diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/animations-moving-animator.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/animations-moving-animator.c
index 4f36bd8e4..22ae6fd5b 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/animations-moving-animator.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/animations-moving-animator.c
@@ -65,16 +65,15 @@ int
 main (int   argc,
       char *argv[])
 {
-  /* seed random number generator */
-  srand ((unsigned int) time (NULL));
-
-  State *state = g_new0 (State, 1);
-
   ClutterActor *red;
   ClutterActor *green;
   ClutterActor *blue;
+  State *state = g_new0 (State, 1);
 
-  clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
+  /* seed random number generator */
+  srand ((unsigned int) time (NULL));
+
+clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
 
   state->animator = clutter_animator_new ();
   clutter_animator_set_duration (state->animator, 500);
diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/animations-moving-implicit.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/animations-moving-implicit.c
index a368e0885..ee9a7e023 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/animations-moving-implicit.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/animations-moving-implicit.c
@@ -17,10 +17,12 @@ button_pressed_cb (ClutterActor *actor,
                    ClutterEvent *event,
                    gpointer      user_data)
 {
+  AnimationSpec *animation_spec;
+
   if (clutter_actor_get_animation (actor) != NULL)
     return TRUE;
 
-  AnimationSpec *animation_spec = (AnimationSpec *) user_data;
+  animation_spec = (AnimationSpec *) user_data;
 
   clutter_actor_animate (actor, CLUTTER_LINEAR, 500,
                          animation_spec->axis, animation_spec->target,
diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/events-buttons-lasso.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/events-buttons-lasso.c
index 68957250c..144ff0af1 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/events-buttons-lasso.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/events-buttons-lasso.c
@@ -115,13 +115,13 @@ int
 main (int   argc,
       char *argv[])
 {
-  /* seed random number generator */
-  srand ((unsigned int) time (NULL));
-
   Lasso *lasso = g_new0 (Lasso, 1);
 
   ClutterActor *stage;
 
+  /* seed random number generator */
+  srand ((unsigned int) time (NULL));
+
   clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
 
   stage = clutter_stage_get_default ();
diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/events-mouse-scroll.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/events-mouse-scroll.c
index bce9c40b4..4dac00baa 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/events-mouse-scroll.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/events-mouse-scroll.c
@@ -13,14 +13,15 @@ _scroll_event_cb (ClutterActor *viewport,
 
   gfloat viewport_height = clutter_actor_get_height (viewport);
   gfloat scrollable_height = clutter_actor_get_height (scrollable);
+  gfloat y;
+  ClutterScrollDirection direction;
 
   /* no need to scroll if the scrollable is shorter than the viewport */
   if (scrollable_height < viewport_height)
     return TRUE;
 
-  gfloat y = clutter_actor_get_y (scrollable);
+  y = clutter_actor_get_y (scrollable);
 
-  ClutterScrollDirection direction;
   direction = clutter_event_get_scroll_direction (event);
 
   switch (direction)
@@ -63,6 +64,10 @@ _scroll_event_cb (ClutterActor *viewport,
 int
 main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
+  ClutterActor *stage;
+  ClutterActor *viewport;
+  ClutterActor *texture;
+
   gchar *image_file_path = TESTS_DATA_DIR "/redhand.png";
 
   if (argc > 1)
@@ -70,10 +75,6 @@ main (int argc, char *argv[])
       image_file_path = argv[1];
     }
 
-  ClutterActor *stage;
-  ClutterActor *viewport;
-  ClutterActor *texture;
-
   clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
 
   stage = clutter_stage_get_default ();
diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/events-pointer-motion-scribbler.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/events-pointer-motion-scribbler.c
index 45b01700a..5930739aa 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/events-pointer-motion-scribbler.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/events-pointer-motion-scribbler.c
@@ -16,10 +16,10 @@ static void
 _convert_clutter_path_node_to_cogl_path (const ClutterPathNode *node,
                                          gpointer               data)
 {
-  g_return_if_fail (node != NULL);
-
   ClutterKnot knot;
 
