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CLIM is a large layered software system that allows the user to customize it at each level. The most simple ways of using CLIM is to directly use its top layer, which contains application frames, panes, and gadgets, very similar to those of traditional windowing system toolkits such as GTK, Tk, and Motif.
But there is much more to using CLIM. In CLIM, the upper layer with panes and gadgets is written on top of a basic layer containing more basic functionality in the form of sheets. Objects in the upper layer are typically instances of classes derived from those of the lower layer. Thus, nothing prevents a user from adding new gadgets and panes by writing code that uses the sheet layer.
Finally, since CLIM is written in Common Lisp, essentially all parts of it can be modified, replaced, or extended.
For that reason, a user's manual for CLIM must contain not only a description of the protocols of the upper layer, but also of all protocols, classes, functions, macros, etc. that are part of the specification.