diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index a8c93a4..cec5aed 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -2873,6 +2873,7 @@ dependencies = [
 name = "revive-dt-core"
 version = "0.1.0"
 dependencies = [
+ "alloy",
  "anyhow",
  "clap",
  "env_logger",
@@ -2882,6 +2883,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "revive-dt-config",
  "revive-dt-format",
  "revive-dt-node",
+ "revive-dt-node-interaction",
  "revive-solc-json-interface",
  "semver 1.0.26",
  "serde",
diff --git a/crates/compiler/src/lib.rs b/crates/compiler/src/lib.rs
index 30a346b..bb8934c 100644
--- a/crates/compiler/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/compiler/src/lib.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 //! - Polkadot revive resolc compiler
 //! - Polkadot revive Wasm compiler
 
-use std::{fs::read_to_string, path::Path};
+use std::{fs::read_to_string, hash::Hash, path::Path};
 
 use revive_common::EVMVersion;
 use revive_solc_json_interface::{
@@ -20,21 +20,57 @@ pub mod solc;
 /// A common interface for all supported Solidity compilers.
 pub trait SolidityCompiler {
     /// Extra options specific to the compiler.
-    type Options;
+    type Options: Default + PartialEq + Eq + Hash;
 
+    /// The low-level compiler interface.
     fn build(
         &self,
-        input: &SolcStandardJsonInput,
-        extra_options: &Option<Self::Options>,
-    ) -> anyhow::Result<SolcStandardJsonOutput>;
+        input: CompilerInput<Self::Options>,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<CompilerOutput<Self::Options>>;
 
     fn new(solc_version: &Version) -> Self;
 }
 
+/// The generic compilation input configuration.
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct CompilerInput<T: PartialEq + Eq + Hash> {
+    pub extra_options: T,
+    pub input: SolcStandardJsonInput,
+}
+
+/// The generic compilation output configuration.
+pub struct CompilerOutput<T: PartialEq + Eq + Hash> {
+    pub input: CompilerInput<T>,
+    pub output: SolcStandardJsonOutput,
+}
+
+impl<T> PartialEq for CompilerInput<T>
+where
+    T: PartialEq + Eq + Hash,
+{
+    fn eq(&self, other: &Self) -> bool {
+        let self_input = serde_json::to_vec(&self.input).unwrap_or_default();
+        let other_input = serde_json::to_vec(&self.input).unwrap_or_default();
+        self.extra_options.eq(&other.extra_options) && self_input == other_input
+    }
+}
+
+impl<T> Eq for CompilerInput<T> where T: PartialEq + Eq + Hash {}
+
+impl<T> Hash for CompilerInput<T>
+where
+    T: PartialEq + Eq + Hash,
+{
+    fn hash<H: std::hash::Hasher>(&self, state: &mut H) {
+        self.extra_options.hash(state);
+        state.write(&serde_json::to_vec(&self.input).unwrap_or_default());
+    }
+}
+
 /// A generic builder style interface for configuring all compiler options.
 pub struct Compiler<T: SolidityCompiler> {
     input: SolcStandardJsonInput,
-    extra_options: Option<T::Options>,
+    extra_options: T::Options,
     allow_paths: Vec<String>,
     base_path: Option<String>,
 }
@@ -68,7 +104,7 @@ where
                     None,
                 ),
             },
-            extra_options: None,
+            extra_options: Default::default(),
             allow_paths: Default::default(),
             base_path: None,
         }
@@ -92,7 +128,7 @@ where
     }
 
     pub fn extra_options(mut self, extra_options: T::Options) -> Self {
-        self.extra_options = Some(extra_options);
+        self.extra_options = extra_options;
         self
     }
 
