
-  json_settings settings = {0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0};
+  json_settings settings = { 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 };
   char parse_error[json_error_max];
-  json_value *grammar_json = json_parse_ex(&settings, input.c_str(), input.size(), parse_error);
+  json_value *grammar_json =
+    json_parse_ex(&settings, input.c_str(), input.size(), parse_error);
   if (!grammar_json) {
-    error_message = "Failed to parse JSON";
+    error_message = string("Invalid JSON at ") + parse_error;
     goto error;
   }
 
@@ -254,7 +256,8 @@ ParseGrammarResult parse_grammar(const string &input) {
     ParseRuleResult entry = parse_rule(entry_json.value);
 
     if (!entry.rule.get()) {
-      error_message = string("Invalid rule '") + entry_json.name + "' " + entry.error_message;
+      error_message =
+        string("Invalid rule '") + entry_json.name + "' " + entry.error_message;
       goto error;
     }
 
@@ -295,7 +298,8 @@ ParseGrammarResult parse_grammar(const string &input) {
       }
 
       vector<string> conflict;
-      for (size_t j = 0, conflict_length = conflict_json->u.array.length; j < conflict_length; j++) {
+      for (size_t j = 0, conflict_length = conflict_json->u.array.length;
+           j < conflict_length; j++) {
         json_value *conflict_entry_json = conflict_json->u.array.values[j];
         if (conflict_entry_json->type != json_string) {
           error_message = "Each conflict entry must be an array of strings";
@@ -309,14 +313,14 @@ ParseGrammarResult parse_grammar(const string &input) {
     }
   }
 
-  return {name, grammar, ""};
+  return { name, grammar, "" };
 
 error:
   if (grammar_json) {
     json_value_free(grammar_json);
   }
 
-  return {"", Grammar{}, error_message};
+  return { "", Grammar{}, error_message };
 }
 
 }  // namespace tree_sitter
diff --git a/src/compiler/parse_grammar.h b/src/compiler/parse_grammar.h
index b400bccf..284ca4b2 100644
--- a/src/compiler/parse_grammar.h
+++ b/src/compiler/parse_grammar.h
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 
 #include <string>
 #include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/grammar.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
 
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_repeats.cc b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_repeats.cc
index 132b1f7b..727b8a4d 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_repeats.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_repeats.cc
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include <string>
 #include <utility>
 #include "compiler/prepare_grammar/initial_syntax_grammar.h"
+#include "compiler/rule.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/visitor.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/seq.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/symbol.h"
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_repeats.h b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_repeats.h
index 0204630d..3efabd9a 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_repeats.h
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_repeats.h
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #ifndef COMPILER_PREPARE_GRAMMAR_EXPAND_REPEATS_H_
 #define COMPILER_PREPARE_GRAMMAR_EXPAND_REPEATS_H_
 
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/prepare_grammar/initial_syntax_grammar.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
 namespace prepare_grammar {
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_tokens.cc b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_tokens.cc
index 21023990..4f49244b 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_tokens.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_tokens.cc
@@ -53,36 +53,35 @@ class ExpandTokens : public rules::IdentityRuleFn {
 
   rule_ptr apply_to(const Pattern *rule) {
     auto pair = parse_regex(rule->value);
-    if (!error)
+    if (!error.type)
       error = pair.second;
     return pair.first;
   }
 
  public:
-  const GrammarError *error;
-  ExpandTokens() : error(nullptr) {}
+  CompileError error;
+  ExpandTokens() : error(CompileError::none()) {}
 };
 
-pair<LexicalGrammar, const GrammarError *> expand_tokens(
-  const LexicalGrammar &grammar) {
+pair<LexicalGrammar, CompileError> expand_tokens(const LexicalGrammar &grammar) {
   LexicalGrammar result;
   ExpandTokens expander;
 
   for (const Variable &variable : grammar.variables) {
     auto rule = expander.apply(variable.rule);
-    if (expander.error)
+    if (expander.error.type)
       return { result, expander.error };
     result.variables.push_back(Variable(variable.name, variable.type, rule));
   }
 
   for (auto &sep : grammar.separators) {
     auto rule = expander.apply(sep);
-    if (expander.error)
+    if (expander.error.type)
       return { result, expander.error };
     result.separators.push_back(rule);
   }
 