+  g_return_if_fail (node != NULL);
+
   switch (node->type)
     {
     case CLUTTER_PATH_MOVE_TO:
diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/events-pointer-motion-stacked.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/events-pointer-motion-stacked.c
index a71293102..d1a55d06d 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/events-pointer-motion-stacked.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/events-pointer-motion-stacked.c
@@ -22,8 +22,10 @@ _pointer_motion_cb (ClutterActor *actor,
                     ClutterEvent *event,
                     gpointer      user_data)
 {
-  /* get the coordinates where the pointer crossed into the actor */
   gfloat stage_x, stage_y;
+  gfloat actor_x, actor_y;
+
+  /* get the coordinates where the pointer crossed into the actor */
   clutter_event_get_coords (event, &stage_x, &stage_y);
 
   /*
@@ -31,7 +33,6 @@ _pointer_motion_cb (ClutterActor *actor,
    * the actor which emitted the signal, it can be useful to
    * transform them to actor-relative coordinates
    */
-  gfloat actor_x, actor_y;
   clutter_actor_transform_stage_point (actor,
                                        stage_x, stage_y,
                                        &actor_x, &actor_y);
diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/events-pointer-motion.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/events-pointer-motion.c
index 6bc55e5e1..38191bab9 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/events-pointer-motion.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/events-pointer-motion.c
@@ -9,9 +9,10 @@ _pointer_motion_cb (ClutterActor *actor,
                     gpointer      user_data)
 {
   gfloat stage_x, stage_y;
+  gfloat actor_x, actor_y;
+
   clutter_event_get_coords (event, &stage_x, &stage_y);
 
-  gfloat actor_x, actor_y;
   clutter_actor_transform_stage_point (actor,
                                        stage_x, stage_y,
                                        &actor_x, &actor_y);
diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/layouts-stacking-diff-sized-actors.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/layouts-stacking-diff-sized-actors.c
index 6030eeeda..e4be3cc16 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/layouts-stacking-diff-sized-actors.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/layouts-stacking-diff-sized-actors.c
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@ main (int argc, char *argv[])
   ClutterActor *box;
   ClutterActor *rect1, *rect2;
   guint align_x, align_y, diff_x, diff_y;
+  ClutterColor *color;
+  ClutterActor *rect;
 
   clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
 
@@ -54,11 +56,11 @@ main (int argc, char *argv[])
           else if (align_y == 4)
             diff_y = 2;
 
-          ClutterColor *color = clutter_color_new (255 - diff_x * 50,
+          color = clutter_color_new (255 - diff_x * 50,
                                                    100 + diff_y * 50,
                                                    0,
                                                    255);
-          ClutterActor *rect = clutter_rectangle_new_with_color (color);
+          rect = clutter_rectangle_new_with_color (color);
           clutter_actor_set_size (rect, 100, 100);
           clutter_bin_layout_set_alignment (CLUTTER_BIN_LAYOUT (layout),
                                             rect,
diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/layouts-stacking.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/layouts-stacking.c
index 8e9f05381..799ca2b4a 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/layouts-stacking.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/layouts-stacking.c
@@ -12,11 +12,6 @@ static const ClutterColor box_color = { 0x33, 0x33, 0x55, 0xff };
 int
 main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
-  gchar *filename = TESTS_DATA_DIR "/redhand.png";
-
-  if (argc > 1)
-    filename = argv[1];
-
   ClutterLayoutManager *layout;
   ClutterActor *box;
   ClutterActor *stage;
@@ -25,6 +20,11 @@ main (int argc, char *argv[])
   GError *error = NULL;
   gfloat width;
 
+  gchar *filename = TESTS_DATA_DIR "/redhand.png";
+
+  if (argc > 1)
+    filename = argv[1];
+
   clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
 
   stage = clutter_stage_get_default ();
diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/script-signals.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/script-signals.c
index 99f928471..718861b98 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/script-signals.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/script-signals.c
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ foo_button_clicked_cb (ClutterClickAction *action,
                        ClutterActor       *actor,
                        gpointer            user_data)
 {
+  gfloat z_angle;
+
   /* get the UI definition passed to the handler */
   ClutterScript *ui = CLUTTER_SCRIPT (user_data);
 
@@ -36,7 +38,6 @@ foo_button_clicked_cb (ClutterClickAction *action,
     return;
 
