A compound application that is operated across multiple devices using constituent transformation chains associated with multiple devices. Dependencies are identified between different transformation chain classes. Devices are also identified along with their associated instance of a transformation chain class. Upon determining that the transformation chain instances associated with different devices are to be joined, data is permitted to flow between the various devices in accordance with the identified dependences between their respective classes of the associated transformation chain instances, and in accordance with dependency state between the instances. Thus, a compound transformation chain is formed. As devices exit the environment, the associated transformation chain instances may be removed from the compound transformation chain. Thus, rather than devices having interoperating applications, the devices become mutually engaged with the same compound application. As new devices enter the environment, or as devices exit the environment, the compound application itself changes.