@@ -106,7 +142,10 @@ where
         self
     }
 
-    pub fn try_build(&self, solc_version: &Version) -> anyhow::Result<SolcStandardJsonOutput> {
-        T::new(solc_version).build(&self.input, &self.extra_options)
+    pub fn try_build(self, solc_version: &Version) -> anyhow::Result<CompilerOutput<T::Options>> {
+        T::new(solc_version).build(CompilerInput {
+            extra_options: self.extra_options,
+            input: self.input,
+        })
     }
 }
diff --git a/crates/compiler/src/solc.rs b/crates/compiler/src/solc.rs
index 60bd9e9..f715d29 100644
--- a/crates/compiler/src/solc.rs
+++ b/crates/compiler/src/solc.rs
@@ -6,10 +6,9 @@ use std::{
     process::{Command, Stdio},
 };
 
-use revive_solc_json_interface::{SolcStandardJsonInput, SolcStandardJsonOutput};
 use semver::Version;
 
-use crate::SolidityCompiler;
+use crate::{CompilerInput, CompilerOutput, SolidityCompiler};
 
 pub struct Solc {
     binary_path: PathBuf,
@@ -20,9 +19,8 @@ impl SolidityCompiler for Solc {
 
     fn build(
         &self,
-        input: &SolcStandardJsonInput,
-        _extra_options: &Option<Self::Options>,
-    ) -> anyhow::Result<SolcStandardJsonOutput> {
+        input: CompilerInput<Self::Options>,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<CompilerOutput<Self::Options>> {
         let mut child = Command::new(&self.binary_path)
             .stdin(Stdio::piped())
             .stdout(Stdio::piped())
@@ -31,10 +29,13 @@ impl SolidityCompiler for Solc {
             .spawn()?;
 
         let stdin = child.stdin.as_mut().expect("should be piped");
-        serde_json::to_writer(stdin, input)?;
+        serde_json::to_writer(stdin, &input.input)?;
 
         let output = child.wait_with_output()?.stdout;
-        Ok(serde_json::from_slice(&output)?)
+        Ok(CompilerOutput {
+            input,
+            output: serde_json::from_slice(&output)?,
+        })
     }
 
     fn new(_solc_version: &Version) -> Self {
diff --git a/crates/config/src/lib.rs b/crates/config/src/lib.rs
index 6bb15d2..9c9e65f 100644
--- a/crates/config/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/config/src/lib.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 
-use clap::Parser;
+use clap::{Parser, ValueEnum};
 
 #[derive(Debug, Parser, Clone)]
 #[command(name = "retester")]
@@ -48,6 +48,18 @@ pub struct Arguments {
         default_value = "0x4f3edf983ac636a65a842ce7c78d9aa706d3b113bce9c46f30d7d21715b23b1d"
     )]
     pub account: String,
+
+    /// The differential testing leader node implementation.
+    #[arg(short, long = "leader", default_value = "geth")]
+    pub leader: TestingPlatform,
+
+    /// The differential testing follower node implementation.
+    #[arg(short, long = "follower", default_value = "kitchensink")]
+    pub follower: TestingPlatform,
+
+    /// Only compile against this testing platform (doesn't execute the tests).
+    #[arg(short, long = "compile-only")]
+    pub compile_only: bool,
 }
 
 impl Default for Arguments {
@@ -55,3 +67,15 @@ impl Default for Arguments {
         Arguments::parse_from(["retester"])
     }
 }
+
+/// The Solidity compatible node implementation.
+///
+/// This describes the solutions to be tested against on a high level.
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, Eq, Hash, PartialEq, ValueEnum)]
+#[clap(rename_all = "lower")]
+pub enum TestingPlatform {
+    /// The go-ethereum reference full node EVM implementation.
+    Geth,
+    /// The kitchensink runtime provides the PolkaVM (PVM) based node implentation.
+    Kitchensink,
+}
diff --git a/crates/core/Cargo.toml b/crates/core/Cargo.toml
index a75ed83..f256d20 100644
--- a/crates/core/Cargo.toml
+++ b/crates/core/Cargo.toml
@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ revive-dt-config = { workspace = true }
 revive-dt-format = { workspace = true }
 revive-solc-json-interface = { workspace = true }
 revive-dt-node = { workspace = true }
+revive-dt-node-interaction = { workspace = true }
 