   /* get the current rotation and increment it */
-  gfloat z_angle;
   z_angle = clutter_actor_get_rotation (rectangle,
                                         CLUTTER_Z_AXIS,
                                         NULL, NULL, NULL);
@@ -54,13 +55,16 @@ foo_button_clicked_cb (ClutterClickAction *action,
 int
 main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
-  clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
-
-  ClutterScript *ui = clutter_script_new ();
+  ClutterActor *stage;
+  ClutterScript *ui;
 
   gchar *filename = "script-signals.json";
   GError *error = NULL;
 
+  clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
+
+  ui = clutter_script_new ();
+
   clutter_script_load_from_file (ui, filename, &error);
 
   if (error != NULL)
@@ -70,7 +74,6 @@ main (int argc, char *argv[])
       exit (EXIT_FAILURE);
     }
 
-  ClutterActor *stage;
   clutter_script_get_objects (ui,
                               "stage", &stage,
                               NULL);
diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/script-ui.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/script-ui.c
index e02036b42..6797deae1 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/script-ui.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/script-ui.c
@@ -4,13 +4,16 @@
 int
 main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
-  clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
-
-  ClutterScript *ui = clutter_script_new ();
+  ClutterActor *stage;
+  ClutterScript *ui;
 
   gchar *filename = "script-ui.json";
   GError *error = NULL;
 
+  clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
+
+  ui = clutter_script_new ();
+
   /* load a JSON file into the script */
   clutter_script_load_from_file (ui, filename, &error);
 
@@ -22,8 +25,6 @@ main (int argc, char *argv[])
     }
 
   /* retrieve objects from the script */
-  ClutterActor *stage;
-
   clutter_script_get_objects (ui,
                               "stage", &stage,
                               NULL);
diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/text-shadow.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/text-shadow.c
index 3647da931..90643476f 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/text-shadow.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/text-shadow.c
@@ -9,24 +9,24 @@
 static void
 _text_paint_cb (ClutterActor *actor)
 {
+  PangoLayout *layout;
+  guint8 real_opacity;
+  CoglColor color;
   ClutterText *text = CLUTTER_TEXT (actor);
+  ClutterColor text_color = { 0, };
 
   /* Get the PangoLayout that the Text actor is going to paint */
-  PangoLayout *layout;
   layout = clutter_text_get_layout (text);
 
   /* Get the color of the text, to extract the alpha component */
-  ClutterColor text_color = { 0, };
   clutter_text_get_color (text, &text_color);
 
   /* Composite the opacity so that the shadow is correctly blended */
-  guint8 real_opacity;
   real_opacity = clutter_actor_get_paint_opacity (actor)
                * text_color.alpha
                / 255;
 
   /* Create a #ccc color and premultiply it */
-  CoglColor color;
   cogl_color_init_from_4ub (&color, 0xcc, 0xcc, 0xcc, real_opacity);
   cogl_color_premultiply (&color);
 
@@ -37,15 +37,15 @@ _text_paint_cb (ClutterActor *actor)
 int
 main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
-  clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
-
   ClutterActor *stage;
+  ClutterActor *text;
+
+  clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
 
   stage = clutter_stage_new ();
   clutter_stage_set_title (CLUTTER_STAGE (stage), "Text shadow");
   g_signal_connect (stage, "destroy", G_CALLBACK (clutter_main_quit), NULL);
 
-  ClutterActor *text;
   text = clutter_text_new ();
   clutter_text_set_text (CLUTTER_TEXT (text), "Hello, World!");
   clutter_text_set_font_name (CLUTTER_TEXT (text), "Sans 64px");
diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-crossfade-cogl.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-crossfade-cogl.c
index 2c129f439..946f6977e 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-crossfade-cogl.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-crossfade-cogl.c
@@ -33,7 +33,12 @@ _update_progress_cb (ClutterTimeline *timeline,
                      guint            elapsed_msecs,
                      ClutterTexture  *texture)
 {
+  CoglHandle copy;
+  gdouble progress;
+  CoglColor constant;
+
   CoglHandle material = clutter_texture_get_cogl_material (texture);
+
   if (material == COGL_INVALID_HANDLE)
     return;
 
@@ -41,15 +46,14 @@ _update_progress_cb (ClutterTimeline *timeline,
    * its creation; if you need to modify it later you should use a copy
    * instead. Cogl makes copying materials reasonably cheap
    */
-  CoglHandle copy = cogl_material_copy (material);
+  copy = cogl_material_copy (material);
 
