Support for saving pointers to fields in the state package.

Previously, it was not possible to encode/decode an object graph which
contained a pointer to a field within another type. This was because the
encoder was previously unable to disambiguate a pointer to an object and a
pointer within the object.

This CL remedies this by constructing an address map tracking the full memory
range object occupy. The encoded Refvalue message has been extended to allow
references to children objects within another object. Because the encoding
process may learn about object structure over time, we cannot encode any
objects under the entire graph has been generated.

This CL also updates the state package to use standard interfaces intead of
reflection-based dispatch in order to improve performance overall. This
includes a custom wire protocol to significantly reduce the number of
allocations and take advantage of structure packing.

As part of these changes, there are a small number of minor changes in other
places of the code base:

* The lists used during encoding are changed to use intrusive lists with the
  objectEncodeState directly, which required that the ilist Len() method is
  updated to work properly with the ElementMapper mechanism.

* A bug is fixed in the list code wherein Remove() called on an element that is
  already removed can corrupt the list (removing the element if there's only a
  single element). Now the behavior is correct.

* Standard error wrapping is introduced.

* Compressio was updated to implement the new wire.Reader and wire.Writer
  inteface methods directly. The lack of a ReadByte and WriteByte caused issues
  not due to interface dispatch, but because underlying slices for a Read or
  Write call through an interface would always escape to the heap!

* Statify has been updated to support the new APIs.

See README.md for a description of how the new mechanism works.

PiperOrigin-RevId: 318010298

40 files changed, 4979 insertions, 2404 deletions

diff --git a/pkg/state/BUILD b/pkg/state/BUILD
index 2b1350135..089b3bbef 100644
--- a/pkg/state/BUILD
+++ b/pkg/state/BUILD
@@ -1,9 +1,47 @@
-load("//tools:defs.bzl", "go_library", "go_test", "proto_library")
+load("//tools:defs.bzl", "go_library")
 load("//tools/go_generics:defs.bzl", "go_template_instance")
 
 package(licenses = ["notice"])
 
 go_template_instance(
+    name = "pending_list",
+    out = "pending_list.go",
+    package = "state",
+    prefix = "pending",
+    template = "//pkg/ilist:generic_list",
+    types = {
+        "Element": "*objectEncodeState",
+        "ElementMapper": "pendingMapper",
+        "Linker": "*pendingEntry",
+    },
+)
+
+go_template_instance(
+    name = "deferred_list",
+    out = "deferred_list.go",
+    package = "state",
+    prefix = "deferred",
+    template = "//pkg/ilist:generic_list",
+    types = {
+        "Element": "*objectEncodeState",
+        "ElementMapper": "deferredMapper",
+        "Linker": "*deferredEntry",
+    },
+)
+
+go_template_instance(
+    name = "complete_list",
+    out = "complete_list.go",
+    package = "state",
+    prefix = "complete",
+    template = "//pkg/ilist:generic_list",
+    types = {
+        "Element": "*objectDecodeState",
+        "Linker": "*objectDecodeState",
+    },
+)
+
+go_template_instance(
     name = "addr_range",
     out = "addr_range.go",
     package = "state",
@@ -29,7 +67,7 @@ go_template_instance(
     types = {
         "Key": "uintptr",
         "Range": "addrRange",
-        "Value": "reflect.Value",
+        "Value": "*objectEncodeState",
         "Functions": "addrSetFunctions",
     },
 )
@@ -39,32 +77,24 @@ go_library(
     srcs = [
         "addr_range.go",
         "addr_set.go",
+        "complete_list.go",
         "decode.go",
+        "decode_unsafe.go",
+        "deferred_list.go",
         "encode.go",
         "encode_unsafe.go",
-        "map.go",
-        "printer.go",
+        "pending_list.go",
         "state.go",
+        "state_norace.go",
+        "state_race.go",
         "stats.go",
+        "types.go",
     ],
     marshal = False,
     stateify = False,
     visibility = ["//:sandbox"],
     deps = [
-        ":object_go_proto",
-        "@com_github_golang_protobuf//proto:go_default_library",
+        "//pkg/log",
+        "//pkg/state/wire",
     ],
 )
-
-proto_library(
-    name = "object",
-    srcs = ["object.proto"],
-    visibility = ["//:sandbox"],
-)
-
-go_test(
-    name = "state_test",
-    timeout = "long",
-    srcs = ["state_test.go"],
-    library = ":state",
-)
diff --git a/pkg/state/README.md b/pkg/state/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1aa401193
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,158 @@
+# State Encoding and Decoding
+
+The state package implements the encoding and decoding of data structures for
+`go_stateify`. This package is designed for use cases other than the standard
+encoding packages, e.g. `gob` and `json`. Principally:
+
+*   This package operates on complex object graphs and accurately serializes and
+    restores all relationships. That is, you can have things like: intrusive
+    pointers, cycles, and pointer chains of arbitrary depths. These are not
+    handled appropriately by existing encoders. This is not an implementation
+    flaw: the formats themselves are not capable of representing these graphs,
+    as they can only generate directed trees.
+
+*   This package allows installing order-dependent load callbacks and then
+    resolves that graph at load time, with cycle detection. Similarly, there is
+    no analogous feature possible in the standard encoders.
+
+*   This package handles the resolution of interfaces, based on a registered
+    type name. For interface objects type information is saved in the serialized
+    format. This is generally true for `gob` as well, but it works differently.
+
+Here's an overview of how encoding and decoding works.
+
+## Encoding
+
+Encoding produces a `statefile`, which contains a list of chunks of the form
+`(header, payload)`. The payload can either be some raw data, or a series of
+encoded wire objects representing some object graph. All encoded objects are
+defined in the `wire` subpackage.
+
+Encoding of an object graph begins with `encodeState.Save`.
+
+### 1. Memory Map & Encoding
+
+To discover relationships between potentially interdependent data structures
+(for example, a struct may contain pointers to members of other data
+structures), the encoder first walks the object graph and constructs a memory
+map of the objects in the input graph. As this walk progresses, objects are
+queued in the `pending` list and items are placed on the `deferred` list as they
+are discovered. No single object will be encoded multiple times, but the
+discovered relationships between objects may change as more parts of the overall
+object graph are discovered.
+
+The encoder starts at the root object and recursively visits all reachable
+objects, recording the address ranges containing the underlying data for each
+object. This is stored as a segment set (`addrSet`), mapping address ranges to
+the of the object occupying the range; see `encodeState.values`. Note that there
+is special handling for zero-sized types and map objects during this process.
+
+Additionally, the encoder assigns each object a unique identifier which is used
+to indicate relationships between objects in the statefile; see `objectID` in
+`encode.go`.
+
+### 2. Type Serialization
+
+The enoder will subsequently serialize all information about discovered types,
+including field names. These are used during decoding to reconcile these types
+with other internally registered types.
+
+### 3. Object Serialization
+
+With a full address map, and all objects correctly encoded, all object encodings
+are serialized. The assigned `objectID`s aren't explicitly encoded in the
+statefile. The order of object messages in the stream determine their IDs.
+
+### Example
+
+Given the following data structure definitions:
+
+```go
+type system struct {
+    o *outer
+    i *inner
+}
+
+type outer struct {
+    a  int64
+    cn *container
+}
+
+type container struct {
+    n    uint64
+    elem *inner
+}
+
+type inner struct {
+    c    container
+    x, y uint64
+}
+```
+
+Initialized like this:
+
+```go
+o := outer{
+    a: 10,
+    cn: nil,
+}
+i := inner{
+    x: 20,
+    y: 30,
+    c: container{},
+}
+s := system{
+    o: &o,
+    i: &i,
+}
+
+o.cn = &i.c
+o.cn.elem = &i
+
+```
+
+Encoding will produce an object stream like this:
+
+```
+g0r1 = struct{
+     i: g0r3,
+     o: g0r2,
+}
+g0r2 = struct{
+     a: 10,
+     cn: g0r3.c,
+}
+g0r3 = struct{
+     c: struct{
+             elem: g0r3,
+             n: 0u,
+     },
+     x: 20u,
+     y: 30u,
+}
+```
+
+Note how `g0r3.c` is correctly encoded as the underlying `container` object for
+`inner.c`, and how the pointer from `outer.cn` points to it, despite `system.i`
+being discovered after the pointer to it in `system.o.cn`. Also note that
+decoding isn't strictly reliant on the order of encoded object stream, as long
+as the relationship between objects are correctly encoded.
+
+## Decoding
+
+Decoding reads the statefile and reconstructs the object graph. Decoding begins
+in `decodeState.Load`. Decoding is performed in a single pass over the object
+stream in the statefile, and a subsequent pass over all deserialized objects is
+done to fire off all loading callbacks in the correctly defined order. Note that
+introducing cycles is possible here, but these are detected and an error will be
+returned.
+
+Decoding is relatively straight forward. For most primitive values, the decoder
+constructs an appropriate object and fills it with the values encoded in the
+statefile. Pointers need special handling, as they must point to a value
+allocated elsewhere. When values are constructed, the decoder indexes them by
+their `objectID`s in `decodeState.objectsByID`. The target of pointers are
+resolved by searching for the target in this index by their `objectID`; see
+`decodeState.register`. For pointers to values inside another value (fields in a
+pointer, elements of an array), the decoder uses the accessor path to walk to
+the appropriate location; see `walkChild`.
diff --git a/pkg/state/decode.go b/pkg/state/decode.go
index 590c241a3..c9971cdf6 100644
--- a/pkg/state/decode.go
+++ b/pkg/state/decode.go
@@ -17,28 +17,49 @@ package state
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
-	"encoding/binary"
-	"errors"
 	"fmt"
-	"io"
+	"math"
 	"reflect"
-	"sort"
 
-	"github.com/golang/protobuf/proto"
-	pb "gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state/object_go_proto"
+	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state/wire"
 )
 
-// objectState represents an object that may be in the process of being
+// internalCallback is a interface called on object completion.
+//
+// There are two implementations: objectDecodeState & userCallback.
+type internalCallback interface {
+	// source returns the dependent object. May be nil.
+	source() *objectDecodeState
+
+	// callbackRun executes the callback.
+	callbackRun()
+}
+
+// userCallback is an implementation of internalCallback.
+type userCallback func()
+
+// source implements internalCallback.source.
+func (userCallback) source() *objectDecodeState {
+	return nil
+}
+
+// callbackRun implements internalCallback.callbackRun.
+func (uc userCallback) callbackRun() {
+	uc()
+}
+
+// objectDecodeState represents an object that may be in the process of being
 // decoded. Specifically, it represents either a decoded object, or an an
 // interest in a future object that will be decoded. When that interest is
 // registered (via register), the storage for the object will be created, but
 // it will not be decoded until the object is encountered in the stream.
-type objectState struct {
+type objectDecodeState struct {
 	// id is the id for this object.
-	//
-	// If this field is zero, then this is an anonymous (unregistered,
-	// non-reference primitive) object. This is immutable.
-	id uint64
+	id objectID
+
+	// typ is the id for this typeID. This may be zero if this is not a
+	// type-registered structure.
+	typ typeID
 
 	// obj is the object. This may or may not be valid yet, depending on
 	// whether complete returns true. However, regardless of whether the
@@ -57,69 +78,52 @@ type objectState struct {
 	// blockedBy is the number of dependencies this object has.
 	blockedBy int
 
-	// blocking is a list of the objects blocked by this one.
-	blocking []*objectState
+	// callbacksInline is inline storage for callbacks.
+	callbacksInline [2]internalCallback
 
 	// callbacks is a set of callbacks to execute on load.
-	callbacks []func()
-
-	// path is the decoding path to the object.
-	path recoverable
-}
-
-// complete indicates the object is complete.
-func (os *objectState) complete() bool {
-	return os.blockedBy == 0 && len(os.callbacks) == 0
-}
-
-// checkComplete checks for completion. If the object is complete, pending
-// callbacks will be executed and checkComplete will be called on downstream
-// objects (those depending on this one).
-func (os *objectState) checkComplete(stats *Stats) {
-	if os.blockedBy > 0 {
-		return
-	}
-	stats.Start(os.obj)
+	callbacks []internalCallback
 
-	// Fire all callbacks.
-	for _, fn := range os.callbacks {
-		fn()
-	}
-	os.callbacks = nil
-
-	// Clear all blocked objects.
-	for _, other := range os.blocking {
-		other.blockedBy--
-		other.checkComplete(stats)
-	}
-	os.blocking = nil
-	stats.Done()
+	completeEntry
 }
 
-// waitFor queues a dependency on the given object.
-func (os *objectState) waitFor(other *objectState, callback func()) {
-	os.blockedBy++
-	other.blocking = append(other.blocking, os)
-	if callback != nil {
-		other.callbacks = append(other.callbacks, callback)
+// addCallback adds a callback to the objectDecodeState.
+func (ods *objectDecodeState) addCallback(ic internalCallback) {
+	if ods.callbacks == nil {
+		ods.callbacks = ods.callbacksInline[:0]
 	}
+	ods.callbacks = append(ods.callbacks, ic)
 }
 
 // findCycleFor returns when the given object is found in the blocking set.
-func (os *objectState) findCycleFor(target *objectState) []*objectState {
-	for _, other := range os.blocking {
-		if other == target {
-			return []*objectState{target}
+func (ods *objectDecodeState) findCycleFor(target *objectDecodeState) []*objectDecodeState {
+	for _, ic := range ods.callbacks {
+		other := ic.source()
+		if other != nil && other == target {
+			return []*objectDecodeState{target}
 		} else if childList := other.findCycleFor(target); childList != nil {
 			return append(childList, other)
 		}
 	}
-	return nil
+
+	// This should not occur.
+	Failf("no deadlock found?")
+	panic("unreachable")
 }
 
 // findCycle finds a dependency cycle.
-func (os *objectState) findCycle() []*objectState {
-	return append(os.findCycleFor(os), os)
+func (ods *objectDecodeState) findCycle() []*objectDecodeState {
+	return append(ods.findCycleFor(ods), ods)
+}
+
+// source implements internalCallback.source.
+func (ods *objectDecodeState) source() *objectDecodeState {
+	return ods
+}
+
+// callbackRun implements internalCallback.callbackRun.
+func (ods *objectDecodeState) callbackRun() {
+	ods.blockedBy--
 }
 
 // decodeState is a graph of objects in the process of being decoded.
@@ -137,30 +141,66 @@ type decodeState struct {
 	// ctx is the decode context.
 	ctx context.Context
 
+	// r is the input stream.
+	r wire.Reader
+
+	// types is the type database.
+	types typeDecodeDatabase
+
 	// objectByID is the set of objects in progress.
-	objectsByID map[uint64]*objectState
+	objectsByID []*objectDecodeState
 
 	// deferred are objects that have been read, by no interest has been
 	// registered yet. These will be decoded once interest in registered.
-	deferred map[uint64]*pb.Object
+	deferred map[objectID]wire.Object
 
-	// outstanding is the number of outstanding objects.
-	outstanding uint32
+	// pending is the set of objects that are not yet complete.
+	pending completeList
 
-	// r is the input stream.
-	r io.Reader
-
-	// stats is the passed stats object.
-	stats *Stats
-
-	// recoverable is the panic recover facility.
-	recoverable
+	// stats tracks time data.
+	stats Stats
 }
 
 // lookup looks up an object in decodeState or returns nil if no such object
 // has been previously registered.
-func (ds *decodeState) lookup(id uint64) *objectState {
-	return ds.objectsByID[id]
+func (ds *decodeState) lookup(id objectID) *objectDecodeState {
+	if len(ds.objectsByID) < int(id) {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return ds.objectsByID[id-1]
+}
+
+// checkComplete checks for completion.
+func (ds *decodeState) checkComplete(ods *objectDecodeState) bool {
+	// Still blocked?
+	if ods.blockedBy > 0 {
+		return false
+	}
+
+	// Track stats if relevant.
+	if ods.callbacks != nil && ods.typ != 0 {
+		ds.stats.start(ods.typ)
+		defer ds.stats.done()
+	}
+
+	// Fire all callbacks.
+	for _, ic := range ods.callbacks {
+		ic.callbackRun()
+	}
+
+	// Mark completed.
+	cbs := ods.callbacks
+	ods.callbacks = nil
+	ds.pending.Remove(ods)
+
+	// Recursively check others.
+	for _, ic := range cbs {
+		if other := ic.source(); other != nil && other.blockedBy == 0 {
+			ds.checkComplete(other)
+		}
+	}
+
+	return true // All set.
 }
 
 // wait registers a dependency on an object.
@@ -168,11 +208,8 @@ func (ds *decodeState) lookup(id uint64) *objectState {
 // As a special case, we always allow _useable_ references back to the first
 // decoding object because it may have fields that are already decoded. We also
 // allow trivial self reference, since they can be handled internally.
-func (ds *decodeState) wait(waiter *objectState, id uint64, callback func()) {
+func (ds *decodeState) wait(waiter *objectDecodeState, id objectID, callback func()) {
 	switch id {
-	case 0:
-		// Nil pointer; nothing to wait for.
-		fallthrough
 	case waiter.id:
 		// Trivial self reference.
 		fallthrough
@@ -184,107 +221,188 @@ func (ds *decodeState) wait(waiter *objectState, id uint64, callback func()) {
 		return
 	}
 
+	// Mark as blocked.
+	waiter.blockedBy++
+
 	// No nil can be returned here.
-	waiter.waitFor(ds.lookup(id), callback)
+	other := ds.lookup(id)
+	if callback != nil {
+		// Add the additional user callback.
+		other.addCallback(userCallback(callback))
+	}
+
+	// Mark waiter as unblocked.
+	other.addCallback(waiter)
 }
 
 // waitObject notes a blocking relationship.
-func (ds *decodeState) waitObject(os *objectState, p *pb.Object, callback func()) {
-	if rv, ok := p.Value.(*pb.Object_RefValue); ok {
+func (ds *decodeState) waitObject(ods *objectDecodeState, encoded wire.Object, callback func()) {
+	if rv, ok := encoded.(*wire.Ref); ok && rv.Root != 0 {
 		// Refs can encode pointers and maps.
-		ds.wait(os, rv.RefValue, callback)
-	} else if sv, ok := p.Value.(*pb.Object_SliceValue); ok {
+		ds.wait(ods, objectID(rv.Root), callback)
+	} else if sv, ok := encoded.(*wire.Slice); ok && sv.Ref.Root != 0 {
 		// See decodeObject; we need to wait for the array (if non-nil).
-		ds.wait(os, sv.SliceValue.RefValue, callback)
-	} else if iv, ok := p.Value.(*pb.Object_InterfaceValue); ok {
+		ds.wait(ods, objectID(sv.Ref.Root), callback)
+	} else if iv, ok := encoded.(*wire.Interface); ok {
 		// It's an interface (wait recurisvely).
-		ds.waitObject(os, iv.InterfaceValue.Value, callback)
+		ds.waitObject(ods, iv.Value, callback)
 	} else if callback != nil {
 		// Nothing to wait for: execute the callback immediately.
 		callback()
 	}
 }
 
+// walkChild returns a child object from obj, given an accessor path. This is
+// the decode-side equivalent to traverse in encode.go.
+//
+// For the purposes of this function, a child object is either a field within a
+// struct or an array element, with one such indirection per element in
+// path. The returned value may be an unexported field, so it may not be
+// directly assignable. See unsafePointerTo.
+func walkChild(path []wire.Dot, obj reflect.Value) reflect.Value {
+	// See wire.Ref.Dots. The path here is specified in reverse order.
+	for i := len(path) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
+		switch pc := path[i].(type) {
+		case *wire.FieldName: // Must be a pointer.
+			if obj.Kind() != reflect.Struct {
+				Failf("next component in child path is a field name, but the current object is not a struct. Path: %v, current obj: %#v", path, obj)
+			}
+			obj = obj.FieldByName(string(*pc))
+		case wire.Index: // Embedded.
+			if obj.Kind() != reflect.Array {
+				Failf("next component in child path is an array index, but the current object is not an array. Path: %v, current obj: %#v", path, obj)
+			}
+			obj = obj.Index(int(pc))
+		default:
+			panic("unreachable: switch should be exhaustive")
+		}
+	}
+	return obj
+}
+
 // register registers a decode with a type.
 //
 // This type is only used to instantiate a new object if it has not been
-// registered previously.
-func (ds *decodeState) register(id uint64, typ reflect.Type) *objectState {
-	os, ok := ds.objectsByID[id]
-	if ok {
-		return os
+// registered previously. This depends on the type provided if none is
+// available in the object itself.
+func (ds *decodeState) register(r *wire.Ref, typ reflect.Type) reflect.Value {
+	// Grow the objectsByID slice.
+	id := objectID(r.Root)
+	if len(ds.objectsByID) < int(id) {
+		ds.objectsByID = append(ds.objectsByID, make([]*objectDecodeState, int(id)-len(ds.objectsByID))...)
+	}
+
+	// Does this object already exist?
+	ods := ds.objectsByID[id-1]
+	if ods != nil {
+		return walkChild(r.Dots, ods.obj)
+	}
+
+	// Create the object.
+	if len(r.Dots) != 0 {
+		typ = ds.findType(r.Type)
 	}
+	v := reflect.New(typ)
+	ods = &objectDecodeState{
+		id:  id,
+		obj: v.Elem(),
+	}
+	ds.objectsByID[id-1] = ods
+	ds.pending.PushBack(ods)
 
-	// Record in the object index.
-	if typ.Kind() == reflect.Map {
-		os = &objectState{id: id, obj: reflect.MakeMap(typ), path: ds.recoverable.copy()}
-	} else {
-		os = &objectState{id: id, obj: reflect.New(typ).Elem(), path: ds.recoverable.copy()}
+	// Process any deferred objects & callbacks.
+	if encoded, ok := ds.deferred[id]; ok {
+		delete(ds.deferred, id)
+		ds.decodeObject(ods, ods.obj, encoded)
 	}
-	ds.objectsByID[id] = os
 
-	if o, ok := ds.deferred[id]; ok {
-		// There is a deferred object.
-		delete(ds.deferred, id) // Free memory.
-		ds.decodeObject(os, os.obj, o, "", nil)
-	} else {
-		// There is no deferred object.
-		ds.outstanding++
+	return walkChild(r.Dots, ods.obj)
+}
+
+// objectDecoder is for decoding structs.
+type objectDecoder struct {
+	// ds is decodeState.
+	ds *decodeState
+
+	// ods is current object being decoded.
+	ods *objectDecodeState
+
+	// reconciledTypeEntry is the reconciled type information.
+	rte *reconciledTypeEntry
+
+	// encoded is the encoded object state.
+	encoded *wire.Struct
+}
+
+// load is helper for the public methods on Source.
+func (od *objectDecoder) load(slot int, objPtr reflect.Value, wait bool, fn func()) {
+	// Note that we have reconciled the type and may remap the fields here
+	// to match what's expected by the decoder. The "slot" parameter here
+	// is in terms of the local type, where the fields in the encoded
+	// object are in terms of the wire object's type, which might be in a
+	// different order (but will have the same fields).
+	v := *od.encoded.Field(od.rte.FieldOrder[slot])
+	od.ds.decodeObject(od.ods, objPtr.Elem(), v)
+	if wait {
+		// Mark this individual object a blocker.
+		od.ds.waitObject(od.ods, v, fn)
 	}
+}
 
-	return os
+// aterLoad implements Source.AfterLoad.
+func (od *objectDecoder) afterLoad(fn func()) {
+	// Queue the local callback; this will execute when all of the above
+	// data dependencies have been cleared.
+	od.ods.addCallback(userCallback(fn))
 }
 
 // decodeStruct decodes a struct value.
-func (ds *decodeState) decodeStruct(os *objectState, obj reflect.Value, s *pb.Struct) {
-	// Set the fields.
-	m := Map{newInternalMap(nil, ds, os)}
-	defer internalMapPool.Put(m.internalMap)
-	for _, field := range s.Fields {
-		m.data = append(m.data, entry{
-			name:   field.Name,
-			object: field.Value,
-		})
-	}
-
-	// Sort the fields for efficient searching.
-	//
-	// Technically, these should already appear in sorted order in the
-	// state ordering, so this cost is effectively a single scan to ensure
-	// that the order is correct.
-	if len(m.data) > 1 {
-		sort.Slice(m.data, func(i, j int) bool {
-			return m.data[i].name < m.data[j].name
-		})
-	}
-
-	// Invoke the load; this will recursively decode other objects.
-	fns, ok := registeredTypes.lookupFns(obj.Addr().Type())
-	if ok {
-		// Invoke the loader.
-		fns.invokeLoad(obj.Addr(), m)
-	} else if obj.NumField() == 0 {
-		// Allow anonymous empty structs.
-		return
-	} else {
+func (ds *decodeState) decodeStruct(ods *objectDecodeState, obj reflect.Value, encoded *wire.Struct) {
+	if encoded.TypeID == 0 {
+		// Allow anonymous empty structs, but only if the encoded
+		// object also has no fields.
+		if encoded.Fields() == 0 && obj.NumField() == 0 {
+			return
+		}
+
 		// Propagate an error.
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("unregistered type %s", obj.Type()))
+		Failf("empty struct on wire %#v has field mismatch with type %q", encoded, obj.Type().Name())
+	}
+
+	// Lookup the object type.
+	rte := ds.types.Lookup(typeID(encoded.TypeID), obj.Type())
+	ods.typ = typeID(encoded.TypeID)
+
+	// Invoke the loader.
+	od := objectDecoder{
+		ds:      ds,
+		ods:     ods,
+		rte:     rte,
+		encoded: encoded,
+	}
+	ds.stats.start(ods.typ)
+	defer ds.stats.done()
+	if sl, ok := obj.Addr().Interface().(SaverLoader); ok {
+		// Note: may be a registered empty struct which does not
+		// implement the saver/loader interfaces.
+		sl.StateLoad(Source{internal: od})
 	}
 }
 
 // decodeMap decodes a map value.
-func (ds *decodeState) decodeMap(os *objectState, obj reflect.Value, m *pb.Map) {
+func (ds *decodeState) decodeMap(ods *objectDecodeState, obj reflect.Value, encoded *wire.Map) {
 	if obj.IsNil() {
+		// See pointerTo.
 		obj.Set(reflect.MakeMap(obj.Type()))
 	}
-	for i := 0; i < len(m.Keys); i++ {
+	for i := 0; i < len(encoded.Keys); i++ {
 		// Decode the objects.
 		kv := reflect.New(obj.Type().Key()).Elem()
 		vv := reflect.New(obj.Type().Elem()).Elem()
-		ds.decodeObject(os, kv, m.Keys[i], ".(key %d)", i)
-		ds.decodeObject(os, vv, m.Values[i], "[%#v]", kv.Interface())
-		ds.waitObject(os, m.Keys[i], nil)
-		ds.waitObject(os, m.Values[i], nil)
+		ds.decodeObject(ods, kv, encoded.Keys[i])
+		ds.decodeObject(ods, vv, encoded.Values[i])
+		ds.waitObject(ods, encoded.Keys[i], nil)
+		ds.waitObject(ods, encoded.Values[i], nil)
 
 		// Set in the map.
 		obj.SetMapIndex(kv, vv)
@@ -292,271 +410,294 @@ func (ds *decodeState) decodeMap(os *objectState, obj reflect.Value, m *pb.Map)
 }
 
 // decodeArray decodes an array value.
-func (ds *decodeState) decodeArray(os *objectState, obj reflect.Value, a *pb.Array) {
-	if len(a.Contents) != obj.Len() {
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("mismatching array length expect=%d, actual=%d", obj.Len(), len(a.Contents)))
+func (ds *decodeState) decodeArray(ods *objectDecodeState, obj reflect.Value, encoded *wire.Array) {
+	if len(encoded.Contents) != obj.Len() {
+		Failf("mismatching array length expect=%d, actual=%d", obj.Len(), len(encoded.Contents))
 	}
 	// Decode the contents into the array.
-	for i := 0; i < len(a.Contents); i++ {
-		ds.decodeObject(os, obj.Index(i), a.Contents[i], "[%d]", i)
-		ds.waitObject(os, a.Contents[i], nil)
+	for i := 0; i < len(encoded.Contents); i++ {
+		ds.decodeObject(ods, obj.Index(i), encoded.Contents[i])
+		ds.waitObject(ods, encoded.Contents[i], nil)
 	}
 }
 
-// decodeInterface decodes an interface value.
-func (ds *decodeState) decodeInterface(os *objectState, obj reflect.Value, i *pb.Interface) {
-	// Is this a nil value?
-	if i.Type == "" {
-		return // Just leave obj alone.
+// findType finds the type for the given wire.TypeSpecs.
+func (ds *decodeState) findType(t wire.TypeSpec) reflect.Type {
+	switch x := t.(type) {
+	case wire.TypeID:
+		typ := ds.types.LookupType(typeID(x))
+		rte := ds.types.Lookup(typeID(x), typ)
+		return rte.LocalType
+	case *wire.TypeSpecPointer:
+		return reflect.PtrTo(ds.findType(x.Type))
+	case *wire.TypeSpecArray:
+		return reflect.ArrayOf(int(x.Count), ds.findType(x.Type))
+	case *wire.TypeSpecSlice:
+		return reflect.SliceOf(ds.findType(x.Type))
+	case *wire.TypeSpecMap:
+		return reflect.MapOf(ds.findType(x.Key), ds.findType(x.Value))
+	default:
+		// Should not happen.
+		Failf("unknown type %#v", t)
 	}
+	panic("unreachable")
+}
 
-	// Get the dispatchable type. This may not be used if the given
-	// reference has already been resolved, but if not we need to know the
-	// type to create.
-	t, ok := registeredTypes.lookupType(i.Type)
-	if !ok {
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("no valid type for %q", i.Type))
+// decodeInterface decodes an interface value.
+func (ds *decodeState) decodeInterface(ods *objectDecodeState, obj reflect.Value, encoded *wire.Interface) {
+	if _, ok := encoded.Type.(wire.TypeSpecNil); ok {
+		// Special case; the nil object. Just decode directly, which
+		// will read nil from the wire (if encoded correctly).
+		ds.decodeObject(ods, obj, encoded.Value)
+		return
 	}
 
-	if obj.Kind() != reflect.Map {
-		// Set the obj to be the given typed value; this actually sets
-		// obj to be a non-zero value -- namely, it inserts type
-		// information. There's no need to do this for maps.
-		obj.Set(reflect.Zero(t))
+	// We now need to resolve the actual type.
+	typ := ds.findType(encoded.Type)
+
+	// We need to imbue type information here, then we can proceed to
+	// decode normally. In order to avoid issues with setting value-types,
+	// we create a new non-interface version of this object. We will then
+	// set the interface object to be equal to whatever we decode.
+	origObj := obj
+	obj = reflect.New(typ).Elem()
+	defer origObj.Set(obj)
+
+	// With the object now having sufficient type information to actually
+	// have Set called on it, we can proceed to decode the value.
+	ds.decodeObject(ods, obj, encoded.Value)
+}
+
+// isFloatEq determines if x and y represent the same value.
+func isFloatEq(x float64, y float64) bool {
+	switch {
+	case math.IsNaN(x):
+		return math.IsNaN(y)
+	case math.IsInf(x, 1):
+		return math.IsInf(y, 1)
+	case math.IsInf(x, -1):
+		return math.IsInf(y, -1)
+	default:
+		return x == y
 	}
+}
 
