diff --git a/source/blender/CMakeLists.txt b/source/blender/CMakeLists.txt
index 4dd596ad93a..0df742603f1 100644
--- a/source/blender/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/source/blender/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@ set(SRC_DNA_DEFAULTS_INC
 add_subdirectory(datatoc)
 add_subdirectory(editors)
 add_subdirectory(windowmanager)
+add_subdirectory(asset_system)
 add_subdirectory(blenkernel)
 add_subdirectory(blenlib)
 add_subdirectory(bmesh)
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset_catalog.hh b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_catalog.hh
similarity index 98%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset_catalog.hh
rename to source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_catalog.hh
index 73c2e00c4c4..8160676603d 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset_catalog.hh
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_catalog.hh
@@ -1,15 +1,11 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later */
 
 /** \file
- * \ingroup bke
+ * \ingroup asset_system
  */
 
 #pragma once
 
-#ifndef __cplusplus
-#  error This is a C++ header. The C interface is yet to be implemented/designed.
-#endif
-
 #include "BLI_function_ref.hh"
 #include "BLI_map.hh"
 #include "BLI_set.hh"
@@ -17,14 +13,14 @@
 #include "BLI_uuid.h"
 #include "BLI_vector.hh"
 
-#include "BKE_asset_catalog_path.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_catalog_path.hh"
 
 #include <map>
 #include <memory>
 #include <set>
 #include <string>
 
-namespace blender::bke {
+namespace blender::asset_system {
 
 class AssetCatalog;
 class AssetCatalogCollection;
@@ -521,4 +517,4 @@ class AssetCatalogFilter {
                               Set<CatalogID> &&known_catalog_ids);
 };
 
-}  // namespace blender::bke
+}  // namespace blender::asset_system
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset_catalog_path.hh b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_catalog_path.hh
similarity index 97%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset_catalog_path.hh
rename to source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_catalog_path.hh
index 93ab0389daf..0ac50ab00c9 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset_catalog_path.hh
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_catalog_path.hh
@@ -1,22 +1,18 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later */
 
 /** \file
- * \ingroup bke
+ * \ingroup asset_system
  */
 
 #pragma once
 
-#ifndef __cplusplus
-#  error This is a C++ header.
-#endif
-
 #include "BLI_function_ref.hh"
 #include "BLI_string_ref.hh"
 #include "BLI_sys_types.h"
 
 #include <string>
 
-namespace blender::bke {
+namespace blender::asset_system {
 
 /**
  * Location of an Asset Catalog in the catalog tree, denoted by slash-separated path components.
@@ -129,4 +125,4 @@ class AssetCatalogPath {
 /** Output the path as string. */
 std::ostream &operator<<(std::ostream &stream, const AssetCatalogPath &path_to_append);
 
-}  // namespace blender::bke
+}  // namespace blender::asset_system
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset_library.h b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_library.h
similarity index 69%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset_library.h
rename to source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_library.h
index fc648ff6976..8c5c4633c4e 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset_library.h
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_library.h
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later */
 
 /** \file
- * \ingroup bke
+ * \ingroup asset_system
  */
 
 #pragma once
@@ -23,18 +23,18 @@ typedef struct AssetLibrary AssetLibrary;
  *
  * To get the in-memory-only "current file" asset library, pass an empty path.
  */
-struct AssetLibrary *BKE_asset_library_load(const char *library_path);
+struct AssetLibrary *AS_asset_library_load(const char *library_path);
 
 /** Look up the asset's catalog and copy its simple name into #asset_data. */
-void BKE_asset_library_refresh_catalog_simplename(struct AssetLibrary *asset_library,
-                                                  struct AssetMetaData *asset_data);
+void AS_asset_library_refresh_catalog_simplename(struct AssetLibrary *asset_library,
+                                                 struct AssetMetaData *asset_data);
 
 /** Return whether any loaded AssetLibrary has unsaved changes to its catalogs. */
-bool BKE_asset_library_has_any_unsaved_catalogs(void);
+bool AS_asset_library_has_any_unsaved_catalogs(void);
 
 /** An asset library can include local IDs (IDs in the current file). Their pointers need to be
  * remapped on change (or assets removed as IDs gets removed). */
-void BKE_asset_library_remap_ids(struct IDRemapper *mappings);
+void AS_asset_library_remap_ids(struct IDRemapper *mappings);
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset_library.hh b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_library.hh
similarity index 85%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset_library.hh
rename to source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_library.hh
index f69847bd1ed..a0f1214ad39 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset_library.hh
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_library.hh
@@ -1,31 +1,27 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later */
 
 /** \file
- * \ingroup bke
+ * \ingroup asset_system
  */
 
 #pragma once
 
-#ifndef __cplusplus
-#  error This is a C++-only header file. Use BKE_asset_library.h instead.
-#endif
-
 #include "DNA_asset_types.h"
 
 #include "BLI_string_ref.hh"
 #include "BLI_vector.hh"
 
-#include "BKE_asset_library.h"
-
-#include "BKE_asset_catalog.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_catalog.hh"
 #include "BKE_callbacks.h"
 
 #include <memory>
 
+struct AssetLibrary;
 struct AssetLibraryReference;
+struct AssetMetaData;
 struct Main;
 
-namespace blender::bke {
+namespace blender::asset_system {
 
 class AssetRepresentation;
 
@@ -101,10 +97,10 @@ struct AssetLibrary {
 
 Vector<AssetLibraryReference> all_valid_asset_library_refs();
 
-}  // namespace blender::bke
+}  // namespace blender::asset_system
 
-blender::bke::AssetLibrary *BKE_asset_library_load(const Main *bmain,
-                                                   const AssetLibraryReference &library_reference);
+blender::asset_system::AssetLibrary *AS_asset_library_load(
+    const Main *bmain, const AssetLibraryReference &library_reference);
 
 /**
  * Try to find an appropriate location for an asset library root from a file or directory path.
@@ -127,19 +123,20 @@ blender::bke::AssetLibrary *BKE_asset_library_load(const Main *bmain,
  * \return True if the function could find a valid, that is, a non-empty path to return in \a
  *         r_library_path.
  */
-std::string BKE_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_path(blender::StringRefNull input_path);
+std::string AS_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_path(blender::StringRefNull input_path);
 
 /**
  * Uses the current location on disk of the file represented by \a bmain as input to
- * #BKE_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_path(). Refer to it for a design
+ * #AS_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_path(). Refer to it for a design
  * description.
  *
  * \return True if the function could find a valid, that is, a non-empty path to return in \a
  *         r_library_path. If \a bmain wasn't saved into a file yet, the return value will be
  *         false.
  */
-std::string BKE_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_main(const struct Main *bmain);
+std::string AS_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_main(const struct Main *bmain);
 
-blender::bke::AssetCatalogService *BKE_asset_library_get_catalog_service(
+blender::asset_system::AssetCatalogService *AS_asset_library_get_catalog_service(
+    const ::AssetLibrary *library);
+blender::asset_system::AssetCatalogTree *AS_asset_library_get_catalog_tree(
     const ::AssetLibrary *library);
-blender::bke::AssetCatalogTree *BKE_asset_library_get_catalog_tree(const ::AssetLibrary *library);
diff --git a/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_representation.h b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_representation.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..6a5425979aa
--- /dev/null
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_representation.h
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+/* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later */
+
+/** \file
+ * \ingroup asset_system
+ */
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include "BLI_compiler_attrs.h"
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+extern "C" {
+#endif
+
+struct AssetMetaData;
+
+/** C handle for #asset_system::AssetRepresentation. */
+typedef struct AssetRepresentation AssetRepresentation;
+
+const char *AS_asset_representation_name_get(const AssetRepresentation *asset)
+    ATTR_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
+AssetMetaData *AS_asset_representation_metadata_get(const AssetRepresentation *asset)
+    ATTR_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
+bool AS_asset_representation_is_local_id(const AssetRepresentation *asset) ATTR_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
+
+#ifdef __cplusplus
+}
+#endif
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset_representation.hh b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_representation.hh
similarity index 95%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset_representation.hh
rename to source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_representation.hh
index edaa5a203ba..66c49c445dc 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset_representation.hh
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_representation.hh
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later */
 
 /** \file
- * \ingroup bke
+ * \ingroup asset_system
  */
 
 #pragma once
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 struct AssetMetaData;
 struct ID;
 
-namespace blender::bke {
+namespace blender::asset_system {
 
 /**
  * \brief Abstraction to reference an asset, with necessary data for display & interaction.
@@ -61,4 +61,4 @@ class AssetRepresentation {
   bool is_local_id() const;
 };
 