-  gdouble progress = clutter_timeline_get_progress (timeline);
+  progress = clutter_timeline_get_progress (timeline);
 
   /* Create the constant color to be used when combining the two
    * material layers; we use a black color with an alpha component
    * depending on the current progress of the timeline
    */
-  CoglColor constant;
   cogl_color_init_from_4ub (&constant, 0x00, 0x00, 0x00, 0xff * progress);
 
   /* This sets the value of the constant color we use when combining
@@ -95,6 +99,13 @@ print_usage_and_exit (const char *exec_name,
 int
 main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
+  CoglHandle texture_1;
+  CoglHandle texture_2;
+  CoglHandle material;
+  ClutterActor *stage;
+  ClutterActor *texture;
+  ClutterTimeline *timeline;
+
   clutter_init_with_args (&argc, &argv,
                           " - Crossfade", entries,
                           NULL,
@@ -106,13 +117,13 @@ main (int argc, char *argv[])
   /* Load the source and target images using Cogl, because we need
    * to combine them into the same ClutterTexture.
    */
-  CoglHandle texture_1 = load_cogl_texture ("source", source);
-  CoglHandle texture_2 = load_cogl_texture ("target", target);
+  texture_1 = load_cogl_texture ("source", source);
+  texture_2 = load_cogl_texture ("target", target);
 
   /* Create a new Cogl material holding the two textures inside two
    * separate layers.
    */
-  CoglHandle material = cogl_material_new ();
+  material = cogl_material_new ();
   cogl_material_set_layer (material, 1, texture_1);
   cogl_material_set_layer (material, 0, texture_2);
 
@@ -137,13 +148,13 @@ main (int argc, char *argv[])
    * assign the material we created earlier to the Texture for painting
    * it
    */
-  ClutterActor *stage = clutter_stage_get_default ();
+  stage = clutter_stage_get_default ();
   clutter_stage_set_title (CLUTTER_STAGE (stage), "cross-fade");
   clutter_actor_set_size (stage, 400, 300);
   clutter_actor_show (stage);
   g_signal_connect (stage, "destroy", G_CALLBACK (clutter_main_quit), NULL);
 
-  ClutterActor *texture = clutter_texture_new ();
+  texture = clutter_texture_new ();
   clutter_container_add_actor (CLUTTER_CONTAINER (stage), texture);
   clutter_texture_set_cogl_material (CLUTTER_TEXTURE (texture), material);
   clutter_actor_add_constraint (texture, clutter_align_constraint_new (stage, CLUTTER_ALIGN_X_AXIS, 0.5));
@@ -151,7 +162,7 @@ main (int argc, char *argv[])
   cogl_handle_unref (material);
 
   /* The timeline will drive the cross-fading */
-  ClutterTimeline *timeline = clutter_timeline_new (duration);
+  timeline = clutter_timeline_new (duration);
   g_signal_connect (timeline, "new-frame", G_CALLBACK (_update_progress_cb), texture);
   clutter_timeline_start (timeline);
 
diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-crossfade-slideshow.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-crossfade-slideshow.c
index bc7973a13..afba2e178 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-crossfade-slideshow.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-crossfade-slideshow.c
@@ -26,6 +26,11 @@ typedef struct {
 static gboolean
 load_next_image (State *app)
 {
+  gpointer next;
+  gchar *image_path;
+  CoglHandle *cogl_texture;
+  GError *error = NULL;
+
   /* don't do anything if already animating */
   ClutterTimeline *timeline = clutter_state_get_timeline (app->transitions);
 
@@ -38,16 +43,15 @@ load_next_image (State *app)
   if (!app->next_image_index)
       app->next_image_index = 0;
 
-  gpointer next = g_slist_nth_data (app->image_paths, app->next_image_index);
+  next = g_slist_nth_data (app->image_paths, app->next_image_index);
 
   if (next == NULL)
     return FALSE;
 
-  gchar *image_path = (gchar *)next;
+  image_path = (gchar *)next;
 
   g_debug ("Loading %s", image_path);
 
