diff --git a/api/internal/localizer/localizer.go b/api/internal/localizer/localizer.go
index 137b6f0ed..9c75320af 100644
--- a/api/internal/localizer/localizer.go
+++ b/api/internal/localizer/localizer.go
@@ -9,9 +9,7 @@ import (
 
 	"sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/ifc"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/internal/generators"
-	pLdr "sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/internal/plugins/loader"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/internal/target"
-	"sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/konfig"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/loader"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/provider"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/resmap"
@@ -26,17 +24,14 @@ import (
 type localizer struct {
 	fSys filesys.FileSystem
 
-	// kusttarget fields
-	validator ifc.Validator
-	rFactory  *resmap.Factory
-	pLdr      *pLdr.Loader
-
 	// underlying type is Loader
 	ldr ifc.Loader
 
 	// root is at ldr.Root()
 	root filesys.ConfirmedDir
 
+	rFactory *resmap.Factory
+
 	// destination directory in newDir that mirrors root
 	dst string
 }
@@ -58,19 +53,12 @@ func Run(target string, scope string, newDir string, fSys filesys.FileSystem) er
 		return errors.WrapPrefixf(err, "unable to create directory in localize destination")
 	}
 
-	depProvider := provider.NewDepProvider()
-	rFactory := resmap.NewFactory(depProvider.GetResourceFactory())
-	// As of alpha, only built-in plugins, using kustomize's built-in definitions of them,
-	// are potentially localized.
-	plgnsLdr := pLdr.NewLoader(types.DisabledPluginConfig(), rFactory, filesys.MakeFsOnDisk())
 	err = (&localizer{
-		fSys:      fSys,
-		validator: depProvider.GetFieldValidator(),
-		rFactory:  rFactory,
-		pLdr:      plgnsLdr,
-		ldr:       ldr,
-		root:      args.Target,
-		dst:       dst,
+		fSys:     fSys,
+		ldr:      ldr,
+		root:     args.Target,
+		rFactory: resmap.NewFactory(provider.NewDepProvider().GetResourceFactory()),
+		dst:      dst,
 	}).localize()
 	if err != nil {
 		errCleanup := fSys.RemoveAll(args.NewDir.String())
@@ -84,32 +72,53 @@ func Run(target string, scope string, newDir string, fSys filesys.FileSystem) er
 
 // localize localizes the root that lc is at
 func (lc *localizer) localize() error {
-	kt := target.NewKustTarget(lc.ldr, lc.validator, lc.rFactory, lc.pLdr)
-	err := kt.Load()
-	if err != nil {
-		return errors.Wrap(err)
-	}
-
-	kustomization := kt.Kustomization()
-	err = lc.localizeNativeFields(&kustomization)
+	kustomization, kustFileName, err := lc.load()
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
-	err = lc.localizeBuiltinPlugins(&kustomization)
+	err = lc.localizeNativeFields(kustomization)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	err = lc.localizeBuiltinPlugins(kustomization)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	content, err := yaml.Marshal(&kustomization)
+	content, err := yaml.Marshal(kustomization)
 	if err != nil {
 		return errors.WrapPrefixf(err, "unable to serialize localized kustomization file")
 	}
-	if err = lc.fSys.WriteFile(filepath.Join(lc.dst, konfig.DefaultKustomizationFileName()), content); err != nil {
+	if err = lc.fSys.WriteFile(filepath.Join(lc.dst, kustFileName), content); err != nil {
 		return errors.WrapPrefixf(err, "unable to write localized kustomization file")
 	}
 	return nil
 }
 
+// load returns the kustomization at lc.root and the file name under which it was found
+func (lc *localizer) load() (*types.Kustomization, string, error) {
+	content, kustFileName, err := target.LoadKustFile(lc.ldr)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", errors.Wrap(err)
+	}
+	content, err = types.FixKustomizationPreUnmarshalling(content)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", errors.WrapPrefixf(err, "invalid kustomization")
+	}
+	var kust types.Kustomization
+	err = (&kust).Unmarshal(content)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, "", errors.WrapPrefixf(err, "invalid kustomization")
+	}
+
+	// Localize intentionally does not replace legacy fields to return a localized kustomization
+	// with as much resemblance to the original as possible.
+	// Localize also intentionally does not enforce fields, as localize does not wish to unnecessarily
+	// repeat the responsibilities of kustomize build.
+
+	return &kust, kustFileName, nil
+}
+
 // localizeNativeFields localizes paths on kustomize-native fields, like configMapGenerator, that kustomize has a
 // built-in understanding of. This excludes helm-related fields, such as `helmGlobals` and `helmCharts`.
 func (lc *localizer) localizeNativeFields(kust *types.Kustomization) error {
@@ -163,7 +172,8 @@ func (lc *localizer) localizeNativeFields(kust *types.Kustomization) error {
 		}
 	}
 
