Framework consists of 60 "simple" and 60 "complex" tiles, with each players starting with 22 tokens. On a turn, the lead player draws and reveals a balanced assortment of simple and complex tiles, with one more tile than the number of players. Each player in turn selects a tile, with the lead player being forced to take the final tile.

When you take a tile, place it adjacent to at least one other tile in your display, then see whether you complete any tasks on your tiles; each time you do, cover that task with a token. Tiles contain 0-3 frames and 0-3 tasks, with each of these coming in four colors. A task might be, for example, a green 3, and to complete the task, the tile bearing this task must be part of a set of three tiles that have green frames, whether directly or via an orthogonal chain of connection with tiles that have green frames.

Tasks might be two colors, e.g., red and brown, which means that both frame colors can be used to satisfy the task. Alternatively, a task might be 4 yellow or 4 brown. Also, conditional tasks exist in which you must first complete one task before you can complete the second one.

Whoever first places all of their tokens wins. Framework also includes a solo game in which you attempt to place all of your tokens in an area of tiles that is as close to a 5x5 grid as possible.