-	// Decode the dereferenced element; there is no need to wait here, as
-	// the interface object shares the current object state.
-	ds.decodeObject(os, obj, i.Value, ".(%s)", i.Type)
+// isComplexEq determines if x and y represent the same value.
+func isComplexEq(x complex128, y complex128) bool {
+	return isFloatEq(real(x), real(y)) && isFloatEq(imag(x), imag(y))
 }
 
 // decodeObject decodes a object value.
-func (ds *decodeState) decodeObject(os *objectState, obj reflect.Value, object *pb.Object, format string, param interface{}) {
-	ds.push(false, format, param)
-	ds.stats.Add(obj)
-	ds.stats.Start(obj)
-
-	switch x := object.GetValue().(type) {
-	case *pb.Object_BoolValue:
-		obj.SetBool(x.BoolValue)
-	case *pb.Object_StringValue:
-		obj.SetString(string(x.StringValue))
-	case *pb.Object_Int64Value:
-		obj.SetInt(x.Int64Value)
-		if obj.Int() != x.Int64Value {
-			panic(fmt.Errorf("signed integer truncated in %v for %s", object, obj.Type()))
+func (ds *decodeState) decodeObject(ods *objectDecodeState, obj reflect.Value, encoded wire.Object) {
+	switch x := encoded.(type) {
+	case wire.Nil: // Fast path: first.
+		// We leave obj alone here. That's because if obj represents an
+		// interface, it may have been imbued with type information in
+		// decodeInterface, and we don't want to destroy that.
+	case *wire.Ref:
+		// Nil pointers may be encoded in a "forceValue" context. For
+		// those we just leave it alone as the value will already be
+		// correct (nil).
+		if id := objectID(x.Root); id == 0 {
+			return
 		}
-	case *pb.Object_Uint64Value:
-		obj.SetUint(x.Uint64Value)
-		if obj.Uint() != x.Uint64Value {
-			panic(fmt.Errorf("unsigned integer truncated in %v for %s", object, obj.Type()))
-		}
-	case *pb.Object_DoubleValue:
-		obj.SetFloat(x.DoubleValue)
-		if obj.Float() != x.DoubleValue {
-			panic(fmt.Errorf("float truncated in %v for %s", object, obj.Type()))
-		}
-	case *pb.Object_RefValue:
-		// Resolve the pointer itself, even though the object may not
-		// be decoded yet. You need to use wait() in order to ensure
-		// that is the case. See wait above, and Map.Barrier.
-		if id := x.RefValue; id != 0 {
-			// Decoding the interface should have imparted type
-			// information, so from this point it's safe to resolve
-			// and use this dynamic information for actually
-			// creating the object in register.
-			//
-			// (For non-interfaces this is a no-op).
-			dyntyp := reflect.TypeOf(obj.Interface())
-			if dyntyp.Kind() == reflect.Map {
-				// Remove the map object count here to avoid
-				// double counting, as this object will be
-				// counted again when it gets processed later.
-				// We do not add a reference count as the
-				// reference is artificial.
-				ds.stats.Remove(obj)
-				obj.Set(ds.register(id, dyntyp).obj)
-			} else if dyntyp.Kind() == reflect.Ptr {
-				ds.push(true /* dereference */, "", nil)
-				obj.Set(ds.register(id, dyntyp.Elem()).obj.Addr())
-				ds.pop()
-			} else {
-				obj.Set(ds.register(id, dyntyp.Elem()).obj.Addr())
+
+		// Note that if this is a map type, we go through a level of
+		// indirection to allow for map aliasing.
+		if obj.Kind() == reflect.Map {
+			v := ds.register(x, obj.Type())
+			if v.IsNil() {
+				// Note that we don't want to clobber the map
+				// if has already been decoded by decodeMap. We
+				// just make it so that we have a consistent
+				// reference when that eventually does happen.
+				v.Set(reflect.MakeMap(v.Type()))
 			}
-		} else {
-			// We leave obj alone here. That's because if obj
-			// represents an interface, it may have been embued
-			// with type information in decodeInterface, and we
-			// don't want to destroy that information.
+			obj.Set(v)
+			return
 		}
-	case *pb.Object_SliceValue:
-		// It's okay to slice the array here, since the contents will
-		// still be provided later on. These semantics are a bit
-		// strange but they are handled in the Map.Barrier properly.
-		//
-		// The special semantics of zero ref apply here too.
-		if id := x.SliceValue.RefValue; id != 0 && x.SliceValue.Capacity > 0 {
-			v := reflect.ArrayOf(int(x.SliceValue.Capacity), obj.Type().Elem())
-			obj.Set(ds.register(id, v).obj.Slice3(0, int(x.SliceValue.Length), int(x.SliceValue.Capacity)))
+
+		// Normal assignment: authoritative only if no dots.
+		v := ds.register(x, obj.Type().Elem())
+		if v.IsValid() {
+			obj.Set(unsafePointerTo(v))
 		}
-	case *pb.Object_ArrayValue:
-		ds.decodeArray(os, obj, x.ArrayValue)
-	case *pb.Object_StructValue:
-		ds.decodeStruct(os, obj, x.StructValue)
-	case *pb.Object_MapValue:
-		ds.decodeMap(os, obj, x.MapValue)
-	case *pb.Object_InterfaceValue:
-		ds.decodeInterface(os, obj, x.InterfaceValue)
-	case *pb.Object_ByteArrayValue:
-		copyArray(obj, reflect.ValueOf(x.ByteArrayValue))
-	case *pb.Object_Uint16ArrayValue:
-		// 16-bit slices are serialized as 32-bit slices.
-		// See object.proto for details.
-		s := x.Uint16ArrayValue.Values
-		t := obj.Slice(0, obj.Len()).Interface().([]uint16)
-		if len(t) != len(s) {
-			panic(fmt.Errorf("mismatching array length expect=%d, actual=%d", len(t), len(s)))
+	case wire.Bool:
+		obj.SetBool(bool(x))
+	case wire.Int:
+		obj.SetInt(int64(x))
+		if obj.Int() != int64(x) {
+			Failf("signed integer truncated from %v to %v", int64(x), obj.Int())
 		}
-		for i := range s {
-			t[i] = uint16(s[i])
+	case wire.Uint:
+		obj.SetUint(uint64(x))
+		if obj.Uint() != uint64(x) {
+			Failf("unsigned integer truncated from %v to %v", uint64(x), obj.Uint())
 		}
-	case *pb.Object_Uint32ArrayValue:
-		copyArray(obj, reflect.ValueOf(x.Uint32ArrayValue.Values))
-	case *pb.Object_Uint64ArrayValue:
-		copyArray(obj, reflect.ValueOf(x.Uint64ArrayValue.Values))
-	case *pb.Object_UintptrArrayValue:
-		copyArray(obj, castSlice(reflect.ValueOf(x.UintptrArrayValue.Values), reflect.TypeOf(uintptr(0))))
-	case *pb.Object_Int8ArrayValue:
-		copyArray(obj, castSlice(reflect.ValueOf(x.Int8ArrayValue.Values), reflect.TypeOf(int8(0))))
-	case *pb.Object_Int16ArrayValue:
-		// 16-bit slices are serialized as 32-bit slices.
-		// See object.proto for details.
-		s := x.Int16ArrayValue.Values
-		t := obj.Slice(0, obj.Len()).Interface().([]int16)
-		if len(t) != len(s) {
-			panic(fmt.Errorf("mismatching array length expect=%d, actual=%d", len(t), len(s)))
+	case wire.Float32:
+		obj.SetFloat(float64(x))
+	case wire.Float64:
+		obj.SetFloat(float64(x))
+		if !isFloatEq(obj.Float(), float64(x)) {
+			Failf("floating point number truncated from %v to %v", float64(x), obj.Float())
 		}
-		for i := range s {
-			t[i] = int16(s[i])
+	case *wire.Complex64:
+		obj.SetComplex(complex128(*x))
+	case *wire.Complex128:
+		obj.SetComplex(complex128(*x))
+		if !isComplexEq(obj.Complex(), complex128(*x)) {
+			Failf("complex number truncated from %v to %v", complex128(*x), obj.Complex())
 		}
-	case *pb.Object_Int32ArrayValue:
-		copyArray(obj, reflect.ValueOf(x.Int32ArrayValue.Values))
-	case *pb.Object_Int64ArrayValue:
-		copyArray(obj, reflect.ValueOf(x.Int64ArrayValue.Values))
-	case *pb.Object_BoolArrayValue:
-		copyArray(obj, reflect.ValueOf(x.BoolArrayValue.Values))
-	case *pb.Object_Float64ArrayValue:
-		copyArray(obj, reflect.ValueOf(x.Float64ArrayValue.Values))
-	case *pb.Object_Float32ArrayValue:
-		copyArray(obj, reflect.ValueOf(x.Float32ArrayValue.Values))
+	case *wire.String:
+		obj.SetString(string(*x))
+	case *wire.Slice:
+		// See *wire.Ref above; same applies.
+		if id := objectID(x.Ref.Root); id == 0 {
+			return
+		}
+		// Note that it's fine to slice the array here and assume that
+		// contents will still be filled in later on.
+		typ := reflect.ArrayOf(int(x.Capacity), obj.Type().Elem()) // The object type.
+		v := ds.register(&x.Ref, typ)
+		obj.Set(v.Slice3(0, int(x.Length), int(x.Capacity)))
+	case *wire.Array:
+		ds.decodeArray(ods, obj, x)
+	case *wire.Struct:
+		ds.decodeStruct(ods, obj, x)
+	case *wire.Map:
+		ds.decodeMap(ods, obj, x)
+	case *wire.Interface:
+		ds.decodeInterface(ods, obj, x)
 	default:
 		// Shoud not happen, not propagated as an error.
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("unknown object %v for %s", object, obj.Type()))
-	}
-
-	ds.stats.Done()
-	ds.pop()
-}
-
-func copyArray(dest reflect.Value, src reflect.Value) {
-	if dest.Len() != src.Len() {
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("mismatching array length expect=%d, actual=%d", dest.Len(), src.Len()))
+		Failf("unknown object %#v for %q", encoded, obj.Type().Name())
 	}
-	reflect.Copy(dest, castSlice(src, dest.Type().Elem()))
 }
 
-// Deserialize deserializes the object state.
+// Load deserializes the object graph rooted at obj.
 //
 // This function may panic and should be run in safely().
-func (ds *decodeState) Deserialize(obj reflect.Value) {
-	ds.objectsByID[1] = &objectState{id: 1, obj: obj, path: ds.recoverable.copy()}
-	ds.outstanding = 1 // The root object.
+func (ds *decodeState) Load(obj reflect.Value) {
+	ds.stats.init()
+	defer ds.stats.fini(func(id typeID) string {
+		return ds.types.LookupName(id)
+	})
+
+	// Create the root object.
+	ds.objectsByID = append(ds.objectsByID, &objectDecodeState{
+		id:  1,
+		obj: obj,
+	})
+
+	// Read the number of objects.
+	lastID, object, err := ReadHeader(ds.r)
+	if err != nil {
+		Failf("header error: %w", err)
+	}
+	if !object {
+		Failf("object missing")
+	}
+
+	// Decode all objects.
+	var (
+		encoded wire.Object
+		ods     *objectDecodeState
+		id      = objectID(1)
+		tid     = typeID(1)
+	)
+	if err := safely(func() {
+		// Decode all objects in the stream.
+		//
+		// Note that the structure of this decoding loop should match
+		// the raw decoding loop in printer.go.
+		for id <= objectID(lastID) {
+			// Unmarshal the object.
+			encoded = wire.Load(ds.r)
+
+			// Is this a type object? Handle inline.
+			if wt, ok := encoded.(*wire.Type); ok {
+				ds.types.Register(wt)
+				tid++
+				encoded = nil
+				continue
+			}
 
-	// Decode all objects in the stream.
-	//
-	// See above, we never process objects while we have no outstanding
-	// interests (other than the very first object).
-	for id := uint64(1); ds.outstanding > 0; id++ {
-		os := ds.lookup(id)
-		ds.stats.Start(os.obj)
-
-		o, err := ds.readObject()
-		if err != nil {
-			panic(err)
-		}
+			// Actually resolve the object.
+			ods = ds.lookup(id)
+			if ods != nil {
+				// Decode the object.
+				ds.decodeObject(ods, ods.obj, encoded)
+			} else {
+				// If an object hasn't had interest registered
+				// previously or isn't yet valid, we deferred
+				// decoding until interest is registered.
+				ds.deferred[id] = encoded
+			}
 
-		if os != nil {
-			// Decode the object.
-			ds.from = &os.path
-			ds.decodeObject(os, os.obj, o, "", nil)
-			ds.outstanding--
+			// For error handling.
+			ods = nil
+			encoded = nil
+			id++
+		}
+	}); err != nil {
+		// Include as much information as we can, taking into account
+		// the possible state transitions above.
+		if ods != nil {
+			Failf("error decoding object ID %d (%T) from %#v: %w", id, ods.obj.Interface(), encoded, err)
+		} else if encoded != nil {
+			Failf("lookup error decoding object ID %d from %#v: %w", id, encoded, err)
 		} else {
-			// If an object hasn't had interest registered
-			// previously, we deferred decoding until interest is
-			// registered.
-			ds.deferred[id] = o
+			Failf("general decoding error: %w", err)
 		}
-
-		ds.stats.Done()
-	}
-
-	// Check the zero-length header at the end.
-	length, object, err := ReadHeader(ds.r)
-	if err != nil {
-		panic(err)
-	}
-	if length != 0 {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("expected zero-length terminal, got %d", length))
-	}
-	if object {
-		panic("expected non-object terminal")
 	}
 
 	// Check if we have any deferred objects.
-	if count := len(ds.deferred); count > 0 {
-		// Shoud not happen, not propagated as an error.
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("still have %d deferred objects", count))
-	}
-
-	// Scan and fire all callbacks.
-	for _, os := range ds.objectsByID {
-		os.checkComplete(ds.stats)
+	for id, encoded := range ds.deferred {
+		// Shoud never happen, the graph was bogus.
+		Failf("still have deferred objects: one is ID %d, %#v", id, encoded)
 	}
 
-	// Check if we have any remaining dependency cycles.
-	for _, os := range ds.objectsByID {
-		if !os.complete() {
-			// This must be the result of a dependency cycle.
-			cycle := os.findCycle()
-			var buf bytes.Buffer
-			buf.WriteString("dependency cycle: {")
-			for i, cycleOS := range cycle {
-				if i > 0 {
-					buf.WriteString(" => ")
+	// Scan and fire all callbacks. We iterate over the list of incomplete
+	// objects until all have been finished. We stop iterating if no
+	// objects become complete (there is a dependency cycle).
+	//
+	// Note that we iterate backwards here, because there will be a strong
+	// tendendcy for blocking relationships to go from earlier objects to
+	// later (deeper) objects in the graph. This will reduce the number of
+	// iterations required to finish all objects.
+	if err := safely(func() {
+		for ds.pending.Back() != nil {
+			thisCycle := false
+			for ods = ds.pending.Back(); ods != nil; {
+				if ds.checkComplete(ods) {
+					thisCycle = true
+					break
 				}
-				buf.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("%s", cycleOS.obj.Type()))
+				ods = ods.Prev()
+			}
+			if !thisCycle {
+				break
 			}
-			buf.WriteString("}")
-			// Panic as an error; propagate to the caller.
-			panic(errors.New(string(buf.Bytes())))
 		}
-	}
-}
-
-type byteReader struct {
-	io.Reader
-}
-
-// ReadByte implements io.ByteReader.
-func (br byteReader) ReadByte() (byte, error) {
-	var b [1]byte
-	n, err := br.Reader.Read(b[:])
-	if n > 0 {
-		return b[0], nil
-	} else if err != nil {
-		return 0, err
-	} else {
-		return 0, io.ErrUnexpectedEOF
+	}); err != nil {
+		Failf("error executing callbacks for %#v: %w", ods.obj.Interface(), err)
+	}
+
+	// Check if we have any remaining dependency cycles. If there are any
+	// objects left in the pending list, then it must be due to a cycle.
+	if ods := ds.pending.Front(); ods != nil {
+		// This must be the result of a dependency cycle.
+		cycle := ods.findCycle()
+		var buf bytes.Buffer
+		buf.WriteString("dependency cycle: {")
+		for i, cycleOS := range cycle {
+			if i > 0 {
+				buf.WriteString(" => ")
+			}
+			fmt.Fprintf(&buf, "%q", cycleOS.obj.Type())
+		}
+		buf.WriteString("}")
+		Failf("incomplete graph: %s", string(buf.Bytes()))
 	}
 }
 
@@ -565,45 +706,20 @@ func (br byteReader) ReadByte() (byte, error) {
 // Each object written to the statefile is prefixed with a header. See
 // WriteHeader for more information; these functions are exported to allow
 // non-state writes to the file to play nice with debugging tools.
-func ReadHeader(r io.Reader) (length uint64, object bool, err error) {
+func ReadHeader(r wire.Reader) (length uint64, object bool, err error) {
 	// Read the header.
-	length, err = binary.ReadUvarint(byteReader{r})
+	err = safely(func() {
+		length = wire.LoadUint(r)
+	})
 	if err != nil {
-		return
+		// On the header, pass raw I/O errors.
+		if sErr, ok := err.(*ErrState); ok {
+			return 0, false, sErr.Unwrap()
+		}
 	}
 
 	// Decode whether the object is valid.
-	object = length&0x1 != 0
-	length = length >> 1
+	object = length&objectFlag != 0
+	length &^= objectFlag
 	return
 }
-
-// readObject reads an object from the stream.
-func (ds *decodeState) readObject() (*pb.Object, error) {
-	// Read the header.
-	length, object, err := ReadHeader(ds.r)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	if !object {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("invalid object header")
-	}
-
-	// Read the object.
-	buf := make([]byte, length)
-	for done := 0; done < len(buf); {
-		n, err := ds.r.Read(buf[done:])
-		done += n
-		if n == 0 && err != nil {
-			return nil, err
-		}
-	}
-
-	// Unmarshal.
-	obj := new(pb.Object)
-	if err := proto.Unmarshal(buf, obj); err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-
-	return obj, nil
-}
diff --git a/pkg/state/decode_unsafe.go b/pkg/state/decode_unsafe.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d048f61a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/decode_unsafe.go
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+// Copyright 2020 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package state
+
+import (
+	"reflect"
+	"unsafe"
+)
+
+// unsafePointerTo is logically equivalent to reflect.Value.Addr, but works on
+// values representing unexported fields. This bypasses visibility, but not
+// type safety.
+func unsafePointerTo(obj reflect.Value) reflect.Value {
+	return reflect.NewAt(obj.Type(), unsafe.Pointer(obj.UnsafeAddr()))
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/encode.go b/pkg/state/encode.go
index c5118d3a9..92fcad4e9 100644
--- a/pkg/state/encode.go
+++ b/pkg/state/encode.go
@@ -15,437 +15,797 @@
 package state
 
 import (
-	"container/list"
 	"context"
-	"encoding/binary"
-	"fmt"
-	"io"
 	"reflect"
-	"sort"
 
-	"github.com/golang/protobuf/proto"
-	pb "gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state/object_go_proto"
+	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state/wire"
 )
 
-// queuedObject is an object queued for encoding.
-type queuedObject struct {
-	id   uint64
-	obj  reflect.Value
-	path recoverable
+// objectEncodeState the type and identity of an object occupying a memory
+// address range. This is the value type for addrSet, and the intrusive entry
+// for the pending and deferred lists.
+type objectEncodeState struct {
+	// id is the assigned ID for this object.
+	id objectID
+
+	// obj is the object value. Note that this may be replaced if we
+	// encounter an object that contains this object. When this happens (in
+	// resolve), we will update existing references approprately, below,
+	// and defer a re-encoding of the object.
+	obj reflect.Value
+
+	// encoded is the encoded value of this object. Note that this may not
+	// be up to date if this object is still in the deferred list.
+	encoded wire.Object
+
+	// how indicates whether this object should be encoded as a value. This
+	// is used only for deferred encoding.
+	how encodeStrategy
+
+	// refs are the list of reference objects used by other objects
+	// referring to this object. When the object is updated, these
+	// references may be updated directly and automatically.
+	refs []*wire.Ref
+
+	pendingEntry
+	deferredEntry
 }
 
 // encodeState is state used for encoding.
 //
-// The encoding process is a breadth-first traversal of the object graph. The
-// inherent races and dependencies are much simpler than the decode case.
+// The encoding process constructs a representation of the in-memory graph of
+// objects before a single object is serialized. This is done to ensure that
+// all references can be fully disambiguated. See resolve for more details.
 type encodeState struct {
 	// ctx is the encode context.
 	ctx context.Context
 
-	// lastID is the last object ID.
-	//
-	// See idsByObject for context. Because of the special zero encoding
-	// used for reference values, the first ID must be 1.
-	lastID uint64
+	// w is the output stream.
+	w wire.Writer
 
-	// idsByObject is a set of objects, indexed via:
-	//
-	//	reflect.ValueOf(x).UnsafeAddr
-	//
-	// This provides IDs for objects.
-	idsByObject map[uintptr]uint64
+	// types is the type database.
+	types typeEncodeDatabase
+
+	// lastID is the last allocated object ID.
+	lastID objectID
 
-	// values stores values that span the addresses.
+	// values tracks the address ranges occupied by objects, along with the
+	// types of these objects. This is used to locate pointer targets,
+	// including pointers to fields within another type.
 	//
-	// addrSet is a a generated type which efficiently stores ranges of
-	// addresses. When encoding pointers, these ranges are filled in and
-	// used to check for overlapping or conflicting pointers. This would
-	// indicate a pointer to an field, or a non-type safe value, neither of
-	// which are currently decodable.
+	// Multiple objects may overlap in memory iff the larger object fully
+	// contains the smaller one, and the type of the smaller object matches
+	// a field or array element's type at the appropriate offset. An
+	// arbitrary number of objects may be nested in this manner.
 	//
-	// See the usage of values below for more context.
+	// Note that this does not track zero-sized objects, those are tracked
+	// by zeroValues below.
 	values addrSet
 
-	// w is the output stream.
-	w io.Writer
+	// zeroValues tracks zero-sized objects.
+	zeroValues map[reflect.Type]*objectEncodeState
 
-	// pending is the list of objects to be serialized.
-	//
-	// This is a set of queuedObjects.
-	pending list.List
+	// deferred is the list of objects to be encoded.
+	deferred deferredList
 
-	// done is the a list of finished objects.
-	//
-	// This is kept to prevent garbage collection and address reuse.
-	done list.List
+	// pendingTypes is the list of types to be serialized. Serialization
+	// will occur when all objects have been encoded, but before pending is
+	// serialized.
+	pendingTypes []wire.Type
 
-	// stats is the passed stats object.
-	stats *Stats
+	// pending is the list of objects to be serialized. Serialization does
+	// not actually occur until the full object graph is computed.
+	pending pendingList
 
-	// recoverable is the panic recover facility.
-	recoverable
+	// stats tracks time data.
+	stats Stats
 }
 
-// register looks up an ID, registering if necessary.
+// isSameSizeParent returns true if child is a field value or element within
+// parent. Only a struct or array can have a child value.
+//
+// isSameSizeParent deals with objects like this:
+//
+// struct child {
+//     // fields..
+// }
 //
-// If the object was not previously registered, it is enqueued to be serialized.
-// See the documentation for idsByObject for more information.
-func (es *encodeState) register(obj reflect.Value) uint64 {
-	// It is not legal to call register for any non-pointer objects (see
-	// below), so we panic with a recoverable error if this is a mismatch.
-	if obj.Kind() != reflect.Ptr && obj.Kind() != reflect.Map {
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("non-pointer %#v registered", obj.Interface()))
+// struct parent {
+//     c child
+// }
+//
+// var p parent
+// record(&p.c)
+//
+// Here, &p and &p.c occupy the exact same address range.
+//
+// Or like this:
+//
+// struct child {
+//     // fields
+// }
+//
+// var arr [1]parent
+// record(&arr[0])
+//
+// Similarly, &arr[0] and &arr[0].c have the exact same address range.
+//
+// Precondition: parent and child must occupy the same memory.
+func isSameSizeParent(parent reflect.Value, childType reflect.Type) bool {
+	switch parent.Kind() {
+	case reflect.Struct:
+		for i := 0; i < parent.NumField(); i++ {
+			field := parent.Field(i)
+			if field.Type() == childType {
+				return true
+			}
+			// Recurse through any intermediate types.
+			if isSameSizeParent(field, childType) {
+				return true
+			}
+			// Does it make sense to keep going if the first field
+			// doesn't match? Yes, because there might be an
+			// arbitrary number of zero-sized fields before we get
+			// a match, and childType itself can be zero-sized.
+		}
+		return false
+	case reflect.Array:
+		// The only case where an array with more than one elements can
+		// return true is if childType is zero-sized. In such cases,
+		// it's ambiguous which element contains the match since a
+		// zero-sized child object fully fits in any of the zero-sized
+		// elements in an array... However since all elements are of
+		// the same type, we only need to check one element.
+		//
+		// For non-zero-sized childTypes, parent.Len() must be 1, but a
+		// combination of the precondition and an implicit comparison
+		// between the array element size and childType ensures this.
+		return parent.Len() > 0 && isSameSizeParent(parent.Index(0), childType)
+	default:
+		return false
 	}
+}
 
-	addr := obj.Pointer()
-	if obj.Kind() == reflect.Ptr && obj.Elem().Type().Size() == 0 {
-		// For zero-sized objects, we always provide a unique ID.
-		// That's because the runtime internally multiplexes pointers
-		// to the same address. We can't be certain what the intent is
-		// with pointers to zero-sized objects, so we just give them
-		// all unique identities.
-	} else if id, ok := es.idsByObject[addr]; ok {
-		// Already registered.
-		return id
-	}
-
-	// Ensure that the first ID given out is one. See note on lastID. The
-	// ID zero is used to indicate nil values.
+// nextID returns the next valid ID.
+func (es *encodeState) nextID() objectID {
 	es.lastID++
-	id := es.lastID
-	es.idsByObject[addr] = id
-	if obj.Kind() == reflect.Ptr {
-		// Dereference and treat as a pointer.
-		es.pending.PushBack(queuedObject{id: id, obj: obj.Elem(), path: es.recoverable.copy()})
-
-		// Register this object at all addresses.
-		typ := obj.Elem().Type()
-		if size := typ.Size(); size > 0 {
-			r := addrRange{addr, addr + size}
-			if !es.values.IsEmptyRange(r) {
-				old := es.values.LowerBoundSegment(addr).Value().Interface().(recoverable)
-				panic(fmt.Errorf("overlapping objects: [new object] %#v [existing object path] %s", obj.Interface(), old.path()))
+	return objectID(es.lastID)
+}
+
+// dummyAddr points to the dummy zero-sized address.
+var dummyAddr = reflect.ValueOf(new(struct{})).Pointer()
+
+// resolve records the address range occupied by an object.
+func (es *encodeState) resolve(obj reflect.Value, ref *wire.Ref) {
+	addr := obj.Pointer()
+
+	// Is this a map pointer? Just record the single address. It is not
+	// possible to take any pointers into the map internals.
+	if obj.Kind() == reflect.Map {
+		if addr == 0 {
+			// Just leave the nil reference alone. This is fine, we
+			// may need to encode as a reference in this way. We
+			// return nil for our objectEncodeState so that anyone
+			// depending on this value knows there's nothing there.
+			return
+		}
+		if seg, _ := es.values.Find(addr); seg.Ok() {
+			// Ensure the map types match.
+			existing := seg.Value()
+			if existing.obj.Type() != obj.Type() {
+				Failf("overlapping map objects at 0x%x: [new object] %#v [existing object type] %s", addr, obj, existing.obj)
 			}
-			es.values.Add(r, reflect.ValueOf(es.recoverable.copy()))
+
+			// No sense recording refs, maps may not be replaced by
+			// covering objects, they are maximal.
+			ref.Root = wire.Uint(existing.id)
+			return
 		}
+
+		// Record the map.
+		oes := &objectEncodeState{
+			id:  es.nextID(),
+			obj: obj,
+			how: encodeMapAsValue,
+		}
+		es.values.Add(addrRange{addr, addr + 1}, oes)
+		es.pending.PushBack(oes)
+		es.deferred.PushBack(oes)
+
+		// See above: no ref recording.
+		ref.Root = wire.Uint(oes.id)
+		return
+	}
+
+	// If not a map, then the object must be a pointer.
+	if obj.Kind() != reflect.Ptr {
+		Failf("attempt to record non-map and non-pointer object %#v", obj)
+	}
+
+	obj = obj.Elem() // Value from here.
+
+	// Is this a zero-sized type?
+	typ := obj.Type()
+	size := typ.Size()
+	if size == 0 {
+		if addr == dummyAddr {
+			// Zero-sized objects point to a dummy byte within the
+			// runtime.  There's no sense recording this in the
+			// address map.  We add this to the dedicated
+			// zeroValues.
+			//
+			// Note that zero-sized objects must be *true*
+			// zero-sized objects. They cannot be part of some
+			// larger object. In that case, they are assigned a
+			// 1-byte address at the end of the object.
+			oes, ok := es.zeroValues[typ]
+			if !ok {
+				oes = &objectEncodeState{
+					id:  es.nextID(),
+					obj: obj,
+				}
+				es.zeroValues[typ] = oes
+				es.pending.PushBack(oes)
+				es.deferred.PushBack(oes)
+			}
+
+			// There's also no sense tracking back references. We
+			// know that this is a true zero-sized object, and not
+			// part of a larger container, so it will not change.
+			ref.Root = wire.Uint(oes.id)
+			return
+		}
+		size = 1 // See above.
+	}
+
+	// Calculate the container.
+	end := addr + size
+	r := addrRange{addr, end}
+	if seg, _ := es.values.Find(addr); seg.Ok() {
+		existing := seg.Value()
+		switch {
+		case seg.Start() == addr && seg.End() == end && obj.Type() == existing.obj.Type():
+			// The object is a perfect match. Happy path. Avoid the
+			// traversal and just return directly. We don't need to
+			// encode the type information or any dots here.
+			ref.Root = wire.Uint(existing.id)
+			existing.refs = append(existing.refs, ref)
+			return
+
+		case (seg.Start() < addr && seg.End() >= end) || (seg.Start() <= addr && seg.End() > end):
+			// The previously registered object is larger than
+			// this, no need to update. But we expect some
+			// traversal below.
+
+		case seg.Start() == addr && seg.End() == end:
+			if !isSameSizeParent(obj, existing.obj.Type()) {
+				break // Needs traversal.
+			}
+			fallthrough // Needs update.
+
+		case (seg.Start() > addr && seg.End() <= end) || (seg.Start() >= addr && seg.End() < end):
+			// Update the object and redo the encoding.
+			old := existing.obj
+			existing.obj = obj
+			es.deferred.Remove(existing)
+			es.deferred.PushBack(existing)
+
+			// The previously registered object is superseded by
+			// this new object. We are guaranteed to not have any
+			// mergeable neighbours in this segment set.
+			if !raceEnabled {
+				seg.SetRangeUnchecked(r)
+			} else {
+				// Add extra paranoid. This will be statically
+				// removed at compile time unless a race build.
+				es.values.Remove(seg)
+				es.values.Add(r, existing)
+				seg = es.values.LowerBoundSegment(addr)
+			}
+
+			// Compute the traversal required & update references.
+			dots := traverse(obj.Type(), old.Type(), addr, seg.Start())
+			wt := es.findType(obj.Type())
+			for _, ref := range existing.refs {
+				ref.Dots = append(ref.Dots, dots...)
+				ref.Type = wt
+			}
+		default:
+			// There is a non-sensical overlap.
+			Failf("overlapping objects: [new object] %#v [existing object] %#v", obj, existing.obj)
+		}
+
+		// Compute the new reference, record and return it.
+		ref.Root = wire.Uint(existing.id)
+		ref.Dots = traverse(existing.obj.Type(), obj.Type(), seg.Start(), addr)
+		ref.Type = es.findType(obj.Type())
+		existing.refs = append(existing.refs, ref)
+		return
+	}
+
+	// The only remaining case is a pointer value that doesn't overlap with
+	// any registered addresses. Create a new entry for it, and start
+	// tracking the first reference we just created.
+	oes := &objectEncodeState{
+		id:  es.nextID(),
+		obj: obj,
+	}
+	if !raceEnabled {
+		es.values.AddWithoutMerging(r, oes)
 	} else {
-		// Push back the map itself; when maps are encoded from the
-		// top-level, forceMap will be equal to true.
-		es.pending.PushBack(queuedObject{id: id, obj: obj, path: es.recoverable.copy()})
+		// Merges should never happen. This is just enabled extra
+		// sanity checks because the Merge function below will panic.
+		es.values.Add(r, oes)
+	}
+	es.pending.PushBack(oes)
+	es.deferred.PushBack(oes)
+	ref.Root = wire.Uint(oes.id)
+	oes.refs = append(oes.refs, ref)
+}
+
+// traverse searches for a target object within a root object, where the target
+// object is a struct field or array element within root, with potentially
+// multiple intervening types. traverse returns the set of field or element
+// traversals required to reach the target.
+//
+// Note that for efficiency, traverse returns the dots in the reverse order.
+// That is, the first traversal required will be the last element of the list.
+//
+// Precondition: The target object must lie completely within the range defined
+// by [rootAddr, rootAddr + sizeof(rootType)].
+func traverse(rootType, targetType reflect.Type, rootAddr, targetAddr uintptr) []wire.Dot {
+	// Recursion base case: the types actually match.
+	if targetType == rootType && targetAddr == rootAddr {
+		return nil
 	}
 