-  return { result, nullptr };
+  return { result, CompileError::none() };
 }
 
 }  // namespace prepare_grammar
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_tokens.h b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_tokens.h
index a8658e5a..2e400090 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_tokens.h
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/expand_tokens.h
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #define COMPILER_PREPARE_GRAMMAR_EXPAND_TOKENS_H_
 
 #include <utility>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/compile_error.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
 
@@ -10,8 +10,7 @@ struct LexicalGrammar;
 
 namespace prepare_grammar {
 
-std::pair<LexicalGrammar, const GrammarError *> expand_tokens(
-  const LexicalGrammar &);
+std::pair<LexicalGrammar, CompileError> expand_tokens(const LexicalGrammar &);
 
 }  // namespace prepare_grammar
 }  // namespace tree_sitter
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_choices.h b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_choices.h
index f20cdd1b..50b91467 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_choices.h
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_choices.h
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #define COMPILER_PREPARE_GRAMMAR_EXTRACT_CHOICES_H_
 
 #include <vector>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/rule.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
 namespace prepare_grammar {
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_tokens.cc b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_tokens.cc
index f0329fcd..ebc7a36e 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_tokens.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_tokens.cc
@@ -90,12 +90,12 @@ class TokenExtractor : public rules::IdentityRuleFn {
   vector<Variable> tokens;
 };
 
-static const GrammarError *ubiq_token_err(const string &message) {
-  return new GrammarError(GrammarErrorTypeInvalidUbiquitousToken,
-                          "Not a token: " + message);
+static CompileError ubiq_token_err(const string &message) {
+  return CompileError(TSCompileErrorTypeInvalidUbiquitousToken,
+                      "Not a token: " + message);
 }
 
-tuple<InitialSyntaxGrammar, LexicalGrammar, const GrammarError *> extract_tokens(
+tuple<InitialSyntaxGrammar, LexicalGrammar, CompileError> extract_tokens(
   const InternedGrammar &grammar) {
   InitialSyntaxGrammar syntax_grammar;
   LexicalGrammar lexical_grammar;
@@ -186,7 +186,7 @@ tuple<InitialSyntaxGrammar, LexicalGrammar, const GrammarError *> extract_tokens
     syntax_grammar.extra_tokens.insert(new_symbol);
   }
 
-  return make_tuple(syntax_grammar, lexical_grammar, nullptr);
+  return make_tuple(syntax_grammar, lexical_grammar, CompileError::none());
 }
 
 }  // namespace prepare_grammar
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_tokens.h b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_tokens.h
index d42cbcff..733524cf 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_tokens.h
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/extract_tokens.h
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #define COMPILER_PREPARE_GRAMMAR_EXTRACT_TOKENS_H_
 
 #include <tuple>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/compile_error.h"
 #include "compiler/lexical_grammar.h"
 #include "compiler/prepare_grammar/initial_syntax_grammar.h"
 #include "compiler/prepare_grammar/interned_grammar.h"
@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@
 namespace tree_sitter {
 namespace prepare_grammar {
 
-std::tuple<InitialSyntaxGrammar, LexicalGrammar, const GrammarError *>
-  extract_tokens(const InternedGrammar &);
+std::tuple<InitialSyntaxGrammar, LexicalGrammar, CompileError> extract_tokens(
+  const InternedGrammar &);
 
 }  // namespace prepare_grammar
 }  // namespace tree_sitter
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/intern_symbols.cc b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/intern_symbols.cc
index 5a5048df..cd01719c 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/intern_symbols.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/intern_symbols.cc
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include <vector>
 #include <set>
 #include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/grammar.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/visitor.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/blank.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/named_symbol.h"
@@ -42,12 +43,12 @@ class InternSymbols : public rules::IdentityRuleFn {
   string missing_rule_name;
 };
 
-const GrammarError *missing_rule_error(string rule_name) {
-  return new GrammarError(GrammarErrorTypeUndefinedSymbol,
-                          "Undefined rule '" + rule_name + "'");
+CompileError missing_rule_error(string rule_name) {
+  return CompileError(TSCompileErrorTypeUndefinedSymbol,
+                      "Undefined rule '" + rule_name + "'");
 }
 
-pair<InternedGrammar, const GrammarError *> intern_symbols(const Grammar &grammar) {
+pair<InternedGrammar, CompileError> intern_symbols(const Grammar &grammar) {
   InternedGrammar result;
   InternSymbols interner(grammar);
 