-}  // namespace blender::bke
+}  // namespace blender::asset_system
diff --git a/source/blender/asset_system/CMakeLists.txt b/source/blender/asset_system/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..8bf7a135155
--- /dev/null
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
+
+set(INC
+  .
+  intern
+  ../blenkernel
+  ../blenlib
+  ../makesdna
+  ../../../intern/clog
+  ../../../intern/guardedalloc
+)
+
+set(INC_SYS
+)
+
+set(SRC
+  intern/asset_catalog.cc
+  intern/asset_catalog_path.cc
+  intern/asset_library.cc
+  intern/asset_library_service.cc
+  intern/asset_representation.cc
+
+  AS_asset_catalog.hh
+  AS_asset_catalog_path.hh
+  AS_asset_library.hh
+  AS_asset_representation.hh
+  intern/asset_library_service.hh
+
+  AS_asset_library.h
+  AS_asset_representation.h
+)
+
+set(LIB
+)
+
+
+blender_add_lib(bf_asset_system "${SRC}" "${INC}" "${INC_SYS}" "${LIB}")
+
+if(WITH_GTESTS)
+  set(TEST_SRC
+    tests/asset_catalog_test.cc
+    tests/asset_catalog_path_test.cc
+    tests/asset_library_service_test.cc
+    tests/asset_library_test.cc
+  )
+  set(TEST_LIB
+    bf_asset_system
+  )
+  include(GTestTesting)
+  blender_add_test_lib(bf_asset_system_tests "${TEST_SRC}" "${INC};${TEST_INC}" "${INC_SYS}" "${LIB};${TEST_LIB}")
+endif()
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_catalog.cc b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_catalog.cc
similarity index 99%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_catalog.cc
rename to source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_catalog.cc
index a9fe59eba64..e7790236583 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_catalog.cc
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_catalog.cc
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later */
 
 /** \file
- * \ingroup bke
+ * \ingroup asset_system
  */
 
 #include <fstream>
 #include <set>
 
-#include "BKE_asset_catalog.hh"
-#include "BKE_asset_library.h"
-#include "BKE_asset_library.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_catalog.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_library.h"
+#include "AS_asset_library.hh"
 
 #include "BLI_fileops.hh"
 #include "BLI_path_util.h"
@@ -21,9 +21,9 @@
 
 #include "CLG_log.h"
 
-static CLG_LogRef LOG = {"bke.asset_service"};
+static CLG_LogRef LOG = {"asset_system.asset_catalog_service"};
 
-namespace blender::bke {
+namespace blender::asset_system {
 
 const CatalogFilePath AssetCatalogService::DEFAULT_CATALOG_FILENAME = "blender_assets.cats.txt";
 
@@ -508,7 +508,7 @@ CatalogFilePath AssetCatalogService::find_suitable_cdf_path_for_writing(
                  "catalog definition file should be put");
 
   /* Ask the asset library API for an appropriate location. */
-  const std::string suitable_root_path = BKE_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_path(
+  const std::string suitable_root_path = AS_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_path(
       blend_file_path);
   if (!suitable_root_path.empty()) {
     char asset_lib_cdf_path[PATH_MAX];
@@ -1132,4 +1132,4 @@ bool AssetCatalogFilter::is_known(const CatalogID asset_catalog_id) const
   return known_catalog_ids.contains(asset_catalog_id);
 }
 
-}  // namespace blender::bke
+}  // namespace blender::asset_system
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_catalog_path.cc b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_catalog_path.cc
similarity index 97%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_catalog_path.cc
rename to source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_catalog_path.cc
index 9c653c1a137..fe835c555a8 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_catalog_path.cc
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_catalog_path.cc
@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later */
 
 /** \file
- * \ingroup bke
+ * \ingroup asset_system
  */
 
-#include "BKE_asset_catalog_path.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_catalog_path.hh"
 
 #include "BLI_path_util.h"
 
-namespace blender::bke {
+namespace blender::asset_system {
 
 const char AssetCatalogPath::SEPARATOR = '/';
 
@@ -221,4 +221,4 @@ AssetCatalogPath AssetCatalogPath::rebase(const AssetCatalogPath &from_path,
   return to_path / path_suffix;
 }
 
-}  // namespace blender::bke
+}  // namespace blender::asset_system
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_library.cc b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library.cc
similarity index 75%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_library.cc
rename to source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library.cc
index 4dccee425c6..b52594fa20c 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_library.cc
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library.cc
@@ -1,13 +1,15 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later */
 
 /** \file
- * \ingroup bke
+ * \ingroup asset_system
  */
 
 #include <memory>
 
-#include "BKE_asset_library.hh"
-#include "BKE_asset_representation.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_library.h"
+#include "AS_asset_library.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_representation.hh"
+
 #include "BKE_lib_remap.h"
 #include "BKE_main.h"
 #include "BKE_preferences.h"
@@ -21,12 +23,15 @@
 
 #include "asset_library_service.hh"
 
-bool blender::bke::AssetLibrary::save_catalogs_when_file_is_saved = true;
+using namespace blender;
+using namespace blender::asset_system;
 
-blender::bke::AssetLibrary *BKE_asset_library_load(const Main *bmain,
-                                                   const AssetLibraryReference &library_reference)
+bool asset_system::AssetLibrary::save_catalogs_when_file_is_saved = true;
+
+asset_system::AssetLibrary *AS_asset_library_load(const Main *bmain,
+                                                  const AssetLibraryReference &library_reference)
 {
-  blender::bke::AssetLibraryService *service = blender::bke::AssetLibraryService::get();
+  AssetLibraryService *service = AssetLibraryService::get();
   return service->get_asset_library(bmain, library_reference);
 }
 
@@ -34,26 +39,26 @@ blender::bke::AssetLibrary *BKE_asset_library_load(const Main *bmain,
  * Loading an asset library at this point only means loading the catalogs. Later on this should
  * invoke reading of asset representations too.
  */
-struct AssetLibrary *BKE_asset_library_load(const char *library_path)
+struct ::AssetLibrary *AS_asset_library_load(const char *library_path)
 {
-  blender::bke::AssetLibraryService *service = blender::bke::AssetLibraryService::get();
-  blender::bke::AssetLibrary *lib;
+  AssetLibraryService *service = AssetLibraryService::get();
+  asset_system::AssetLibrary *lib;
   if (library_path == nullptr || library_path[0] == '\0') {
     lib = service->get_asset_library_current_file();
   }
   else {
     lib = service->get_asset_library_on_disk(library_path);
   }
-  return reinterpret_cast<struct AssetLibrary *>(lib);
+  return reinterpret_cast<struct ::AssetLibrary *>(lib);
 }
 
-bool BKE_asset_library_has_any_unsaved_catalogs()
+bool AS_asset_library_has_any_unsaved_catalogs()
 {
-  blender::bke::AssetLibraryService *service = blender::bke::AssetLibraryService::get();
+  AssetLibraryService *service = AssetLibraryService::get();
   return service->has_any_unsaved_catalogs();
 }
 
-std::string BKE_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_path(
+std::string AS_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_path(
     const blender::StringRefNull input_path)
 {
   if (bUserAssetLibrary *preferences_lib = BKE_preferences_asset_library_containing_path(
@@ -66,27 +71,25 @@ std::string BKE_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_path(
   return buffer;
 }
 
-std::string BKE_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_main(const Main *bmain)
+std::string AS_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_main(const Main *bmain)
 {
-  return BKE_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_path(bmain->filepath);
+  return AS_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_path(bmain->filepath);
 }
 
-blender::bke::AssetCatalogService *BKE_asset_library_get_catalog_service(
-    const ::AssetLibrary *library_c)
+AssetCatalogService *AS_asset_library_get_catalog_service(const ::AssetLibrary *library_c)
 {
   if (library_c == nullptr) {
     return nullptr;
   }
 
-  const blender::bke::AssetLibrary &library = reinterpret_cast<const blender::bke::AssetLibrary &>(
+  const asset_system::AssetLibrary &library = reinterpret_cast<const asset_system::AssetLibrary &>(
       *library_c);
   return library.catalog_service.get();
 }
 
-blender::bke::AssetCatalogTree *BKE_asset_library_get_catalog_tree(const ::AssetLibrary *library)
+AssetCatalogTree *AS_asset_library_get_catalog_tree(const ::AssetLibrary *library)
 {
-  blender::bke::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = BKE_asset_library_get_catalog_service(
-      library);
+  AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = AS_asset_library_get_catalog_service(library);
   if (catalog_service == nullptr) {
     return nullptr;
   }
@@ -94,21 +97,21 @@ blender::bke::AssetCatalogTree *BKE_asset_library_get_catalog_tree(const ::Asset
   return catalog_service->get_catalog_tree();
 }
 
-void BKE_asset_library_refresh_catalog_simplename(struct AssetLibrary *asset_library,
-                                                  struct AssetMetaData *asset_data)
+void AS_asset_library_refresh_catalog_simplename(struct ::AssetLibrary *asset_library,
+                                                 struct AssetMetaData *asset_data)
 {
-  blender::bke::AssetLibrary *lib = reinterpret_cast<blender::bke::AssetLibrary *>(asset_library);
+  asset_system::AssetLibrary *lib = reinterpret_cast<asset_system::AssetLibrary *>(asset_library);
   lib->refresh_catalog_simplename(asset_data);
 }
 