-  CoglHandle *cogl_texture;
   cogl_texture = clutter_texture_get_cogl_texture (CLUTTER_TEXTURE (app->top));
 
   if (cogl_texture != NULL)
@@ -60,7 +64,6 @@ load_next_image (State *app)
     }
 
   /* load the next image into the top */
-  GError *error = NULL;
   clutter_texture_set_from_file (CLUTTER_TEXTURE (app->top),
                                  image_path,
                                  &error);
@@ -95,23 +98,8 @@ _key_pressed_cb (ClutterActor *actor,
 int
 main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
-  if (argc < 2)
-    {
-      g_print ("Usage: %s <image paths to load>\n", argv[0]);
-      exit (EXIT_FAILURE);
-    }
-
   State *app = g_new0 (State, 1);
-  app->image_paths = NULL;
-
-  /*
-   * NB if your shell globs arguments to this program so argv
-   * includes non-image files, they will fail to load and throw errors
-   */
   guint i;
-  for (i = 1; i < argc; i++)
-    app->image_paths = g_slist_append (app->image_paths, argv[i]);
-
   GError *error = NULL;
 
   /* UI */
@@ -119,6 +107,21 @@ main (int argc, char *argv[])
   ClutterLayoutManager *layout;
   ClutterActor *box;
 
+  if (argc < 2)
+    {
+      g_print ("Usage: %s <image paths to load>\n", argv[0]);
+      exit (EXIT_FAILURE);
+    }
+
+  app->image_paths = NULL;
+
+  /*
+   * NB if your shell globs arguments to this program so argv
+   * includes non-image files, they will fail to load and throw errors
+   */
+  for (i = 1; i < argc; i++)
+    app->image_paths = g_slist_append (app->image_paths, argv[i]);
+
   clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
 
   stage = clutter_stage_get_default ();
diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-crossfade.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-crossfade.c
index 0ba9ccbec..d330ebf04 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-crossfade.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-crossfade.c
@@ -61,6 +61,15 @@ load_image (ClutterTexture *texture,
 int
 main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
+  GError *error = NULL;
+
+  /* UI */
+  ClutterActor *stage;
+  ClutterLayoutManager *layout;
+  ClutterActor *box;
+  ClutterActor *top, *bottom;
+  ClutterState *transitions;
+
   clutter_init_with_args (&argc, &argv,
                           " - cross-fade", entries,
                           NULL,
@@ -72,15 +81,6 @@ main (int argc, char *argv[])
       exit (EXIT_FAILURE);
     }
 
-  GError *error = NULL;
-
-  /* UI */
-  ClutterActor *stage;
-  ClutterLayoutManager *layout;
-  ClutterActor *box;
-  ClutterActor *top, *bottom;
-  ClutterState *transitions;
-
   clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
 
   stage = clutter_stage_get_default ();
diff --git a/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-reflection.c b/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-reflection.c
index a5358bd21..a8c94e1b0 100644
--- a/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-reflection.c
+++ b/doc/cookbook/examples/textures-reflection.c
@@ -71,17 +71,18 @@ out:
 int
 main (int argc, char *argv[])
 {
-  clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
-
   ClutterActor *stage;
+  ClutterActor *texture;
+  GError *error = NULL;
+  ClutterActor *clone;
+  gfloat y_offset;
+
+  clutter_init (&argc, &argv);
 
   stage = clutter_stage_new ();
   clutter_stage_set_title (CLUTTER_STAGE (stage), "Reflection");
   g_signal_connect (stage, "destroy", G_CALLBACK (clutter_main_quit), NULL);
 
-  ClutterActor *texture;
-  GError *error = NULL;
-
   texture = clutter_texture_new ();
   clutter_texture_set_from_file (CLUTTER_TEXTURE (texture),
                                  TESTS_DATA_DIR "/redhand.png",
@@ -89,8 +90,7 @@ main (int argc, char *argv[])
   clutter_actor_add_constraint (texture, clutter_align_constraint_new (stage, CLUTTER_ALIGN_X_AXIS, 0.5));
   clutter_actor_add_constraint (texture, clutter_align_constraint_new (stage, CLUTTER_ALIGN_Y_AXIS, 0.2));
 
-  ClutterActor *clone;
-  gfloat y_offset = clutter_actor_get_height (texture) + V_PADDING;
+  y_offset = clutter_actor_get_height (texture) + V_PADDING;
 
   clone = clutter_clone_new (texture);
   clutter_actor_add_constraint (clone, clutter_bind_constraint_new (texture, CLUTTER_BIND_X, 0.0));