-	return id
+	switch rootType.Kind() {
+	case reflect.Struct:
+		offset := targetAddr - rootAddr
+		for i := rootType.NumField(); i > 0; i-- {
+			field := rootType.Field(i - 1)
+			// The first field from the end with an offset that is
+			// smaller than or equal to our address offset is where
+			// the target is located. Traverse from there.
+			if field.Offset <= offset {
+				dots := traverse(field.Type, targetType, rootAddr+field.Offset, targetAddr)
+				fieldName := wire.FieldName(field.Name)
+				return append(dots, &fieldName)
+			}
+		}
+		// Should never happen; the target should be reachable.
+		Failf("no field in root type %v contains target type %v", rootType, targetType)
+
+	case reflect.Array:
+		// Since arrays have homogenous types, all elements have the
+		// same size and we can compute where the target lives. This
+		// does not matter for the purpose of typing, but matters for
+		// the purpose of computing the address of the given index.
+		elemSize := int(rootType.Elem().Size())
+		n := int(targetAddr-rootAddr) / elemSize // Relies on integer division rounding down.
+		if rootType.Len() < n {
+			Failf("traversal target of type %v @%x is beyond the end of the array type %v @%x with %v elements",
+				targetType, targetAddr, rootType, rootAddr, rootType.Len())
+		}
+		dots := traverse(rootType.Elem(), targetType, rootAddr+uintptr(n*elemSize), targetAddr)
+		return append(dots, wire.Index(n))
+
+	default:
+		// For any other type, there's no possibility of aliasing so if
+		// the types didn't match earlier then we have an addresss
+		// collision which shouldn't be possible at this point.
+		Failf("traverse failed for root type %v and target type %v", rootType, targetType)
+	}
+	panic("unreachable")
 }
 
 // encodeMap encodes a map.
-func (es *encodeState) encodeMap(obj reflect.Value) *pb.Map {
-	var (
-		keys   []*pb.Object
-		values []*pb.Object
-	)
+func (es *encodeState) encodeMap(obj reflect.Value, dest *wire.Object) {
+	if obj.IsNil() {
+		// Because there is a difference between a nil map and an empty
+		// map, we need to not decode in the case of a truly nil map.
+		*dest = wire.Nil{}
+		return
+	}
+	l := obj.Len()
+	m := &wire.Map{
+		Keys:   make([]wire.Object, l),
+		Values: make([]wire.Object, l),
+	}
+	*dest = m
 	for i, k := range obj.MapKeys() {
 		v := obj.MapIndex(k)
-		kp := es.encodeObject(k, false, ".(key %d)", i)
-		vp := es.encodeObject(v, false, "[%#v]", k.Interface())
-		keys = append(keys, kp)
-		values = append(values, vp)
+		// Map keys must be encoded using the full value because the
+		// type will be omitted after the first key.
+		es.encodeObject(k, encodeAsValue, &m.Keys[i])
+		es.encodeObject(v, encodeAsValue, &m.Values[i])
 	}
-	return &pb.Map{Keys: keys, Values: values}
+}
+
+// objectEncoder is for encoding structs.
+type objectEncoder struct {
+	// es is encodeState.
+	es *encodeState
+
+	// encoded is the encoded struct.
+	encoded *wire.Struct
+}
+
+// save is called by the public methods on Sink.
+func (oe *objectEncoder) save(slot int, obj reflect.Value) {
+	fieldValue := oe.encoded.Field(slot)
+	oe.es.encodeObject(obj, encodeDefault, fieldValue)
 }
 
 // encodeStruct encodes a composite object.
-func (es *encodeState) encodeStruct(obj reflect.Value) *pb.Struct {
-	// Invoke the save.
-	m := Map{newInternalMap(es, nil, nil)}
-	defer internalMapPool.Put(m.internalMap)
+func (es *encodeState) encodeStruct(obj reflect.Value, dest *wire.Object) {
+	// Ensure that the obj is addressable. There are two cases when it is
+	// not. First, is when this is dispatched via SaveValue. Second, when
+	// this is a map key as a struct. Either way, we need to make a copy to
+	// obtain an addressable value.
 	if !obj.CanAddr() {
-		// Force it to a * type of the above; this involves a copy.
 		localObj := reflect.New(obj.Type())
 		localObj.Elem().Set(obj)
 		obj = localObj.Elem()
 	}
-	fns, ok := registeredTypes.lookupFns(obj.Addr().Type())
-	if ok {
-		// Invoke the provided saver.
-		fns.invokeSave(obj.Addr(), m)
-	} else if obj.NumField() == 0 {
-		// Allow unregistered anonymous, empty structs.
-		return &pb.Struct{}
-	} else {
-		// Propagate an error.
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("unregistered type %T", obj.Interface()))
-	}
-
-	// Sort the underlying slice, and check for duplicates. This is done
-	// once instead of on each add, because performing this sort once is
-	// far more efficient.
-	if len(m.data) > 1 {
-		sort.Slice(m.data, func(i, j int) bool {
-			return m.data[i].name < m.data[j].name
-		})
-		for i := range m.data {
-			if i > 0 && m.data[i-1].name == m.data[i].name {
-				panic(fmt.Errorf("duplicate name %s", m.data[i].name))
-			}
+
+	// Prepare the value.
+	s := &wire.Struct{}
+	*dest = s
+
+	// Look the type up in the database.
+	te, ok := es.types.Lookup(obj.Type())
+	if te == nil {
+		if obj.NumField() == 0 {
+			// Allow unregistered anonymous, empty structs. This
+			// will just return success without ever invoking the
+			// passed function. This uses the immutable EmptyStruct
+			// variable to prevent an allocation in this case.
+			//
+			// Note that this mechanism does *not* work for
+			// interfaces in general. So you can't dispatch
+			// non-registered empty structs via interfaces because
+			// then they can't be restored.
+			s.Alloc(0)
+			return
 		}
+		// We need a SaverLoader for struct types.
+		Failf("struct %T does not implement SaverLoader", obj.Interface())
 	}
-
-	// Encode the resulting fields.
-	fields := make([]*pb.Field, 0, len(m.data))
-	for _, e := range m.data {
-		fields = append(fields, &pb.Field{
-			Name:  e.name,
-			Value: e.object,
-		})
+	if !ok {
+		// Queue the type to be serialized.
+		es.pendingTypes = append(es.pendingTypes, te.Type)
 	}
 
-	// Return the encoded object.
-	return &pb.Struct{Fields: fields}
+	// Invoke the provided saver.
+	s.TypeID = wire.TypeID(te.ID)
+	s.Alloc(len(te.Fields))
+	oe := objectEncoder{
+		es:      es,
+		encoded: s,
+	}
+	es.stats.start(te.ID)
+	defer es.stats.done()
+	if sl, ok := obj.Addr().Interface().(SaverLoader); ok {
+		// Note: may be a registered empty struct which does not
+		// implement the saver/loader interfaces.
+		sl.StateSave(Sink{internal: oe})
+	}
 }
 
 // encodeArray encodes an array.
-func (es *encodeState) encodeArray(obj reflect.Value) *pb.Array {
-	var (
-		contents []*pb.Object
-	)
-	for i := 0; i < obj.Len(); i++ {
-		entry := es.encodeObject(obj.Index(i), false, "[%d]", i)
-		contents = append(contents, entry)
-	}
-	return &pb.Array{Contents: contents}
+func (es *encodeState) encodeArray(obj reflect.Value, dest *wire.Object) {
+	l := obj.Len()
+	a := &wire.Array{
+		Contents: make([]wire.Object, l),
+	}
+	*dest = a
+	for i := 0; i < l; i++ {
+		// We need to encode the full value because arrays are encoded
+		// using the type information from only the first element.
+		es.encodeObject(obj.Index(i), encodeAsValue, &a.Contents[i])
+	}
+}
+
+// findType recursively finds type information.
+func (es *encodeState) findType(typ reflect.Type) wire.TypeSpec {
+	// First: check if this is a proper type. It's possible for pointers,
+	// slices, arrays, maps, etc to all have some different type.
+	te, ok := es.types.Lookup(typ)
+	if te != nil {
+		if !ok {
+			// See encodeStruct.
+			es.pendingTypes = append(es.pendingTypes, te.Type)
+		}
+		return wire.TypeID(te.ID)
+	}
+
+	switch typ.Kind() {
+	case reflect.Ptr:
+		return &wire.TypeSpecPointer{
+			Type: es.findType(typ.Elem()),
+		}
+	case reflect.Slice:
+		return &wire.TypeSpecSlice{
+			Type: es.findType(typ.Elem()),
+		}
+	case reflect.Array:
+		return &wire.TypeSpecArray{
+			Count: wire.Uint(typ.Len()),
+			Type:  es.findType(typ.Elem()),
+		}
+	case reflect.Map:
+		return &wire.TypeSpecMap{
+			Key:   es.findType(typ.Key()),
+			Value: es.findType(typ.Elem()),
+		}
+	default:
+		// After potentially chasing many pointers, the
+		// ultimate type of the object is not known.
+		Failf("type %q is not known", typ)
+	}
+	panic("unreachable")
 }
 
 // encodeInterface encodes an interface.
-//
-// Precondition: the value is not nil.
-func (es *encodeState) encodeInterface(obj reflect.Value) *pb.Interface {
-	// Check for the nil interface.
-	obj = reflect.ValueOf(obj.Interface())
+func (es *encodeState) encodeInterface(obj reflect.Value, dest *wire.Object) {
+	// Dereference the object.
+	obj = obj.Elem()
 	if !obj.IsValid() {
-		return &pb.Interface{
-			Type:  "", // left alone in decode.
-			Value: &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_RefValue{0}},
+		// Special case: the nil object.
+		*dest = &wire.Interface{
+			Type:  wire.TypeSpecNil{},
+			Value: wire.Nil{},
 		}
+		return
 	}
-	// We have an interface value here. How do we save that? We
-	// resolve the underlying type and save it as a dispatchable.
-	typName, ok := registeredTypes.lookupName(obj.Type())
-	if !ok {
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("type %s is not registered", obj.Type()))
+
+	// Encode underlying object.
+	i := &wire.Interface{
+		Type: es.findType(obj.Type()),
 	}
+	*dest = i
+	es.encodeObject(obj, encodeAsValue, &i.Value)
+}
 
-	// Encode the object again.
-	return &pb.Interface{
-		Type:  typName,
-		Value: es.encodeObject(obj, false, ".(%s)", typName),
+// isPrimitive returns true if this is a primitive object, or a composite
+// object composed entirely of primitives.
+func isPrimitiveZero(typ reflect.Type) bool {
+	switch typ.Kind() {
+	case reflect.Ptr:
+		// Pointers are always treated as primitive types because we
+		// won't encode directly from here. Returning true here won't
+		// prevent the object from being encoded correctly.
+		return true
+	case reflect.Bool:
+		return true
+	case reflect.Int, reflect.Int8, reflect.Int16, reflect.Int32, reflect.Int64:
+		return true
+	case reflect.Uint, reflect.Uint8, reflect.Uint16, reflect.Uint32, reflect.Uint64, reflect.Uintptr:
+		return true
+	case reflect.Float32, reflect.Float64:
+		return true
+	case reflect.Complex64, reflect.Complex128:
+		return true
+	case reflect.String:
+		return true
+	case reflect.Slice:
+		// The slice itself a primitive, but not necessarily the array
+		// that points to. This is similar to a pointer.
+		return true
+	case reflect.Array:
+		// We cannot treat an array as a primitive, because it may be
+		// composed of structures or other things with side-effects.
+		return isPrimitiveZero(typ.Elem())
+	case reflect.Interface:
+		// Since we now that this type is the zero type, the interface
+		// value must be zero. Therefore this is primitive.
+		return true
+	case reflect.Struct:
+		return false
+	case reflect.Map:
+		// The isPrimitiveZero function is called only on zero-types to
+		// see if it's safe to serialize. Since a zero map has no
+		// elements, it is safe to treat as a primitive.
+		return true
+	default:
+		Failf("unknown type %q", typ.Name())
 	}
+	panic("unreachable")
 }
 
-// encodeObject encodes an object.
-//
-// If mapAsValue is true, then a map will be encoded directly.
-func (es *encodeState) encodeObject(obj reflect.Value, mapAsValue bool, format string, param interface{}) (object *pb.Object) {
-	es.push(false, format, param)
-	es.stats.Add(obj)
-	es.stats.Start(obj)
+// encodeStrategy is the strategy used for encodeObject.
+type encodeStrategy int
 
+const (
+	// encodeDefault means types are encoded normally as references.
+	encodeDefault encodeStrategy = iota
+
+	// encodeAsValue means that types will never take short-circuited and
+	// will always be encoded as a normal value.
+	encodeAsValue
+
+	// encodeMapAsValue means that even maps will be fully encoded.
+	encodeMapAsValue
+)
+
+// encodeObject encodes an object.
+func (es *encodeState) encodeObject(obj reflect.Value, how encodeStrategy, dest *wire.Object) {
+	if how == encodeDefault && isPrimitiveZero(obj.Type()) && obj.IsZero() {
+		*dest = wire.Nil{}
+		return
+	}
 	switch obj.Kind() {
+	case reflect.Ptr: // Fast path: first.
+		r := new(wire.Ref)
+		*dest = r
+		if obj.IsNil() {
+			// May be in an array or elsewhere such that a value is
+			// required. So we encode as a reference to the zero
+			// object, which does not exist. Note that this has to
+			// be handled correctly in the decode path as well.
+			return
+		}
+		es.resolve(obj, r)
 	case reflect.Bool:
-		object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_BoolValue{obj.Bool()}}
+		*dest = wire.Bool(obj.Bool())
 	case reflect.Int, reflect.Int8, reflect.Int16, reflect.Int32, reflect.Int64:
-		object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_Int64Value{obj.Int()}}
+		*dest = wire.Int(obj.Int())
 	case reflect.Uint, reflect.Uint8, reflect.Uint16, reflect.Uint32, reflect.Uint64, reflect.Uintptr:
-		object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_Uint64Value{obj.Uint()}}
-	case reflect.Float32, reflect.Float64:
-		object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_DoubleValue{obj.Float()}}
+		*dest = wire.Uint(obj.Uint())
+	case reflect.Float32:
+		*dest = wire.Float32(obj.Float())
+	case reflect.Float64:
+		*dest = wire.Float64(obj.Float())
+	case reflect.Complex64:
+		c := wire.Complex64(obj.Complex())
+		*dest = &c // Needs alloc.
+	case reflect.Complex128:
+		c := wire.Complex128(obj.Complex())
+		*dest = &c // Needs alloc.
+	case reflect.String:
+		s := wire.String(obj.String())
+		*dest = &s // Needs alloc.
 	case reflect.Array:
-		switch obj.Type().Elem().Kind() {
-		case reflect.Uint8:
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_ByteArrayValue{pbSlice(obj).Interface().([]byte)}}
-		case reflect.Uint16:
-			// 16-bit slices are serialized as 32-bit slices.
-			// See object.proto for details.
-			s := pbSlice(obj).Interface().([]uint16)
-			t := make([]uint32, len(s))
-			for i := range s {
-				t[i] = uint32(s[i])
-			}
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_Uint16ArrayValue{&pb.Uint16S{Values: t}}}
-		case reflect.Uint32:
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_Uint32ArrayValue{&pb.Uint32S{Values: pbSlice(obj).Interface().([]uint32)}}}
-		case reflect.Uint64:
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_Uint64ArrayValue{&pb.Uint64S{Values: pbSlice(obj).Interface().([]uint64)}}}
-		case reflect.Uintptr:
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_UintptrArrayValue{&pb.Uintptrs{Values: pbSlice(obj).Interface().([]uint64)}}}
-		case reflect.Int8:
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_Int8ArrayValue{&pb.Int8S{Values: pbSlice(obj).Interface().([]byte)}}}
-		case reflect.Int16:
-			// 16-bit slices are serialized as 32-bit slices.
-			// See object.proto for details.
-			s := pbSlice(obj).Interface().([]int16)
-			t := make([]int32, len(s))
-			for i := range s {
-				t[i] = int32(s[i])
-			}
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_Int16ArrayValue{&pb.Int16S{Values: t}}}
-		case reflect.Int32:
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_Int32ArrayValue{&pb.Int32S{Values: pbSlice(obj).Interface().([]int32)}}}
-		case reflect.Int64:
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_Int64ArrayValue{&pb.Int64S{Values: pbSlice(obj).Interface().([]int64)}}}
-		case reflect.Bool:
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_BoolArrayValue{&pb.Bools{Values: pbSlice(obj).Interface().([]bool)}}}
-		case reflect.Float32:
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_Float32ArrayValue{&pb.Float32S{Values: pbSlice(obj).Interface().([]float32)}}}
-		case reflect.Float64:
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_Float64ArrayValue{&pb.Float64S{Values: pbSlice(obj).Interface().([]float64)}}}
-		default:
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_ArrayValue{es.encodeArray(obj)}}
-		}
+		es.encodeArray(obj, dest)
 	case reflect.Slice:
-		if obj.IsNil() || obj.Cap() == 0 {
-			// Handled specially in decode; store as nil value.
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_RefValue{0}}
-		} else {
-			// Serialize a slice as the array plus length and capacity.
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_SliceValue{&pb.Slice{
-				Capacity: uint32(obj.Cap()),
-				Length:   uint32(obj.Len()),
-				RefValue: es.register(arrayFromSlice(obj)),
-			}}}
+		s := &wire.Slice{
+			Capacity: wire.Uint(obj.Cap()),
+			Length:   wire.Uint(obj.Len()),
 		}
-	case reflect.String:
-		object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_StringValue{[]byte(obj.String())}}
-	case reflect.Ptr:
+		*dest = s
+		// Note that we do need to provide a wire.Slice type here as
+		// how is not encodeDefault. If this were the case, then it
+		// would have been caught by the IsZero check above and we
+		// would have just used wire.Nil{}.
 		if obj.IsNil() {
-			// Handled specially in decode; store as a nil value.
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_RefValue{0}}
-		} else {
-			es.push(true /* dereference */, "", nil)
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_RefValue{es.register(obj)}}
-			es.pop()
+			return
 		}
+		// Slices need pointer resolution.
+		es.resolve(arrayFromSlice(obj), &s.Ref)
 	case reflect.Interface:
-		// We don't check for IsNil here, as we want to encode type
-		// information. The case of the empty interface (no type, no
-		// value) is handled by encodeInteface.
-		object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_InterfaceValue{es.encodeInterface(obj)}}
+		es.encodeInterface(obj, dest)
 	case reflect.Struct:
-		object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_StructValue{es.encodeStruct(obj)}}
+		es.encodeStruct(obj, dest)
 	case reflect.Map:
-		if obj.IsNil() {
-			// Handled specially in decode; store as a nil value.
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_RefValue{0}}
-		} else if mapAsValue {
-			// Encode the map directly.
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_MapValue{es.encodeMap(obj)}}
-		} else {
-			// Encode a reference to the map.
-			//
-			// Remove the map object count here to avoid double
-			// counting, as this object will be counted again when
-			// it gets processed later. We do not add a reference
-			// count as the reference is artificial.
-			es.stats.Remove(obj)
-			object = &pb.Object{Value: &pb.Object_RefValue{es.register(obj)}}
+		if how == encodeMapAsValue {
+			es.encodeMap(obj, dest)
+			return
 		}
+		r := new(wire.Ref)
+		*dest = r
+		es.resolve(obj, r)
 	default:
-		panic(fmt.Errorf("unknown primitive %#v", obj.Interface()))
+		Failf("unknown object %#v", obj.Interface())
+		panic("unreachable")
 	}
-
-	es.stats.Done()
-	es.pop()
-	return
 }
 
-// Serialize serializes the object state.
-//
-// This function may panic and should be run in safely().
-func (es *encodeState) Serialize(obj reflect.Value) {
-	es.register(obj.Addr())
-
-	// Pop off the list until we're done.
-	for es.pending.Len() > 0 {
-		e := es.pending.Front()
-
-		// Extract the queued object.
-		qo := e.Value.(queuedObject)
-		es.stats.Start(qo.obj)
+// Save serializes the object graph rooted at obj.
+func (es *encodeState) Save(obj reflect.Value) {
+	es.stats.init()
+	defer es.stats.fini(func(id typeID) string {
+		return es.pendingTypes[id-1].Name
+	})
+
+	// Resolve the first object, which should queue a pile of additional
+	// objects on the pending list. All queued objects should be fully
+	// resolved, and we should be able to serialize after this call.
+	var root wire.Ref
+	es.resolve(obj.Addr(), &root)
+
+	// Encode the graph.
+	var oes *objectEncodeState
+	if err := safely(func() {
+		for oes = es.deferred.Front(); oes != nil; oes = es.deferred.Front() {
+			// Remove and encode the object. Note that as a result
+			// of this encoding, the object may be enqueued on the
+			// deferred list yet again. That's expected, and why it
+			// is removed first.
+			es.deferred.Remove(oes)
+			es.encodeObject(oes.obj, oes.how, &oes.encoded)
+		}
+	}); err != nil {
+		// Include the object in the error message.
+		Failf("encoding error at object %#v: %w", oes.obj.Interface(), err)
+	}
 
-		es.pending.Remove(e)
+	// Check that items are pending.
+	if es.pending.Front() == nil {
+		Failf("pending is empty?")
+	}
 
-		es.from = &qo.path
-		o := es.encodeObject(qo.obj, true, "", nil)
+	// Write the header with the number of objects. Note that there is no
+	// way that es.lastID could conflict with objectID, which would
+	// indicate that an impossibly large encoding.
+	if err := WriteHeader(es.w, uint64(es.lastID), true); err != nil {
+		Failf("error writing header: %w", err)
+	}
 
-		// Emit to our output stream.
-		if err := es.writeObject(qo.id, o); err != nil {
-			panic(err)
+	// Serialize all pending types and pending objects. Note that we don't
+	// bother removing from this list as we walk it because that just
+	// wastes time. It will not change after this point.
+	var id objectID
+	if err := safely(func() {
+		for _, wt := range es.pendingTypes {
+			// Encode the type.
+			wire.Save(es.w, &wt)
 		}
+		for oes = es.pending.Front(); oes != nil; oes = oes.pendingEntry.Next() {
+			id++ // First object is 1.
+			if oes.id != id {
+				Failf("expected id %d, got %d", id, oes.id)
+			}
 
-		// Mark as done.
-		es.done.PushBack(e)
-		es.stats.Done()
+			// Marshall the object.
+			wire.Save(es.w, oes.encoded)
+		}
+	}); err != nil {
+		// Include the object and the error.
+		Failf("error serializing object %#v: %w", oes.encoded, err)
 	}
 
-	// Write a zero-length terminal at the end; this is a sanity check
-	// applied at decode time as well (see decode.go).
-	if err := WriteHeader(es.w, 0, false); err != nil {
-		panic(err)
+	// Check what we wrote.
+	if id != es.lastID {
+		Failf("expected %d objects, wrote %d", es.lastID, id)
 	}
 }
 
+// objectFlag indicates that the length is a # of objects, rather than a raw
+// byte length. When this is set on a length header in the stream, it may be
+// decoded appropriately.
+const objectFlag uint64 = 1 << 63
+
 // WriteHeader writes a header.
 //
 // Each object written to the statefile should be prefixed with a header. In
 // order to generate statefiles that play nicely with debugging tools, raw
 // writes should be prefixed with a header with object set to false and the
 // appropriate length. This will allow tools to skip these regions.
-func WriteHeader(w io.Writer, length uint64, object bool) error {
-	// The lowest-order bit encodes whether this is a valid object. This is
-	// a purely internal convention, but allows the object flag to be
-	// returned from ReadHeader.
-	length = length << 1
+func WriteHeader(w wire.Writer, length uint64, object bool) error {
+	// Sanity check the length.
+	if length&objectFlag != 0 {
+		Failf("impossibly huge length: %d", length)
+	}
 	if object {
-		length |= 0x1
+		length |= objectFlag
 	}
 
 	// Write a header.
-	var hdr [32]byte
-	encodedLen := binary.PutUvarint(hdr[:], length)
-	for done := 0; done < encodedLen; {
-		n, err := w.Write(hdr[done:encodedLen])
-		done += n
-		if n == 0 && err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-
-	return nil
+	return safely(func() {
+		wire.SaveUint(w, length)
+	})
 }
 
-// writeObject writes an object to the stream.
-func (es *encodeState) writeObject(id uint64, obj *pb.Object) error {
-	// Marshal the proto.
-	buf, err := proto.Marshal(obj)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
+// pendingMapper is for the pending list.
+type pendingMapper struct{}
 
-	// Write the object header.
-	if err := WriteHeader(es.w, uint64(len(buf)), true); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
+func (pendingMapper) linkerFor(oes *objectEncodeState) *pendingEntry { return &oes.pendingEntry }
 
-	// Write the object.
-	for done := 0; done < len(buf); {
-		n, err := es.w.Write(buf[done:])
-		done += n
-		if n == 0 && err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	}
+// deferredMapper is for the deferred list.
+type deferredMapper struct{}
 
-	return nil
-}
+func (deferredMapper) linkerFor(oes *objectEncodeState) *deferredEntry { return &oes.deferredEntry }
 
 // addrSetFunctions is used by addrSet.
 type addrSetFunctions struct{}
@@ -458,13 +818,24 @@ func (addrSetFunctions) MaxKey() uintptr {
 	return ^uintptr(0)
 }
 
-func (addrSetFunctions) ClearValue(val *reflect.Value) {
+func (addrSetFunctions) ClearValue(val **objectEncodeState) {
+	*val = nil
 }
 
-func (addrSetFunctions) Merge(_ addrRange, val1 reflect.Value, _ addrRange, val2 reflect.Value) (reflect.Value, bool) {
-	return val1, val1 == val2
+func (addrSetFunctions) Merge(r1 addrRange, val1 *objectEncodeState, r2 addrRange, val2 *objectEncodeState) (*objectEncodeState, bool) {
+	if val1.obj == val2.obj {
+		// This, should never happen. It would indicate that the same
+		// object exists in two non-contiguous address ranges. Note
+		// that this assertion can only be triggered if the race
+		// detector is enabled.
+		Failf("unexpected merge in addrSet @ %v and %v: %#v and %#v", r1, r2, val1.obj, val2.obj)
+	}
+	// Reject the merge.
+	return val1, false
 }
 