-void BKE_asset_library_remap_ids(IDRemapper *mappings)
+void AS_asset_library_remap_ids(IDRemapper *mappings)
 {
-  blender::bke::AssetLibraryService *service = blender::bke::AssetLibraryService::get();
+  AssetLibraryService *service = AssetLibraryService::get();
   service->foreach_loaded_asset_library(
-      [mappings](blender::bke::AssetLibrary &library) { library.remap_ids(*mappings); });
+      [mappings](asset_system::AssetLibrary &library) { library.remap_ids(*mappings); });
 }
 
-namespace blender::bke {
+namespace blender::asset_system {
 
 AssetLibrary::AssetLibrary() : catalog_service(std::make_unique<AssetCatalogService>())
 {
@@ -272,4 +275,4 @@ Vector<AssetLibraryReference> all_valid_asset_library_refs()
   return result;
 }
 
-}  // namespace blender::bke
+}  // namespace blender::asset_system
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_library_service.cc b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library_service.cc
similarity index 94%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_library_service.cc
rename to source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library_service.cc
index 35441b9b795..e46557e1b29 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_library_service.cc
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library_service.cc
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later */
 
 /** \file
- * \ingroup bke
+ * \ingroup asset_system
  */
 
 #include "asset_library_service.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_library.hh"
 
-#include "BKE_asset_library.hh"
 #include "BKE_blender.h"
 #include "BKE_preferences.h"
 
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@
 
 #include "CLG_log.h"
 
-static CLG_LogRef LOG = {"bke.asset_service"};
+static CLG_LogRef LOG = {"asset_system.asset_library_service"};
 
-namespace blender::bke {
+namespace blender::asset_system {
 
 std::unique_ptr<AssetLibraryService> AssetLibraryService::instance_;
 bool AssetLibraryService::atexit_handler_registered_ = false;
@@ -48,8 +48,7 @@ AssetLibrary *AssetLibraryService::get_asset_library(
 {
   if (library_reference.type == ASSET_LIBRARY_LOCAL) {
     /* For the "Current File" library  we get the asset library root path based on main. */
-    std::string root_path = bmain ? BKE_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_main(bmain) :
-                                    "";
+    std::string root_path = bmain ? AS_asset_library_find_suitable_root_path_from_main(bmain) : "";
 
     if (root_path.empty()) {
       /* File wasn't saved yet. */
@@ -187,4 +186,4 @@ void AssetLibraryService::foreach_loaded_asset_library(FunctionRef<void(AssetLib
   }
 }
 
-}  // namespace blender::bke
+}  // namespace blender::asset_system
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_library_service.hh b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library_service.hh
similarity index 94%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_library_service.hh
rename to source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library_service.hh
index 6caaea72875..2a8e95c6b25 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_library_service.hh
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library_service.hh
@@ -1,16 +1,12 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later */
 
 /** \file
- * \ingroup bke
+ * \ingroup asset_system
  */
 
 #pragma once
 
-#ifndef __cplusplus
-#  error This is a C++-only header file.
-#endif
-
-#include "BKE_asset_library.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_library.hh"
 
 #include "BLI_function_ref.hh"
 #include "BLI_map.hh"
@@ -19,7 +15,7 @@
 
 struct AssetLibraryReference;
 
-namespace blender::bke {
+namespace blender::asset_system {
 
 /**
  * Global singleton-ish that provides access to individual #AssetLibrary instances.
@@ -87,4 +83,4 @@ class AssetLibraryService {
   void app_handler_unregister();
 };
 
-}  // namespace blender::bke
+}  // namespace blender::asset_system
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_representation.cc b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_representation.cc
similarity index 65%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_representation.cc
rename to source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_representation.cc
index bbaa634d5ad..b1e76da0f75 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_representation.cc
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_representation.cc
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later */
 
 /** \file
- * \ingroup bke
+ * \ingroup asset_system
  */
 
 #include <stdexcept>
@@ -9,10 +9,12 @@
 #include "DNA_ID.h"
 #include "DNA_asset_types.h"
 
-#include "BKE_asset.h"
-#include "BKE_asset_representation.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_representation.h"
+#include "AS_asset_representation.hh"
 
-namespace blender::bke {
+#include "BKE_asset.h"
+
+namespace blender::asset_system {
 
 AssetRepresentation::AssetRepresentation(StringRef name, std::unique_ptr<AssetMetaData> metadata)
     : is_local_id_(false), external_asset_()
@@ -66,7 +68,7 @@ bool AssetRepresentation::is_local_id() const
   return is_local_id_;
 }
 
-}  // namespace blender::bke
+}  // namespace blender::asset_system
 
 /* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 /** \name C-API
@@ -74,24 +76,24 @@ bool AssetRepresentation::is_local_id() const
 
 using namespace blender;
 
-const char *BKE_asset_representation_name_get(const AssetRepresentation *asset_handle)
+const char *AS_asset_representation_name_get(const AssetRepresentation *asset_handle)
 {
-  const bke::AssetRepresentation *asset = reinterpret_cast<const bke::AssetRepresentation *>(
-      asset_handle);
+  const asset_system::AssetRepresentation *asset =
+      reinterpret_cast<const asset_system::AssetRepresentation *>(asset_handle);
   return asset->get_name().c_str();
 }
 
-AssetMetaData *BKE_asset_representation_metadata_get(const AssetRepresentation *asset_handle)
+AssetMetaData *AS_asset_representation_metadata_get(const AssetRepresentation *asset_handle)
 {
-  const bke::AssetRepresentation *asset = reinterpret_cast<const bke::AssetRepresentation *>(
-      asset_handle);
+  const asset_system::AssetRepresentation *asset =
+      reinterpret_cast<const asset_system::AssetRepresentation *>(asset_handle);
   return &asset->get_metadata();
 }
 
-bool BKE_asset_representation_is_local_id(const AssetRepresentation *asset_handle)
+bool AS_asset_representation_is_local_id(const AssetRepresentation *asset_handle)
 {
-  const bke::AssetRepresentation *asset = reinterpret_cast<const bke::AssetRepresentation *>(
-      asset_handle);
+  const asset_system::AssetRepresentation *asset =
+      reinterpret_cast<const asset_system::AssetRepresentation *>(asset_handle);
   return asset->is_local_id();
 }
 
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_catalog_path_test.cc b/source/blender/asset_system/tests/asset_catalog_path_test.cc
similarity index 98%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_catalog_path_test.cc
rename to source/blender/asset_system/tests/asset_catalog_path_test.cc
index 731d128e3da..380f7243529 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_catalog_path_test.cc
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/tests/asset_catalog_path_test.cc
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
  * Copyright 2020 Blender Foundation. All rights reserved. */
 
-#include "BKE_asset_catalog_path.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_catalog_path.hh"
 
 #include "BLI_set.hh"
 #include "BLI_vector.hh"
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
 #include "testing/testing.h"
 
-namespace blender::bke::tests {
+namespace blender::asset_system::tests {
 
 TEST(AssetCatalogPathTest, construction)
 {
@@ -265,4 +265,4 @@ TEST(AssetCatalogPathTest, parent)
   EXPECT_EQ(empty.parent(), "");
 }
 
-}  // namespace blender::bke::tests
+}  // namespace blender::asset_system::tests
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_catalog_test.cc b/source/blender/asset_system/tests/asset_catalog_test.cc
similarity index 99%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_catalog_test.cc
rename to source/blender/asset_system/tests/asset_catalog_test.cc
index ee2dd652b61..ba13cf8df07 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_catalog_test.cc
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/tests/asset_catalog_test.cc
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
  * Copyright 2020 Blender Foundation. All rights reserved. */
 
+#include "AS_asset_catalog.hh"
+
 #include "BKE_appdir.h"
-#include "BKE_asset_catalog.hh"
 #include "BKE_preferences.h"
 
 #include "BLI_fileops.h"
@@ -15,7 +16,7 @@
 
 #include "testing/testing.h"
 
-namespace blender::bke::tests {
+namespace blender::asset_system::tests {
 
 /* UUIDs from lib/tests/asset_library/blender_assets.cats.txt */
 const bUUID UUID_ID_WITHOUT_PATH("e34dd2c5-5d2e-4668-9794-1db5de2a4f71");
@@ -1538,4 +1539,4 @@ TEST_F(AssetCatalogTest, undo_redo_more_complex)
   EXPECT_EQ(service.find_catalog(UUID_POSES_ELLIE)->path, "character/Ellie/poselib"); /* Undone. */
 }
 
-}  // namespace blender::bke::tests
+}  // namespace blender::asset_system::tests
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_library_service_test.cc b/source/blender/asset_system/tests/asset_library_service_test.cc
similarity index 98%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_library_service_test.cc
rename to source/blender/asset_system/tests/asset_library_service_test.cc
index 18fdcb80155..a975e9c0631 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_library_service_test.cc
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/tests/asset_library_service_test.cc
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 
 #include "testing/testing.h"
 
-namespace blender::bke::tests {
+namespace blender::asset_system::tests {
 
 const bUUID UUID_POSES_ELLIE("df60e1f6-2259-475b-93d9-69a1b4a8db78");
 