+alloy = { workspace = true }
 anyhow = { workspace = true }
 clap = { workspace = true }
 log = { workspace = true }
diff --git a/crates/core/src/driver/compiler.rs b/crates/core/src/driver/compiler.rs
index f56428f..3e6d05a 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/driver/compiler.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/driver/compiler.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 
-use revive_dt_compiler::{Compiler, solc::Solc};
+use revive_dt_compiler::{Compiler, CompilerInput, SolidityCompiler};
 use revive_dt_format::{
     metadata::Metadata,
     mode::{Mode, SolcMode},
@@ -10,15 +10,9 @@ use revive_dt_format::{
 use revive_solc_json_interface::SolcStandardJsonOutput;
 use semver::Version;
 
-#[derive(Hash, Eq, PartialEq)]
-pub struct SolcSettings {
-    pub optimizer: bool,
-    pub solc_version: Version,
-}
-
-pub fn build_evm(
+pub fn build<T: SolidityCompiler>(
     metadata: &Metadata,
-) -> anyhow::Result<HashMap<SolcSettings, SolcStandardJsonOutput>> {
+) -> anyhow::Result<HashMap<CompilerInput<T::Options>, SolcStandardJsonOutput>> {
     let sources = metadata.contract_sources()?;
     let base_path = metadata.directory()?.display().to_string();
     let modes = metadata
@@ -28,7 +22,7 @@ pub fn build_evm(
 
     let mut result = HashMap::new();
     for mode in modes {
-        let mut compiler = Compiler::<Solc>::new().base_path(base_path.clone());
+        let mut compiler = Compiler::<T>::new().base_path(base_path.clone());
         for (file, _contract) in sources.values() {
             compiler = compiler.with_source(file)?;
         }
@@ -41,15 +35,8 @@ pub fn build_evm(
             }) => {
                 let optimizer = solc_optimize.unwrap_or(true);
                 let version = Version::new(0, 8, 29);
-                let out = compiler.solc_optimizer(optimizer).try_build(&version)?;
-
-                result.insert(
-                    SolcSettings {
-                        optimizer: true,
-                        solc_version: version,
-                    },
-                    out,
-                );
+                let output = compiler.solc_optimizer(optimizer).try_build(&version)?;
+                result.insert(output.input, output.output);
             }
             Mode::Unknown(mode) => log::debug!("compiler: ignoring unknown mode '{mode}'"),
         }
diff --git a/crates/core/src/driver/mod.rs b/crates/core/src/driver/mod.rs
index dd1b3c9..9403334 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/driver/mod.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/driver/mod.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,60 @@
 //! The test driver handles the compilation and execution of the test cases.
 
+use alloy::primitives::map::HashMap;
+use compiler::build;
+use revive_dt_compiler::{CompilerInput, SolidityCompiler};
+use revive_dt_config::Arguments;
+use revive_dt_format::metadata::Metadata;
+use revive_dt_node::Node;
+use revive_solc_json_interface::SolcStandardJsonOutput;
+
+use crate::Platform;
+
 pub mod compiler;
 pub mod input;
+
+type Contracts<T> = HashMap<
+    CompilerInput<<<T as Platform>::Compiler as SolidityCompiler>::Options>,
+    SolcStandardJsonOutput,
+>;
+
+pub struct Driver<'a, Leader: Platform, Follower: Platform> {
+    metadata: &'a Metadata,
+    config: &'a Arguments,
+
+    leader_contracts: Contracts<Leader>,
+    leader_node: <Leader as Platform>::Blockchain,
+
+    follower_contracts: Contracts<Follower>,
+    follower_node: <Follower as Platform>::Blockchain,
+}
+
+impl<'a, L, F> Driver<'a, L, F>
+where
+    L: Platform + Default,
+    F: Platform + Default,
+{
+    pub fn new(metadata: &'a Metadata, config: &'a Arguments) -> Driver<'a, L, F> {
+        Self {
+            metadata,
+            config,
+
+            leader_node: <<L as Platform>::Blockchain as Node>::new(config),
+            leader_contracts: Default::default(),
+
+            follower_node: <<F as Platform>::Blockchain as Node>::new(config),
+            follower_contracts: Default::default(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn execute(&mut self) -> anyhow::Result<()> {
+        self.leader_contracts = build::<L::Compiler>(self.metadata)?;
+        self.follower_contracts = build::<F::Compiler>(self.metadata)?;
+
+        if self.config.compile_only {
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+
+        todo!()
+    }
+}
diff --git a/crates/core/src/lib.rs b/crates/core/src/lib.rs
index 4ffcd22..c231476 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/lib.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,32 @@
 //!
 //! This crate defines the testing configuration and
 //! provides a helper utilty to execute tests.
-//!
-//!
+
+use revive_dt_compiler::{SolidityCompiler, solc};
+use revive_dt_node::{Node, geth};
 