-func (addrSetFunctions) Split(_ addrRange, val reflect.Value, _ uintptr) (reflect.Value, reflect.Value) {
-	return val, val
+func (addrSetFunctions) Split(r addrRange, val *objectEncodeState, _ uintptr) (*objectEncodeState, *objectEncodeState) {
+	// A split should never happen: we don't remove ranges.
+	Failf("unexpected split in addrSet @ %v: %#v", r, val.obj)
+	panic("unreachable")
 }
diff --git a/pkg/state/encode_unsafe.go b/pkg/state/encode_unsafe.go
index 457e6dbb7..e0dad83b4 100644
--- a/pkg/state/encode_unsafe.go
+++ b/pkg/state/encode_unsafe.go
@@ -31,51 +31,3 @@ func arrayFromSlice(obj reflect.Value) reflect.Value {
 		reflect.ArrayOf(obj.Cap(), obj.Type().Elem()),
 		unsafe.Pointer(obj.Pointer()))
 }
-
-// pbSlice returns a protobuf-supported slice of the array and erase the
-// original element type (which could be a defined type or non-supported type).
-func pbSlice(obj reflect.Value) reflect.Value {
-	var typ reflect.Type
-	switch obj.Type().Elem().Kind() {
-	case reflect.Uint8:
-		typ = reflect.TypeOf(byte(0))
-	case reflect.Uint16:
-		typ = reflect.TypeOf(uint16(0))
-	case reflect.Uint32:
-		typ = reflect.TypeOf(uint32(0))
-	case reflect.Uint64:
-		typ = reflect.TypeOf(uint64(0))
-	case reflect.Uintptr:
-		typ = reflect.TypeOf(uint64(0))
-	case reflect.Int8:
-		typ = reflect.TypeOf(byte(0))
-	case reflect.Int16:
-		typ = reflect.TypeOf(int16(0))
-	case reflect.Int32:
-		typ = reflect.TypeOf(int32(0))
-	case reflect.Int64:
-		typ = reflect.TypeOf(int64(0))
-	case reflect.Bool:
-		typ = reflect.TypeOf(bool(false))
-	case reflect.Float32:
-		typ = reflect.TypeOf(float32(0))
-	case reflect.Float64:
-		typ = reflect.TypeOf(float64(0))
-	default:
-		panic("slice element is not of basic value type")
-	}
-	return reflect.NewAt(
-		reflect.ArrayOf(obj.Len(), typ),
-		unsafe.Pointer(obj.Slice(0, obj.Len()).Pointer()),
-	).Elem().Slice(0, obj.Len())
-}
-
-func castSlice(obj reflect.Value, elemTyp reflect.Type) reflect.Value {
-	if obj.Type().Elem().Size() != elemTyp.Size() {
-		panic("cannot cast slice into other element type of different size")
-	}
-	return reflect.NewAt(
-		reflect.ArrayOf(obj.Len(), elemTyp),
-		unsafe.Pointer(obj.Slice(0, obj.Len()).Pointer()),
-	).Elem()
-}
diff --git a/pkg/state/map.go b/pkg/state/map.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 4f3ebb0da..000000000
--- a/pkg/state/map.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,232 +0,0 @@
-// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
-//
-// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-// You may obtain a copy of the License at
-//
-//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-//
-// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-// limitations under the License.
-
-package state
-
-import (
-	"context"
-	"fmt"
-	"reflect"
-	"sort"
-	"sync"
-
-	pb "gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state/object_go_proto"
-)
-
-// entry is a single map entry.
-type entry struct {
-	name   string
-	object *pb.Object
-}
-
-// internalMap is the internal Map state.
-//
-// These are recycled via a pool to avoid churn.
-type internalMap struct {
-	// es is encodeState.
-	es *encodeState
-
-	// ds is decodeState.
-	ds *decodeState
-
-	// os is current object being decoded.
-	//
-	// This will always be nil during encode.
-	os *objectState
-
-	// data stores the encoded values.
-	data []entry
-}
-
-var internalMapPool = sync.Pool{
-	New: func() interface{} {
-		return new(internalMap)
-	},
-}
-
-// newInternalMap returns a cached map.
-func newInternalMap(es *encodeState, ds *decodeState, os *objectState) *internalMap {
-	m := internalMapPool.Get().(*internalMap)
-	m.es = es
-	m.ds = ds
-	m.os = os
-	if m.data != nil {
-		m.data = m.data[:0]
-	}
-	return m
-}
-
-// Map is a generic state container.
-//
-// This is the object passed to Save and Load in order to store their state.
-//
-// Detailed documentation is available in individual methods.
-type Map struct {
-	*internalMap
-}
-
-// Save adds the given object to the map.
-//
-// You should pass always pointers to the object you are saving. For example:
-//
-// type X struct {
-// 	A int
-// 	B *int
-// }
-//
-// func (x *X) Save(m Map) {
-// 	m.Save("A", &x.A)
-// 	m.Save("B", &x.B)
-// }
-//
-// func (x *X) Load(m Map) {
-// 	m.Load("A", &x.A)
-// 	m.Load("B", &x.B)
-// }
-func (m Map) Save(name string, objPtr interface{}) {
-	m.save(name, reflect.ValueOf(objPtr).Elem(), ".%s")
-}
-
-// SaveValue adds the given object value to the map.
-//
-// This should be used for values where pointers are not available, or casts
-// are required during Save/Load.
-//
-// For example, if we want to cast external package type P.Foo to int64:
-//
-// type X struct {
-//	A P.Foo
-// }
-//
-// func (x *X) Save(m Map) {
-//	m.SaveValue("A", int64(x.A))
-// }
-//
-// func (x *X) Load(m Map) {
-//	m.LoadValue("A", new(int64), func(x interface{}) {
-//		x.A = P.Foo(x.(int64))
-//	})
-// }
-func (m Map) SaveValue(name string, obj interface{}) {
-	m.save(name, reflect.ValueOf(obj), ".(value %s)")
-}
-
-// save is helper for the above. It takes the name of value to save the field
-// to, the field object (obj), and a format string that specifies how the
-// field's saving logic is dispatched from the struct (normal, value, etc.). The
-// format string should expect one string parameter, which is the name of the
-// field.
-func (m Map) save(name string, obj reflect.Value, format string) {
-	if m.es == nil {
-		// Not currently encoding.
-		m.Failf("no encode state for %q", name)
-	}
-
-	// Attempt the encode.
-	//
-	// These are sorted at the end, after all objects are added and will be
-	// sorted and checked for duplicates (see encodeStruct).
-	m.data = append(m.data, entry{
-		name:   name,
-		object: m.es.encodeObject(obj, false, format, name),
-	})
-}
-
-// Load loads the given object from the map.
-//
-// See Save for an example.
-func (m Map) Load(name string, objPtr interface{}) {
-	m.load(name, reflect.ValueOf(objPtr), false, nil, ".%s")
-}
-
-// LoadWait loads the given objects from the map, and marks it as requiring all
-// AfterLoad executions to complete prior to running this object's AfterLoad.
-//
-// See Save for an example.
-func (m Map) LoadWait(name string, objPtr interface{}) {
-	m.load(name, reflect.ValueOf(objPtr), true, nil, ".(wait %s)")
-}
-
-// LoadValue loads the given object value from the map.
-//
-// See SaveValue for an example.
-func (m Map) LoadValue(name string, objPtr interface{}, fn func(interface{})) {
-	o := reflect.ValueOf(objPtr)
-	m.load(name, o, true, func() { fn(o.Elem().Interface()) }, ".(value %s)")
-}
-
-// load is helper for the above. It takes the name of value to load the field
-// from, the target field pointer (objPtr), whether load completion of the
-// struct depends on the field's load completion (wait), the load completion
-// logic (fn), and a format string that specifies how the field's loading logic
-// is dispatched from the struct (normal, wait, value, etc.). The format string
-// should expect one string parameter, which is the name of the field.
-func (m Map) load(name string, objPtr reflect.Value, wait bool, fn func(), format string) {
-	if m.ds == nil {
-		// Not currently decoding.
-		m.Failf("no decode state for %q", name)
-	}
-
-	// Find the object.
-	//
-	// These are sorted up front (and should appear in the state file
-	// sorted as well), so we can do a binary search here to ensure that
-	// large structs don't behave badly.
-	i := sort.Search(len(m.data), func(i int) bool {
-		return m.data[i].name >= name
-	})
-	if i >= len(m.data) || m.data[i].name != name {
-		// There is no data for this name?
-		m.Failf("no data found for %q", name)
-	}
-
-	// Perform the decode.
-	m.ds.decodeObject(m.os, objPtr.Elem(), m.data[i].object, format, name)
-	if wait {
-		// Mark this individual object a blocker.
-		m.ds.waitObject(m.os, m.data[i].object, fn)
-	}
-}
-
-// Failf fails the save or restore with the provided message. Processing will
-// stop after calling Failf, as the state package uses a panic & recover
-// mechanism for state errors. You should defer any cleanup required.
-func (m Map) Failf(format string, args ...interface{}) {
-	panic(fmt.Errorf(format, args...))
-}
-
-// AfterLoad schedules a function execution when all objects have been allocated
-// and their automated loading and customized load logic have been executed. fn
-// will not be executed until all of current object's dependencies' AfterLoad()
-// logic, if exist, have been executed.
-func (m Map) AfterLoad(fn func()) {
-	if m.ds == nil {
-		// Not currently decoding.
-		m.Failf("not decoding")
-	}
-
-	// Queue the local callback; this will execute when all of the above
-	// data dependencies have been cleared.
-	m.os.callbacks = append(m.os.callbacks, fn)
-}
-
-// Context returns the current context object.
-func (m Map) Context() context.Context {
-	if m.es != nil {
-		return m.es.ctx
-	} else if m.ds != nil {
-		return m.ds.ctx
-	}
-	return context.Background() // No context.
-}
diff --git a/pkg/state/object.proto b/pkg/state/object.proto
deleted file mode 100644
index 5ebcfb151..000000000
--- a/pkg/state/object.proto
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,140 +0,0 @@
-// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
-//
-// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-// You may obtain a copy of the License at
-//
-//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-//
-// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-// limitations under the License.
-
-syntax = "proto3";
-
-package gvisor.state.statefile;
-
-// Slice is a slice value.
-message Slice {
-  uint32 length = 1;
-  uint32 capacity = 2;
-  uint64 ref_value = 3;
-}
-
-// Array is an array value.
-message Array {
-  repeated Object contents = 1;
-}
-
-// Map is a map value.
-message Map {
-  repeated Object keys = 1;
-  repeated Object values = 2;
-}
-
-// Interface is an interface value.
-message Interface {
-  string type = 1;
-  Object value = 2;
-}
-
-// Struct is a basic composite value.
-message Struct {
-  repeated Field fields = 1;
-}
-
-// Field encodes a single field.
-message Field {
-  string name = 1;
-  Object value = 2;
-}
-
-// Uint16s encodes an uint16 array. To be used inside oneof structure.
-message Uint16s {
-  // There is no 16-bit type in protobuf so we use variable length 32-bit here.
-  repeated uint32 values = 1;
-}
-
-// Uint32s encodes an uint32 array. To be used inside oneof structure.
-message Uint32s {
-  repeated fixed32 values = 1;
-}
-
-// Uint64s encodes an uint64 array. To be used inside oneof structure.
-message Uint64s {
-  repeated fixed64 values = 1;
-}
-
-// Uintptrs encodes an uintptr array. To be used inside oneof structure.
-message Uintptrs {
-  repeated fixed64 values = 1;
-}
-
-// Int8s encodes an int8 array. To be used inside oneof structure.
-message Int8s {
-  bytes values = 1;
-}
-
-// Int16s encodes an int16 array. To be used inside oneof structure.
-message Int16s {
-  // There is no 16-bit type in protobuf so we use variable length 32-bit here.
-  repeated int32 values = 1;
-}
-
-// Int32s encodes an int32 array. To be used inside oneof structure.
-message Int32s {
-  repeated sfixed32 values = 1;
-}
-
-// Int64s encodes an int64 array. To be used inside oneof structure.
-message Int64s {
-  repeated sfixed64 values = 1;
-}
-
-// Bools encodes a boolean array. To be used inside oneof structure.
-message Bools {
-  repeated bool values = 1;
-}
-
-// Float64s encodes a float64 array. To be used inside oneof structure.
-message Float64s {
-  repeated double values = 1;
-}
-
-// Float32s encodes a float32 array. To be used inside oneof structure.
-message Float32s {
-  repeated float values = 1;
-}
-
-// Object are primitive encodings.
-//
-// Note that ref_value references an Object.id, below.
-message Object {
-  oneof value {
-    bool bool_value = 1;
-    bytes string_value = 2;
-    int64 int64_value = 3;
-    uint64 uint64_value = 4;
-    double double_value = 5;
-    uint64 ref_value = 6;
-    Slice slice_value = 7;
-    Array array_value = 8;
-    Interface interface_value = 9;
-    Struct struct_value = 10;
-    Map map_value = 11;
-    bytes byte_array_value = 12;
-    Uint16s uint16_array_value = 13;
-    Uint32s uint32_array_value = 14;
-    Uint64s uint64_array_value = 15;
-    Uintptrs uintptr_array_value = 16;
-    Int8s int8_array_value = 17;
-    Int16s int16_array_value = 18;
-    Int32s int32_array_value = 19;
-    Int64s int64_array_value = 20;
-    Bools bool_array_value = 21;
-    Float64s float64_array_value = 22;
-    Float32s float32_array_value = 23;
-  }
-}
diff --git a/pkg/state/pretty/BUILD b/pkg/state/pretty/BUILD
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d053802f7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/pretty/BUILD
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+load("//tools:defs.bzl", "go_library")
+
+package(licenses = ["notice"])
+
+go_library(
+    name = "pretty",
+    srcs = ["pretty.go"],
+    visibility = ["//:sandbox"],
+    deps = [
+        "//pkg/state",
+        "//pkg/state/wire",
+    ],
+)
diff --git a/pkg/state/pretty/pretty.go b/pkg/state/pretty/pretty.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cf37aaa49
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/pretty/pretty.go
@@ -0,0 +1,273 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+// Package pretty is a pretty-printer for state streams.
+package pretty
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"io/ioutil"
+	"reflect"
+	"strings"
+
+	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state"
+	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state/wire"
+)
+
+func formatRef(x *wire.Ref, graph uint64, html bool) string {
+	baseRef := fmt.Sprintf("g%dr%d", graph, x.Root)
+	fullRef := baseRef
+	if len(x.Dots) > 0 {
+		// See wire.Ref; Type valid if Dots non-zero.
+		typ, _ := formatType(x.Type, graph, html)
+		var buf strings.Builder
+		buf.WriteString("(*")
+		buf.WriteString(typ)
+		buf.WriteString(")(")
+		buf.WriteString(baseRef)
+		for _, component := range x.Dots {
+			switch v := component.(type) {
+			case *wire.FieldName:
+				buf.WriteString(".")
+				buf.WriteString(string(*v))
+			case wire.Index:
+				buf.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("[%d]", v))
+			default:
+				panic(fmt.Sprintf("unreachable: switch should be exhaustive, unhandled case %v", reflect.TypeOf(component)))
+			}
+		}
+		buf.WriteString(")")
+		fullRef = buf.String()
+	}
+	if html {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("<a href=\"#%s\">%s</a>", baseRef, fullRef)
+	}
+	return fullRef
+}
+
+func formatType(t wire.TypeSpec, graph uint64, html bool) (string, bool) {
+	switch x := t.(type) {
+	case wire.TypeID:
+		base := fmt.Sprintf("g%dt%d", graph, x)
+		if html {
+			return fmt.Sprintf("<a href=\"#%s\">%s</a>", base, base), true
+		}
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%s", base), true
+	case wire.TypeSpecNil:
+		return "", false // Only nil type.
+	case *wire.TypeSpecPointer:
+		element, _ := formatType(x.Type, graph, html)
+		return fmt.Sprintf("(*%s)", element), true
+	case *wire.TypeSpecArray:
+		element, _ := formatType(x.Type, graph, html)
+		return fmt.Sprintf("[%d](%s)", x.Count, element), true
+	case *wire.TypeSpecSlice:
+		element, _ := formatType(x.Type, graph, html)
+		return fmt.Sprintf("([]%s)", element), true
+	case *wire.TypeSpecMap:
+		key, _ := formatType(x.Key, graph, html)
+		value, _ := formatType(x.Value, graph, html)
+		return fmt.Sprintf("(map[%s]%s)", key, value), true
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("unreachable: unknown type %T", t))
+	}
+}
+
+// format formats a single object, for pretty-printing. It also returns whether
+// the value is a non-zero value.
+func format(graph uint64, depth int, encoded wire.Object, html bool) (string, bool) {
+	switch x := encoded.(type) {
+	case wire.Nil:
+		return "nil", false
+	case *wire.String:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%q", *x), *x != ""
+	case *wire.Complex64:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%f+%fi", real(*x), imag(*x)), *x != 0.0
+	case *wire.Complex128:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%f+%fi", real(*x), imag(*x)), *x != 0.0
+	case *wire.Ref:
+		return formatRef(x, graph, html), x.Root != 0
+	case *wire.Type:
+		tabs := "\n" + strings.Repeat("\t", depth)
+		items := make([]string, 0, len(x.Fields)+2)
+		items = append(items, fmt.Sprintf("type %s {", x.Name))
+		for i := 0; i < len(x.Fields); i++ {
+			items = append(items, fmt.Sprintf("\t%d: %s,", i, x.Fields[i]))
+		}
+		items = append(items, "}")
+		return strings.Join(items, tabs), true // No zero value.
+	case *wire.Slice:
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%s{len:%d,cap:%d}", formatRef(&x.Ref, graph, html), x.Length, x.Capacity), x.Capacity != 0
+	case *wire.Array:
+		if len(x.Contents) == 0 {
+			return "[]", false
+		}
+		items := make([]string, 0, len(x.Contents)+2)
+		zeros := make([]string, 0) // used to eliminate zero entries.
+		items = append(items, "[")
+		tabs := "\n" + strings.Repeat("\t", depth)
+		for i := 0; i < len(x.Contents); i++ {
+			item, ok := format(graph, depth+1, x.Contents[i], html)
+			if !ok {
+				zeros = append(zeros, fmt.Sprintf("\t%s,", item))
+				continue
+			}
+			if len(zeros) > 0 {
+				items = append(items, zeros...)
+				zeros = nil
+			}
+			items = append(items, fmt.Sprintf("\t%s,", item))
+		}
+		if len(zeros) > 0 {
+			items = append(items, fmt.Sprintf("\t... (%d zeros),", len(zeros)))
+		}
+		items = append(items, "]")
+		return strings.Join(items, tabs), len(zeros) < len(x.Contents)
+	case *wire.Struct:
+		typ, _ := formatType(x.TypeID, graph, html)
+		if x.Fields() == 0 {
+			return fmt.Sprintf("struct[%s]{}", typ), false
+		}
+		items := make([]string, 0, 2)
+		items = append(items, fmt.Sprintf("struct[%s]{", typ))
+		tabs := "\n" + strings.Repeat("\t", depth)
+		allZero := true
+		for i := 0; i < x.Fields(); i++ {
+			element, ok := format(graph, depth+1, *x.Field(i), html)
+			allZero = allZero && !ok
+			items = append(items, fmt.Sprintf("\t%d: %s,", i, element))
+			i++
+		}
+		items = append(items, "}")
+		return strings.Join(items, tabs), !allZero
+	case *wire.Map:
+		if len(x.Keys) == 0 {
+			return "map{}", false
+		}
+		items := make([]string, 0, len(x.Keys)+2)
+		items = append(items, "map{")
+		tabs := "\n" + strings.Repeat("\t", depth)
+		for i := 0; i < len(x.Keys); i++ {
+			key, _ := format(graph, depth+1, x.Keys[i], html)
+			value, _ := format(graph, depth+1, x.Values[i], html)
+			items = append(items, fmt.Sprintf("\t%s: %s,", key, value))
+		}
+		items = append(items, "}")
+		return strings.Join(items, tabs), true
+	case *wire.Interface:
+		typ, typOk := formatType(x.Type, graph, html)
+		element, elementOk := format(graph, depth+1, x.Value, html)
+		return fmt.Sprintf("interface[%s]{%s}", typ, element), typOk || elementOk
+	default:
+		// Must be a primitive; use reflection.
+		return fmt.Sprintf("%v", encoded), true
+	}
+}
+
+// printStream is the basic print implementation.
+func printStream(w io.Writer, r wire.Reader, html bool) (err error) {
+	// current graph ID.
+	var graph uint64
+
+	if html {
+		fmt.Fprintf(w, "<pre>")
+		defer fmt.Fprintf(w, "</pre>")
+	}
+
+	defer func() {
+		if r := recover(); r != nil {
+			if rErr, ok := r.(error); ok {
+				err = rErr // Override return.
+				return
+			}
+			panic(r) // Propagate.
+		}
+	}()
+
+	for {
+		// Find the first object to begin generation.
+		length, object, err := state.ReadHeader(r)
+		if err == io.EOF {
+			// Nothing else to do.
+			break
+		} else if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if !object {
+			graph++ // Increment the graph.
+			if length > 0 {
+				fmt.Fprintf(w, "(%d bytes non-object data)\n", length)
+				io.Copy(ioutil.Discard, &io.LimitedReader{
+					R: r,
+					N: int64(length),
+				})
+			}
+			continue
+		}
+
+		// Read & unmarshal the object.
+		//
+		// Note that this loop must match the general structure of the
+		// loop in decode.go. But we don't register type information,
+		// etc. and just print the raw structures.
+		var (
+			oid uint64 = 1
+			tid uint64 = 1
+		)
+		for oid <= length {
+			// Unmarshal the object.
+			encoded := wire.Load(r)
+
+			// Is this a type?
+			if _, ok := encoded.(*wire.Type); ok {
+				str, _ := format(graph, 0, encoded, html)
+				tag := fmt.Sprintf("g%dt%d", graph, tid)
+				if html {
+					// See below.
+					tag = fmt.Sprintf("<a name=\"%s\">%s</a><a href=\"#%s\">&#9875;</a>", tag, tag, tag)
+				}
+				if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s = %s\n", tag, str); err != nil {
+					return err
+				}
+				tid++
+				continue
+			}
+
+			// Format the node.
+			str, _ := format(graph, 0, encoded, html)
+			tag := fmt.Sprintf("g%dr%d", graph, oid)
+			if html {
+				// Create a little tag with an anchor next to it for linking.
+				tag = fmt.Sprintf("<a name=\"%s\">%s</a><a href=\"#%s\">&#9875;</a>", tag, tag, tag)
+			}
+			if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s = %s\n", tag, str); err != nil {
+				return err
+			}
+			oid++
+		}
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+// PrintText reads the stream from r and prints text to w.
+func PrintText(w io.Writer, r wire.Reader) error {
+	return printStream(w, r, false /* html */)
+}
+
+// PrintHTML reads the stream from r and prints html to w.
+func PrintHTML(w io.Writer, r wire.Reader) error {
+	return printStream(w, r, true /* html */)
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/printer.go b/pkg/state/printer.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 3ce18242f..000000000
--- a/pkg/state/printer.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,251 +0,0 @@
-// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
-//
-// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-// You may obtain a copy of the License at
-//
-//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-//
-// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-// limitations under the License.
-
-package state
-
-import (
-	"fmt"
-	"io"
-	"io/ioutil"
-	"reflect"
-	"strings"
-
-	"github.com/golang/protobuf/proto"
-	pb "gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state/object_go_proto"
-)
-
-// format formats a single object, for pretty-printing. It also returns whether
-// the value is a non-zero value.
-func format(graph uint64, depth int, object *pb.Object, html bool) (string, bool) {
-	switch x := object.GetValue().(type) {
-	case *pb.Object_BoolValue:
-		return fmt.Sprintf("%t", x.BoolValue), x.BoolValue != false
-	case *pb.Object_StringValue:
-		return fmt.Sprintf("\"%s\"", string(x.StringValue)), len(x.StringValue) != 0
-	case *pb.Object_Int64Value:
-		return fmt.Sprintf("%d", x.Int64Value), x.Int64Value != 0
-	case *pb.Object_Uint64Value:
-		return fmt.Sprintf("%du", x.Uint64Value), x.Uint64Value != 0
-	case *pb.Object_DoubleValue:
-		return fmt.Sprintf("%f", x.DoubleValue), x.DoubleValue != 0.0
-	case *pb.Object_RefValue:
-		if x.RefValue == 0 {
-			return "nil", false
-		}
-		ref := fmt.Sprintf("g%dr%d", graph, x.RefValue)
-		if html {
-			ref = fmt.Sprintf("<a href=#%s>%s</a>", ref, ref)
-		}
-		return ref, true
-	case *pb.Object_SliceValue:
-		if x.SliceValue.RefValue == 0 {
-			return "nil", false
-		}
-		ref := fmt.Sprintf("g%dr%d", graph, x.SliceValue.RefValue)
-		if html {
-			ref = fmt.Sprintf("<a href=#%s>%s</a>", ref, ref)
-		}
-		return fmt.Sprintf("%s[:%d:%d]", ref, x.SliceValue.Length, x.SliceValue.Capacity), true
-	case *pb.Object_ArrayValue:
-		if len(x.ArrayValue.Contents) == 0 {
-			return "[]", false
-		}
-		items := make([]string, 0, len(x.ArrayValue.Contents)+2)
-		zeros := make([]string, 0) // used to eliminate zero entries.
-		items = append(items, "[")
-		tabs := "\n" + strings.Repeat("\t", depth)
-		for i := 0; i < len(x.ArrayValue.Contents); i++ {
-			item, ok := format(graph, depth+1, x.ArrayValue.Contents[i], html)
-			if ok {
-				if len(zeros) > 0 {
-					items = append(items, zeros...)
-					zeros = nil
-				}
-				items = append(items, fmt.Sprintf("\t%s,", item))
-			} else {
-				zeros = append(zeros, fmt.Sprintf("\t%s,", item))
-			}
-		}
-		if len(zeros) > 0 {
-			items = append(items, fmt.Sprintf("\t... (%d zeros),", len(zeros)))
-		}
-		items = append(items, "]")
-		return strings.Join(items, tabs), len(zeros) < len(x.ArrayValue.Contents)
-	case *pb.Object_StructValue:
-		if len(x.StructValue.Fields) == 0 {
-			return "struct{}", false
-		}
-		items := make([]string, 0, len(x.StructValue.Fields)+2)
-		items = append(items, "struct{")
-		tabs := "\n" + strings.Repeat("\t", depth)
-		allZero := true
-		for _, field := range x.StructValue.Fields {
-			element, ok := format(graph, depth+1, field.Value, html)
-			allZero = allZero && !ok
-			items = append(items, fmt.Sprintf("\t%s: %s,", field.Name, element))
-		}
-		items = append(items, "}")
-		return strings.Join(items, tabs), !allZero
-	case *pb.Object_MapValue:
-		if len(x.MapValue.Keys) == 0 {
-			return "map{}", false
-		}
-		items := make([]string, 0, len(x.MapValue.Keys)+2)
-		items = append(items, "map{")
-		tabs := "\n" + strings.Repeat("\t", depth)
-		for i := 0; i < len(x.MapValue.Keys); i++ {
-			key, _ := format(graph, depth+1, x.MapValue.Keys[i], html)
-			value, _ := format(graph, depth+1, x.MapValue.Values[i], html)
-			items = append(items, fmt.Sprintf("\t%s: %s,", key, value))
-		}
-		items = append(items, "}")
-		return strings.Join(items, tabs), true
-	case *pb.Object_InterfaceValue:
-		if x.InterfaceValue.Type == "" {
-			return "interface(nil){}", false
-		}
-		element, _ := format(graph, depth+1, x.InterfaceValue.Value, html)
-		return fmt.Sprintf("interface(\"%s\"){%s}", x.InterfaceValue.Type, element), true
-	case *pb.Object_ByteArrayValue:
-		return printArray(reflect.ValueOf(x.ByteArrayValue))
-	case *pb.Object_Uint16ArrayValue:
-		return printArray(reflect.ValueOf(x.Uint16ArrayValue.Values))
-	case *pb.Object_Uint32ArrayValue:
-		return printArray(reflect.ValueOf(x.Uint32ArrayValue.Values))
-	case *pb.Object_Uint64ArrayValue:
-		return printArray(reflect.ValueOf(x.Uint64ArrayValue.Values))
-	case *pb.Object_UintptrArrayValue:
-		return printArray(castSlice(reflect.ValueOf(x.UintptrArrayValue.Values), reflect.TypeOf(uintptr(0))))
-	case *pb.Object_Int8ArrayValue:
-		return printArray(castSlice(reflect.ValueOf(x.Int8ArrayValue.Values), reflect.TypeOf(int8(0))))
-	case *pb.Object_Int16ArrayValue:
-		return printArray(reflect.ValueOf(x.Int16ArrayValue.Values))
-	case *pb.Object_Int32ArrayValue:
-		return printArray(reflect.ValueOf(x.Int32ArrayValue.Values))
-	case *pb.Object_Int64ArrayValue:
-		return printArray(reflect.ValueOf(x.Int64ArrayValue.Values))
-	case *pb.Object_BoolArrayValue:
-		return printArray(reflect.ValueOf(x.BoolArrayValue.Values))
-	case *pb.Object_Float64ArrayValue:
-		return printArray(reflect.ValueOf(x.Float64ArrayValue.Values))
-	case *pb.Object_Float32ArrayValue:
-		return printArray(reflect.ValueOf(x.Float32ArrayValue.Values))
-	}
-
-	// Should not happen, but tolerate.
-	return fmt.Sprintf("(unknown proto type: %T)", object.GetValue()), true
-}
-
-// PrettyPrint reads the state stream from r, and pretty prints to w.
-func PrettyPrint(w io.Writer, r io.Reader, html bool) error {
-	var (
-		// current graph ID.
-		graph uint64
-
-		// current object ID.
-		id uint64
-	)
-
-	if html {
-		fmt.Fprintf(w, "<pre>")
-		defer fmt.Fprintf(w, "</pre>")
-	}
-
-	for {
-		// Find the first object to begin generation.
-		length, object, err := ReadHeader(r)
-		if err == io.EOF {
-			// Nothing else to do.
-			break
-		} else if err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-		if !object {
-			// Increment the graph number & reset the ID.
-			graph++
-			id = 0
-			if length > 0 {
-				fmt.Fprintf(w, "(%d bytes non-object data)\n", length)
-				io.Copy(ioutil.Discard, &io.LimitedReader{
-					R: r,
-					N: int64(length),
-				})
-			}
-			continue
-		}
-
-		// Read & unmarshal the object.
-		buf := make([]byte, length)
-		for done := 0; done < len(buf); {
-			n, err := r.Read(buf[done:])
-			done += n
-			if n == 0 && err != nil {
-				return err
-			}
-		}
-		obj := new(pb.Object)
-		if err := proto.Unmarshal(buf, obj); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-
-		id++ // First object must be one.
-		str, _ := format(graph, 0, obj, html)
-		tag := fmt.Sprintf("g%dr%d", graph, id)
-		if html {
-			tag = fmt.Sprintf("<a name=%s>%s</a>", tag, tag)
-		}
-		if _, err := fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s = %s\n", tag, str); err != nil {
-			return err
-		}
-	}
-
-	return nil
-}
-
-func printArray(s reflect.Value) (string, bool) {
-	zero := reflect.Zero(s.Type().Elem()).Interface()
-	z := "0"
-	switch s.Type().Elem().Kind() {
-	case reflect.Bool:
-		z = "false"
-	case reflect.Int, reflect.Int8, reflect.Int16, reflect.Int32, reflect.Int64:
-	case reflect.Uint, reflect.Uint8, reflect.Uint16, reflect.Uint32, reflect.Uint64, reflect.Uintptr:
-	case reflect.Float32, reflect.Float64:
-	default:
-		return fmt.Sprintf("unexpected non-primitive type array: %#v", s.Interface()), true
-	}
-
-	zeros := 0
-	items := make([]string, 0, s.Len())
-	for i := 0; i <= s.Len(); i++ {
-		if i < s.Len() && reflect.DeepEqual(s.Index(i).Interface(), zero) {
-			zeros++
-			continue
-		}
-		if zeros > 0 {
-			if zeros <= 4 {
-				for ; zeros > 0; zeros-- {
-					items = append(items, z)
-				}
-			} else {
-				items = append(items, fmt.Sprintf("(%d %ss)", zeros, z))
-				zeros = 0
-			}
-		}
-		if i < s.Len() {
-			items = append(items, fmt.Sprintf("%v", s.Index(i).Interface()))
-		}
-	}
-	return "[" + strings.Join(items, ",") + "]", zeros < s.Len()
-}
diff --git a/pkg/state/state.go b/pkg/state/state.go
index 03ae2dbb0..acb629969 100644
--- a/pkg/state/state.go
+++ b/pkg/state/state.go
@@ -31,210 +31,226 @@
 //     Uint64           default
 //     Float32          default
 //     Float64          default
-//     Complex64        custom
-//     Complex128       custom
+//     Complex64        default
+//     Complex128       default
 //     Array            default
 //     Chan             custom
 //     Func             custom
-//     Interface        custom
-//     Map              default (*)
+//     Interface        default
+//     Map              default
 //     Ptr              default
 //     Slice            default
 //     String           default
-//     Struct           custom
+//     Struct           custom (*) Unless zero-sized.
 //     UnsafePointer    custom
 //
-// (*) Maps are treated as value types by this package, even if they are
-// pointers internally. If you want to save two independent references
-// to the same map value, you must explicitly use a pointer to a map.
+// See README.md for an overview of how encoding and decoding works.
 package state
 