@@ -219,4 +219,4 @@ TEST_F(AssetLibraryServiceTest, has_any_unsaved_catalogs_after_write)
   EXPECT_FALSE(cat->flags.has_unsaved_changes);
 }
 
-}  // namespace blender::bke::tests
+}  // namespace blender::asset_system::tests
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_library_test.cc b/source/blender/asset_system/tests/asset_library_test.cc
similarity index 78%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_library_test.cc
rename to source/blender/asset_system/tests/asset_library_test.cc
index 1d862e5e4d4..059f3d9a46c 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_library_test.cc
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/tests/asset_library_test.cc
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later
  * Copyright 2020 Blender Foundation. All rights reserved. */
 
+#include "AS_asset_catalog.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_library.h"
+#include "AS_asset_library.hh"
+
 #include "BKE_appdir.h"
-#include "BKE_asset_catalog.hh"
-#include "BKE_asset_library.hh"
 #include "BKE_callbacks.h"
 
 #include "asset_library_service.hh"
@@ -12,7 +14,7 @@
 
 #include "testing/testing.h"
 
-namespace blender::bke::tests {
+namespace blender::asset_system::tests {
 
 class AssetLibraryTest : public testing::Test {
  public:
@@ -29,11 +31,11 @@ class AssetLibraryTest : public testing::Test {
 
   void TearDown() override
   {
-    AssetLibraryService::destroy();
+    asset_system::AssetLibraryService::destroy();
   }
 };
 
-TEST_F(AssetLibraryTest, bke_asset_library_load)
+TEST_F(AssetLibraryTest, AS_asset_library_load)
 {
   const std::string test_files_dir = blender::tests::flags_test_asset_dir();
   if (test_files_dir.empty()) {
@@ -42,11 +44,11 @@ TEST_F(AssetLibraryTest, bke_asset_library_load)
 
   /* Load the asset library. */
   const std::string library_path = test_files_dir + "/" + "asset_library";
-  ::AssetLibrary *library_c_ptr = BKE_asset_library_load(library_path.data());
+  ::AssetLibrary *library_c_ptr = AS_asset_library_load(library_path.data());
   ASSERT_NE(nullptr, library_c_ptr);
 
   /* Check that it can be cast to the C++ type and has a Catalog Service. */
-  blender::bke::AssetLibrary *library_cpp_ptr = reinterpret_cast<blender::bke::AssetLibrary *>(
+  asset_system::AssetLibrary *library_cpp_ptr = reinterpret_cast<asset_system::AssetLibrary *>(
       library_c_ptr);
   AssetCatalogService *service = library_cpp_ptr->catalog_service.get();
   ASSERT_NE(nullptr, service);
@@ -70,11 +72,11 @@ TEST_F(AssetLibraryTest, load_nonexistent_directory)
   /* Load the asset library. */
   const std::string library_path = test_files_dir + "/" +
                                    "asset_library/this/subdir/does/not/exist";
-  ::AssetLibrary *library_c_ptr = BKE_asset_library_load(library_path.data());
+  ::AssetLibrary *library_c_ptr = AS_asset_library_load(library_path.data());
   ASSERT_NE(nullptr, library_c_ptr);
 
   /* Check that it can be cast to the C++ type and has a Catalog Service. */
-  blender::bke::AssetLibrary *library_cpp_ptr = reinterpret_cast<blender::bke::AssetLibrary *>(
+  asset_system::AssetLibrary *library_cpp_ptr = reinterpret_cast<asset_system::AssetLibrary *>(
       library_c_ptr);
   AssetCatalogService *service = library_cpp_ptr->catalog_service.get();
   ASSERT_NE(nullptr, service);
@@ -83,4 +85,4 @@ TEST_F(AssetLibraryTest, load_nonexistent_directory)
   EXPECT_TRUE(service->is_empty());
 }
 
-}  // namespace blender::bke::tests
+}  // namespace blender::asset_system::tests
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset.h b/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset.h
index bcbe19c0f3e..81a132a8f91 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset.h
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_asset.h
@@ -23,9 +23,6 @@ struct ID;
 struct IDProperty;
 struct PreviewImage;
 
-/** C handle for #bke::AssetRepresentation. */
-typedef struct AssetRepresentation AssetRepresentation;
-
 typedef void (*PreSaveFn)(void *asset_ptr, struct AssetMetaData *asset_data);
 
 typedef struct AssetTypeInfo {
@@ -71,13 +68,6 @@ struct PreviewImage *BKE_asset_metadata_preview_get_from_id(const struct AssetMe
 void BKE_asset_metadata_write(struct BlendWriter *writer, struct AssetMetaData *asset_data);
 void BKE_asset_metadata_read(struct BlendDataReader *reader, struct AssetMetaData *asset_data);
 
-const char *BKE_asset_representation_name_get(const AssetRepresentation *asset)
-    ATTR_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
-AssetMetaData *BKE_asset_representation_metadata_get(const AssetRepresentation *asset)
-    ATTR_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
-bool BKE_asset_representation_is_local_id(const AssetRepresentation *asset)
-    ATTR_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT;
-
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/CMakeLists.txt b/source/blender/blenkernel/CMakeLists.txt
index 6b8160aaeda..59d58ed2f98 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 
 set(INC
   .
+  ../asset_system
   ../blenfont
   ../blenlib
   ../blenloader
@@ -71,11 +72,6 @@ set(SRC
   intern/armature_selection.cc
   intern/armature_update.c
   intern/asset.cc
-  intern/asset_catalog.cc
-  intern/asset_catalog_path.cc
-  intern/asset_library.cc
-  intern/asset_library_service.cc
-  intern/asset_representation.cc
   intern/attribute.cc
   intern/attribute_access.cc
   intern/attribute_math.cc
@@ -322,11 +318,6 @@ set(SRC
   BKE_armature.h
   BKE_armature.hh
   BKE_asset.h
-  BKE_asset_catalog.hh
-  BKE_asset_catalog_path.hh
-  BKE_asset_library.h
-  BKE_asset_library.hh
-  BKE_asset_representation.hh
   BKE_attribute.h
   BKE_attribute.hh
   BKE_attribute_math.hh
@@ -503,7 +494,6 @@ set(SRC
   intern/CCGSubSurf.h
   intern/CCGSubSurf_inline.h
   intern/CCGSubSurf_intern.h
-  intern/asset_library_service.hh
   intern/attribute_access_intern.hh
   intern/data_transfer_intern.h
   intern/lib_intern.h
@@ -517,6 +507,7 @@ set(SRC
 )
 
 set(LIB
+  bf_asset_system
   bf_blenfont
   bf_blenlib
   bf_blenloader
@@ -834,11 +825,7 @@ if(WITH_GTESTS)
   set(TEST_SRC
     intern/action_test.cc
     intern/armature_test.cc
-    intern/asset_catalog_path_test.cc
-    intern/asset_catalog_test.cc
-    intern/asset_library_service_test.cc
-    intern/asset_library_test.cc
-    intern/asset_test.cc
+    intern/asset_metadata_test.cc
     intern/bpath_test.cc
     intern/cryptomatte_test.cc
     intern/curves_geometry_test.cc
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_test.cc b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_metadata_test.cc
similarity index 100%
rename from source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_test.cc
rename to source/blender/blenkernel/intern/asset_metadata_test.cc
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/lib_id_delete.c b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/lib_id_delete.c
index 92b34b9e1af..45787a5e3a0 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/lib_id_delete.c
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/lib_id_delete.c
@@ -19,9 +19,10 @@
 #include "BLI_linklist.h"
 #include "BLI_listbase.h"
 
+#include "AS_asset_library.h"
+
 #include "BKE_anim_data.h"
 #include "BKE_asset.h"
-#include "BKE_asset_library.h"
 #include "BKE_idprop.h"
 #include "BKE_idtype.h"
 #include "BKE_key.h"
@@ -159,7 +160,7 @@ void BKE_id_free_ex(Main *bmain, void *idv, int flag, const bool use_flag_from_i
     }
   }
 
-  BKE_asset_library_remap_ids(remapper);
+  AS_asset_library_remap_ids(remapper);
   BKE_id_remapper_free(remapper);
 
   BKE_libblock_free_data(id, (flag & LIB_ID_FREE_NO_USER_REFCOUNT) == 0);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/asset/CMakeLists.txt b/source/blender/editors/asset/CMakeLists.txt
index 5feb528b6bb..a4d05ebaffe 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/asset/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/source/blender/editors/asset/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 set(INC
   .
   ../include
+  ../../asset_system
   ../../blenkernel
   ../../blenlib
   ../../blenloader
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/asset/ED_asset_catalog.hh b/source/blender/editors/asset/ED_asset_catalog.hh
index 48ca58c6dc6..4d61f816085 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/asset/ED_asset_catalog.hh
+++ b/source/blender/editors/asset/ED_asset_catalog.hh
@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@
 /** \file
  * \ingroup edasset
  *
- * UI/Editor level API for catalog operations, creating richer functionality than the BKE catalog
- * API provides (which this uses internally).
+ * UI/Editor level API for catalog operations, creating richer functionality than the asset system
+ * catalog API provides (which this uses internally).
  *
  * Note that `ED_asset_catalog.h` is part of this API.
  */
@@ -13,22 +13,19 @@
 