@@ -78,7 +79,7 @@ pair<InternedGrammar, const GrammarError *> intern_symbols(const Grammar &gramma
     result.expected_conflicts.insert(entry);
   }
 
-  return { result, nullptr };
+  return { result, CompileError::none() };
 }
 
 }  // namespace prepare_grammar
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/intern_symbols.h b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/intern_symbols.h
index 1c756793..f42369a6 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/intern_symbols.h
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/intern_symbols.h
@@ -3,13 +3,16 @@
 
 #include <utility>
 #include <string>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/compile_error.h"
 #include "compiler/prepare_grammar/interned_grammar.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
+
+struct Grammar;
+
 namespace prepare_grammar {
 
-std::pair<InternedGrammar, const GrammarError *> intern_symbols(const Grammar &);
+std::pair<InternedGrammar, CompileError> intern_symbols(const Grammar &);
 
 }  // namespace prepare_grammar
 }  // namespace tree_sitter
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/is_token.h b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/is_token.h
index 1e7164f4..55d1b62f 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/is_token.h
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/is_token.h
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 #ifndef COMPILER_PREPARE_GRAMMAR_IS_TOKEN_H_
 #define COMPILER_PREPARE_GRAMMAR_IS_TOKEN_H_
 
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/rule.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
 namespace prepare_grammar {
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/parse_regex.cc b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/parse_regex.cc
index cca7c1c9..1496dcf6 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/parse_regex.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/parse_regex.cc
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class PatternParser {
     next();
   }
 
-  pair<rule_ptr, const GrammarError *> rule(bool nested) {
+  pair<rule_ptr, CompileError> rule(bool nested) {
     vector<rule_ptr> choices = {};
     do {
       if (!choices.empty()) {
@@ -42,17 +42,17 @@ class PatternParser {
           break;
       }
       auto pair = term(nested);
-      if (pair.second)
+      if (pair.second.type)
         return { Blank::build(), pair.second };
       choices.push_back(pair.first);
     } while (has_more_input());
     auto rule =
       (choices.size() > 1) ? make_shared<Choice>(choices) : choices.front();
-    return { rule, nullptr };
+    return { rule, CompileError::none() };
   }
 
  private:
-  pair<rule_ptr, const GrammarError *> term(bool nested) {
+  pair<rule_ptr, CompileError> term(bool nested) {
     rule_ptr result = Blank::build();
     do {
       if (peek() == '|')
@@ -60,16 +60,16 @@ class PatternParser {
       if (nested && peek() == ')')
         break;
       auto pair = factor();
-      if (pair.second)
+      if (pair.second.type)
         return { Blank::build(), pair.second };
       result = Seq::build({ result, pair.first });
     } while (has_more_input());
-    return { result, nullptr };
+    return { result, CompileError::none() };
   }
 
-  pair<rule_ptr, const GrammarError *> factor() {
+  pair<rule_ptr, CompileError> factor() {
     auto pair = atom();
-    if (pair.second)
+    if (pair.second.type)
       return { Blank::build(), pair.second };
     rule_ptr result = pair.first;
     if (has_more_input()) {
@@ -88,30 +88,30 @@ class PatternParser {
           break;
       }
     }
-    return { result, nullptr };
+    return { result, CompileError::none() };
   }
 
-  pair<rule_ptr, const GrammarError *> atom() {
+  pair<rule_ptr, CompileError> atom() {
     switch (peek()) {
       case '(': {
         next();
         auto pair = rule(true);
-        if (pair.second)
+        if (pair.second.type)
           return { Blank::build(), pair.second };
         if (peek() != ')')
           return error("unmatched open paren");
         next();
-        return { pair.first, nullptr };
+        return { pair.first, CompileError::none() };
       }
       case '[': {
         next();
         auto pair = char_set();
-        if (pair.second)
+        if (pair.second.type)
           return { Blank::build(), pair.second };
         if (peek() != ']')
           return error("unmatched open square bracket");
         next();
-        return { pair.first.copy(), nullptr };
+        return { pair.first.copy(), CompileError::none() };
       }
       case ')': {
         return error("unmatched close paren");
@@ -121,18 +121,19 @@ class PatternParser {
       }
       case '.': {
         next();
-        return { CharacterSet().include_all().exclude('\n').copy(), nullptr };
+        return { CharacterSet().include_all().exclude('\n').copy(),
+                 CompileError::none() };
       }
       default: {
         auto pair = single_char();
-        if (pair.second)
+        if (pair.second.type)
           return { Blank::build(), pair.second };
-        return { pair.first.copy(), nullptr };
+        return { pair.first.copy(), CompileError::none() };
       }
     }
   }
 