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
-	"io"
 	"reflect"
 	"runtime"
 
-	pb "gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state/object_go_proto"
+	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state/wire"
 )
 
+// objectID is a unique identifier assigned to each object to be serialized.
+// Each instance of an object is considered separately, i.e. if there are two
+// objects of the same type in the object graph being serialized, they'll be
+// assigned unique objectIDs.
+type objectID uint32
+
+// typeID is the identifier for a type. Types are serialized and tracked
+// alongside objects in order to avoid the overhead of encoding field names in
+// all objects.
+type typeID uint32
+
 // ErrState is returned when an error is encountered during encode/decode.
 type ErrState struct {
 	// err is the underlying error.
 	err error
 
-	// path is the visit path from root to the current object.
-	path string
-
 	// trace is the stack trace.
 	trace string
 }
 
 // Error returns a sensible description of the state error.
 func (e *ErrState) Error() string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("%v:\nstate path: %s\n%s", e.err, e.path, e.trace)
+	return fmt.Sprintf("%v:\n%s", e.err, e.trace)
 }
 
-// UnwrapErrState returns the underlying error in ErrState.
-//
-// If err is not *ErrState, err is returned directly.
-func UnwrapErrState(err error) error {
-	if e, ok := err.(*ErrState); ok {
-		return e.err
-	}
-	return err
+// Unwrap implements standard unwrapping.
+func (e *ErrState) Unwrap() error {
+	return e.err
 }
 
 // Save saves the given object state.
-func Save(ctx context.Context, w io.Writer, rootPtr interface{}, stats *Stats) error {
+func Save(ctx context.Context, w wire.Writer, rootPtr interface{}) (Stats, error) {
 	// Create the encoding state.
-	es := &encodeState{
-		ctx:         ctx,
-		idsByObject: make(map[uintptr]uint64),
-		w:           w,
-		stats:       stats,
+	es := encodeState{
+		ctx:        ctx,
+		w:          w,
+		types:      makeTypeEncodeDatabase(),
+		zeroValues: make(map[reflect.Type]*objectEncodeState),
 	}
 
 	// Perform the encoding.
-	return es.safely(func() {
-		es.Serialize(reflect.ValueOf(rootPtr).Elem())
+	err := safely(func() {
+		es.Save(reflect.ValueOf(rootPtr).Elem())
 	})
+	return es.stats, err
 }
 
 // Load loads a checkpoint.
-func Load(ctx context.Context, r io.Reader, rootPtr interface{}, stats *Stats) error {
+func Load(ctx context.Context, r wire.Reader, rootPtr interface{}) (Stats, error) {
 	// Create the decoding state.
-	ds := &decodeState{
-		ctx:         ctx,
-		objectsByID: make(map[uint64]*objectState),
-		deferred:    make(map[uint64]*pb.Object),
-		r:           r,
-		stats:       stats,
+	ds := decodeState{
+		ctx:      ctx,
+		r:        r,
+		types:    makeTypeDecodeDatabase(),
+		deferred: make(map[objectID]wire.Object),
 	}
 
 	// Attempt our decode.
-	return ds.safely(func() {
-		ds.Deserialize(reflect.ValueOf(rootPtr).Elem())
+	err := safely(func() {
+		ds.Load(reflect.ValueOf(rootPtr).Elem())
 	})
+	return ds.stats, err
 }
 
-// Fns are the state dispatch functions.
-type Fns struct {
-	// Save is a function like Save(concreteType, Map).
-	Save interface{}
-
-	// Load is a function like Load(concreteType, Map).
-	Load interface{}
+// Sink is used for Type.StateSave.
+type Sink struct {
+	internal objectEncoder
 }
 
-// Save executes the save function.
-func (fns *Fns) invokeSave(obj reflect.Value, m Map) {
-	reflect.ValueOf(fns.Save).Call([]reflect.Value{obj, reflect.ValueOf(m)})
+// Save adds the given object to the map.
+//
+// You should pass always pointers to the object you are saving. For example:
+//
+// type X struct {
+// 	A int
+// 	B *int
+// }
+//
+// func (x *X) StateTypeInfo(m Sink) state.TypeInfo {
+//	return state.TypeInfo{
+//		Name:   "pkg.X",
+//		Fields: []string{
+//			"A",
+//			"B",
+//		},
+//	}
+// }
+//
+// func (x *X) StateSave(m Sink) {
+// 	m.Save(0, &x.A) // Field is A.
+// 	m.Save(1, &x.B) // Field is B.
+// }
+//
+// func (x *X) StateLoad(m Source) {
+// 	m.Load(0, &x.A) // Field is A.
+// 	m.Load(1, &x.B) // Field is B.
+// }
+func (s Sink) Save(slot int, objPtr interface{}) {
+	s.internal.save(slot, reflect.ValueOf(objPtr).Elem())
 }
 
-// Load executes the load function.
-func (fns *Fns) invokeLoad(obj reflect.Value, m Map) {
-	reflect.ValueOf(fns.Load).Call([]reflect.Value{obj, reflect.ValueOf(m)})
+// SaveValue adds the given object value to the map.
+//
+// This should be used for values where pointers are not available, or casts
+// are required during Save/Load.
+//
+// For example, if we want to cast external package type P.Foo to int64:
+//
+// func (x *X) StateSave(m Sink) {
+//	m.SaveValue(0, "A", int64(x.A))
+// }
+//
+// func (x *X) StateLoad(m Source) {
+//	m.LoadValue(0, new(int64), func(x interface{}) {
+//		x.A = P.Foo(x.(int64))
+//	})
+// }
+func (s Sink) SaveValue(slot int, obj interface{}) {
+	s.internal.save(slot, reflect.ValueOf(obj))
 }
 
-// validateStateFn ensures types are correct.
-func validateStateFn(fn interface{}, typ reflect.Type) bool {
-	fnTyp := reflect.TypeOf(fn)
-	if fnTyp.Kind() != reflect.Func {
-		return false
-	}
-	if fnTyp.NumIn() != 2 {
-		return false
-	}
-	if fnTyp.NumOut() != 0 {
-		return false
-	}
-	if fnTyp.In(0) != typ {
-		return false
-	}
-	if fnTyp.In(1) != reflect.TypeOf(Map{}) {
-		return false
-	}
-	return true
+// Context returns the context object provided at save time.
+func (s Sink) Context() context.Context {
+	return s.internal.es.ctx
 }
 
-// Validate validates all state functions.
-func (fns *Fns) Validate(typ reflect.Type) bool {
-	return validateStateFn(fns.Save, typ) && validateStateFn(fns.Load, typ)
+// Type is an interface that must be implemented by Struct objects. This allows
+// these objects to be serialized while minimizing runtime reflection required.
+//
+// All these methods can be automatically generated by the go_statify tool.
+type Type interface {
+	// StateTypeName returns the type's name.
+	//
+	// This is used for matching type information during encoding and
+	// decoding, as well as dynamic interface dispatch. This should be
+	// globally unique.
+	StateTypeName() string
+
+	// StateFields returns information about the type.
+	//
+	// Fields is the set of fields for the object. Calls to Sink.Save and
+	// Source.Load must be made in-order with respect to these fields.
+	//
+	// This will be called at most once per serialization.
+	StateFields() []string
 }
 
-type typeDatabase struct {
-	// nameToType is a forward lookup table.
-	nameToType map[string]reflect.Type
-
-	// typeToName is the reverse lookup table.
-	typeToName map[reflect.Type]string
+// SaverLoader must be implemented by struct types.
+type SaverLoader interface {
+	// StateSave saves the state of the object to the given Map.
+	StateSave(Sink)
 
-	// typeToFns is the function lookup table.
-	typeToFns map[reflect.Type]Fns
+	// StateLoad loads the state of the object.
+	StateLoad(Source)
 }
 
-// registeredTypes is a database used for SaveInterface and LoadInterface.
-var registeredTypes = typeDatabase{
-	nameToType: make(map[string]reflect.Type),
-	typeToName: make(map[reflect.Type]string),
-	typeToFns:  make(map[reflect.Type]Fns),
+// Source is used for Type.StateLoad.
+type Source struct {
+	internal objectDecoder
 }
 
-// register registers a type under the given name. This will generally be
-// called via init() methods, and therefore uses panic to propagate errors.
-func (t *typeDatabase) register(name string, typ reflect.Type, fns Fns) {
-	// We can't allow name collisions.
-	if ot, ok := t.nameToType[name]; ok {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("type %q can't use name %q, already in use by type %q", typ.Name(), name, ot.Name()))
-	}
-
-	// Or multiple registrations.
-	if on, ok := t.typeToName[typ]; ok {
-		panic(fmt.Sprintf("type %q can't be registered as %q, already registered as %q", typ.Name(), name, on))
-	}
-
-	t.nameToType[name] = typ
-	t.typeToName[typ] = name
-	t.typeToFns[typ] = fns
+// Load loads the given object passed as a pointer..
+//
+// See Sink.Save for an example.
+func (s Source) Load(slot int, objPtr interface{}) {
+	s.internal.load(slot, reflect.ValueOf(objPtr), false, nil)
 }
 
-// lookupType finds a type given a name.
-func (t *typeDatabase) lookupType(name string) (reflect.Type, bool) {
-	typ, ok := t.nameToType[name]
-	return typ, ok
+// LoadWait loads the given objects from the map, and marks it as requiring all
+// AfterLoad executions to complete prior to running this object's AfterLoad.
+//
+// See Sink.Save for an example.
+func (s Source) LoadWait(slot int, objPtr interface{}) {
+	s.internal.load(slot, reflect.ValueOf(objPtr), true, nil)
 }
 
-// lookupName finds a name given a type.
-func (t *typeDatabase) lookupName(typ reflect.Type) (string, bool) {
-	name, ok := t.typeToName[typ]
-	return name, ok
+// LoadValue loads the given object value from the map.
+//
+// See Sink.SaveValue for an example.
+func (s Source) LoadValue(slot int, objPtr interface{}, fn func(interface{})) {
+	o := reflect.ValueOf(objPtr)
+	s.internal.load(slot, o, true, func() { fn(o.Elem().Interface()) })
 }
 
-// lookupFns finds functions given a type.
-func (t *typeDatabase) lookupFns(typ reflect.Type) (Fns, bool) {
-	fns, ok := t.typeToFns[typ]
-	return fns, ok
+// AfterLoad schedules a function execution when all objects have been
+// allocated and their automated loading and customized load logic have been
+// executed. fn will not be executed until all of current object's
+// dependencies' AfterLoad() logic, if exist, have been executed.
+func (s Source) AfterLoad(fn func()) {
+	s.internal.afterLoad(fn)
 }
 
-// Register must be called for any interface implementation types that
-// implements Loader.
-//
-// Register should be called either immediately after startup or via init()
-// methods. Double registration of either names or types will result in a panic.
-//
-// No synchronization is provided; this should only be called in init.
-//
-// Example usage:
-//
-// 	state.Register("Foo", (*Foo)(nil), state.Fns{
-//		Save: (*Foo).Save,
-//		Load: (*Foo).Load,
-//	})
-//
-func Register(name string, instance interface{}, fns Fns) {
-	registeredTypes.register(name, reflect.TypeOf(instance), fns)
+// Context returns the context object provided at load time.
+func (s Source) Context() context.Context {
+	return s.internal.ds.ctx
 }
 
 // IsZeroValue checks if the given value is the zero value.
@@ -244,72 +260,14 @@ func IsZeroValue(val interface{}) bool {
 	return val == nil || reflect.ValueOf(val).Elem().IsZero()
 }
 
-// step captures one encoding / decoding step. On each step, there is up to one
-// choice made, which is captured by non-nil param. We intentionally do not
-// eagerly create the final path string, as that will only be needed upon panic.
-type step struct {
-	// dereference indicate if the current object is obtained by
-	// dereferencing a pointer.
-	dereference bool
-
-	// format is the formatting string that takes param below, if
-	// non-nil. For example, in array indexing case, we have "[%d]".
-	format string
-
-	// param stores the choice made at the current encoding / decoding step.
-	// For eaxmple, in array indexing case, param stores the index. When no
-	// choice is made, e.g. dereference, param should be nil.
-	param interface{}
-}
-
-// recoverable is the state encoding / decoding panic recovery facility. It is
-// also used to store encoding / decoding steps as well as the reference to the
-// original queued object from which the current object is dispatched. The
-// complete encoding / decoding path is synthesised from the steps in all queued
-// objects leading to the current object.
-type recoverable struct {
-	from  *recoverable
-	steps []step
+// Failf is a wrapper around panic that should be used to generate errors that
+// can be caught during saving and loading.
+func Failf(fmtStr string, v ...interface{}) {
+	panic(fmt.Errorf(fmtStr, v...))
 }
 
-// push enters a new context level.
-func (sr *recoverable) push(dereference bool, format string, param interface{}) {
-	sr.steps = append(sr.steps, step{dereference, format, param})
-}
-
-// pop exits the current context level.
-func (sr *recoverable) pop() {
-	if len(sr.steps) <= 1 {
-		return
-	}
-	sr.steps = sr.steps[:len(sr.steps)-1]
-}
-
-// path returns the complete encoding / decoding path from root. This is only
-// called upon panic.
-func (sr *recoverable) path() string {
-	if sr.from == nil {
-		return "root"
-	}
-	p := sr.from.path()
-	for _, s := range sr.steps {
-		if s.dereference {
-			p = fmt.Sprintf("*(%s)", p)
-		}
-		if s.param == nil {
-			p += s.format
-		} else {
-			p += fmt.Sprintf(s.format, s.param)
-		}
-	}
-	return p
-}
-
-func (sr *recoverable) copy() recoverable {
-	return recoverable{from: sr.from, steps: append([]step(nil), sr.steps...)}
-}
-
-// safely executes the given function, catching a panic and unpacking as an error.
+// safely executes the given function, catching a panic and unpacking as an
+// error.
 //
 // The error flow through the state package uses panic and recover. There are
 // two important reasons for this:
@@ -323,9 +281,15 @@ func (sr *recoverable) copy() recoverable {
 // method doesn't add a lot of value. If there are specific error conditions
 // that you'd like to handle, you should add appropriate functionality to
 // objects themselves prior to calling Save() and Load().
-func (sr *recoverable) safely(fn func()) (err error) {
+func safely(fn func()) (err error) {
 	defer func() {
 		if r := recover(); r != nil {
+			if es, ok := r.(*ErrState); ok {
+				err = es // Propagate.
+				return
+			}
+
+			// Build a new state error.
 			es := new(ErrState)
 			if e, ok := r.(error); ok {
 				es.err = e
@@ -333,8 +297,6 @@ func (sr *recoverable) safely(fn func()) (err error) {
 				es.err = fmt.Errorf("%v", r)
 			}
 
-			es.path = sr.path()
-
 			// Make a stack. We don't know how big it will be ahead
 			// of time, but want to make sure we get the whole
 			// thing. So we just do a stupid brute force approach.
diff --git a/pkg/state/state_norace.go b/pkg/state/state_norace.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4281aed6d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/state_norace.go
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+// Copyright 2020 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+// +build !race
+
+package state
+
+var raceEnabled = false
diff --git a/pkg/state/state_race.go b/pkg/state/state_race.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8232981ce
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/state_race.go
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+// Copyright 2020 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+// +build race
+
+package state
+
+var raceEnabled = true
diff --git a/pkg/state/state_test.go b/pkg/state/state_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index d7221e9e8..000000000
--- a/pkg/state/state_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,721 +0,0 @@
-// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
-//
-// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
-// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
-// You may obtain a copy of the License at
-//
-//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
-//
-// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
-// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
-// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
-// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
-// limitations under the License.
-
-package state
-
-import (
-	"bytes"
-	"context"
-	"io/ioutil"
-	"math"
-	"reflect"
-	"testing"
-)
-
-// TestCase is used to define a single success/failure testcase of
-// serialization of a set of objects.
-type TestCase struct {
-	// Name is the name of the test case.
-	Name string
-
-	// Objects is the list of values to serialize.
-	Objects []interface{}
-
-	// Fail is whether the test case is supposed to fail or not.
-	Fail bool
-}
-
-// runTest runs all testcases.
-func runTest(t *testing.T, tests []TestCase) {
-	for _, test := range tests {
-		t.Logf("TEST %s:", test.Name)
-		for i, root := range test.Objects {
-			t.Logf("  case#%d: %#v", i, root)
-
-			// Save the passed object.
-			saveBuffer := &bytes.Buffer{}
-			saveObjectPtr := reflect.New(reflect.TypeOf(root))
-			saveObjectPtr.Elem().Set(reflect.ValueOf(root))
-			if err := Save(context.Background(), saveBuffer, saveObjectPtr.Interface(), nil); err != nil && !test.Fail {
-				t.Errorf("    FAIL: Save failed unexpectedly: %v", err)
-				continue
-			} else if err != nil {
-				t.Logf("    PASS: Save failed as expected: %v", err)
-				continue
-			}
-
-			// Load a new copy of the object.
-			loadObjectPtr := reflect.New(reflect.TypeOf(root))
-			if err := Load(context.Background(), bytes.NewReader(saveBuffer.Bytes()), loadObjectPtr.Interface(), nil); err != nil && !test.Fail {
-				t.Errorf("    FAIL: Load failed unexpectedly: %v", err)
-				continue
-			} else if err != nil {
-				t.Logf("    PASS: Load failed as expected: %v", err)
-				continue
-			}
-
-			// Compare the values.
-			loadedValue := loadObjectPtr.Elem().Interface()
-			if eq := reflect.DeepEqual(root, loadedValue); !eq && !test.Fail {
-				t.Errorf("    FAIL: Objects differs; got %#v", loadedValue)
-				continue
-			} else if !eq {
-				t.Logf("    PASS: Object different as expected.")
-				continue
-			}
-
-			// Everything went okay. Is that good?
-			if test.Fail {
-				t.Errorf("    FAIL: Unexpected success.")
-			} else {
-				t.Logf("    PASS: Success.")
-			}
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-// dumbStruct is a struct which does not implement the loader/saver interface.
-// We expect that serialization of this struct will fail.
-type dumbStruct struct {
-	A int
-	B int
-}
-
-// smartStruct is a struct which does implement the loader/saver interface.
-// We expect that serialization of this struct will succeed.
-type smartStruct struct {
-	A int
-	B int
-}
-
-func (s *smartStruct) save(m Map) {
-	m.Save("A", &s.A)
-	m.Save("B", &s.B)
-}
-
-func (s *smartStruct) load(m Map) {
-	m.Load("A", &s.A)
-	m.Load("B", &s.B)
-}
-
-// valueLoadStruct uses a value load.
-type valueLoadStruct struct {
-	v int
-}
-
-func (v *valueLoadStruct) save(m Map) {
-	m.SaveValue("v", v.v)
-}
-
-func (v *valueLoadStruct) load(m Map) {
-	m.LoadValue("v", new(int), func(value interface{}) {
-		v.v = value.(int)
-	})
-}
-
-// afterLoadStruct has an AfterLoad function.
-type afterLoadStruct struct {
-	v int
-}
-
-func (a *afterLoadStruct) save(m Map) {
-}
-
-func (a *afterLoadStruct) load(m Map) {
-	m.AfterLoad(func() {
-		a.v++
-	})
-}
-
-// genericContainer is a generic dispatcher.
-type genericContainer struct {
-	v interface{}
-}
-
-func (g *genericContainer) save(m Map) {
-	m.Save("v", &g.v)
-}
-
-func (g *genericContainer) load(m Map) {
-	m.Load("v", &g.v)
-}
-
-// sliceContainer is a generic slice.
-type sliceContainer struct {
-	v []interface{}
-}
-
-func (s *sliceContainer) save(m Map) {
-	m.Save("v", &s.v)
-}
-
-func (s *sliceContainer) load(m Map) {
-	m.Load("v", &s.v)
-}
-
-// mapContainer is a generic map.
-type mapContainer struct {
-	v map[int]interface{}
-}
-
-func (mc *mapContainer) save(m Map) {
-	m.Save("v", &mc.v)
-}
-
-func (mc *mapContainer) load(m Map) {
-	// Some of the test cases below assume legacy behavior wherein maps
-	// will automatically inherit dependencies.
-	m.LoadWait("v", &mc.v)
-}
-
-// dumbMap is a map which does not implement the loader/saver interface.
-// Serialization of this map will default to the standard encode/decode logic.
-type dumbMap map[string]int
-
-// pointerStruct contains various pointers, shared and non-shared, and pointers
-// to pointers. We expect that serialization will respect the structure.
-type pointerStruct struct {
-	A *int
-	B *int
-	C *int
-	D *int
-
-	AA **int
-	BB **int
-}
-
-func (p *pointerStruct) save(m Map) {
-	m.Save("A", &p.A)
-	m.Save("B", &p.B)
-	m.Save("C", &p.C)
-	m.Save("D", &p.D)
-	m.Save("AA", &p.AA)
-	m.Save("BB", &p.BB)
-}
-
-func (p *pointerStruct) load(m Map) {
-	m.Load("A", &p.A)
-	m.Load("B", &p.B)
-	m.Load("C", &p.C)
-	m.Load("D", &p.D)
-	m.Load("AA", &p.AA)
-	m.Load("BB", &p.BB)
-}
-
-// testInterface is a trivial interface example.
-type testInterface interface {
-	Foo()
-}
-
-// testImpl is a trivial implementation of testInterface.
-type testImpl struct {
-}
-
-// Foo satisfies testInterface.
-func (t *testImpl) Foo() {
-}
-
-// testImpl is trivially serializable.
-func (t *testImpl) save(m Map) {
-}
-
-// testImpl is trivially serializable.
-func (t *testImpl) load(m Map) {
-}
-
-// testI demonstrates interface dispatching.
-type testI struct {
-	I testInterface
-}
-
-func (t *testI) save(m Map) {
-	m.Save("I", &t.I)
-}
-
-func (t *testI) load(m Map) {
-	m.Load("I", &t.I)
-}
-
-// cycleStruct is used to implement basic cycles.
-type cycleStruct struct {
-	c *cycleStruct
-}
-
-func (c *cycleStruct) save(m Map) {
-	m.Save("c", &c.c)
-}
-
-func (c *cycleStruct) load(m Map) {
-	m.Load("c", &c.c)
-}
-
-// badCycleStruct actually has deadlocking dependencies.
-//
-// This should pass if b.b = {nil|b} and fail otherwise.
-type badCycleStruct struct {
-	b *badCycleStruct
-}
-
-func (b *badCycleStruct) save(m Map) {
-	m.Save("b", &b.b)
-}
-
-func (b *badCycleStruct) load(m Map) {
-	m.LoadWait("b", &b.b)
-	m.AfterLoad(func() {
-		// This is not executable, since AfterLoad requires that the
-		// object and all dependencies are complete. This should cause
-		// a deadlock error during load.
-	})
-}
-
-// emptyStructPointer points to an empty struct.
-type emptyStructPointer struct {
-	nothing *struct{}
-}
-
-func (e *emptyStructPointer) save(m Map) {
-	m.Save("nothing", &e.nothing)
-}
-
-func (e *emptyStructPointer) load(m Map) {
-	m.Load("nothing", &e.nothing)
-}
-
-// truncateInteger truncates an integer.
-type truncateInteger struct {
-	v  int64
-	v2 int32
-}
-
-func (t *truncateInteger) save(m Map) {
-	t.v2 = int32(t.v)
-	m.Save("v", &t.v)
-}
-
-func (t *truncateInteger) load(m Map) {
-	m.Load("v", &t.v2)
-	t.v = int64(t.v2)
-}
-
-// truncateUnsignedInteger truncates an unsigned integer.
-type truncateUnsignedInteger struct {
-	v  uint64
-	v2 uint32
-}
-
-func (t *truncateUnsignedInteger) save(m Map) {
-	t.v2 = uint32(t.v)
-	m.Save("v", &t.v)
-}
-
-func (t *truncateUnsignedInteger) load(m Map) {
-	m.Load("v", &t.v2)
-	t.v = uint64(t.v2)
-}
-
-// truncateFloat truncates a floating point number.
-type truncateFloat struct {
-	v  float64
-	v2 float32
-}
-
-func (t *truncateFloat) save(m Map) {
-	t.v2 = float32(t.v)
-	m.Save("v", &t.v)
-}
-
-func (t *truncateFloat) load(m Map) {
-	m.Load("v", &t.v2)
-	t.v = float64(t.v2)
-}
-
-func TestTypes(t *testing.T) {
-	// x and y are basic integers, while xp points to x.
-	x := 1
-	y := 2
-	xp := &x
-
-	// cs is a single object cycle.
-	cs := cycleStruct{nil}
-	cs.c = &cs
-
-	// cs1 and cs2 are in a two object cycle.
-	cs1 := cycleStruct{nil}
-	cs2 := cycleStruct{nil}
-	cs1.c = &cs2
-	cs2.c = &cs1
-
-	// bs is a single object cycle.
-	bs := badCycleStruct{nil}
-	bs.b = &bs
-
-	// bs2 and bs2 are in a deadlocking cycle.
-	bs1 := badCycleStruct{nil}
-	bs2 := badCycleStruct{nil}
-	bs1.b = &bs2
-	bs2.b = &bs1
-
-	// regular nils.
-	var (
-		nilmap   dumbMap
-		nilslice []byte
-	)
-
-	// embed points to embedded fields.
-	embed1 := pointerStruct{}
-	embed1.AA = &embed1.A
-	embed2 := pointerStruct{}
-	embed2.BB = &embed2.B
-
-	// es1 contains two structs pointing to the same empty struct.
-	es := emptyStructPointer{new(struct{})}
-	es1 := []emptyStructPointer{es, es}
-
-	tests := []TestCase{
-		{
-			Name: "bool",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				true,
-				false,
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "integers",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				int(0),
-				int(1),
-				int(-1),
-				int8(0),
-				int8(1),
-				int8(-1),
-				int16(0),
-				int16(1),
-				int16(-1),
-				int32(0),
-				int32(1),
-				int32(-1),
-				int64(0),
-				int64(1),
-				int64(-1),
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "unsigned integers",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				uint(0),
-				uint(1),
-				uint8(0),
-				uint8(1),
-				uint16(0),
-				uint16(1),
-				uint32(1),
-				uint64(0),
-				uint64(1),
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "strings",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				"",
-				"foo",
-				"bar",
-				"\xa0",
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "slices",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				[]int{-1, 0, 1},
-				[]*int{&x, &x, &x},
-				[]int{1, 2, 3}[0:1],
-				[]int{1, 2, 3}[1:2],
-				make([]byte, 32),
-				make([]byte, 32)[:16],
-				make([]byte, 32)[:16:20],
-				nilslice,
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "arrays",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				&[1048576]bool{false, true, false, true},
-				&[1048576]uint8{0, 1, 2, 3},
-				&[1048576]byte{0, 1, 2, 3},
-				&[1048576]uint16{0, 1, 2, 3},
-				&[1048576]uint{0, 1, 2, 3},
-				&[1048576]uint32{0, 1, 2, 3},
-				&[1048576]uint64{0, 1, 2, 3},
-				&[1048576]uintptr{0, 1, 2, 3},
-				&[1048576]int8{0, -1, -2, -3},
-				&[1048576]int16{0, -1, -2, -3},
-				&[1048576]int32{0, -1, -2, -3},
-				&[1048576]int64{0, -1, -2, -3},
-				&[1048576]float32{0, 1.1, 2.2, 3.3},
-				&[1048576]float64{0, 1.1, 2.2, 3.3},
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "pointers",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				&pointerStruct{A: &x, B: &x, C: &y, D: &y, AA: &xp, BB: &xp},
-				&pointerStruct{},
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "empty struct",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				struct{}{},
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "unenlightened structs",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				&dumbStruct{A: 1, B: 2},
-			},
-			Fail: true,
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "enlightened structs",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				&smartStruct{A: 1, B: 2},
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "load-hooks",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				&afterLoadStruct{v: 1},
-				&valueLoadStruct{v: 1},
-				&genericContainer{v: &afterLoadStruct{v: 1}},
-				&genericContainer{v: &valueLoadStruct{v: 1}},
-				&sliceContainer{v: []interface{}{&afterLoadStruct{v: 1}}},
-				&sliceContainer{v: []interface{}{&valueLoadStruct{v: 1}}},
-				&mapContainer{v: map[int]interface{}{0: &afterLoadStruct{v: 1}}},
-				&mapContainer{v: map[int]interface{}{0: &valueLoadStruct{v: 1}}},
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "maps",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				dumbMap{"a": -1, "b": 0, "c": 1},
-				map[smartStruct]int{{}: 0, {A: 1}: 1},
-				nilmap,
-				&mapContainer{v: map[int]interface{}{0: &smartStruct{A: 1}}},
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "interfaces",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				&testI{&testImpl{}},
-				&testI{nil},
-				&testI{(*testImpl)(nil)},
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "unregistered-interfaces",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				&genericContainer{v: afterLoadStruct{v: 1}},
-				&genericContainer{v: valueLoadStruct{v: 1}},
-				&sliceContainer{v: []interface{}{afterLoadStruct{v: 1}}},
-				&sliceContainer{v: []interface{}{valueLoadStruct{v: 1}}},
-				&mapContainer{v: map[int]interface{}{0: afterLoadStruct{v: 1}}},
-				&mapContainer{v: map[int]interface{}{0: valueLoadStruct{v: 1}}},
-			},
-			Fail: true,
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "cycles",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				&cs,
-				&cs1,
-				&cycleStruct{&cs1},
-				&cycleStruct{&cs},
-				&badCycleStruct{nil},
-				&bs,
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "deadlock",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				&bs1,
-			},
-			Fail: true,
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "embed",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				&embed1,
-				&embed2,
-			},
-			Fail: true,
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "empty structs",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				new(struct{}),
-				es,
-				es1,
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "truncated okay",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				&truncateInteger{v: 1},
-				&truncateUnsignedInteger{v: 1},
-				&truncateFloat{v: 1.0},
-			},
-		},
-		{
-			Name: "truncated bad",
-			Objects: []interface{}{
-				&truncateInteger{v: math.MaxInt32 + 1},
-				&truncateUnsignedInteger{v: math.MaxUint32 + 1},
-				&truncateFloat{v: math.MaxFloat32 * 2},
-			},
-			Fail: true,
-		},
-	}
-
-	runTest(t, tests)
-}
-
-// benchStruct is used for benchmarking.
-type benchStruct struct {
-	b *benchStruct
-
-	// Dummy data is included to ensure that these objects are large.
-	// This is to detect possible regression when registering objects.
-	_ [4096]byte
-}
-
-func (b *benchStruct) save(m Map) {
-	m.Save("b", &b.b)
-}
-
-func (b *benchStruct) load(m Map) {
-	m.LoadWait("b", &b.b)
-	m.AfterLoad(b.afterLoad)
-}
-
-func (b *benchStruct) afterLoad() {
-	// Do nothing, just force scheduling.
-}
-
-// buildObject builds a benchmark object.
-func buildObject(n int) (b *benchStruct) {
-	for i := 0; i < n; i++ {
-		b = &benchStruct{b: b}
-	}
-	return
-}
-
-func BenchmarkEncoding(b *testing.B) {
-	b.StopTimer()
-	bs := buildObject(b.N)
-	var stats Stats
-	b.StartTimer()
-	if err := Save(context.Background(), ioutil.Discard, bs, &stats); err != nil {
-		b.Errorf("save failed: %v", err)
-	}
-	b.StopTimer()
-	if b.N > 1000 {
-		b.Logf("breakdown (n=%d): %s", b.N, &stats)
-	}
-}
-
-func BenchmarkDecoding(b *testing.B) {
-	b.StopTimer()
-	bs := buildObject(b.N)
-	var newBS benchStruct
-	buf := &bytes.Buffer{}
-	if err := Save(context.Background(), buf, bs, nil); err != nil {
-		b.Errorf("save failed: %v", err)
-	}
-	var stats Stats
-	b.StartTimer()
-	if err := Load(context.Background(), buf, &newBS, &stats); err != nil {
-		b.Errorf("load failed: %v", err)
-	}
-	b.StopTimer()
-	if b.N > 1000 {
-		b.Logf("breakdown (n=%d): %s", b.N, &stats)
-	}
-}
-
-func init() {
-	Register("stateTest.smartStruct", (*smartStruct)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*smartStruct).save,
-		Load: (*smartStruct).load,
-	})
-	Register("stateTest.afterLoadStruct", (*afterLoadStruct)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*afterLoadStruct).save,
-		Load: (*afterLoadStruct).load,
-	})
-	Register("stateTest.valueLoadStruct", (*valueLoadStruct)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*valueLoadStruct).save,
-		Load: (*valueLoadStruct).load,
-	})
-	Register("stateTest.genericContainer", (*genericContainer)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*genericContainer).save,
-		Load: (*genericContainer).load,
-	})
-	Register("stateTest.sliceContainer", (*sliceContainer)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*sliceContainer).save,
-		Load: (*sliceContainer).load,
-	})
-	Register("stateTest.mapContainer", (*mapContainer)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*mapContainer).save,
-		Load: (*mapContainer).load,
-	})
-	Register("stateTest.pointerStruct", (*pointerStruct)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*pointerStruct).save,
-		Load: (*pointerStruct).load,
-	})
-	Register("stateTest.testImpl", (*testImpl)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*testImpl).save,
-		Load: (*testImpl).load,
-	})
-	Register("stateTest.testI", (*testI)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*testI).save,
-		Load: (*testI).load,
-	})
-	Register("stateTest.cycleStruct", (*cycleStruct)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*cycleStruct).save,
-		Load: (*cycleStruct).load,
-	})
-	Register("stateTest.badCycleStruct", (*badCycleStruct)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*badCycleStruct).save,
-		Load: (*badCycleStruct).load,
-	})
-	Register("stateTest.emptyStructPointer", (*emptyStructPointer)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*emptyStructPointer).save,
-		Load: (*emptyStructPointer).load,
-	})
-	Register("stateTest.truncateInteger", (*truncateInteger)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*truncateInteger).save,
-		Load: (*truncateInteger).load,
-	})
-	Register("stateTest.truncateUnsignedInteger", (*truncateUnsignedInteger)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*truncateUnsignedInteger).save,
-		Load: (*truncateUnsignedInteger).load,
-	})
-	Register("stateTest.truncateFloat", (*truncateFloat)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*truncateFloat).save,
-		Load: (*truncateFloat).load,
-	})
-	Register("stateTest.benchStruct", (*benchStruct)(nil), Fns{
-		Save: (*benchStruct).save,
-		Load: (*benchStruct).load,
-	})
-}
diff --git a/pkg/state/statefile/BUILD b/pkg/state/statefile/BUILD
index e7581c09b..d6c89c7e9 100644
--- a/pkg/state/statefile/BUILD
+++ b/pkg/state/statefile/BUILD
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ go_library(
     deps = [
         "//pkg/binary",
         "//pkg/compressio",
+        "//pkg/state/wire",
     ],
 )
 