 #include <optional>
 
-#include "BKE_asset_catalog.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_catalog.hh"
 
 #include "BLI_string_ref.hh"
 
 struct AssetLibrary;
-namespace blender::bke {
-class AssetCatalog;
-}  // namespace blender::bke
 
-blender::bke::AssetCatalog *ED_asset_catalog_add(AssetLibrary *library,
-                                                 blender::StringRefNull name,
-                                                 blender::StringRef parent_path = nullptr);
-void ED_asset_catalog_remove(AssetLibrary *library, const blender::bke::CatalogID &catalog_id);
+blender::asset_system::AssetCatalog *ED_asset_catalog_add(
+    AssetLibrary *library, blender::StringRefNull name, blender::StringRef parent_path = nullptr);
+void ED_asset_catalog_remove(AssetLibrary *library,
+                             const blender::asset_system::CatalogID &catalog_id);
 
 void ED_asset_catalog_rename(AssetLibrary *library,
-                             blender::bke::CatalogID catalog_id,
+                             blender::asset_system::CatalogID catalog_id,
                              blender::StringRefNull new_name);
 /**
  * Reinsert catalog identified by \a src_catalog_id as child to catalog identified by \a
@@ -43,5 +40,5 @@ void ED_asset_catalog_rename(AssetLibrary *library,
  */
 void ED_asset_catalog_move(
     AssetLibrary *library,
-    blender::bke::CatalogID src_catalog_id,
-    std::optional<blender::bke::CatalogID> dst_parent_catalog_id = std::nullopt);
+    blender::asset_system::CatalogID src_catalog_id,
+    std::optional<blender::asset_system::CatalogID> dst_parent_catalog_id = std::nullopt);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_catalog.cc b/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_catalog.cc
index 29aba1e2c90..10aa27a7687 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_catalog.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_catalog.cc
@@ -4,8 +4,9 @@
  * \ingroup edasset
  */
 
-#include "BKE_asset_catalog.hh"
-#include "BKE_asset_library.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_library.hh"
+
+#include "AS_asset_catalog.hh"
 #include "BKE_main.h"
 
 #include "BLI_string_utils.h"
@@ -16,7 +17,7 @@
 #include "WM_api.h"
 
 using namespace blender;
-using namespace blender::bke;
+using namespace blender::asset_system;
 
 struct CatalogUniqueNameFnData {
   const AssetCatalogService &catalog_service;
@@ -43,11 +44,12 @@ static std::string catalog_name_ensure_unique(AssetCatalogService &catalog_servi
   return unique_name;
 }
 
-AssetCatalog *ED_asset_catalog_add(::AssetLibrary *library,
-                                   StringRefNull name,
-                                   StringRef parent_path)
+asset_system::AssetCatalog *ED_asset_catalog_add(::AssetLibrary *library,
+                                                 StringRefNull name,
+                                                 StringRef parent_path)
 {
-  bke::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = BKE_asset_library_get_catalog_service(library);
+  asset_system::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = AS_asset_library_get_catalog_service(
+      library);
   if (!catalog_service) {
     return nullptr;
   }
@@ -56,7 +58,7 @@ AssetCatalog *ED_asset_catalog_add(::AssetLibrary *library,
   AssetCatalogPath fullpath = AssetCatalogPath(parent_path) / unique_name;
 
   catalog_service->undo_push();
-  bke::AssetCatalog *new_catalog = catalog_service->create_catalog(fullpath);
+  asset_system::AssetCatalog *new_catalog = catalog_service->create_catalog(fullpath);
   if (!new_catalog) {
     return nullptr;
   }
@@ -68,7 +70,8 @@ AssetCatalog *ED_asset_catalog_add(::AssetLibrary *library,
 
 void ED_asset_catalog_remove(::AssetLibrary *library, const CatalogID &catalog_id)
 {
-  bke::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = BKE_asset_library_get_catalog_service(library);
+  asset_system::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = AS_asset_library_get_catalog_service(
+      library);
   if (!catalog_service) {
     BLI_assert_unreachable();
     return;
@@ -84,7 +87,8 @@ void ED_asset_catalog_rename(::AssetLibrary *library,
                              const CatalogID catalog_id,
                              const StringRefNull new_name)
 {
-  bke::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = BKE_asset_library_get_catalog_service(library);
+  asset_system::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = AS_asset_library_get_catalog_service(
+      library);
   if (!catalog_service) {
     BLI_assert_unreachable();
     return;
@@ -110,7 +114,8 @@ void ED_asset_catalog_move(::AssetLibrary *library,
                            const CatalogID src_catalog_id,
                            const std::optional<CatalogID> dst_parent_catalog_id)
 {
-  bke::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = BKE_asset_library_get_catalog_service(library);
+  asset_system::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = AS_asset_library_get_catalog_service(
+      library);
   if (!catalog_service) {
     BLI_assert_unreachable();
     return;
@@ -150,7 +155,8 @@ void ED_asset_catalog_move(::AssetLibrary *library,
 
 void ED_asset_catalogs_save_from_main_path(::AssetLibrary *library, const Main *bmain)
 {
-  bke::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = BKE_asset_library_get_catalog_service(library);
+  asset_system::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = AS_asset_library_get_catalog_service(
+      library);
   if (!catalog_service) {
     BLI_assert_unreachable();
     return;
@@ -164,10 +170,10 @@ void ED_asset_catalogs_save_from_main_path(::AssetLibrary *library, const Main *
 
 void ED_asset_catalogs_set_save_catalogs_when_file_is_saved(const bool should_save)
 {
-  bke::AssetLibrary::save_catalogs_when_file_is_saved = should_save;
+  asset_system::AssetLibrary::save_catalogs_when_file_is_saved = should_save;
 }
 
 bool ED_asset_catalogs_get_save_catalogs_when_file_is_saved()
 {
-  return bke::AssetLibrary::save_catalogs_when_file_is_saved;
+  return asset_system::AssetLibrary::save_catalogs_when_file_is_saved;
 }
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_handle.cc b/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_handle.cc
index 0b2cd352d77..73686e02098 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_handle.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_handle.cc
@@ -6,10 +6,9 @@
 
 #include <string>
 
-#include "DNA_space_types.h"
+#include "AS_asset_representation.h"
 
-#include "BKE_asset.h"
-#include "BKE_asset_representation.hh"
+#include "DNA_space_types.h"
 
 #include "BLO_readfile.h"
 
@@ -20,12 +19,12 @@
 
 const char *ED_asset_handle_get_name(const AssetHandle *asset)
 {
-  return BKE_asset_representation_name_get(asset->file_data->asset);
+  return AS_asset_representation_name_get(asset->file_data->asset);
 }
 
 AssetMetaData *ED_asset_handle_get_metadata(const AssetHandle *asset_handle)
 {
-  return BKE_asset_representation_metadata_get(asset_handle->file_data->asset);
+  return AS_asset_representation_metadata_get(asset_handle->file_data->asset);
 }
 
 ID *ED_asset_handle_get_local_id(const AssetHandle *asset)
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_indexer.cc b/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_indexer.cc
index cc06fa80429..a604ab813d7 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_indexer.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_indexer.cc
@@ -22,9 +22,9 @@
 #include "BLI_string_ref.hh"
 #include "BLI_uuid.h"
 
+#include "AS_asset_catalog.hh"
 #include "BKE_appdir.h"
 #include "BKE_asset.h"
-#include "BKE_asset_catalog.hh"
 #include "BKE_idprop.hh"
 #include "BKE_preferences.h"
 
@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@ static CLG_LogRef LOG = {"ed.asset"};
 
 namespace blender::ed::asset::index {
 
+using namespace blender::asset_system;
 using namespace blender::io::serialize;
-using namespace blender::bke;
 using namespace blender::bke::idprop;
 
 /**
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_ops.cc b/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_ops.cc
index d1c46a8259f..da4e0794fe8 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_ops.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_ops.cc
@@ -4,7 +4,9 @@
  * \ingroup edasset
  */
 
-#include "BKE_asset_library.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_library.h"
+#include "AS_asset_library.hh"
+
 #include "BKE_bpath.h"
 #include "BKE_context.h"
 #include "BKE_global.h"
@@ -445,7 +447,7 @@ static int asset_catalog_new_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
   struct AssetLibrary *asset_library = ED_fileselect_active_asset_library_get(sfile);
   char *parent_path = RNA_string_get_alloc(op->ptr, "parent_path", nullptr, 0, nullptr);
 