-  pair<CharacterSet, const GrammarError *> char_set() {
+  pair<CharacterSet, CompileError> char_set() {
     CharacterSet result;
     bool is_affirmative = true;
     if (peek() == '^') {
@@ -143,7 +144,7 @@ class PatternParser {
 
     while (has_more_input() && (peek() != ']')) {
       auto pair = single_char();
-      if (pair.second)
+      if (pair.second.type)
         return { CharacterSet(), pair.second };
       if (is_affirmative)
         result.add_set(pair.first);
@@ -151,10 +152,10 @@ class PatternParser {
         result.remove_set(pair.first);
     }
 
-    return { result, nullptr };
+    return { result, CompileError::none() };
   }
 
-  pair<CharacterSet, const GrammarError *> single_char() {
+  pair<CharacterSet, CompileError> single_char() {
     CharacterSet value;
     switch (peek()) {
       case '\\':
@@ -173,7 +174,7 @@ class PatternParser {
           value = CharacterSet().include(first_char);
         }
     }
-    return { value, nullptr };
+    return { value, CompileError::none() };
   }
 
   CharacterSet escaped_char(uint32_t value) {
@@ -217,8 +218,8 @@ class PatternParser {
     return lookahead && iter <= end;
   }
 
-  pair<rule_ptr, const GrammarError *> error(string msg) {
-    return { Blank::build(), new GrammarError(GrammarErrorTypeRegex, msg) };
+  pair<rule_ptr, CompileError> error(string msg) {
+    return { Blank::build(), CompileError(TSCompileErrorTypeInvalidRegex, msg) };
   }
 
   string input;
@@ -227,7 +228,7 @@ class PatternParser {
   int32_t lookahead;
 };
 
-pair<rule_ptr, const GrammarError *> parse_regex(const std::string &input) {
+pair<rule_ptr, CompileError> parse_regex(const std::string &input) {
   return PatternParser(input.c_str()).rule(false);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/parse_regex.h b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/parse_regex.h
index 2d5d86f5..7db65dce 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/parse_regex.h
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/parse_regex.h
@@ -3,12 +3,13 @@
 
 #include <string>
 #include <utility>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/rule.h"
+#include "compiler/compile_error.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
 namespace prepare_grammar {
 
-std::pair<rule_ptr, const GrammarError *> parse_regex(const std::string &);
+std::pair<rule_ptr, CompileError> parse_regex(const std::string &);
 
 }  // namespace prepare_grammar
 }  // namespace tree_sitter
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/prepare_grammar.cc b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/prepare_grammar.cc
index 6731b015..f0e4ee9f 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/prepare_grammar.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/prepare_grammar.cc
@@ -16,14 +16,14 @@ using std::tuple;
 using std::get;
 using std::make_tuple;
 
-tuple<SyntaxGrammar, LexicalGrammar, const GrammarError *> prepare_grammar(
+tuple<SyntaxGrammar, LexicalGrammar, CompileError> prepare_grammar(
   const Grammar &input_grammar) {
   /*
    * Convert all string-based `NamedSymbols` into numerical `Symbols`
    */
   auto intern_result = intern_symbols(input_grammar);
-  const GrammarError *error = intern_result.second;
-  if (error)
+  CompileError error = intern_result.second;
+  if (error.type)
     return make_tuple(SyntaxGrammar(), LexicalGrammar(), error);
 
   /*
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ tuple<SyntaxGrammar, LexicalGrammar, const GrammarError *> prepare_grammar(
    */
   auto extract_result = extract_tokens(intern_result.first);
   error = get<2>(extract_result);
-  if (error)
+  if (error.type)
     return make_tuple(SyntaxGrammar(), LexicalGrammar(), error);
 
   /*
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ tuple<SyntaxGrammar, LexicalGrammar, const GrammarError *> prepare_grammar(
   auto expand_tokens_result = expand_tokens(get<1>(extract_result));
   LexicalGrammar lex_grammar = expand_tokens_result.first;
   error = expand_tokens_result.second;
-  if (error)
+  if (error.type)
     return make_tuple(SyntaxGrammar(), LexicalGrammar(), error);
 