 pub mod driver;
+
+/// One platform can be tested differentially against another.
+///
+/// For this we need a blockchain node implementation and a compiler.
+pub trait Platform {
+    type Blockchain: Node;
+    type Compiler: SolidityCompiler;
+}
+
+#[derive(Default)]
+pub struct Geth;
+
+impl Platform for Geth {
+    type Blockchain = geth::Instance;
+    type Compiler = solc::Solc;
+}
+
+#[derive(Default)]
+pub struct Kitchensink;
+
+impl Platform for Kitchensink {
+    type Blockchain = geth::Instance;
+    type Compiler = solc::Solc;
+}
diff --git a/crates/core/src/main.rs b/crates/core/src/main.rs
index 16a5010..0abf9e6 100644
--- a/crates/core/src/main.rs
+++ b/crates/core/src/main.rs
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ use clap::Parser;
 use rayon::prelude::*;
 
 use revive_dt_config::*;
-use revive_dt_core::driver::compiler::build_evm;
+use revive_dt_core::{Geth, Kitchensink, driver::Driver};
 use revive_dt_format::corpus::Corpus;
 use temp_dir::TempDir;
 
@@ -27,22 +27,28 @@ fn main() -> anyhow::Result<()> {
         log::info!("found {} tests", tests.len());
 
         tests.par_iter().for_each(|metadata| {
-            let _ = match build_evm(metadata) {
+            let mut driver = match (&args.leader, &args.follower) {
+                (TestingPlatform::Geth, TestingPlatform::Kitchensink) => {
+                    Driver::<Geth, Kitchensink>::new(metadata, &args)
+                }
+                _ => unimplemented!(),
+            };
+
+            match driver.execute() {
                 Ok(build) => {
                     log::info!(
-                        "metadata {} compilation success",
+                        "metadata {} success",
                         metadata.file_path.as_ref().unwrap().display()
                     );
                     build
                 }
                 Err(error) => {
                     log::warn!(
-                        "metadata {} compilation failure: {error:?}",
+                        "metadata {} failure: {error:?}",
                         metadata.file_path.as_ref().unwrap().display()
                     );
-                    return;
                 }
-            };
+            }
         });
     }
 
diff --git a/crates/format/src/input.rs b/crates/format/src/input.rs
index d4ff304..ca39303 100644
--- a/crates/format/src/input.rs
+++ b/crates/format/src/input.rs
@@ -4,12 +4,12 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, de::Deserializer};
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, Deserialize, Eq, PartialEq)]
 pub struct Input {
-    instance: String,
+    pub instance: String,
     #[serde(deserialize_with = "deserialize_method")]
-    method: Method,
+    pub method: Method,
     #[serde(deserialize_with = "deserialize_calldata")]
-    calldata: Vec<u8>,
-    expected: Option<Vec<String>>,
+    pub calldata: Vec<u8>,
+    pub expected: Option<Vec<String>>,
 }
 