-  blender::bke::AssetCatalog *new_catalog = ED_asset_catalog_add(
+  blender::asset_system::AssetCatalog *new_catalog = ED_asset_catalog_add(
       asset_library, "Catalog", parent_path);
 
   if (sfile) {
@@ -484,7 +486,7 @@ static int asset_catalog_delete_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
   SpaceFile *sfile = CTX_wm_space_file(C);
   struct AssetLibrary *asset_library = ED_fileselect_active_asset_library_get(sfile);
   char *catalog_id_str = RNA_string_get_alloc(op->ptr, "catalog_id", nullptr, 0, nullptr);
-  bke::CatalogID catalog_id;
+  asset_system::CatalogID catalog_id;
   if (!BLI_uuid_parse_string(&catalog_id, catalog_id_str)) {
     return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
   }
@@ -515,7 +517,7 @@ static void ASSET_OT_catalog_delete(struct wmOperatorType *ot)
   RNA_def_string(ot->srna, "catalog_id", nullptr, 0, "Catalog ID", "ID of the catalog to delete");
 }
 
-static bke::AssetCatalogService *get_catalog_service(bContext *C)
+static asset_system::AssetCatalogService *get_catalog_service(bContext *C)
 {
   const SpaceFile *sfile = CTX_wm_space_file(C);
   if (!sfile) {
@@ -523,12 +525,12 @@ static bke::AssetCatalogService *get_catalog_service(bContext *C)
   }
 
   AssetLibrary *asset_lib = ED_fileselect_active_asset_library_get(sfile);
-  return BKE_asset_library_get_catalog_service(asset_lib);
+  return AS_asset_library_get_catalog_service(asset_lib);
 }
 
 static int asset_catalog_undo_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
 {
-  bke::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = get_catalog_service(C);
+  asset_system::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = get_catalog_service(C);
   if (!catalog_service) {
     return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
   }
@@ -540,7 +542,7 @@ static int asset_catalog_undo_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
 
 static bool asset_catalog_undo_poll(bContext *C)
 {
-  const bke::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = get_catalog_service(C);
+  const asset_system::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = get_catalog_service(C);
   return catalog_service && catalog_service->is_undo_possbile();
 }
 
@@ -558,7 +560,7 @@ static void ASSET_OT_catalog_undo(struct wmOperatorType *ot)
 
 static int asset_catalog_redo_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
 {
-  bke::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = get_catalog_service(C);
+  asset_system::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = get_catalog_service(C);
   if (!catalog_service) {
     return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
   }
@@ -570,7 +572,7 @@ static int asset_catalog_redo_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
 
 static bool asset_catalog_redo_poll(bContext *C)
 {
-  const bke::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = get_catalog_service(C);
+  const asset_system::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = get_catalog_service(C);
   return catalog_service && catalog_service->is_redo_possbile();
 }
 
@@ -588,7 +590,7 @@ static void ASSET_OT_catalog_redo(struct wmOperatorType *ot)
 
 static int asset_catalog_undo_push_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator * /*op*/)
 {
-  bke::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = get_catalog_service(C);
+  asset_system::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = get_catalog_service(C);
   if (!catalog_service) {
     return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
   }
@@ -631,7 +633,7 @@ static bool asset_catalogs_save_poll(bContext *C)
     return false;
   }
 
-  if (!BKE_asset_library_has_any_unsaved_catalogs()) {
+  if (!AS_asset_library_has_any_unsaved_catalogs()) {
     CTX_wm_operator_poll_msg_set(C, "No changes to be saved");
     return false;
   }
@@ -748,7 +750,7 @@ static int asset_bundle_install_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
   }
 
   WM_cursor_wait(true);
-  bke::AssetCatalogService *cat_service = get_catalog_service(C);
+  asset_system::AssetCatalogService *cat_service = get_catalog_service(C);
   /* Store undo step, such that on a failed save the 'prepare_to_merge_on_write' call can be
    * un-done. */
   cat_service->undo_push();
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/interface/CMakeLists.txt b/source/blender/editors/interface/CMakeLists.txt
index 6a531c88762..56af318b2fa 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/interface/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/source/blender/editors/interface/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 set(INC
   .
   ../include
+  ../../asset_system
   ../../blenfont
   ../../blenkernel
   ../../blenlib
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/space_file/CMakeLists.txt b/source/blender/editors/space_file/CMakeLists.txt
index 76564f38da8..ede48060126 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/space_file/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/source/blender/editors/space_file/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 set(INC
   ../asset
   ../include
+  ../../asset_system
   ../../blenfont
   ../../blenkernel
   ../../blenlib
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/space_file/asset_catalog_tree_view.cc b/source/blender/editors/space_file/asset_catalog_tree_view.cc
index fe2e46fc056..15f62da3f76 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/space_file/asset_catalog_tree_view.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/space_file/asset_catalog_tree_view.cc
@@ -7,9 +7,10 @@
 
 #include "DNA_space_types.h"
 
+#include "AS_asset_library.hh"
+
+#include "AS_asset_catalog.hh"
 #include "BKE_asset.h"
-#include "BKE_asset_catalog.hh"
-#include "BKE_asset_library.hh"
 
 #include "BLI_string_ref.hh"
 
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@
 #include "filelist.h"
 
 using namespace blender;
-using namespace blender::bke;
+using namespace blender::asset_system;
 
 namespace blender::ed::asset_browser {
 
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ class AssetCatalogTreeViewAllItem;
 class AssetCatalogTreeView : public ui::AbstractTreeView {
   ::AssetLibrary *asset_library_;
   /** The asset catalog tree this tree-view represents. */
-  bke::AssetCatalogTree *catalog_tree_;
+  asset_system::AssetCatalogTree *catalog_tree_;
   FileAssetSelectParams *params_;
   SpaceFile &space_file_;
 
@@ -173,7 +174,7 @@ AssetCatalogTreeView::AssetCatalogTreeView(::AssetLibrary *library,
                                            FileAssetSelectParams *params,
                                            SpaceFile &space_file)
     : asset_library_(library),
-      catalog_tree_(BKE_asset_library_get_catalog_tree(library)),
+      catalog_tree_(AS_asset_library_get_catalog_tree(library)),
       params_(params),
       space_file_(space_file)
 {
@@ -486,7 +487,7 @@ AssetCatalog *AssetCatalogDropController::get_drag_catalog(const wmDrag &drag,
   if (drag.type != WM_DRAG_ASSET_CATALOG) {
     return nullptr;
   }
-  const bke::AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = BKE_asset_library_get_catalog_service(
+  const AssetCatalogService *catalog_service = AS_asset_library_get_catalog_service(
       &asset_library);
   const wmDragAssetCatalog *catalog_drag = WM_drag_get_asset_catalog_data(&drag);
 
@@ -708,7 +709,7 @@ bool file_set_asset_catalog_filter_settings(
 
 void file_ensure_updated_catalog_filter_data(
     FileAssetCatalogFilterSettingsHandle *filter_settings_handle,
-    const bke::AssetLibrary *asset_library)
+    const asset_system::AssetLibrary *asset_library)
 {
   AssetCatalogFilterSettings *filter_settings = reinterpret_cast<AssetCatalogFilterSettings *>(
       filter_settings_handle);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/space_file/file_intern.h b/source/blender/editors/space_file/file_intern.h
index 0ca09487507..f4577b960d3 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/space_file/file_intern.h
+++ b/source/blender/editors/space_file/file_intern.h
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ void file_create_asset_catalog_tree_view_in_layout(struct AssetLibrary *asset_li
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 
-namespace blender::bke {
+namespace blender::asset_system {
 struct AssetLibrary;
 }
 
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ bool file_set_asset_catalog_filter_settings(
     bUUID catalog_id);
 void file_ensure_updated_catalog_filter_data(
     FileAssetCatalogFilterSettingsHandle *filter_settings_handle,
-    const blender::bke::AssetLibrary *asset_library);
+    const blender::asset_system::AssetLibrary *asset_library);
 bool file_is_asset_visible_in_catalog_filter_settings(
     const FileAssetCatalogFilterSettingsHandle *filter_settings_handle,
     const AssetMetaData *asset_data);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/space_file/filelist.cc b/source/blender/editors/space_file/filelist.cc
index c4d99d41a60..22c94065234 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/space_file/filelist.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/space_file/filelist.cc
@@ -19,6 +19,11 @@
 #  include <direct.h>
 #  include <io.h>
 #endif
+
+#include "AS_asset_library.h"
+#include "AS_asset_library.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_representation.hh"
+
 #include "MEM_guardedalloc.h"
 
 #include "BLF_api.h"
@@ -42,9 +47,6 @@
 #endif
 
 #include "BKE_asset.h"
-#include "BKE_asset_library.h"
-#include "BKE_asset_library.hh"
-#include "BKE_asset_representation.hh"
 #include "BKE_context.h"
 #include "BKE_global.h"
 #include "BKE_icons.h"
@@ -117,7 +119,7 @@ struct FileListInternEntry {
   } local_data;
 
   /* References an asset in the asset library storage. */
-  bke::AssetRepresentation *asset; /* Non-owning. */
+  asset_system::AssetRepresentation *asset; /* Non-owning. */
 
   /* See #FILE_ENTRY_BLENDERLIB_NO_PREVIEW. */
   bool blenderlib_has_no_preview;
@@ -213,7 +215,7 @@ struct FileList {
   eFileSelectType type;
   /* The library this list was created for. Stored here so we know when to re-read. */
   AssetLibraryReference *asset_library_ref;
-  bke::AssetLibrary *asset_library; /* Non-owning. */
+  asset_system::AssetLibrary *asset_library; /* Non-owning. */
 
   short flags;
 