diff --git a/pkg/state/statefile/statefile.go b/pkg/state/statefile/statefile.go
index c0f4c4954..bdfb800fb 100644
--- a/pkg/state/statefile/statefile.go
+++ b/pkg/state/statefile/statefile.go
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ import (
 
 	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/binary"
 	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/compressio"
+	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state/wire"
 )
 
 // keySize is the AES-256 key length.
@@ -83,10 +84,16 @@ var ErrInvalidMetadataLength = fmt.Errorf("metadata length invalid, maximum size
 // ErrMetadataInvalid is returned if passed metadata is invalid.
 var ErrMetadataInvalid = fmt.Errorf("metadata invalid, can't start with _")
 
+// WriteCloser is an io.Closer and wire.Writer.
+type WriteCloser interface {
+	wire.Writer
+	io.Closer
+}
+
 // NewWriter returns a state data writer for a statefile.
 //
 // Note that the returned WriteCloser must be closed.
-func NewWriter(w io.Writer, key []byte, metadata map[string]string) (io.WriteCloser, error) {
+func NewWriter(w io.Writer, key []byte, metadata map[string]string) (WriteCloser, error) {
 	if metadata == nil {
 		metadata = make(map[string]string)
 	}
@@ -215,7 +222,7 @@ func metadata(r io.Reader, h hash.Hash) (map[string]string, error) {
 }
 
 // NewReader returns a reader for a statefile.
-func NewReader(r io.Reader, key []byte) (io.Reader, map[string]string, error) {
+func NewReader(r io.Reader, key []byte) (wire.Reader, map[string]string, error) {
 	// Read the metadata with the hash.
 	h := hmac.New(sha256.New, key)
 	metadata, err := metadata(r, h)
@@ -224,9 +231,9 @@ func NewReader(r io.Reader, key []byte) (io.Reader, map[string]string, error) {
 	}
 
 	// Wrap in compression.
-	rc, err := compressio.NewReader(r, key)
+	cr, err := compressio.NewReader(r, key)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, nil, err
 	}
-	return rc, metadata, nil
+	return cr, metadata, nil
 }
diff --git a/pkg/state/stats.go b/pkg/state/stats.go
index eb51cda47..eaec664a1 100644
--- a/pkg/state/stats.go
+++ b/pkg/state/stats.go
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ package state
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
-	"reflect"
 	"sort"
 	"time"
 )
@@ -35,92 +34,81 @@ type statEntry struct {
 // All exported receivers accept nil.
 type Stats struct {
 	// byType contains a breakdown of time spent by type.
-	byType map[reflect.Type]*statEntry
+	//
+	// This is indexed *directly* by typeID, including zero.
+	byType []statEntry
 
 	// stack contains objects in progress.
-	stack []reflect.Type
+	stack []typeID
+
+	// names contains type names.
+	//
+	// This is also indexed *directly* by typeID, including zero, which we
+	// hard-code as "state.default". This is only resolved by calling fini
+	// on the stats object.
+	names []string
 
 	// last is the last start time.
 	last time.Time
 }
 
-// sample adds the samples to the given object.
-func (s *Stats) sample(typ reflect.Type) {
-	now := time.Now()
-	s.byType[typ].total += now.Sub(s.last)
-	s.last = now
+// init initializes statistics.
+func (s *Stats) init() {
+	s.last = time.Now()
+	s.stack = append(s.stack, 0)
 }
 
-// Add adds a sample count.
-func (s *Stats) Add(obj reflect.Value) {
-	if s == nil {
-		return
-	}
-	if s.byType == nil {
-		s.byType = make(map[reflect.Type]*statEntry)
-	}
-	typ := obj.Type()
-	entry, ok := s.byType[typ]
-	if !ok {
-		entry = new(statEntry)
-		s.byType[typ] = entry
+// fini finalizes statistics.
+func (s *Stats) fini(resolve func(id typeID) string) {
+	s.done()
+
+	// Resolve all type names.
+	s.names = make([]string, len(s.byType))
+	s.names[0] = "state.default" // See above.
+	for id := typeID(1); int(id) < len(s.names); id++ {
+		s.names[id] = resolve(id)
 	}
-	entry.count++
 }
 
-// Remove removes a sample count. It should only be called after a previous
-// Add().
-func (s *Stats) Remove(obj reflect.Value) {
-	if s == nil {
-		return
+// sample adds the samples to the given object.
+func (s *Stats) sample(id typeID) {
+	now := time.Now()
+	if len(s.byType) <= int(id) {
+		// Allocate all the missing entries in one fell swoop.
+		s.byType = append(s.byType, make([]statEntry, 1+int(id)-len(s.byType))...)
 	}
-	typ := obj.Type()
-	entry := s.byType[typ]
-	entry.count--
+	s.byType[id].total += now.Sub(s.last)
+	s.last = now
 }
 
-// Start starts a sample.
-func (s *Stats) Start(obj reflect.Value) {
-	if s == nil {
-		return
-	}
-	if len(s.stack) > 0 {
-		last := s.stack[len(s.stack)-1]
-		s.sample(last)
-	} else {
-		// First time sample.
-		s.last = time.Now()
-	}
-	s.stack = append(s.stack, obj.Type())
+// start starts a sample.
+func (s *Stats) start(id typeID) {
+	last := s.stack[len(s.stack)-1]
+	s.sample(last)
+	s.stack = append(s.stack, id)
 }
 
-// Done finishes the current sample.
-func (s *Stats) Done() {
-	if s == nil {
-		return
-	}
+// done finishes the current sample.
+func (s *Stats) done() {
 	last := s.stack[len(s.stack)-1]
 	s.sample(last)
+	s.byType[last].count++
 	s.stack = s.stack[:len(s.stack)-1]
 }
 
 type sliceEntry struct {
-	typ   reflect.Type
+	name  string
 	entry *statEntry
 }
 
 // String returns a table representation of the stats.
 func (s *Stats) String() string {
-	if s == nil || len(s.byType) == 0 {
-		return "(no data)"
-	}
-
 	// Build a list of stat entries.
 	ss := make([]sliceEntry, 0, len(s.byType))
-	for typ, entry := range s.byType {
+	for id := 0; id < len(s.names); id++ {
 		ss = append(ss, sliceEntry{
-			typ:   typ,
-			entry: entry,
+			name:  s.names[id],
+			entry: &s.byType[id],
 		})
 	}
 