-	// TODO(annasong): localize all other kustomization fields: resources, bases, crds, configurations, openapi
+	// TODO(annasong): localize all other kustomization fields: resources, bases, crds, configurations,
+	// openapi, configMapGenerator.env, secretGenerator.env
 	return nil
 }
 
@@ -273,13 +283,11 @@ func (lc *localizer) localizeDir(path string) (string, error) {
 		return "", errors.WrapPrefixf(err, "unable to create root %q in localize destination", path)
 	}
 	err = (&localizer{
-		fSys:      lc.fSys,
-		validator: lc.validator,
-		rFactory:  lc.rFactory,
-		pLdr:      lc.pLdr,
-		ldr:       ldr,
-		root:      root,
-		dst:       newDst,
+		fSys:     lc.fSys,
+		ldr:      ldr,
+		root:     root,
+		rFactory: lc.rFactory,
+		dst:      newDst,
 	}).localize()
 	if err != nil {
 		return "", errors.WrapPrefixf(err, "unable to localize root %q", path)
diff --git a/api/internal/localizer/localizer_test.go b/api/internal/localizer/localizer_test.go
index 095287539..0c0ade487 100644
--- a/api/internal/localizer/localizer_test.go
+++ b/api/internal/localizer/localizer_test.go
@@ -50,6 +50,17 @@ func addFiles(t *testing.T, fSys filesys.FileSystem, parentDir string, files map
 	}
 }
 
+func makeFileSystems(t *testing.T, target string, files map[string]string) (expected filesys.FileSystem, actual filesys.FileSystem) {
+	t.Helper()
+
+	copies := make([]filesys.FileSystem, 2)
+	for i := range copies {
+		copies[i] = makeMemoryFs(t)
+		addFiles(t, copies[i], target, files)
+	}
+	return copies[0], copies[1]
+}
+
 func checkFSys(t *testing.T, fSysExpected filesys.FileSystem, fSysActual filesys.FileSystem) {
 	t.Helper()
 
@@ -95,25 +106,22 @@ func reportFSysDiff(t *testing.T, fSysExpected filesys.FileSystem, fSysActual fi
 }
 
 func TestTargetIsScope(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	kustomization := map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 kind: Kustomization
 namePrefix: my-
 `,
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/a", kustomization)
-	err := Run("/a", "", "/a/b/dst", fSys)
+	fSysExpected, fSysActual := makeFileSystems(t, "/a", kustomization)
+
+	err := Run("/a", "", "/a/b/dst", fSysActual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/a", kustomization)
 	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/a/b/dst", kustomization)
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSysActual)
 }
 
 func TestTargetNestedInScope(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	kustomization := map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 kind: Kustomization
@@ -127,18 +135,16 @@ patches:
     labelSelector: env=dev
 `,
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/a/b", kustomization)
-	err := Run("/a/b", "/", "/a/b/dst", fSys)
+	fSysExpected, fSysActual := makeFileSystems(t, "/a/b", kustomization)
+
+	err := Run("/a/b", "/", "/a/b/dst", fSysActual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/a/b", kustomization)
 	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/a/b/dst/a/b", kustomization)
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSysActual)
 }
 
-func TestLocalizeKustomizationName(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
+func TestLoadKustomizationName(t *testing.T) {
 	kustomization := map[string]string{
 		"Kustomization": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 commonLabels:
@@ -147,17 +153,83 @@ commonLabels:
 kind: Kustomization
 `,
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/a", kustomization)
+	fSysExpected, fSysActual := makeFileSystems(t, "/a", kustomization)
 