@@ -3672,8 +3674,8 @@ static void filelist_readjob_load_asset_library_data(FileListReadJob *job_params
 
   /* Load asset catalogs, into the temp filelist for thread-safety.
    * #filelist_readjob_endjob() will move it into the real filelist. */
-  tmp_filelist->asset_library = BKE_asset_library_load(job_params->current_main,
-                                                       *job_params->filelist->asset_library_ref);
+  tmp_filelist->asset_library = AS_asset_library_load(job_params->current_main,
+                                                      *job_params->filelist->asset_library_ref);
   *do_update = true;
 }
 
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/space_node/CMakeLists.txt b/source/blender/editors/space_node/CMakeLists.txt
index ff9e5352d0a..f8289b42463 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/space_node/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/source/blender/editors/space_node/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 set(INC
   ../include
+  ../../asset_system
   ../../blenfont
   ../../blenkernel
   ../../blenlib
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/space_node/add_menu_assets.cc b/source/blender/editors/space_node/add_menu_assets.cc
index 5458a25d74a..c4cd5819d60 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/space_node/add_menu_assets.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/space_node/add_menu_assets.cc
@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
 /* SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0-or-later */
 
+#include "AS_asset_catalog.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_library.hh"
+
 #include "BLI_multi_value_map.hh"
 
 #include "DNA_screen_types.h"
 #include "DNA_space_types.h"
 
 #include "BKE_asset.h"
-#include "BKE_asset_catalog.hh"
-#include "BKE_asset_library.hh"
 #include "BKE_idprop.h"
 #include "BKE_screen.h"
 
@@ -48,19 +49,20 @@ struct LibraryAsset {
 };
 
 struct LibraryCatalog {
-  bke::AssetLibrary *library;
-  const bke::AssetCatalog *catalog;
+  asset_system::AssetLibrary *library;
+  const asset_system::AssetCatalog *catalog;
 };
 
 struct AssetItemTree {
-  bke::AssetCatalogTree catalogs;
-  MultiValueMap<bke::AssetCatalogPath, LibraryAsset> assets_per_path;
-  Map<const bke::AssetCatalogTreeItem *, bke::AssetCatalogPath> full_catalog_per_tree_item;
+  asset_system::AssetCatalogTree catalogs;
+  MultiValueMap<asset_system::AssetCatalogPath, LibraryAsset> assets_per_path;
+  Map<const asset_system::AssetCatalogTreeItem *, asset_system::AssetCatalogPath>
+      full_catalog_per_tree_item;
 };
 
 static bool all_loading_finished()
 {
-  for (const AssetLibraryReference &library : bke::all_valid_asset_library_refs()) {
+  for (const AssetLibraryReference &library : asset_system::all_valid_asset_library_refs()) {
     if (!ED_assetlist_is_loaded(&library)) {
       return false;
     }
@@ -74,19 +76,19 @@ static AssetItemTree build_catalog_tree(const bContext &C, const bNodeTree *node
     return {};
   }
   const Main &bmain = *CTX_data_main(&C);
-  const Vector<AssetLibraryReference> all_libraries = bke::all_valid_asset_library_refs();
+  const Vector<AssetLibraryReference> all_libraries = asset_system::all_valid_asset_library_refs();
 
   /* Merge catalogs from all libraries to deduplicate menu items. Also store the catalog and
    * library for each asset ID in order to use them later when retrieving assets and removing
    * empty catalogs.  */
-  Map<bke::CatalogID, LibraryCatalog> id_to_catalog_map;
-  bke::AssetCatalogTree catalogs_from_all_libraries;
+  Map<asset_system::CatalogID, LibraryCatalog> id_to_catalog_map;
+  asset_system::AssetCatalogTree catalogs_from_all_libraries;
   for (const AssetLibraryReference &library_ref : all_libraries) {
-    if (bke::AssetLibrary *library = BKE_asset_library_load(&bmain, library_ref)) {
-      if (bke::AssetCatalogTree *tree = library->catalog_service->get_catalog_tree()) {
-        tree->foreach_item([&](bke::AssetCatalogTreeItem &item) {
-          const bke::CatalogID &id = item.get_catalog_id();
-          bke::AssetCatalog *catalog = library->catalog_service->find_catalog(id);
+    if (asset_system::AssetLibrary *library = AS_asset_library_load(&bmain, library_ref)) {
+      if (asset_system::AssetCatalogTree *tree = library->catalog_service->get_catalog_tree()) {
+        tree->foreach_item([&](asset_system::AssetCatalogTreeItem &item) {
+          const asset_system::CatalogID &id = item.get_catalog_id();
+          asset_system::AssetCatalog *catalog = library->catalog_service->find_catalog(id);
           catalogs_from_all_libraries.insert_item(*catalog);
           id_to_catalog_map.add(item.get_catalog_id(), LibraryCatalog{library, catalog});
         });
@@ -95,7 +97,7 @@ static AssetItemTree build_catalog_tree(const bContext &C, const bNodeTree *node
   }
 
   /* Find all the matching node group assets for every catalog path. */
-  MultiValueMap<bke::AssetCatalogPath, LibraryAsset> assets_per_path;
+  MultiValueMap<asset_system::AssetCatalogPath, LibraryAsset> assets_per_path;
   for (const AssetLibraryReference &library_ref : all_libraries) {
     AssetFilterSettings type_filter{};
     type_filter.id_types = FILTER_ID_NT;
@@ -124,21 +126,23 @@ static AssetItemTree build_catalog_tree(const bContext &C, const bNodeTree *node
   }
 
   /* Build the final tree without any of the catalogs that don't have proper node group assets. */
-  bke::AssetCatalogTree catalogs_with_node_assets;
-  catalogs_from_all_libraries.foreach_item([&](bke::AssetCatalogTreeItem &item) {
+  asset_system::AssetCatalogTree catalogs_with_node_assets;
+  catalogs_from_all_libraries.foreach_item([&](asset_system::AssetCatalogTreeItem &item) {
     if (!assets_per_path.lookup(item.catalog_path()).is_empty()) {
-      const bke::CatalogID &id = item.get_catalog_id();
+      const asset_system::CatalogID &id = item.get_catalog_id();
       const LibraryCatalog &library_catalog = id_to_catalog_map.lookup(id);
-      bke::AssetCatalog *catalog = library_catalog.library->catalog_service->find_catalog(id);
+      asset_system::AssetCatalog *catalog = library_catalog.library->catalog_service->find_catalog(
+          id);
       catalogs_with_node_assets.insert_item(*catalog);
     }
   });
 
   /* Build another map storing full asset paths for each tree item, in order to have stable
    * pointers to asset catalog paths to use for context pointers. This is necessary because
-   * #bke::AssetCatalogTreeItem doesn't store its full path directly. */
-  Map<const bke::AssetCatalogTreeItem *, bke::AssetCatalogPath> full_catalog_per_tree_item;
-  catalogs_with_node_assets.foreach_item([&](bke::AssetCatalogTreeItem &item) {
+   * #asset_system::AssetCatalogTreeItem doesn't store its full path directly. */
+  Map<const asset_system::AssetCatalogTreeItem *, asset_system::AssetCatalogPath>
+      full_catalog_per_tree_item;
+  catalogs_with_node_assets.foreach_item([&](asset_system::AssetCatalogTreeItem &item) {
     full_catalog_per_tree_item.add_new(&item, item.catalog_path());
   });
 
@@ -165,11 +169,11 @@ static void node_add_catalog_assets_draw(const bContext *C, Menu *menu)
   if (RNA_pointer_is_null(&menu_path_ptr)) {
     return;
   }
-  const bke::AssetCatalogPath &menu_path = *static_cast<const bke::AssetCatalogPath *>(
-      menu_path_ptr.data);
+  const asset_system::AssetCatalogPath &menu_path =
+      *static_cast<const asset_system::AssetCatalogPath *>(menu_path_ptr.data);
 
   const Span<LibraryAsset> asset_items = tree.assets_per_path.lookup(menu_path);
-  bke::AssetCatalogTreeItem *catalog_item = tree.catalogs.find_item(menu_path);
+  asset_system::AssetCatalogTreeItem *catalog_item = tree.catalogs.find_item(menu_path);
   BLI_assert(catalog_item != nullptr);
 
   if (asset_items.is_empty() && !catalog_item->has_children()) {
@@ -193,10 +197,11 @@ static void node_add_catalog_assets_draw(const bContext *C, Menu *menu)
     uiItemO(col, ED_asset_handle_get_name(&item.handle), ICON_NONE, "NODE_OT_add_group_asset");
   }
 