   /*
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ tuple<SyntaxGrammar, LexicalGrammar, const GrammarError *> prepare_grammar(
    */
   lex_grammar = normalize_rules(lex_grammar);
 
-  return make_tuple(syntax_grammar, lex_grammar, nullptr);
+  return make_tuple(syntax_grammar, lex_grammar, CompileError::none());
 }
 
 }  // namespace prepare_grammar
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/prepare_grammar.h b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/prepare_grammar.h
index 6a57db3a..e9cb80ee 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/prepare_grammar.h
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/prepare_grammar.h
@@ -4,15 +4,15 @@
 #include <tuple>
 #include "compiler/syntax_grammar.h"
 #include "compiler/lexical_grammar.h"
+#include "compiler/compile_error.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
 
 struct Grammar;
-class GrammarError;
 
 namespace prepare_grammar {
 
-std::tuple<SyntaxGrammar, LexicalGrammar, const GrammarError *> prepare_grammar(
+std::tuple<SyntaxGrammar, LexicalGrammar, CompileError> prepare_grammar(
   const Grammar &);
 
 }  // namespace prepare_grammar
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/token_description.cc b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/token_description.cc
index 9d5bde58..72127959 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/token_description.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/token_description.cc
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 #include "compiler/prepare_grammar/token_description.h"
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/visitor.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/pattern.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/seq.h"
diff --git a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/token_description.h b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/token_description.h
index 0c15c949..5e44141c 100644
--- a/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/token_description.h
+++ b/src/compiler/prepare_grammar/token_description.h
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #define COMPILER_PREPARE_GRAMMAR_TOKEN_DESCRIPTION_H_
 
 #include <string>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/rule.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
 namespace prepare_grammar {
diff --git a/src/compiler/rules.h b/src/compiler/rules.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..eb6f0fad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/compiler/rules.h
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+#ifndef COMPILER_RULES_H_
+#define COMPILER_RULES_H_
+
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+#include <memory>
+#include "compiler/rule.h"
+
+namespace tree_sitter {
+
+rule_ptr blank();
+rule_ptr choice(const std::vector<rule_ptr> &);
+rule_ptr repeat(const rule_ptr &);
+rule_ptr repeat1(const rule_ptr &);
+rule_ptr seq(const std::vector<rule_ptr> &);
+rule_ptr sym(const std::string &);
+rule_ptr pattern(const std::string &);
+rule_ptr str(const std::string &);
+rule_ptr err(const rule_ptr &);
+rule_ptr prec(int precedence, const rule_ptr &);
+rule_ptr prec_left(const rule_ptr &);
+rule_ptr prec_left(int precedence, const rule_ptr &);
+rule_ptr prec_right(const rule_ptr &);
+rule_ptr prec_right(int precedence, const rule_ptr &);
+rule_ptr token(const rule_ptr &rule);
+
+}  // namespace std
+
+#endif  // COMPILER_RULES_H_
diff --git a/src/compiler/rules/metadata.h b/src/compiler/rules/metadata.h
index 2b22dfea..333cb697 100644
--- a/src/compiler/rules/metadata.h
+++ b/src/compiler/rules/metadata.h
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 
 #include <string>
 #include <map>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
 #include "compiler/rule.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {
diff --git a/src/compiler/rules/rules.cc b/src/compiler/rules/rules.cc
index 49bb7ead..fd354dab 100644
--- a/src/compiler/rules/rules.cc
+++ b/src/compiler/rules/rules.cc
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
 #include <map>
 #include <set>
 #include <string>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
 #include "compiler/rule.h"
+#include "compiler/rules.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/blank.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/named_symbol.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/choice.h"
diff --git a/src/compiler/syntax_grammar.h b/src/compiler/syntax_grammar.h
index 67b36f3e..89745fa5 100644
--- a/src/compiler/syntax_grammar.h
+++ b/src/compiler/syntax_grammar.h
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 #include <vector>
 #include <string>
 #include <set>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/symbol.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/metadata.h"
 #include "compiler/variable.h"
diff --git a/src/compiler/variable.h b/src/compiler/variable.h
index ebdca774..707619f0 100644
--- a/src/compiler/variable.h
+++ b/src/compiler/variable.h
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #define COMPILER_VARIABLE_H_
 
 #include <string>
-#include "tree_sitter/compiler.h"
+#include "compiler/rule.h"
 #include "compiler/rules/symbol.h"
 
 namespace tree_sitter {