-	err := Run("/a", "/", "/dst", fSys)
+	err := Run("/a", "/", "/dst", fSysActual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/a", kustomization)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/dst/a", map[string]string{
-		"kustomization.yaml": kustomization["Kustomization"],
+	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/dst/a", kustomization)
+	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSysActual)
+}
+
+func TestLoadGVKNN(t *testing.T) {
+	for name, kustomization := range map[string]string{
+		"missing": `namePrefix: my-
+`,
+		"wrong": `kind: NotChecked
+`,
+	} {
+		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			files := map[string]string{
+				"kustomization.yaml": kustomization,
+			}
+			fSysExpected, fSysActual := makeFileSystems(t, "/a", files)
+
+			err := Run("/a", "/a", "/dst", fSysActual)
+			require.NoError(t, err)
+
+			addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/dst", files)
+			checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSysActual)
+		})
+	}
+}
+
+func TestLoadLegacyFields(t *testing.T) {
+	// TODO(annasong): add referenced files when implement legacy field localization
+	kustomization := map[string]string{
+		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
+bases:
+- beta
+configMapGenerator:
+- env: env.properties
+imageTags:
+- name: postgres
+  newName: my-registry/my-postgres
+  newTag: v1
+kind: Kustomization
+`,
+	}
+	fSysExpected, fSysActual := makeFileSystems(t, "/alpha", kustomization)
+
+	err := Run("/alpha", "/alpha", "/beta", fSysActual)
+	require.NoError(t, err)
+
+	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/beta", map[string]string{
+		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
+bases:
+- beta
+configMapGenerator:
+- env: env.properties
+images:
+- name: postgres
+  newName: my-registry/my-postgres
+  newTag: v1
+kind: Kustomization
+`,
 	})
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSysActual)
+}
+
+func TestLoadUnknownKustFields(t *testing.T) {
+	fSysExpected, fSysTest := makeFileSystems(t, "/a", map[string]string{
+		"kustomization.yaml": `namePrefix: valid
+suffix: invalid`,
+	})
+
+	err := Run("/a", "", "", fSysTest)
+	require.EqualError(t, err, `unable to localize target "/a": invalid kustomization: json: unknown field "suffix"`)
+
+	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSysTest)
 }
 
 func TestLocalizeFileName(t *testing.T) {
@@ -169,7 +241,6 @@ func TestLocalizeFileName(t *testing.T) {
 		"kustomization_name":                  "a/kustomization.yaml",
 	} {
 		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 			kustAndPatch := map[string]string{
 				"kustomization.yaml": fmt.Sprintf(`apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 kind: Kustomization
@@ -178,21 +249,18 @@ patches:
 `, path),
 				path: podConfiguration,
 			}
-			addFiles(t, fSys, "/a", kustAndPatch)
+			expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/a", kustAndPatch)
 
-			err := Run("/a", "/", "/a/dst", fSys)
+			err := Run("/a", "/", "/a/dst", actual)
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 
-			fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-			addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/a", kustAndPatch)
-			addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/a/dst/a", kustAndPatch)
-			checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+			addFiles(t, expected, "/a/dst/a", kustAndPatch)
+			checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 		})
 	}
 }
 
 func TestLocalizeFileCleaned(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	kustAndPatch := map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 kind: Kustomization
@@ -201,14 +269,12 @@ patches:
 `,
 		"patch.yaml": podConfiguration,
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/alpha/beta/gamma", kustAndPatch)
+	expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/alpha/beta/gamma", kustAndPatch)
 
-	err := Run("/alpha/beta/gamma", "/", "", fSys)
+	err := Run("/alpha/beta/gamma", "/", "", actual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/alpha/beta/gamma", kustAndPatch)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/localized-gamma/alpha/beta/gamma", map[string]string{
+	addFiles(t, expected, "/localized-gamma/alpha/beta/gamma", map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 kind: Kustomization
 patches:
@@ -216,11 +282,10 @@ patches:
 `,
 		"patch.yaml": podConfiguration,
 	})
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 }
 
 func TestLocalizeUnreferencedIgnored(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	targetAndUnreferenced := map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 configMapGenerator:
@@ -233,22 +298,19 @@ kind: Kustomization
 		"env.properties": "USERNAME=password",
 		"resource.yaml":  podConfiguration,
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/alpha/beta", targetAndUnreferenced)
+	expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/alpha/beta", targetAndUnreferenced)
 
-	err := Run("/alpha/beta", "/alpha", "/beta", fSys)
+	err := Run("/alpha/beta", "/alpha", "/beta", actual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/alpha/beta", targetAndUnreferenced)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/beta/beta", map[string]string{
+	addFiles(t, expected, "/beta/beta", map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": targetAndUnreferenced["kustomization.yaml"],
 		"env":                targetAndUnreferenced["env"],
 	})
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 }
 
 func TestLocalizePatches(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	kustAndPatch := map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 kind: Kustomization
@@ -278,19 +340,16 @@ spec:
         image: nginx:1.21.0
 `,
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/", kustAndPatch)
+	expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/", kustAndPatch)
 