-  catalog_item->foreach_child([&](bke::AssetCatalogTreeItem &child_item) {
-    const bke::AssetCatalogPath &path = tree.full_catalog_per_tree_item.lookup(&child_item);
+  catalog_item->foreach_child([&](asset_system::AssetCatalogTreeItem &child_item) {
+    const asset_system::AssetCatalogPath &path = tree.full_catalog_per_tree_item.lookup(
+        &child_item);
     PointerRNA path_ptr{
-        &screen.id, &RNA_AssetCatalogPath, const_cast<bke::AssetCatalogPath *>(&path)};
+        &screen.id, &RNA_AssetCatalogPath, const_cast<asset_system::AssetCatalogPath *>(&path)};
     uiLayout *col = uiLayoutColumn(layout, false);
     uiLayoutSetContextPointer(col, "asset_catalog_path", &path_ptr);
     uiItemM(col, "NODE_MT_node_add_catalog_assets", path.name().c_str(), ICON_NONE);
@@ -260,13 +265,13 @@ static void add_root_catalogs_draw(const bContext *C, Menu *menu)
     return menus;
   }();
 
-  tree.catalogs.foreach_root_item([&](bke::AssetCatalogTreeItem &item) {
+  tree.catalogs.foreach_root_item([&](asset_system::AssetCatalogTreeItem &item) {
     if (all_builtin_menus.contains(item.get_name())) {
       return;
     }
-    const bke::AssetCatalogPath &path = tree.full_catalog_per_tree_item.lookup(&item);
+    const asset_system::AssetCatalogPath &path = tree.full_catalog_per_tree_item.lookup(&item);
     PointerRNA path_ptr{
-        &screen.id, &RNA_AssetCatalogPath, const_cast<bke::AssetCatalogPath *>(&path)};
+        &screen.id, &RNA_AssetCatalogPath, const_cast<asset_system::AssetCatalogPath *>(&path)};
     uiLayout *col = uiLayoutColumn(layout, false);
     uiLayoutSetContextPointer(col, "asset_catalog_path", &path_ptr);
     uiItemM(col, "NODE_MT_node_add_catalog_assets", path.name().c_str(), ICON_NONE);
@@ -303,13 +308,13 @@ void uiTemplateNodeAssetMenuItems(uiLayout *layout, bContext *C, const char *cat
   bScreen &screen = *CTX_wm_screen(C);
   SpaceNode &snode = *CTX_wm_space_node(C);
   AssetItemTree &tree = *snode.runtime->assets_for_menu;
-  const bke::AssetCatalogTreeItem *item = tree.catalogs.find_root_item(catalog_path);
+  const asset_system::AssetCatalogTreeItem *item = tree.catalogs.find_root_item(catalog_path);
   if (!item) {
     return;
   }
-  const bke::AssetCatalogPath &path = tree.full_catalog_per_tree_item.lookup(item);
+  const asset_system::AssetCatalogPath &path = tree.full_catalog_per_tree_item.lookup(item);
   PointerRNA path_ptr{
-      &screen.id, &RNA_AssetCatalogPath, const_cast<bke::AssetCatalogPath *>(&path)};
+      &screen.id, &RNA_AssetCatalogPath, const_cast<asset_system::AssetCatalogPath *>(&path)};
   uiItemS(layout);
   uiLayout *col = uiLayoutColumn(layout, false);
   uiLayoutSetContextPointer(col, "asset_catalog_path", &path_ptr);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/space_node/add_node_search.cc b/source/blender/editors/space_node/add_node_search.cc
index 28e18c20f46..adeddfd115d 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/space_node/add_node_search.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/space_node/add_node_search.cc
@@ -2,14 +2,15 @@
 
 #include <optional>
 
+#include "AS_asset_catalog.hh"
+#include "AS_asset_library.hh"
+
 #include "BLI_listbase.h"
 #include "BLI_string_search.h"
 
 #include "DNA_space_types.h"
 
 #include "BKE_asset.h"
-#include "BKE_asset_catalog.hh"
-#include "BKE_asset_library.hh"
 #include "BKE_context.h"
 #include "BKE_idprop.h"
 #include "BKE_lib_id.h"
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/util/CMakeLists.txt b/source/blender/editors/util/CMakeLists.txt
index 128cb897ac4..8430f69b632 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/util/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/source/blender/editors/util/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 set(INC
   ../include
   ../space_sequencer
+  ../../asset_system
   ../../blenfont
   ../../blenkernel
   ../../blenlib
diff --git a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/CMakeLists.txt b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/CMakeLists.txt
index 5c2bdc214d1..f370d47b3f7 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -187,6 +187,7 @@ set(SRC
 set(INC
   .
   ..
+  ../../asset_system
   ../../blenfont
   ../../blenkernel
   ../../blenlib
diff --git a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_asset.c b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_asset.c
index 3c7eb3d208f..d844c419835 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_asset.c
+++ b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_asset.c
@@ -17,8 +17,9 @@
 
 #ifdef RNA_RUNTIME
 
+#  include "AS_asset_library.h"
+
 #  include "BKE_asset.h"
-#  include "BKE_asset_library.h"
 #  include "BKE_context.h"
 #  include "BKE_idprop.h"
 
@@ -251,7 +252,7 @@ void rna_AssetMetaData_catalog_id_update(struct bContext *C, struct PointerRNA *
   }
 
   AssetMetaData *asset_data = ptr->data;
-  BKE_asset_library_refresh_catalog_simplename(asset_library, asset_data);
+  AS_asset_library_refresh_catalog_simplename(asset_library, asset_data);
 }
 
 static PointerRNA rna_AssetHandle_file_data_get(PointerRNA *ptr)
diff --git a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_space.c b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_space.c
index b0311d63d44..c35917bd714 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_space.c
+++ b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_space.c
@@ -530,6 +530,8 @@ static const EnumPropertyItem rna_enum_curve_display_handle_items[] = {
 
 #ifdef RNA_RUNTIME
 
+#  include "AS_asset_representation.h"
+
 #  include "DNA_anim_types.h"
 #  include "DNA_asset_types.h"
 #  include "DNA_scene_types.h"
@@ -540,7 +542,6 @@ static const EnumPropertyItem rna_enum_curve_display_handle_items[] = {
 #  include "BLI_string.h"
 
 #  include "BKE_anim_data.h"
-#  include "BKE_asset.h"
 #  include "BKE_brush.h"
 #  include "BKE_colortools.h"
 #  include "BKE_context.h"
@@ -2766,14 +2767,14 @@ static PointerRNA rna_FileBrowser_FileSelectEntry_asset_data_get(PointerRNA *ptr
     return PointerRNA_NULL;
   }
 
-  AssetMetaData *asset_data = BKE_asset_representation_metadata_get(entry->asset);
+  AssetMetaData *asset_data = AS_asset_representation_metadata_get(entry->asset);
 
   /* Note that the owning ID of the RNA pointer (`ptr->owner_id`) has to be set carefully:
    * Local IDs (`entry->id`) own their asset metadata themselves. Asset metadata from other blend
    * files are owned by the file browser (`entry`). Only if this is set correctly, we can tell from
    * the metadata RNA pointer if the metadata is stored locally and can thus be edited or not. */
 
-  if (BKE_asset_representation_is_local_id(entry->asset)) {
+  if (AS_asset_representation_is_local_id(entry->asset)) {
     PointerRNA id_ptr;
     RNA_id_pointer_create(entry->id, &id_ptr);
     return rna_pointer_inherit_refine(&id_ptr, &RNA_AssetMetaData, asset_data);
diff --git a/source/blender/windowmanager/CMakeLists.txt b/source/blender/windowmanager/CMakeLists.txt
index 9da150e0b7a..3ab024841e8 100644
--- a/source/blender/windowmanager/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/source/blender/windowmanager/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ set(INC
   .
   gizmo
   gizmo/intern
+  ../asset_system
   ../blenfont
   ../blenkernel
   ../blenlib
diff --git a/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_files.c b/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_files.c
index b009a67efba..bdac91e990c 100644
--- a/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_files.c
+++ b/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_files.c
@@ -57,9 +57,10 @@
 #include "DNA_windowmanager_types.h"
 #include "DNA_workspace_types.h"
 
+#include "AS_asset_library.h"
+
 #include "BKE_addon.h"
 #include "BKE_appdir.h"
-#include "BKE_asset_library.h"
 #include "BKE_autoexec.h"
 #include "BKE_blender.h"
 #include "BKE_blendfile.h"
@@ -159,7 +160,7 @@ void WM_file_tag_modified(void)
 bool wm_file_or_session_data_has_unsaved_changes(const Main *bmain, const wmWindowManager *wm)
 {
   return !wm->file_saved || ED_image_should_save_modified(bmain) ||
-         BKE_asset_library_has_any_unsaved_catalogs();
+         AS_asset_library_has_any_unsaved_catalogs();
 }
 
 /** \} */
@@ -3746,7 +3747,7 @@ static uiBlock *block_create__close_file_dialog(struct bContext *C,
     has_extra_checkboxes = true;
   }
 
-  if (BKE_asset_library_has_any_unsaved_catalogs()) {
+  if (AS_asset_library_has_any_unsaved_catalogs()) {
     static char save_catalogs_when_file_is_closed;
 
     save_catalogs_when_file_is_closed = ED_asset_catalogs_get_save_catalogs_when_file_is_saved();