 /// Specify how the contract is called.
diff --git a/crates/node/src/geth.rs b/crates/node/src/geth.rs
index 7000633..17be4c6 100644
--- a/crates/node/src/geth.rs
+++ b/crates/node/src/geth.rs
@@ -52,28 +52,6 @@ impl Instance {
     const READY_MARKER: &str = "IPC endpoint opened";
     const ERROR_MARKER: &str = "Fatal:";
 
-    /// Create a new uninitialized instance.
-    pub fn new(config: &Arguments) -> anyhow::Result<Self> {
-        let geth_directory = config
-            .working_directory
-            .as_ref()
-            .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("config did not provide working directory"))?
-            .join(Self::BASE_DIRECTORY);
-        let id = NODE_COUNT.fetch_add(1, Ordering::SeqCst);
-        let base_directory = geth_directory.join(id.to_string());
-
-        Ok(Self {
-            connection_string: base_directory.join(Self::IPC_FILE).display().to_string(),
-            data_directory: base_directory.join(Self::DATA_DIRECTORY),
-            base_directory,
-            geth: config.geth.clone(),
-            id,
-            handle: None,
-            network_id: config.network_id,
-            start_timeout: config.geth_start_timeout,
-        })
-    }
-
     /// Create the node directory and call `geth init` to configure the genesis.
     fn init(&mut self, genesis: String) -> anyhow::Result<&mut Self> {
         let geth_directory = self.base_directory.parent().expect("the id should be set");
@@ -182,6 +160,27 @@ impl EthereumNode for Instance {
 }
 
 impl Node for Instance {
+    fn new(config: &Arguments) -> Self {
+        let geth_directory = config
+            .working_directory
+            .as_ref()
+            .expect("config should provide working directory")
+            .join(Self::BASE_DIRECTORY);
+        let id = NODE_COUNT.fetch_add(1, Ordering::SeqCst);
+        let base_directory = geth_directory.join(id.to_string());
+
+        Self {
+            connection_string: base_directory.join(Self::IPC_FILE).display().to_string(),
+            data_directory: base_directory.join(Self::DATA_DIRECTORY),
+            base_directory,
+            geth: config.geth.clone(),
+            id,
+            handle: None,
+            network_id: config.network_id,
+            start_timeout: config.geth_start_timeout,
+        }
+    }
+
     fn connection_string(&self) -> String {
         self.connection_string.clone()
     }
@@ -252,7 +251,6 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn init_works() {
         Instance::new(&test_config().0)
-            .unwrap()
             .init(GENESIS_JSON.to_string())
             .unwrap();
     }
@@ -260,14 +258,13 @@ mod tests {
     #[test]
     fn spawn_works() {
         Instance::new(&test_config().0)
-            .unwrap()
             .spawn(GENESIS_JSON.to_string())
             .unwrap();
     }
 
     #[test]
     fn version_works() {
-        let version = Instance::new(&test_config().0).unwrap().version().unwrap();
+        let version = Instance::new(&test_config().0).version().unwrap();
         assert!(
             version.starts_with("geth version"),
             "expected version string, got: '{version}'"
diff --git a/crates/node/src/lib.rs b/crates/node/src/lib.rs
index a98e995..3b3cd39 100644
--- a/crates/node/src/lib.rs
+++ b/crates/node/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 //! This crate implements the testing nodes.
 
 use alloy::rpc::types::{TransactionReceipt, trace::geth::DiffMode};
+use revive_dt_config::Arguments;
 use revive_dt_node_interaction::EthereumNode;
 
 pub mod geth;
@@ -10,6 +11,9 @@ pub const GENESIS_JSON: &str = include_str!("../../../genesis.json");
 
 /// An abstract interface for testing nodes.
 pub trait Node: EthereumNode {
+    /// Create a new uninitialized instance.
+    fn new(config: &Arguments) -> Self;
+
     /// Spawns a node configured according to the genesis json.
     ///
     /// Blocking until it's ready to accept transactions.