@@ -136,17 +124,22 @@ func (s *Stats) String() string {
 		total time.Duration
 	)
 	buf.WriteString("\n")
-	buf.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("%12s | %8s | %8s | %s\n", "total", "count", "per", "type"))
-	buf.WriteString("-------------+----------+----------+-------------\n")
+	buf.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("% 16s | % 8s | % 16s | %s\n", "total", "count", "per", "type"))
+	buf.WriteString("-----------------+----------+------------------+----------------\n")
 	for _, se := range ss {
+		if se.entry.count == 0 {
+			// Since we store all types linearly, we are not
+			// guaranteed that any entry actually has time.
+			continue
+		}
 		count += se.entry.count
 		total += se.entry.total
 		per := se.entry.total / time.Duration(se.entry.count)
-		buf.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("%12s | %8d | %8s | %s\n",
-			se.entry.total, se.entry.count, per, se.typ.String()))
+		buf.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("% 16s | %8d | % 16s | %s\n",
+			se.entry.total, se.entry.count, per, se.name))
 	}
-	buf.WriteString("-------------+----------+----------+-------------\n")
-	buf.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("%12s | %8d | %8s | [all]",
+	buf.WriteString("-----------------+----------+------------------+----------------\n")
+	buf.WriteString(fmt.Sprintf("% 16s | % 8d | % 16s | [all]",
 		total, count, total/time.Duration(count)))
 	return string(buf.Bytes())
 }
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/BUILD b/pkg/state/tests/BUILD
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9297cafbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/BUILD
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+load("//tools:defs.bzl", "go_library", "go_test")
+
+package(licenses = ["notice"])
+
+go_library(
+    name = "tests",
+    srcs = [
+        "array.go",
+        "bench.go",
+        "integer.go",
+        "load.go",
+        "map.go",
+        "register.go",
+        "struct.go",
+        "tests.go",
+    ],
+    deps = [
+        "//pkg/state",
+        "//pkg/state/pretty",
+    ],
+)
+
+go_test(
+    name = "tests_test",
+    size = "small",
+    srcs = [
+        "array_test.go",
+        "bench_test.go",
+        "bool_test.go",
+        "float_test.go",
+        "integer_test.go",
+        "load_test.go",
+        "map_test.go",
+        "register_test.go",
+        "string_test.go",
+        "struct_test.go",
+    ],
+    library = ":tests",
+    deps = [
+        "//pkg/state",
+        "//pkg/state/wire",
+    ],
+)
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/array.go b/pkg/state/tests/array.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0972a80e7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/array.go
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+// +stateify savable
+type arrayContainer struct {
+	v [1]interface{}
+}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type arrayPtrContainer struct {
+	v *[1]interface{}
+}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type sliceContainer struct {
+	v []interface{}
+}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type slicePtrContainer struct {
+	v *[]interface{}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/array_test.go b/pkg/state/tests/array_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a347b2947
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/array_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+import (
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+var allArrayPrimitives = []interface{}{
+	[1]bool{},
+	[1]bool{true},
+	[2]bool{false, true},
+	[1]int{},
+	[1]int{1},
+	[2]int{0, 1},
+	[1]int8{},
+	[1]int8{1},
+	[2]int8{0, 1},
+	[1]int16{},
+	[1]int16{1},
+	[2]int16{0, 1},
+	[1]int32{},
+	[1]int32{1},
+	[2]int32{0, 1},
+	[1]int64{},
+	[1]int64{1},
+	[2]int64{0, 1},
+	[1]uint{},
+	[1]uint{1},
+	[2]uint{0, 1},
+	[1]uintptr{},
+	[1]uintptr{1},
+	[2]uintptr{0, 1},
+	[1]uint8{},
+	[1]uint8{1},
+	[2]uint8{0, 1},
+	[1]uint16{},
+	[1]uint16{1},
+	[2]uint16{0, 1},
+	[1]uint32{},
+	[1]uint32{1},
+	[2]uint32{0, 1},
+	[1]uint64{},
+	[1]uint64{1},
+	[2]uint64{0, 1},
+	[1]string{},
+	[1]string{""},
+	[1]string{nonEmptyString},
+	[2]string{"", nonEmptyString},
+}
+
+func TestArrayPrimitives(t *testing.T) {
+	runTestCases(t, false, "plain", flatten(allArrayPrimitives))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "pointers", pointersTo(flatten(allArrayPrimitives)))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfaces", interfacesTo(flatten(allArrayPrimitives)))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfacesToPointers", interfacesTo(pointersTo(flatten(allArrayPrimitives))))
+}
+
+func TestSlices(t *testing.T) {
+	var allSlices = flatten(
+		filter(allArrayPrimitives, func(o interface{}) (interface{}, bool) {
+			v := reflect.New(reflect.TypeOf(o)).Elem()
+			v.Set(reflect.ValueOf(o))
+			return v.Slice(0, v.Len()).Interface(), true
+		}),
+		filter(allArrayPrimitives, func(o interface{}) (interface{}, bool) {
+			v := reflect.New(reflect.TypeOf(o)).Elem()
+			v.Set(reflect.ValueOf(o))
+			if v.Len() == 0 {
+				// Return the pure "nil" value for the slice.
+				return reflect.New(v.Slice(0, 0).Type()).Elem().Interface(), true
+			}
+			return v.Slice(1, v.Len()).Interface(), true
+		}),
+		filter(allArrayPrimitives, func(o interface{}) (interface{}, bool) {
+			v := reflect.New(reflect.TypeOf(o)).Elem()
+			v.Set(reflect.ValueOf(o))
+			if v.Len() == 0 {
+				// Return the zero-valued slice.
+				return reflect.MakeSlice(v.Slice(0, 0).Type(), 0, 0).Interface(), true
+			}
+			return v.Slice(0, v.Len()-1).Interface(), true
+		}),
+	)
+	runTestCases(t, false, "plain", allSlices)
+	runTestCases(t, false, "pointers", pointersTo(allSlices))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfaces", interfacesTo(allSlices))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfacesToPointers", interfacesTo(pointersTo(allSlices)))
+}
+
+func TestArrayContainers(t *testing.T) {
+	var (
+		emptyArray [1]interface{}
+		fullArray  [1]interface{}
+	)
+	fullArray[0] = &emptyArray
+	runTestCases(t, false, "", []interface{}{
+		arrayContainer{v: emptyArray},
+		arrayContainer{v: fullArray},
+		arrayPtrContainer{v: nil},
+		arrayPtrContainer{v: &emptyArray},
+		arrayPtrContainer{v: &fullArray},
+	})
+}
+
+func TestSliceContainers(t *testing.T) {
+	var (
+		nilSlice   []interface{}
+		emptySlice = make([]interface{}, 0)
+		fullSlice  = []interface{}{nil}
+	)
+	runTestCases(t, false, "", []interface{}{
+		sliceContainer{v: nilSlice},
+		sliceContainer{v: emptySlice},
+		sliceContainer{v: fullSlice},
+		slicePtrContainer{v: nil},
+		slicePtrContainer{v: &nilSlice},
+		slicePtrContainer{v: &emptySlice},
+		slicePtrContainer{v: &fullSlice},
+	})
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/bench.go b/pkg/state/tests/bench.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..40869cdfb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/bench.go
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+// +stateify savable
+type benchStruct struct {
+	B *benchStruct // Must be exported for gob.
+}
+
+func (b *benchStruct) afterLoad() {
+	// Do nothing, just force scheduling.
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/bench_test.go b/pkg/state/tests/bench_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7e102c907
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/bench_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"encoding/gob"
+	"fmt"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state"
+	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state/wire"
+)
+
+// buildPtrObject builds a benchmark object.
+func buildPtrObject(n int) interface{} {
+	b := new(benchStruct)
+	for i := 0; i < n; i++ {
+		b = &benchStruct{B: b}
+	}
+	return b
+}
+
+// buildMapObject builds a benchmark object.
+func buildMapObject(n int) interface{} {
+	b := new(benchStruct)
+	m := make(map[int]*benchStruct)
+	for i := 0; i < n; i++ {
+		m[i] = b
+	}
+	return &m
+}
+
+// buildSliceObject builds a benchmark object.
+func buildSliceObject(n int) interface{} {
+	b := new(benchStruct)
+	s := make([]*benchStruct, 0, n)
+	for i := 0; i < n; i++ {
+		s = append(s, b)
+	}
+	return &s
+}
+
+var allObjects = map[string]struct {
+	New func(int) interface{}
+}{
+	"ptr": {
+		New: buildPtrObject,
+	},
+	"map": {
+		New: buildMapObject,
+	},
+	"slice": {
+		New: buildSliceObject,
+	},
+}
+
+func buildObjects(n int, fn func(int) interface{}) (iters int, v interface{}) {
+	// maxSize is the maximum size of an individual object below. For an N
+	// larger than this, we start to return multiple objects.
+	const maxSize = 1024
+	if n <= maxSize {
+		return 1, fn(n)
+	}
+	iters = (n + maxSize - 1) / maxSize
+	return iters, fn(maxSize)
+}
+
+// gobSave is a version of save using gob (no stats available).
+func gobSave(_ context.Context, w wire.Writer, v interface{}) (_ state.Stats, err error) {
+	enc := gob.NewEncoder(w)
+	err = enc.Encode(v)
+	return
+}
+
+// gobLoad is a version of load using gob (no stats available).
+func gobLoad(_ context.Context, r wire.Reader, v interface{}) (_ state.Stats, err error) {
+	dec := gob.NewDecoder(r)
+	err = dec.Decode(v)
+	return
+}
+
+var allAlgos = map[string]struct {
+	Save   func(context.Context, wire.Writer, interface{}) (state.Stats, error)
+	Load   func(context.Context, wire.Reader, interface{}) (state.Stats, error)
+	MaxPtr int
+}{
+	"state": {
+		Save: state.Save,
+		Load: state.Load,
+	},
+	"gob": {
+		Save: gobSave,
+		Load: gobLoad,
+	},
+}
+
+func BenchmarkEncoding(b *testing.B) {
+	for objName, objInfo := range allObjects {
+		for algoName, algoInfo := range allAlgos {
+			b.Run(fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s", objName, algoName), func(b *testing.B) {
+				b.StopTimer()
+				n, v := buildObjects(b.N, objInfo.New)
+				b.ReportAllocs()
+				b.StartTimer()
+				for i := 0; i < n; i++ {
+					if _, err := algoInfo.Save(context.Background(), discard{}, v); err != nil {
+						b.Errorf("save failed: %v", err)
+					}
+				}
+				b.StopTimer()
+			})
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func BenchmarkDecoding(b *testing.B) {
+	for objName, objInfo := range allObjects {
+		for algoName, algoInfo := range allAlgos {
+			b.Run(fmt.Sprintf("%s/%s", objName, algoName), func(b *testing.B) {
+				b.StopTimer()
+				n, v := buildObjects(b.N, objInfo.New)
+				buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
+				if _, err := algoInfo.Save(context.Background(), buf, v); err != nil {
+					b.Errorf("save failed: %v", err)
+				}
+				b.ReportAllocs()
+				b.StartTimer()
+				var r bytes.Reader
+				for i := 0; i < n; i++ {
+					r.Reset(buf.Bytes())
+					if _, err := algoInfo.Load(context.Background(), &r, v); err != nil {
+						b.Errorf("load failed: %v", err)
+					}
+				}
+				b.StopTimer()
+			})
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/bool_test.go b/pkg/state/tests/bool_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e17cfacf9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/bool_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+)
+
+var allBools = []bool{
+	true,
+	false,
+}
+
+func TestBool(t *testing.T) {
+	runTestCases(t, false, "plain", flatten(allBools))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "pointers", pointersTo(flatten(allBools)))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfaces", interfacesTo(flatten(allBools)))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfacesToPointers", interfacesTo(pointersTo(flatten(allBools))))
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/float_test.go b/pkg/state/tests/float_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3e89edd9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/float_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+import (
+	"math"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+var safeFloat32s = []float32{
+	float32(0.0),
+	float32(1.0),
+	float32(-1.0),
+	float32(math.Inf(1)),
+	float32(math.Inf(-1)),
+}
+
+var allFloat32s = append(safeFloat32s, float32(math.NaN()))
+
+var safeFloat64s = []float64{
+	float64(0.0),
+	float64(1.0),
+	float64(-1.0),
+	math.Inf(1),
+	math.Inf(-1),
+}
+
+var allFloat64s = append(safeFloat64s, math.NaN())
+
+func TestFloat(t *testing.T) {
+	runTestCases(t, false, "plain", flatten(
+		allFloat32s,
+		allFloat64s,
+	))
+	// See checkEqual for why NaNs are missing.
+	runTestCases(t, false, "pointers", pointersTo(flatten(
+		safeFloat32s,
+		safeFloat64s,
+	)))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfaces", interfacesTo(flatten(
+		safeFloat32s,
+		safeFloat64s,
+	)))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfacesToPointers", interfacesTo(pointersTo(flatten(
+		safeFloat32s,
+		safeFloat64s,
+	))))
+}
+
+const onlyDouble float64 = 1.0000000000000002
+
+func TestFloatTruncation(t *testing.T) {
+	runTestCases(t, true, "pass", []interface{}{
+		truncatingFloat32{save: onlyDouble},
+	})
+	runTestCases(t, false, "fail", []interface{}{
+		truncatingFloat32{save: 1.0},
+	})
+}
+
+var safeComplex64s = combine(safeFloat32s, safeFloat32s, func(i, j interface{}) interface{} {
+	return complex(i.(float32), j.(float32))
+})
+
+var allComplex64s = combine(allFloat32s, allFloat32s, func(i, j interface{}) interface{} {
+	return complex(i.(float32), j.(float32))
+})
+
+var safeComplex128s = combine(safeFloat64s, safeFloat64s, func(i, j interface{}) interface{} {
+	return complex(i.(float64), j.(float64))
+})
+
+var allComplex128s = combine(allFloat64s, allFloat64s, func(i, j interface{}) interface{} {
+	return complex(i.(float64), j.(float64))
+})
+
+func TestComplex(t *testing.T) {
+	runTestCases(t, false, "plain", flatten(
+		allComplex64s,
+		allComplex128s,
+	))
+	// See TestFloat; same issue.
+	runTestCases(t, false, "pointers", pointersTo(flatten(
+		safeComplex64s,
+		safeComplex128s,
+	)))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfacse", interfacesTo(flatten(
+		safeComplex64s,
+		safeComplex128s,
+	)))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfacesTo", interfacesTo(pointersTo(flatten(
+		safeComplex64s,
+		safeComplex128s,
+	))))
+}
+
+func TestComplexTruncation(t *testing.T) {
+	runTestCases(t, true, "pass", []interface{}{
+		truncatingComplex64{save: complex(onlyDouble, onlyDouble)},
+		truncatingComplex64{save: complex(1.0, onlyDouble)},
+		truncatingComplex64{save: complex(onlyDouble, 1.0)},
+	})
+	runTestCases(t, false, "fail", []interface{}{
+		truncatingComplex64{save: complex(1.0, 1.0)},
+	})
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/integer.go b/pkg/state/tests/integer.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ca403eed1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/integer.go
@@ -0,0 +1,163 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+import (
+	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state"
+)
+
+// +stateify type
+type truncatingUint8 struct {
+	save uint64
+	load uint8 `state:"nosave"`
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingUint8) StateSave(m state.Sink) {
+	m.Save(0, &t.save)
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingUint8) StateLoad(m state.Source) {
+	m.Load(0, &t.load)
+	t.save = uint64(t.load)
+	t.load = 0
+}
+
+var _ state.SaverLoader = (*truncatingUint8)(nil)
+
+// +stateify type
+type truncatingUint16 struct {
+	save uint64
+	load uint16 `state:"nosave"`
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingUint16) StateSave(m state.Sink) {
+	m.Save(0, &t.save)
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingUint16) StateLoad(m state.Source) {
+	m.Load(0, &t.load)
+	t.save = uint64(t.load)
+	t.load = 0
+}
+
+var _ state.SaverLoader = (*truncatingUint16)(nil)
+
+// +stateify type
+type truncatingUint32 struct {
+	save uint64
+	load uint32 `state:"nosave"`
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingUint32) StateSave(m state.Sink) {
+	m.Save(0, &t.save)
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingUint32) StateLoad(m state.Source) {
+	m.Load(0, &t.load)
+	t.save = uint64(t.load)
+	t.load = 0
+}
+
+var _ state.SaverLoader = (*truncatingUint32)(nil)
+
+// +stateify type
+type truncatingInt8 struct {
+	save int64
+	load int8 `state:"nosave"`
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingInt8) StateSave(m state.Sink) {
+	m.Save(0, &t.save)
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingInt8) StateLoad(m state.Source) {
+	m.Load(0, &t.load)
+	t.save = int64(t.load)
+	t.load = 0
+}
+
+var _ state.SaverLoader = (*truncatingInt8)(nil)
+
+// +stateify type
+type truncatingInt16 struct {
+	save int64
+	load int16 `state:"nosave"`
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingInt16) StateSave(m state.Sink) {
+	m.Save(0, &t.save)
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingInt16) StateLoad(m state.Source) {
+	m.Load(0, &t.load)
+	t.save = int64(t.load)
+	t.load = 0
+}
+
+var _ state.SaverLoader = (*truncatingInt16)(nil)
+
+// +stateify type
+type truncatingInt32 struct {
+	save int64
+	load int32 `state:"nosave"`
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingInt32) StateSave(m state.Sink) {
+	m.Save(0, &t.save)
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingInt32) StateLoad(m state.Source) {
+	m.Load(0, &t.load)
+	t.save = int64(t.load)
+	t.load = 0
+}
+
+var _ state.SaverLoader = (*truncatingInt32)(nil)
+
+// +stateify type
+type truncatingFloat32 struct {
+	save float64
+	load float32 `state:"nosave"`
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingFloat32) StateSave(m state.Sink) {
+	m.Save(0, &t.save)
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingFloat32) StateLoad(m state.Source) {
+	m.Load(0, &t.load)
+	t.save = float64(t.load)
+	t.load = 0
+}
+
+var _ state.SaverLoader = (*truncatingFloat32)(nil)
+
+// +stateify type
+type truncatingComplex64 struct {
+	save complex128
+	load complex64 `state:"nosave"`
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingComplex64) StateSave(m state.Sink) {
+	m.Save(0, &t.save)
+}
+
+func (t *truncatingComplex64) StateLoad(m state.Source) {
+	m.Load(0, &t.load)
+	t.save = complex128(t.load)
+	t.load = 0
+}
+
+var _ state.SaverLoader = (*truncatingComplex64)(nil)
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/integer_test.go b/pkg/state/tests/integer_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d3931c952
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/integer_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+import (
+	"math"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+var (
+	allIntTs    = []int{-1, 0, 1}
+	allInt8s    = []int8{math.MinInt8, -1, 0, 1, math.MaxInt8}
+	allInt16s   = []int16{math.MinInt16, -1, 0, 1, math.MaxInt16}
+	allInt32s   = []int32{math.MinInt32, -1, 0, 1, math.MaxInt32}
+	allInt64s   = []int64{math.MinInt64, -1, 0, 1, math.MaxInt64}
+	allUintTs   = []uint{0, 1}
+	allUintptrs = []uintptr{0, 1, ^uintptr(0)}
+	allUint8s   = []uint8{0, 1, math.MaxUint8}
+	allUint16s  = []uint16{0, 1, math.MaxUint16}
+	allUint32s  = []uint32{0, 1, math.MaxUint32}
+	allUint64s  = []uint64{0, 1, math.MaxUint64}
+)
+
+var allInts = flatten(
+	allIntTs,
+	allInt8s,
+	allInt16s,
+	allInt32s,
+	allInt64s,
+)
+
+var allUints = flatten(
+	allUintTs,
+	allUintptrs,
+	allUint8s,
+	allUint16s,
+	allUint32s,
+	allUint64s,
+)
+
+func TestInt(t *testing.T) {
+	runTestCases(t, false, "plain", allInts)
+	runTestCases(t, false, "pointers", pointersTo(allInts))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfaces", interfacesTo(allInts))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfacesTo", interfacesTo(pointersTo(allInts)))
+}
+
+func TestIntTruncation(t *testing.T) {
+	runTestCases(t, true, "pass", []interface{}{
+		truncatingInt8{save: math.MinInt8 - 1},
+		truncatingInt16{save: math.MinInt16 - 1},
+		truncatingInt32{save: math.MinInt32 - 1},
+		truncatingInt8{save: math.MaxInt8 + 1},
+		truncatingInt16{save: math.MaxInt16 + 1},
+		truncatingInt32{save: math.MaxInt32 + 1},
+	})
+	runTestCases(t, false, "fail", []interface{}{
+		truncatingInt8{save: 1},
+		truncatingInt16{save: 1},
+		truncatingInt32{save: 1},
+	})
+}
+
+func TestUint(t *testing.T) {
+	runTestCases(t, false, "plain", allUints)
+	runTestCases(t, false, "pointers", pointersTo(allUints))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfaces", interfacesTo(allUints))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfacesTo", interfacesTo(pointersTo(allUints)))
+}
+
+func TestUintTruncation(t *testing.T) {
+	runTestCases(t, true, "pass", []interface{}{
+		truncatingUint8{save: math.MaxUint8 + 1},
+		truncatingUint16{save: math.MaxUint16 + 1},
+		truncatingUint32{save: math.MaxUint32 + 1},
+	})
+	runTestCases(t, false, "fail", []interface{}{
+		truncatingUint8{save: 1},
+		truncatingUint16{save: 1},
+		truncatingUint32{save: 1},
+	})
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/load.go b/pkg/state/tests/load.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a8350c0f3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/load.go
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+// +stateify savable
+type genericContainer struct {
+	v interface{}
+}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type afterLoadStruct struct {
+	v int `state:"nosave"`
+}
+
+func (a *afterLoadStruct) afterLoad() {
+	a.v++
+}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type valueLoadStruct struct {
+	v int `state:".(int64)"`
+}
+
+func (v *valueLoadStruct) saveV() int64 {
+	return int64(v.v) // Save as int64.
+}
+
+func (v *valueLoadStruct) loadV(value int64) {
+	v.v = int(value) // Load as int.
+}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type cycleStruct struct {
+	c *cycleStruct
+}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type badCycleStruct struct {
+	b *badCycleStruct `state:"wait"`
+}
+
+func (b *badCycleStruct) afterLoad() {
+	if b.b != b {
+		// This is not executable, since AfterLoad requires that the
+		// object and all dependencies are complete. This should cause
+		// a deadlock error during load.
+		panic("badCycleStruct.afterLoad called")
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/load_test.go b/pkg/state/tests/load_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1e9794296
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/load_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+)
+
+func TestLoadHooks(t *testing.T) {
+	runTestCases(t, false, "load-hooks", []interface{}{
+		&afterLoadStruct{v: 1},
+		&valueLoadStruct{v: 1},
+		&genericContainer{v: &afterLoadStruct{v: 1}},
+		&genericContainer{v: &valueLoadStruct{v: 1}},
+		&sliceContainer{v: []interface{}{&afterLoadStruct{v: 1}}},
+		&sliceContainer{v: []interface{}{&valueLoadStruct{v: 1}}},
+		&mapContainer{v: map[int]interface{}{0: &afterLoadStruct{v: 1}}},
+		&mapContainer{v: map[int]interface{}{0: &valueLoadStruct{v: 1}}},
+	})
+}
+
+func TestCycles(t *testing.T) {
+	// cs is a single object cycle.
+	cs := cycleStruct{nil}
+	cs.c = &cs
+
+	// cs1 and cs2 are in a two object cycle.
+	cs1 := cycleStruct{nil}
+	cs2 := cycleStruct{nil}
+	cs1.c = &cs2
+	cs2.c = &cs1
+
+	runTestCases(t, false, "cycles", []interface{}{
+		cs,
+		cs1,
+	})
+}
+
+func TestDeadlock(t *testing.T) {
+	// bs is a single object cycle. This does not cause deadlock because an
+	// object cannot wait for itself.
+	bs := badCycleStruct{nil}
+	bs.b = &bs
+
+	runTestCases(t, false, "self", []interface{}{
+		&bs,
+	})
+
+	// bs2 and bs2 are in a deadlocking cycle.
+	bs1 := badCycleStruct{nil}
+	bs2 := badCycleStruct{nil}
+	bs1.b = &bs2
+	bs2.b = &bs1
+
+	runTestCases(t, true, "deadlock", []interface{}{
+		&bs1,
+	})
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/map.go b/pkg/state/tests/map.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..db4e548f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/map.go
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+// +stateify savable
+type mapContainer struct {
+	v map[int]interface{}
+}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type mapPtrContainer struct {
+	v *map[int]interface{}
+}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type registeredMapStruct struct{}
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/map_test.go b/pkg/state/tests/map_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..92bf0fc01
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/map_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+import (
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+)
+
+var allMapPrimitives = []interface{}{
+	bool(true),
+	int(1),
+	int8(1),
+	int16(1),
+	int32(1),
+	int64(1),
+	uint(1),
+	uintptr(1),
+	uint8(1),
+	uint16(1),
+	uint32(1),
+	uint64(1),
+	string(""),
+	registeredMapStruct{},
+}
+
+var allMapKeys = flatten(allMapPrimitives, pointersTo(allMapPrimitives))
+
+var allMapValues = flatten(allMapPrimitives, pointersTo(allMapPrimitives), interfacesTo(allMapPrimitives))
+
+var emptyMaps = combine(allMapKeys, allMapValues, func(v1, v2 interface{}) interface{} {
+	m := reflect.MakeMap(reflect.MapOf(reflect.TypeOf(v1), reflect.TypeOf(v2)))
+	return m.Interface()
+})
+
+var fullMaps = combine(allMapKeys, allMapValues, func(v1, v2 interface{}) interface{} {
+	m := reflect.MakeMap(reflect.MapOf(reflect.TypeOf(v1), reflect.TypeOf(v2)))
+	m.SetMapIndex(reflect.Zero(reflect.TypeOf(v1)), reflect.Zero(reflect.TypeOf(v2)))
+	return m.Interface()
+})
+
+func TestMapAliasing(t *testing.T) {
+	v := make(map[int]int)
+	ptrToV := &v
+	aliases := []map[int]int{v, v}
+	runTestCases(t, false, "", []interface{}{ptrToV, aliases})
+}
+
+func TestMapsEmpty(t *testing.T) {
+	runTestCases(t, false, "plain", emptyMaps)
+	runTestCases(t, false, "pointers", pointersTo(emptyMaps))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfaces", interfacesTo(emptyMaps))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfacesToPointers", interfacesTo(pointersTo(emptyMaps)))
+}
+
+func TestMapsFull(t *testing.T) {
+	runTestCases(t, false, "plain", fullMaps)
+	runTestCases(t, false, "pointers", pointersTo(fullMaps))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfaces", interfacesTo(fullMaps))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfacesToPointer", interfacesTo(pointersTo(fullMaps)))
+}
+
+func TestMapContainers(t *testing.T) {
+	var (
+		nilMap   map[int]interface{}
+		emptyMap = make(map[int]interface{})
+		fullMap  = map[int]interface{}{0: nil}
+	)
+	runTestCases(t, false, "", []interface{}{
+		mapContainer{v: nilMap},
+		mapContainer{v: emptyMap},
+		mapContainer{v: fullMap},
+		mapPtrContainer{v: nil},
+		mapPtrContainer{v: &nilMap},
+		mapPtrContainer{v: &emptyMap},
+		mapPtrContainer{v: &fullMap},
+	})
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/register.go b/pkg/state/tests/register.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..074d86315
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/register.go
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+// +stateify savable
+type alreadyRegisteredStruct struct{}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type alreadyRegisteredOther int
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/register_test.go b/pkg/state/tests/register_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c829753cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/register_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,167 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state"
+)
+
+// faker calls itself whatever is in the name field.
+type faker struct {
+	Name   string
+	Fields []string
+}
+
+func (f *faker) StateTypeName() string {
+	return f.Name
+}
+
+func (f *faker) StateFields() []string {
+	return f.Fields
+}
+
+// fakerWithSaverLoader has all it needs.
+type fakerWithSaverLoader struct {
+	faker
+}
+
+func (f *fakerWithSaverLoader) StateSave(m state.Sink) {}
+
+func (f *fakerWithSaverLoader) StateLoad(m state.Source) {}
+
+// fakerOther calls itself .. uh, itself?
+type fakerOther string
+
+func (f *fakerOther) StateTypeName() string {
+	return string(*f)
+}
+
+func (f *fakerOther) StateFields() []string {
+	return nil
+}
+
+func newFakerOther(name string) *fakerOther {
+	f := fakerOther(name)
+	return &f
+}
+
+// fakerOtherBadFields returns non-nil fields.
+type fakerOtherBadFields string
+
+func (f *fakerOtherBadFields) StateTypeName() string {
+	return string(*f)
+}
+
+func (f *fakerOtherBadFields) StateFields() []string {
+	return []string{string(*f)}
+}
+
+func newFakerOtherBadFields(name string) *fakerOtherBadFields {
+	f := fakerOtherBadFields(name)
+	return &f
+}
+
+// fakerOtherSaverLoader implements SaverLoader methods.
+type fakerOtherSaverLoader string
+
+func (f *fakerOtherSaverLoader) StateTypeName() string {
+	return string(*f)
+}
+
+func (f *fakerOtherSaverLoader) StateFields() []string {
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (f *fakerOtherSaverLoader) StateSave(m state.Sink) {}
+
+func (f *fakerOtherSaverLoader) StateLoad(m state.Source) {}
+
+func newFakerOtherSaverLoader(name string) *fakerOtherSaverLoader {
+	f := fakerOtherSaverLoader(name)
+	return &f
+}
+
+func TestRegisterPrimitives(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, typeName := range []string{
+		"int",
+		"int8",
+		"int16",
+		"int32",
+		"int64",
+		"uint",
+		"uintptr",
+		"uint8",
+		"uint16",
+		"uint32",
+		"uint64",
+		"float32",
+		"float64",
+		"complex64",
+		"complex128",
+		"string",
+	} {
+		t.Run("struct/"+typeName, func(t *testing.T) {
+			defer func() {
+				if r := recover(); r == nil {
+					t.Errorf("Registering type %q did not panic", typeName)
+				}
+			}()
+			state.Register(&faker{
+				Name: typeName,
+			})
+		})
+		t.Run("other/"+typeName, func(t *testing.T) {
+			defer func() {
+				if r := recover(); r == nil {
+					t.Errorf("Registering type %q did not panic", typeName)
+				}
+			}()
+			state.Register(newFakerOther(typeName))
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestRegisterBad(t *testing.T) {
+	const (
+		goodName    = "foo"
+		firstField  = "a"
+		secondField = "b"
+	)
+	for name, object := range map[string]state.Type{
+		"non-struct-with-fields":                  newFakerOtherBadFields(goodName),
+		"non-struct-with-saverloader":             newFakerOtherSaverLoader(goodName),
+		"struct-without-saverloader":              &faker{Name: goodName},
+		"non-struct-duplicate-with-struct":        newFakerOther((new(alreadyRegisteredStruct)).StateTypeName()),
+		"non-struct-duplicate-with-non-struct":    newFakerOther((new(alreadyRegisteredOther)).StateTypeName()),
+		"struct-duplicate-with-struct":            &fakerWithSaverLoader{faker{Name: (new(alreadyRegisteredStruct)).StateTypeName()}},
+		"struct-duplicate-with-non-struct":        &fakerWithSaverLoader{faker{Name: (new(alreadyRegisteredOther)).StateTypeName()}},
+		"struct-with-empty-field":                 &fakerWithSaverLoader{faker{Name: goodName, Fields: []string{""}}},
+		"struct-with-empty-field-and-non-empty":   &fakerWithSaverLoader{faker{Name: goodName, Fields: []string{firstField, ""}}},
+		"struct-with-duplicate-field":             &fakerWithSaverLoader{faker{Name: goodName, Fields: []string{firstField, firstField}}},
+		"struct-with-duplicate-field-and-non-dup": &fakerWithSaverLoader{faker{Name: goodName, Fields: []string{firstField, secondField, firstField}}},
+	} {
+		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			defer func() {
+				if r := recover(); r == nil {
+					t.Errorf("Registering object %#v did not panic", object)
+				}
+			}()
+			state.Register(object)
+		})
+
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/string_test.go b/pkg/state/tests/string_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..44f5a562c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/string_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+)
+
+const nonEmptyString = "hello world"
+
+var allStrings = []string{
+	"",
+	nonEmptyString,
+	"\\0",
+}
+
+func TestString(t *testing.T) {
+	runTestCases(t, false, "plain", flatten(allStrings))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "pointers", pointersTo(flatten(allStrings)))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfaces", interfacesTo(flatten(allStrings)))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfacesToPointers", interfacesTo(pointersTo(flatten(allStrings))))
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/struct.go b/pkg/state/tests/struct.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bd2c2b399
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/struct.go
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+type unregisteredEmptyStruct struct{}
+
+// typeOnlyEmptyStruct just implements the state.Type interface.
+type typeOnlyEmptyStruct struct{}
+
+func (*typeOnlyEmptyStruct) StateTypeName() string { return "registeredEmptyStruct" }
+
+func (*typeOnlyEmptyStruct) StateFields() []string { return nil }
+
+// +stateify savable
+type savableEmptyStruct struct{}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type emptyStructPointer struct {
+	nothing *struct{}
+}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type outerSame struct {
+	inner inner
+}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type outerFieldFirst struct {
+	inner inner
+	v     int64
+}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type outerFieldSecond struct {
+	v     int64
+	inner inner
+}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type outerArray struct {
+	inner [2]inner
+}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type inner struct {
+	v int64
+}
+
+// +stateify savable
+type system struct {
+	v1 interface{}
+	v2 interface{}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/struct_test.go b/pkg/state/tests/struct_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..de9d17aa7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/struct_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package tests
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state"
+)
+
+func TestEmptyStruct(t *testing.T) {
+	runTestCases(t, false, "plain", []interface{}{
+		unregisteredEmptyStruct{},
+		typeOnlyEmptyStruct{},
+		savableEmptyStruct{},
+	})
+	runTestCases(t, false, "pointers", pointersTo([]interface{}{
+		unregisteredEmptyStruct{},
+		typeOnlyEmptyStruct{},
+		savableEmptyStruct{},
+	}))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfaces-pass", interfacesTo([]interface{}{
+		// Only registered types can be dispatched via interfaces. All
+		// other types should fail, even if it is the empty struct.
+		savableEmptyStruct{},
+	}))
+	runTestCases(t, true, "interfaces-fail", interfacesTo([]interface{}{
+		unregisteredEmptyStruct{},
+		typeOnlyEmptyStruct{},
+	}))
+	runTestCases(t, false, "interfacesToPointers-pass", interfacesTo(pointersTo([]interface{}{
+		savableEmptyStruct{},
+	})))
+	runTestCases(t, true, "interfacesToPointers-fail", interfacesTo(pointersTo([]interface{}{
+		unregisteredEmptyStruct{},
+		typeOnlyEmptyStruct{},
+	})))
+
+	// Ensuring empty struct aliasing works.
+	es := emptyStructPointer{new(struct{})}
+	runTestCases(t, false, "empty-struct-pointers", []interface{}{
+		emptyStructPointer{},
+		es,
+		[]emptyStructPointer{es, es}, // Same pointer.
+	})
+}
+
+func TestRegisterTypeOnlyStruct(t *testing.T) {
+	defer func() {
+		if r := recover(); r == nil {
+			t.Errorf("Register did not panic")
+		}
+	}()
+	state.Register((*typeOnlyEmptyStruct)(nil))
+}
+
+func TestEmbeddedPointers(t *testing.T) {
+	var (
+		ofs outerSame
+		of1 outerFieldFirst
+		of2 outerFieldSecond
+		oa  outerArray
+	)
+
+	runTestCases(t, false, "embedded-pointers", []interface{}{
+		system{&ofs, &ofs.inner},
+		system{&ofs.inner, &ofs},
+		system{&of1, &of1.inner},
+		system{&of1.inner, &of1},
+		system{&of2, &of2.inner},
+		system{&of2.inner, &of2},
+		system{&oa, &oa.inner[0]},
+		system{&oa, &oa.inner[1]},
+		system{&oa.inner[0], &oa},
+		system{&oa.inner[1], &oa},
+	})
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/tests/tests.go b/pkg/state/tests/tests.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..435a0e9db
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/tests/tests.go
@@ -0,0 +1,215 @@
+// Copyright 2018 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+// Package tests tests the state packages.
+package tests
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"fmt"
+	"math"
+	"reflect"
+	"testing"
+
+	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state"
+	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state/pretty"
+)
+
+// discard is an implementation of wire.Writer.
+type discard struct{}
+
+// Write implements wire.Writer.Write.
+func (discard) Write(p []byte) (int, error) { return len(p), nil }
+
+// WriteByte implements wire.Writer.WriteByte.
+func (discard) WriteByte(byte) error { return nil }
+
+// checkEqual checks if two objects are equal.
+//
+// N.B. This only handles one level of dereferences for NaN. Otherwise we
+// would need to fork the entire implementation of reflect.DeepEqual.
+func checkEqual(root, loadedValue interface{}) bool {
+	if reflect.DeepEqual(root, loadedValue) {
+		return true
+	}
+
+	// NaN is not equal to itself. We handle the case of raw floating point
+	// primitives here, but don't handle this case nested.
+	rf32, ok1 := root.(float32)
+	lf32, ok2 := loadedValue.(float32)
+	if ok1 && ok2 && math.IsNaN(float64(rf32)) && math.IsNaN(float64(lf32)) {
+		return true
+	}
+	rf64, ok1 := root.(float64)
+	lf64, ok2 := loadedValue.(float64)
+	if ok1 && ok2 && math.IsNaN(rf64) && math.IsNaN(lf64) {
+		return true
+	}
+
+	// Same real for complex numbers.
+	rc64, ok1 := root.(complex64)
+	lc64, ok2 := root.(complex64)
+	if ok1 && ok2 {
+		return checkEqual(real(rc64), real(lc64)) && checkEqual(imag(rc64), imag(lc64))
+	}
+	rc128, ok1 := root.(complex128)
+	lc128, ok2 := root.(complex128)
+	if ok1 && ok2 {
+		return checkEqual(real(rc128), real(lc128)) && checkEqual(imag(rc128), imag(lc128))
+	}
+
+	return false
+}
+
+// runTestCases runs a test for each object in objects.
+func runTestCases(t *testing.T, shouldFail bool, prefix string, objects []interface{}) {
+	t.Helper()
