VTS employs a layering structure to enable applications to inherit characteristics from other applications. Starting with the base or core VTS layer, users can "stack" application layers in such a way that the last application in the stack inherits the features and functionalities of all the application layers upon which it is based. A complete description of this system can be found in the topic: Application Inheritance and VTS Layers.

The following sections identify the types of applications that can be created using VTS, starting with a description of the core VTS layer – the basis from which all VTS applications (with the exception of script applications) are developed.