+	for i, root := range objects {
+		t.Run(fmt.Sprintf("%s%d", prefix, i), func(t *testing.T) {
+			t.Logf("Original object:\n%#v", root)
+
+			// Save the passed object.
+			saveBuffer := &bytes.Buffer{}
+			saveObjectPtr := reflect.New(reflect.TypeOf(root))
+			saveObjectPtr.Elem().Set(reflect.ValueOf(root))
+			saveStats, err := state.Save(context.Background(), saveBuffer, saveObjectPtr.Interface())
+			if err != nil {
+				if shouldFail {
+					return
+				}
+				t.Fatalf("Save failed unexpectedly: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			// Dump the serialized proto to aid with debugging.
+			var ppBuf bytes.Buffer
+			t.Logf("Raw state:\n%v", saveBuffer.Bytes())
+			if err := pretty.PrintText(&ppBuf, bytes.NewReader(saveBuffer.Bytes())); err != nil {
+				// We don't count this as a test failure if we
+				// have shouldFail set, but we will count as a
+				// failure if we were not expecting to fail.
+				if !shouldFail {
+					t.Errorf("PrettyPrint(html=false) failed unexpected: %v", err)
+				}
+			}
+			if err := pretty.PrintHTML(discard{}, bytes.NewReader(saveBuffer.Bytes())); err != nil {
+				// See above.
+				if !shouldFail {
+					t.Errorf("PrettyPrint(html=true) failed unexpected: %v", err)
+				}
+			}
+			t.Logf("Encoded state:\n%s", ppBuf.String())
+			t.Logf("Save stats:\n%s", saveStats.String())
+
+			// Load a new copy of the object.
+			loadObjectPtr := reflect.New(reflect.TypeOf(root))
+			loadStats, err := state.Load(context.Background(), bytes.NewReader(saveBuffer.Bytes()), loadObjectPtr.Interface())
+			if err != nil {
+				if shouldFail {
+					return
+				}
+				t.Fatalf("Load failed unexpectedly: %v", err)
+			}
+
+			// Compare the values.
+			loadedValue := loadObjectPtr.Elem().Interface()
+			if !checkEqual(root, loadedValue) {
+				if shouldFail {
+					return
+				}
+				t.Fatalf("Objects differ:\n\toriginal: %#v\n\tloaded:   %#v\n", root, loadedValue)
+			}
+
+			// Everything went okay. Is that good?
+			if shouldFail {
+				t.Fatalf("This test was expected to fail, but didn't.")
+			}
+			t.Logf("Load stats:\n%s", loadStats.String())
+
+			// Truncate half the bytes in the byte stream,
+			// and ensure that we can't restore. Then
+			// truncate only the final byte and ensure that
+			// we can't restore.
+			l := saveBuffer.Len()
+			halfReader := bytes.NewReader(saveBuffer.Bytes()[:l/2])
+			if _, err := state.Load(context.Background(), halfReader, loadObjectPtr.Interface()); err == nil {
+				t.Errorf("Load with half bytes succeeded unexpectedly.")
+			}
+			missingByteReader := bytes.NewReader(saveBuffer.Bytes()[:l-1])
+			if _, err := state.Load(context.Background(), missingByteReader, loadObjectPtr.Interface()); err == nil {
+				t.Errorf("Load with missing byte succeeded unexpectedly.")
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+// convert converts the slice to an []interface{}.
+func convert(v interface{}) (r []interface{}) {
+	s := reflect.ValueOf(v) // Must be slice.
+	for i := 0; i < s.Len(); i++ {
+		r = append(r, s.Index(i).Interface())
+	}
+	return r
+}
+
+// flatten flattens multiple slices.
+func flatten(vs ...interface{}) (r []interface{}) {
+	for _, v := range vs {
+		r = append(r, convert(v)...)
+	}
+	return r
+}
+
+// filter maps from one slice to another.
+func filter(vs interface{}, fn func(interface{}) (interface{}, bool)) (r []interface{}) {
+	s := reflect.ValueOf(vs)
+	for i := 0; i < s.Len(); i++ {
+		v, ok := fn(s.Index(i).Interface())
+		if ok {
+			r = append(r, v)
+		}
+	}
+	return r
+}
+
+// combine combines objects in two slices as specified.
+func combine(v1, v2 interface{}, fn func(_, _ interface{}) interface{}) (r []interface{}) {
+	s1 := reflect.ValueOf(v1)
+	s2 := reflect.ValueOf(v2)
+	for i := 0; i < s1.Len(); i++ {
+		for j := 0; j < s2.Len(); j++ {
+			// Combine using the given function.
+			r = append(r, fn(s1.Index(i).Interface(), s2.Index(j).Interface()))
+		}
+	}
+	return r
+}
+
+// pointersTo is a filter function that returns pointers.
+func pointersTo(vs interface{}) []interface{} {
+	return filter(vs, func(o interface{}) (interface{}, bool) {
+		v := reflect.New(reflect.TypeOf(o))
+		v.Elem().Set(reflect.ValueOf(o))
+		return v.Interface(), true
+	})
+}
+
+// interfacesTo is a filter function that returns interface objects.
+func interfacesTo(vs interface{}) []interface{} {
+	return filter(vs, func(o interface{}) (interface{}, bool) {
+		var v [1]interface{}
+		v[0] = o
+		return v, true
+	})
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/types.go b/pkg/state/types.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..215ef80f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/types.go
@@ -0,0 +1,361 @@
+// Copyright 2020 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+package state
+
+import (
+	"reflect"
+	"sort"
+
+	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/state/wire"
+)
+
+// assertValidType asserts that the type is valid.
+func assertValidType(name string, fields []string) {
+	if name == "" {
+		Failf("type has empty name")
+	}
+	fieldsCopy := make([]string, len(fields))
+	for i := 0; i < len(fields); i++ {
+		if fields[i] == "" {
+			Failf("field has empty name for type %q", name)
+		}
+		fieldsCopy[i] = fields[i]
+	}
+	sort.Slice(fieldsCopy, func(i, j int) bool {
+		return fieldsCopy[i] < fieldsCopy[j]
+	})
+	for i := range fieldsCopy {
+		if i > 0 && fieldsCopy[i-1] == fieldsCopy[i] {
+			Failf("duplicate field %q for type %s", fieldsCopy[i], name)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// typeEntry is an entry in the typeDatabase.
+type typeEntry struct {
+	ID typeID
+	wire.Type
+}
+
+// reconciledTypeEntry is a reconciled entry in the typeDatabase.
+type reconciledTypeEntry struct {
+	wire.Type
+	LocalType  reflect.Type
+	FieldOrder []int
+}
+
+// typeEncodeDatabase is an internal TypeInfo database for encoding.
+type typeEncodeDatabase struct {
+	// byType maps by type to the typeEntry.
+	byType map[reflect.Type]*typeEntry
+
+	// lastID is the last used ID.
+	lastID typeID
+}
+
+// makeTypeEncodeDatabase makes a typeDatabase.
+func makeTypeEncodeDatabase() typeEncodeDatabase {
+	return typeEncodeDatabase{
+		byType: make(map[reflect.Type]*typeEntry),
+	}
+}
+
+// typeDecodeDatabase is an internal TypeInfo database for decoding.
+type typeDecodeDatabase struct {
+	// byID maps by ID to type.
+	byID []*reconciledTypeEntry
+
+	// pending are entries that are pending validation by Lookup. These
+	// will be reconciled with actual objects. Note that these will also be
+	// used to lookup types by name, since they may not be reconciled and
+	// there's little value to deleting from this map.
+	pending []*wire.Type
+}
+
+// makeTypeDecodeDatabase makes a typeDatabase.
+func makeTypeDecodeDatabase() typeDecodeDatabase {
+	return typeDecodeDatabase{}
+}
+
+// lookupNameFields extracts the name and fields from an object.
+func lookupNameFields(typ reflect.Type) (string, []string, bool) {
+	v := reflect.Zero(reflect.PtrTo(typ)).Interface()
+	t, ok := v.(Type)
+	if !ok {
+		// Is this a primitive?
+		if typ.Kind() == reflect.Interface {
+			return interfaceType, nil, true
+		}
+		name := typ.Name()
+		if _, ok := primitiveTypeDatabase[name]; !ok {
+			// This is not a known type, and not a primitive. The
+			// encoder may proceed for anonymous empty structs, or
+			// it may deference the type pointer and try again.
+			return "", nil, false
+		}
+		return name, nil, true
+	}
+	// Extract the name from the object.
+	name := t.StateTypeName()
+	fields := t.StateFields()
+	assertValidType(name, fields)
+	return name, fields, true
+}
+
+// Lookup looks up or registers the given object.
+//
+// The bool indicates whether this is an existing entry: false means the entry
+// did not exist, and true means the entry did exist. If this bool is false and
+// the returned typeEntry are nil, then the obj did not implement the Type
+// interface.
+func (tdb *typeEncodeDatabase) Lookup(typ reflect.Type) (*typeEntry, bool) {
+	te, ok := tdb.byType[typ]
+	if !ok {
+		// Lookup the type information.
+		name, fields, ok := lookupNameFields(typ)
+		if !ok {
+			// Empty structs may still be encoded, so let the
+			// caller decide what to do from here.
+			return nil, false
+		}
+
+		// Register the new type.
+		tdb.lastID++
+		te = &typeEntry{
+			ID: tdb.lastID,
+			Type: wire.Type{
+				Name:   name,
+				Fields: fields,
+			},
+		}
+
+		// All done.
+		tdb.byType[typ] = te
+		return te, false
+	}
+	return te, true
+}
+
+// Register adds a typeID entry.
+func (tbd *typeDecodeDatabase) Register(typ *wire.Type) {
+	assertValidType(typ.Name, typ.Fields)
+	tbd.pending = append(tbd.pending, typ)
+}
+
+// LookupName looks up the type name by ID.
+func (tbd *typeDecodeDatabase) LookupName(id typeID) string {
+	if len(tbd.pending) < int(id) {
+		// This is likely an encoder error?
+		Failf("type ID %d not available", id)
+	}
+	return tbd.pending[id-1].Name
+}
+
+// LookupType looks up the type by ID.
+func (tbd *typeDecodeDatabase) LookupType(id typeID) reflect.Type {
+	name := tbd.LookupName(id)
+	typ, ok := globalTypeDatabase[name]
+	if !ok {
+		// If not available, see if it's primitive.
+		typ, ok = primitiveTypeDatabase[name]
+		if !ok && name == interfaceType {
+			// Matches the built-in interface type.
+			var i interface{}
+			return reflect.TypeOf(&i).Elem()
+		}
+		if !ok {
+			// The type is perhaps not registered?
+			Failf("type name %q is not available", name)
+		}
+		return typ // Primitive type.
+	}
+	return typ // Registered type.
+}
+
+// singleFieldOrder defines the field order for a single field.
+var singleFieldOrder = []int{0}
+
+// Lookup looks up or registers the given object.
+//
+// First, the typeID is searched to see if this has already been appropriately
+// reconciled. If no, then a reconcilation will take place that may result in a
+// field ordering. If a nil reconciledTypeEntry is returned from this method,
+// then the object does not support the Type interface.
+//
+// This method never returns nil.
+func (tbd *typeDecodeDatabase) Lookup(id typeID, typ reflect.Type) *reconciledTypeEntry {
+	if len(tbd.byID) > int(id) && tbd.byID[id-1] != nil {
+		// Already reconciled.
+		return tbd.byID[id-1]
+	}
+	// The ID has not been reconciled yet. That's fine. We need to make
+	// sure it aligns with the current provided object.
+	if len(tbd.pending) < int(id) {
+		// This id was never registered. Probably an encoder error?
+		Failf("typeDatabase does not contain id %d", id)
+	}
+	// Extract the pending info.
+	pending := tbd.pending[id-1]
+	// Grow the byID list.
+	if len(tbd.byID) < int(id) {
+		tbd.byID = append(tbd.byID, make([]*reconciledTypeEntry, int(id)-len(tbd.byID))...)
+	}
+	// Reconcile the type.
+	name, fields, ok := lookupNameFields(typ)
+	if !ok {
+		// Empty structs are decoded only when the type is nil. Since
+		// this isn't the case, we fail here.
+		Failf("unsupported type %q during decode; can't reconcile", pending.Name)
+	}
+	if name != pending.Name {
+		// Are these the same type? Print a helpful message as this may
+		// actually happen in practice if types change.
+		Failf("typeDatabase contains conflicting definitions for id %d: %s->%v (current) and %s->%v (existing)",
+			id, name, fields, pending.Name, pending.Fields)
+	}
+	rte := &reconciledTypeEntry{
+		Type: wire.Type{
+			Name:   name,
+			Fields: fields,
+		},
+		LocalType: typ,
+	}
+	// If there are zero or one fields, then we skip allocating the field
+	// slice. There is special handling for decoding in this case. If the
+	// field name does not match, it will be caught in the general purpose
+	// code below.
+	if len(fields) != len(pending.Fields) {
+		Failf("type %q contains different fields: %v (decode) and %v (encode)",
+			name, fields, pending.Fields)
+	}
+	if len(fields) == 0 {
+		tbd.byID[id-1] = rte // Save.
+		return rte
+	}
+	if len(fields) == 1 && fields[0] == pending.Fields[0] {
+		tbd.byID[id-1] = rte // Save.
+		rte.FieldOrder = singleFieldOrder
+		return rte
+	}
+	// For each field in the current object's information, match it to a
+	// field in the destination object. We know from the assertion above
+	// and the insertion on insertion to pending that neither field
+	// contains any duplicates.
+	fieldOrder := make([]int, len(fields))
+	for i, name := range fields {
+		fieldOrder[i] = -1 // Sentinel.
+		// Is it an exact match?
+		if pending.Fields[i] == name {
+			fieldOrder[i] = i
+			continue
+		}
+		// Find the matching field.
+		for j, otherName := range pending.Fields {
+			if name == otherName {
+				fieldOrder[i] = j
+				break
+			}
+		}
+		if fieldOrder[i] == -1 {
+			// The type name matches but we are lacking some common fields.
+			Failf("type %q has mismatched fields: %v (decode) and %v (encode)",
+				name, fields, pending.Fields)
+		}
+	}
+	// The type has been reeconciled.
+	rte.FieldOrder = fieldOrder
+	tbd.byID[id-1] = rte
+	return rte
+}
+
+// interfaceType defines all interfaces.
+const interfaceType = "interface"
+
+// primitiveTypeDatabase is a set of fixed types.
+var primitiveTypeDatabase = func() map[string]reflect.Type {
+	r := make(map[string]reflect.Type)
+	for _, t := range []reflect.Type{
+		reflect.TypeOf(false),
+		reflect.TypeOf(int(0)),
+		reflect.TypeOf(int8(0)),
+		reflect.TypeOf(int16(0)),
+		reflect.TypeOf(int32(0)),
+		reflect.TypeOf(int64(0)),
+		reflect.TypeOf(uint(0)),
+		reflect.TypeOf(uintptr(0)),
+		reflect.TypeOf(uint8(0)),
+		reflect.TypeOf(uint16(0)),
+		reflect.TypeOf(uint32(0)),
+		reflect.TypeOf(uint64(0)),
+		reflect.TypeOf(""),
+		reflect.TypeOf(float32(0.0)),
+		reflect.TypeOf(float64(0.0)),
+		reflect.TypeOf(complex64(0.0)),
+		reflect.TypeOf(complex128(0.0)),
+	} {
+		r[t.Name()] = t
+	}
+	return r
+}()
+
+// globalTypeDatabase is used for dispatching interfaces on decode.
+var globalTypeDatabase = map[string]reflect.Type{}
+
+// Register registers a type.
+//
+// This must be called on init and only done once.
+func Register(t Type) {
+	name := t.StateTypeName()
+	fields := t.StateFields()
+	assertValidType(name, fields)
+	// Register must always be called on pointers.
+	typ := reflect.TypeOf(t)
+	if typ.Kind() != reflect.Ptr {
+		Failf("Register must be called on pointers")
+	}
+	typ = typ.Elem()
+	if typ.Kind() == reflect.Struct {
+		// All registered structs must implement SaverLoader. We allow
+		// the registration is non-struct types with just the Type
+		// interface, but we need to call StateSave/StateLoad methods
+		// on aggregate types.
+		if _, ok := t.(SaverLoader); !ok {
+			Failf("struct %T does not implement SaverLoader", t)
+		}
+	} else {
+		// Non-structs must not have any fields. We don't support
+		// calling StateSave/StateLoad methods on any non-struct types.
+		// If custom behavior is required, these types should be
+		// wrapped in a structure of some kind.
+		if len(fields) != 0 {
+			Failf("non-struct %T has non-zero fields %v", t, fields)
+		}
+		// We don't allow non-structs to implement StateSave/StateLoad
+		// methods, because they won't be called and it's confusing.
+		if _, ok := t.(SaverLoader); ok {
+			Failf("non-struct %T implements SaverLoader", t)
+		}
+	}
+	if _, ok := primitiveTypeDatabase[name]; ok {
+		Failf("conflicting primitiveTypeDatabase entry for %T: used by primitive", t)
+	}
+	if _, ok := globalTypeDatabase[name]; ok {
+		Failf("conflicting globalTypeDatabase entries for %T: name conflict", t)
+	}
+	if name == interfaceType {
+		Failf("conflicting name for %T: matches interfaceType", t)
+	}
+	globalTypeDatabase[name] = typ
+}
diff --git a/pkg/state/wire/BUILD b/pkg/state/wire/BUILD
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..311b93dcb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/wire/BUILD
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+load("//tools:defs.bzl", "go_library")
+
+package(licenses = ["notice"])
+
+go_library(
+    name = "wire",
+    srcs = ["wire.go"],
+    marshal = False,
+    stateify = False,
+    visibility = ["//:sandbox"],
+    deps = ["//pkg/gohacks"],
+)
diff --git a/pkg/state/wire/wire.go b/pkg/state/wire/wire.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..93dee6740
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/state/wire/wire.go
@@ -0,0 +1,970 @@
+// Copyright 2020 The gVisor Authors.
+//
+// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+// You may obtain a copy of the License at
+//
+//     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+//
+// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+// limitations under the License.
+
+// Package wire contains a few basic types that can be composed to serialize
+// graph information for the state package. This package defines the wire
+// protocol.
+//
+// Note that these types are careful about how they implement the relevant
+// interfaces (either value receiver or pointer receiver), so that native-sized
+// types, such as integers and simple pointers, can fit inside the interface
+// object.
+//
+// This package also uses panic as control flow, so called should be careful to
+// wrap calls in appropriate handlers.
+//
+// Testing for this package is driven by the state test package.
+package wire
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"io"
+	"math"
+
+	"gvisor.dev/gvisor/pkg/gohacks"
+)
+
+// Reader is the required reader interface.
+type Reader interface {
+	io.Reader
+	ReadByte() (byte, error)
+}
+
+// Writer is the required writer interface.
+type Writer interface {
+	io.Writer
+	WriteByte(byte) error
+}
+
+// readFull is a utility. The equivalent is not needed for Write, but the API
+// contract dictates that it must always complete all bytes given or return an
+// error.
+func readFull(r io.Reader, p []byte) {
+	for done := 0; done < len(p); {
+		n, err := r.Read(p[done:])
+		done += n
+		if n == 0 && err != nil {
+			panic(err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Object is a generic object.
+type Object interface {
+	// save saves the given object.
+	//
+	// Panic is used for error control flow.
+	save(Writer)
+
+	// load loads a new object of the given type.
+	//
+	// Panic is used for error control flow.
+	load(Reader) Object
+}
+
+// Bool is a boolean.
+type Bool bool
+
+// loadBool loads an object of type Bool.
+func loadBool(r Reader) Bool {
+	b := loadUint(r)
+	return Bool(b == 1)
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (b Bool) save(w Writer) {
+	var v Uint
+	if b {
+		v = 1
+	} else {
+		v = 0
+	}
+	v.save(w)
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (Bool) load(r Reader) Object { return loadBool(r) }
+
+// Int is a signed integer.
+//
+// This uses varint encoding.
+type Int int64
+
+// loadInt loads an object of type Int.
+func loadInt(r Reader) Int {
+	u := loadUint(r)
+	x := Int(u >> 1)
+	if u&1 != 0 {
+		x = ^x
+	}
+	return x
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (i Int) save(w Writer) {
+	u := Uint(i) << 1
+	if i < 0 {
+		u = ^u
+	}
+	u.save(w)
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (Int) load(r Reader) Object { return loadInt(r) }
+
+// Uint is an unsigned integer.
+type Uint uint64
+
+// loadUint loads an object of type Uint.
+func loadUint(r Reader) Uint {
+	var (
+		u Uint
+		s uint
+	)
+	for i := 0; i <= 9; i++ {
+		b, err := r.ReadByte()
+		if err != nil {
+			panic(err)
+		}
+		if b < 0x80 {
+			if i == 9 && b > 1 {
+				panic("overflow")
+			}
+			u |= Uint(b) << s
+			return u
+		}
+		u |= Uint(b&0x7f) << s
+		s += 7
+	}
+	panic("unreachable")
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (u Uint) save(w Writer) {
+	for u >= 0x80 {
+		if err := w.WriteByte(byte(u) | 0x80); err != nil {
+			panic(err)
+		}
+		u >>= 7
+	}
+	if err := w.WriteByte(byte(u)); err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (Uint) load(r Reader) Object { return loadUint(r) }
+
+// Float32 is a 32-bit floating point number.
+type Float32 float32
+
+// loadFloat32 loads an object of type Float32.
+func loadFloat32(r Reader) Float32 {
+	n := loadUint(r)
+	return Float32(math.Float32frombits(uint32(n)))
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (f Float32) save(w Writer) {
+	n := Uint(math.Float32bits(float32(f)))
+	n.save(w)
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (Float32) load(r Reader) Object { return loadFloat32(r) }
+
+// Float64 is a 64-bit floating point number.
+type Float64 float64
+
+// loadFloat64 loads an object of type Float64.
+func loadFloat64(r Reader) Float64 {
+	n := loadUint(r)
+	return Float64(math.Float64frombits(uint64(n)))
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (f Float64) save(w Writer) {
+	n := Uint(math.Float64bits(float64(f)))
+	n.save(w)
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (Float64) load(r Reader) Object { return loadFloat64(r) }
+
+// Complex64 is a 64-bit complex number.
+type Complex64 complex128
+
+// loadComplex64 loads an object of type Complex64.
+func loadComplex64(r Reader) Complex64 {
+	re := loadFloat32(r)
+	im := loadFloat32(r)
+	return Complex64(complex(float32(re), float32(im)))
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (c *Complex64) save(w Writer) {
+	re := Float32(real(*c))
+	im := Float32(imag(*c))
+	re.save(w)
+	im.save(w)
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (*Complex64) load(r Reader) Object {
+	c := loadComplex64(r)
+	return &c
+}
+
+// Complex128 is a 128-bit complex number.
+type Complex128 complex128
+
+// loadComplex128 loads an object of type Complex128.
+func loadComplex128(r Reader) Complex128 {
+	re := loadFloat64(r)
+	im := loadFloat64(r)
+	return Complex128(complex(float64(re), float64(im)))
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (c *Complex128) save(w Writer) {
+	re := Float64(real(*c))
+	im := Float64(imag(*c))
+	re.save(w)
+	im.save(w)
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (*Complex128) load(r Reader) Object {
+	c := loadComplex128(r)
+	return &c
+}
+
+// String is a string.
+type String string
+
+// loadString loads an object of type String.
+func loadString(r Reader) String {
+	l := loadUint(r)
+	p := make([]byte, l)
+	readFull(r, p)
+	return String(gohacks.StringFromImmutableBytes(p))
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (s *String) save(w Writer) {
+	l := Uint(len(*s))
+	l.save(w)
+	p := gohacks.ImmutableBytesFromString(string(*s))
+	_, err := w.Write(p) // Must write all bytes.
+	if err != nil {
+		panic(err)
+	}
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (*String) load(r Reader) Object {
+	s := loadString(r)
+	return &s
+}
+
+// Dot is a kind of reference: one of Index and FieldName.
+type Dot interface {
+	isDot()
+}
+
+// Index is a reference resolution.
+type Index uint32
+
+func (Index) isDot() {}
+
+// FieldName is a reference resolution.
+type FieldName string
+
+func (*FieldName) isDot() {}
+
+// Ref is a reference to an object.
+type Ref struct {
+	// Root is the root object.
+	Root Uint
+
+	// Dots is the set of traversals required from the Root object above.
+	// Note that this will be stored in reverse order for efficiency.
+	Dots []Dot
+
+	// Type is the base type for the root object. This is non-nil iff Dots
+	// is non-zero length (that is, this is a complex reference). This is
+	// not *strictly* necessary, but can be used to simplify decoding.
+	Type TypeSpec
+}
+
+// loadRef loads an object of type Ref (abstract).
+func loadRef(r Reader) Ref {
+	ref := Ref{
+		Root: loadUint(r),
+	}
+	l := loadUint(r)
+	ref.Dots = make([]Dot, l)
+	for i := 0; i < int(l); i++ {
+		// Disambiguate between an Index (non-negative) and a field
+		// name (negative). This does some space and avoids a dedicate
+		// loadDot function. See Ref.save for the other side.
+		d := loadInt(r)
+		if d >= 0 {
+			ref.Dots[i] = Index(d)
+			continue
+		}
+		p := make([]byte, -d)
+		readFull(r, p)
+		fieldName := FieldName(gohacks.StringFromImmutableBytes(p))
+		ref.Dots[i] = &fieldName
+	}
+	if l != 0 {
+		// Only if dots is non-zero.
+		ref.Type = loadTypeSpec(r)
+	}
+	return ref
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (r *Ref) save(w Writer) {
+	r.Root.save(w)
+	l := Uint(len(r.Dots))
+	l.save(w)
+	for _, d := range r.Dots {
+		// See LoadRef. We use non-negative numbers to encode Index
+		// objects and negative numbers to encode field lengths.
+		switch x := d.(type) {
+		case Index:
+			i := Int(x)
+			i.save(w)
+		case *FieldName:
+			d := Int(-len(*x))
+			d.save(w)
+			p := gohacks.ImmutableBytesFromString(string(*x))
+			if _, err := w.Write(p); err != nil {
+				panic(err)
+			}
+		default:
+			panic("unknown dot implementation")
+		}
+	}
+	if l != 0 {
+		// See above.
+		saveTypeSpec(w, r.Type)
+	}
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (*Ref) load(r Reader) Object {
+	ref := loadRef(r)
+	return &ref
+}
+
+// Nil is a primitive zero value of any type.
+type Nil struct{}
+
+// loadNil loads an object of type Nil.
+func loadNil(r Reader) Nil {
+	return Nil{}
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (Nil) save(w Writer) {}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (Nil) load(r Reader) Object { return loadNil(r) }
+
+// Slice is a slice value.
+type Slice struct {
+	Length   Uint
+	Capacity Uint
+	Ref      Ref
+}
+
+// loadSlice loads an object of type Slice.
+func loadSlice(r Reader) Slice {
+	return Slice{
+		Length:   loadUint(r),
+		Capacity: loadUint(r),
+		Ref:      loadRef(r),
+	}
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (s *Slice) save(w Writer) {
+	s.Length.save(w)
+	s.Capacity.save(w)
+	s.Ref.save(w)
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (*Slice) load(r Reader) Object {
+	s := loadSlice(r)
+	return &s
+}
+
+// Array is an array value.
+type Array struct {
+	Contents []Object
+}
+
+// loadArray loads an object of type Array.
+func loadArray(r Reader) Array {
+	l := loadUint(r)
+	if l == 0 {
+		// Note that there isn't a single object available to encode
+		// the type of, so we need this additional branch.
+		return Array{}
+	}
+	// All the objects here have the same type, so use dynamic dispatch
+	// only once. All other objects will automatically take the same type
+	// as the first object.
+	contents := make([]Object, l)
+	v := Load(r)
+	contents[0] = v
+	for i := 1; i < int(l); i++ {
+		contents[i] = v.load(r)
+	}
+	return Array{
+		Contents: contents,
+	}
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (a *Array) save(w Writer) {
+	l := Uint(len(a.Contents))
+	l.save(w)
+	if l == 0 {
+		// See LoadArray.
+		return
+	}
+	// See above.
+	Save(w, a.Contents[0])
+	for i := 1; i < int(l); i++ {
+		a.Contents[i].save(w)
+	}
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (*Array) load(r Reader) Object {
+	a := loadArray(r)
+	return &a
+}
+
+// Map is a map value.
+type Map struct {
+	Keys   []Object
+	Values []Object
+}
+
+// loadMap loads an object of type Map.
+func loadMap(r Reader) Map {
+	l := loadUint(r)
+	if l == 0 {
+		// See LoadArray.
+		return Map{}
+	}
+	// See type dispatch notes in Array.
+	keys := make([]Object, l)
+	values := make([]Object, l)
+	k := Load(r)
+	v := Load(r)
+	keys[0] = k
+	values[0] = v
+	for i := 1; i < int(l); i++ {
+		keys[i] = k.load(r)
+		values[i] = v.load(r)
+	}
+	return Map{
+		Keys:   keys,
+		Values: values,
+	}
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (m *Map) save(w Writer) {
+	l := Uint(len(m.Keys))
+	if int(l) != len(m.Values) {
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("mismatched keys (%d) Aand values (%d)", len(m.Keys), len(m.Values)))
+	}
+	l.save(w)
+	if l == 0 {
+		// See LoadArray.
+		return
+	}
+	// See above.
+	Save(w, m.Keys[0])
+	Save(w, m.Values[0])
+	for i := 1; i < int(l); i++ {
+		m.Keys[i].save(w)
+		m.Values[i].save(w)
+	}
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (*Map) load(r Reader) Object {
+	m := loadMap(r)
+	return &m
+}
+
+// TypeSpec is a type dereference.
+type TypeSpec interface {
+	isTypeSpec()
+}
+
+// TypeID is a concrete type ID.
+type TypeID Uint
+
+func (TypeID) isTypeSpec() {}
+
+// TypeSpecPointer is a pointer type.
+type TypeSpecPointer struct {
+	Type TypeSpec
+}
+
+func (*TypeSpecPointer) isTypeSpec() {}
+
+// TypeSpecArray is an array type.
+type TypeSpecArray struct {
+	Count Uint
+	Type  TypeSpec
+}
+
+func (*TypeSpecArray) isTypeSpec() {}
+
+// TypeSpecSlice is a slice type.
+type TypeSpecSlice struct {
+	Type TypeSpec
+}
+
+func (*TypeSpecSlice) isTypeSpec() {}
+
+// TypeSpecMap is a map type.
+type TypeSpecMap struct {
+	Key   TypeSpec
+	Value TypeSpec
+}
+
+func (*TypeSpecMap) isTypeSpec() {}
+
+// TypeSpecNil is an empty type.
+type TypeSpecNil struct{}
+
+func (TypeSpecNil) isTypeSpec() {}
+
+// TypeSpec types.
+//
+// These use a distinct encoding on the wire, as they are used only in the
+// interface object. They are decoded through the dedicated loadTypeSpec and
+// saveTypeSpec functions.
+const (
+	typeSpecTypeID Uint = iota
+	typeSpecPointer
+	typeSpecArray
+	typeSpecSlice
+	typeSpecMap
+	typeSpecNil
+)
+
+// loadTypeSpec loads TypeSpec values.
+func loadTypeSpec(r Reader) TypeSpec {
+	switch hdr := loadUint(r); hdr {
+	case typeSpecTypeID:
+		return TypeID(loadUint(r))
+	case typeSpecPointer:
+		return &TypeSpecPointer{
+			Type: loadTypeSpec(r),
+		}
+	case typeSpecArray:
+		return &TypeSpecArray{
+			Count: loadUint(r),
+			Type:  loadTypeSpec(r),
+		}
+	case typeSpecSlice:
+		return &TypeSpecSlice{
+			Type: loadTypeSpec(r),
+		}
+	case typeSpecMap:
+		return &TypeSpecMap{
+			Key:   loadTypeSpec(r),
+			Value: loadTypeSpec(r),
+		}
+	case typeSpecNil:
+		return TypeSpecNil{}
+	default:
+		// This is not a valid stream?
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("unknown header: %d", hdr))
+	}
+}
+
+// saveTypeSpec saves TypeSpec values.
+func saveTypeSpec(w Writer, t TypeSpec) {
+	switch x := t.(type) {
+	case TypeID:
+		typeSpecTypeID.save(w)
+		Uint(x).save(w)
+	case *TypeSpecPointer:
+		typeSpecPointer.save(w)
+		saveTypeSpec(w, x.Type)
+	case *TypeSpecArray:
+		typeSpecArray.save(w)
+		x.Count.save(w)
+		saveTypeSpec(w, x.Type)
+	case *TypeSpecSlice:
+		typeSpecSlice.save(w)
+		saveTypeSpec(w, x.Type)
+	case *TypeSpecMap:
+		typeSpecMap.save(w)
+		saveTypeSpec(w, x.Key)
+		saveTypeSpec(w, x.Value)
+	case TypeSpecNil:
+		typeSpecNil.save(w)
+	default:
+		// This should not happen?
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("unknown type %T", t))
+	}
+}
+
+// Interface is an interface value.
+type Interface struct {
+	Type  TypeSpec
+	Value Object
+}
+
+// loadInterface loads an object of type Interface.
+func loadInterface(r Reader) Interface {
+	return Interface{
+		Type:  loadTypeSpec(r),
+		Value: Load(r),
+	}
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (i *Interface) save(w Writer) {
+	saveTypeSpec(w, i.Type)
+	Save(w, i.Value)
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (*Interface) load(r Reader) Object {
+	i := loadInterface(r)
+	return &i
+}
+
+// Type is type information.
+type Type struct {
+	Name   string
+	Fields []string
+}
+
+// loadType loads an object of type Type.
+func loadType(r Reader) Type {
+	name := string(loadString(r))
+	l := loadUint(r)
+	fields := make([]string, l)
+	for i := 0; i < int(l); i++ {
+		fields[i] = string(loadString(r))
+	}
+	return Type{
+		Name:   name,
+		Fields: fields,
+	}
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (t *Type) save(w Writer) {
+	s := String(t.Name)
+	s.save(w)
+	l := Uint(len(t.Fields))
+	l.save(w)
+	for i := 0; i < int(l); i++ {
+		s := String(t.Fields[i])
+		s.save(w)
+	}
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (*Type) load(r Reader) Object {
+	t := loadType(r)
+	return &t
+}
+
+// multipleObjects is a special type for serializing multiple objects.
+type multipleObjects []Object
+
+// loadMultipleObjects loads a series of objects.
+func loadMultipleObjects(r Reader) multipleObjects {
+	l := loadUint(r)
+	m := make(multipleObjects, l)
+	for i := 0; i < int(l); i++ {
+		m[i] = Load(r)
+	}
+	return m
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (m *multipleObjects) save(w Writer) {
+	l := Uint(len(*m))
+	l.save(w)
+	for i := 0; i < int(l); i++ {
+		Save(w, (*m)[i])
+	}
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (*multipleObjects) load(r Reader) Object {
+	m := loadMultipleObjects(r)
+	return &m
+}
+
+// noObjects represents no objects.
+type noObjects struct{}
+
+// loadNoObjects loads a sentinel.
+func loadNoObjects(r Reader) noObjects { return noObjects{} }
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+func (noObjects) save(w Writer) {}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (noObjects) load(r Reader) Object { return loadNoObjects(r) }
+
+// Struct is a basic composite value.
+type Struct struct {
+	TypeID TypeID
+	fields Object // Optionally noObjects or *multipleObjects.
+}
+
+// Field returns a pointer to the given field slot.
+//
+// This must be called after Alloc.
+func (s *Struct) Field(i int) *Object {
+	if fields, ok := s.fields.(*multipleObjects); ok {
+		return &((*fields)[i])
+	}
+	if _, ok := s.fields.(noObjects); ok {
+		// Alloc may be optionally called; can't call twice.
+		panic("Field called inappropriately, wrong Alloc?")
+	}
+	return &s.fields
+}
+
+// Alloc allocates the given number of fields.
+//
+// This must be called before Add and Save.
+//
+// Precondition: slots must be positive.
+func (s *Struct) Alloc(slots int) {
+	switch {
+	case slots == 0:
+		s.fields = noObjects{}
+	case slots == 1:
+		// Leave it alone.
+	case slots > 1:
+		fields := make(multipleObjects, slots)
+		s.fields = &fields
+	default:
+		// Violates precondition.
+		panic(fmt.Sprintf("Alloc called with negative slots %d?", slots))
+	}
+}
+
+// Fields returns the number of fields.
+func (s *Struct) Fields() int {
+	switch x := s.fields.(type) {
+	case *multipleObjects:
+		return len(*x)
+	case noObjects:
+		return 0
+	default:
+		return 1
+	}
+}
+
+// loadStruct loads an object of type Struct.
+func loadStruct(r Reader) Struct {
+	return Struct{
+		TypeID: TypeID(loadUint(r)),
+		fields: Load(r),
+	}
+}
+
+// save implements Object.save.
+//
+// Precondition: Alloc must have been called, and the fields all filled in
+// appropriately. See Alloc and Add for more details.
+func (s *Struct) save(w Writer) {
+	Uint(s.TypeID).save(w)
+	Save(w, s.fields)
+}
+
+// load implements Object.load.
+func (*Struct) load(r Reader) Object {
+	s := loadStruct(r)
+	return &s
+}
+
+// Object types.
+//
+// N.B. Be careful about changing the order or introducing new elements in the
+// middle here. This is part of the wire format and shouldn't change.
+const (
+	typeBool Uint = iota
+	typeInt
+	typeUint
+	typeFloat32
+	typeFloat64
+	typeNil
+	typeRef
+	typeString
+	typeSlice
+	typeArray
+	typeMap
+	typeStruct
+	typeNoObjects
+	typeMultipleObjects
+	typeInterface
+	typeComplex64
+	typeComplex128
+	typeType
+)
+
+// Save saves the given object.
+//
+// +checkescape all
+//
+// N.B. This function will panic on error.
+func Save(w Writer, obj Object) {
+	switch x := obj.(type) {
+	case Bool:
+		typeBool.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case Int:
+		typeInt.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case Uint:
+		typeUint.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case Float32:
+		typeFloat32.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case Float64:
+		typeFloat64.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case Nil:
+		typeNil.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case *Ref:
+		typeRef.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case *String:
+		typeString.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case *Slice:
+		typeSlice.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case *Array:
+		typeArray.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case *Map:
+		typeMap.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case *Struct:
+		typeStruct.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case noObjects:
+		typeNoObjects.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case *multipleObjects:
+		typeMultipleObjects.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case *Interface:
+		typeInterface.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case *Type:
+		typeType.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case *Complex64:
+		typeComplex64.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	case *Complex128:
+		typeComplex128.save(w)
+		x.save(w)
+	default:
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("unknown type: %#v", obj))
+	}
+}
+
+// Load loads a new object.
+//
+// +checkescape all
+//
+// N.B. This function will panic on error.
+func Load(r Reader) Object {
+	switch hdr := loadUint(r); hdr {
+	case typeBool:
+		return loadBool(r)
+	case typeInt:
+		return loadInt(r)
+	case typeUint:
+		return loadUint(r)
+	case typeFloat32:
+		return loadFloat32(r)
+	case typeFloat64:
+		return loadFloat64(r)
+	case typeNil:
+		return loadNil(r)
+	case typeRef:
+		return ((*Ref)(nil)).load(r) // Escapes.
+	case typeString:
+		return ((*String)(nil)).load(r) // Escapes.
+	case typeSlice:
+		return ((*Slice)(nil)).load(r) // Escapes.
+	case typeArray:
+		return ((*Array)(nil)).load(r) // Escapes.
+	case typeMap:
+		return ((*Map)(nil)).load(r) // Escapes.
+	case typeStruct:
+		return ((*Struct)(nil)).load(r) // Escapes.
+	case typeNoObjects: // Special for struct.
+		return loadNoObjects(r)
+	case typeMultipleObjects: // Special for struct.
+		return ((*multipleObjects)(nil)).load(r) // Escapes.
+	case typeInterface:
+		return ((*Interface)(nil)).load(r) // Escapes.
+	case typeComplex64:
+		return ((*Complex64)(nil)).load(r) // Escapes.
+	case typeComplex128:
+		return ((*Complex128)(nil)).load(r) // Escapes.
+	case typeType:
+		return ((*Type)(nil)).load(r) // Escapes.
+	default:
+		// This is not a valid stream?
+		panic(fmt.Errorf("unknown header: %d", hdr))
+	}
+}
+
+// LoadUint loads a single unsigned integer.
+//
+// N.B. This function will panic on error.
+func LoadUint(r Reader) uint64 {
+	return uint64(loadUint(r))
+}
+
+// SaveUint saves a single unsigned integer.
+//
+// N.B. This function will panic on error.
+func SaveUint(w Writer, v uint64) {
+	Uint(v).save(w)
+}