-	err := Run("/", "", "", fSys)
+	err := Run("/", "", "", actual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/", kustAndPatch)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/localized", kustAndPatch)
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	addFiles(t, expected, "/localized", kustAndPatch)
+	checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 }
 
 func TestLocalizePatchesJson(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	kustAndPatches := map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 kind: Kustomization
@@ -319,19 +378,16 @@ patchesJson6902:
    {"op": "remove", "path": "/some/existing/path"},
  ]`,
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/alpha/beta", kustAndPatches)
+	expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/alpha/beta", kustAndPatches)
 
-	err := Run("/alpha/beta", "/", "/beta", fSys)
+	err := Run("/alpha/beta", "/", "/beta", actual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/alpha/beta", kustAndPatches)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/beta/alpha/beta", kustAndPatches)
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	addFiles(t, expected, "/beta/alpha/beta", kustAndPatches)
+	checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 }
 
 func TestLocalizePatchesSM(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	kustAndPatches := map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 kind: Kustomization
@@ -347,19 +403,16 @@ patchesStrategicMerge:
 `,
 		"patch.yaml": podConfiguration,
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/a", kustAndPatches)
+	expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/a", kustAndPatches)
 
-	err := Run("/a", "", "/dst", fSys)
+	err := Run("/a", "", "/dst", actual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/a", kustAndPatches)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/dst", kustAndPatches)
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	addFiles(t, expected, "/dst", kustAndPatches)
+	checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 }
 
 func TestLocalizeReplacements(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	kustAndReplacement := map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 kind: Kustomization
@@ -389,19 +442,16 @@ targets:
   select:
     namespace: my`,
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/a", kustAndReplacement)
+	expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/a", kustAndReplacement)
 
-	err := Run("/a", "/", "/dst", fSys)
+	err := Run("/a", "/", "/dst", actual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/a", kustAndReplacement)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/dst/a", kustAndReplacement)
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	addFiles(t, expected, "/dst/a", kustAndReplacement)
+	checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 }
 
 func TestLocalizeConfigMapGenerator(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	kustAndData := map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 configMapGenerator:
@@ -423,19 +473,16 @@ metadata:
 IS_GLOBAL=true`,
 		"key.properties": "value",
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/a/b", kustAndData)
+	expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/a/b", kustAndData)
 
-	err := Run("/a/b", "", "", fSys)
+	err := Run("/a/b", "", "", actual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/a/b", kustAndData)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/localized-b", kustAndData)
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	addFiles(t, expected, "/localized-b", kustAndData)
+	checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 }
 
 func TestLocalizeSecretGenerator(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	kustAndData := map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 kind: Kustomization
@@ -459,19 +506,16 @@ secretGenerator:
 		"b/value.properties": "dmFsdWU=",
 		"b/value":            "dmFsdWU=",
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/a", kustAndData)
+	expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/a", kustAndData)
 
-	err := Run("/a", "/", "/localized-a", fSys)
+	err := Run("/a", "/", "/localized-a", actual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/a", kustAndData)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/localized-a/a", kustAndData)
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	addFiles(t, expected, "/localized-a/a", kustAndData)
+	checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 }
 
 func TestLocalizeFileNoFile(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	kustAndPatch := map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 kind: Kustomization
@@ -479,18 +523,15 @@ patches:
 - path: name-DNE.yaml
 `,
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/a/b", kustAndPatch)
+	expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/a/b", kustAndPatch)
 
-	err := Run("/a/b", "", "/dst", fSys)
+	err := Run("/a/b", "", "/dst", actual)
 	require.Error(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/a/b", kustAndPatch)
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 }
 
 func TestLocalizeGenerators(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	kustAndPlugins := map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 generators:
@@ -520,21 +561,18 @@ metadata:
   name: map
 `,
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/a", kustAndPlugins)
+	expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/a", kustAndPlugins)
 
-	err := Run("/a", "", "/alpha/dst", fSys)
+	err := Run("/a", "", "/alpha/dst", actual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/a", kustAndPlugins)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/alpha/dst", map[string]string{
+	addFiles(t, expected, "/alpha/dst", map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": kustAndPlugins["kustomization.yaml"],
 	})
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 }
 
 func TestLocalizeTransformers(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	kustAndPlugins := map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 kind: Kustomization
@@ -571,21 +609,18 @@ paths:
 - pod.yaml
 `,
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/a", kustAndPlugins)
+	expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/a", kustAndPlugins)
 
-	err := Run("/a", "", "/dst", fSys)
+	err := Run("/a", "", "/dst", actual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/a", kustAndPlugins)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/dst", map[string]string{
+	addFiles(t, expected, "/dst", map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": kustAndPlugins["kustomization.yaml"],
 	})
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 }
 
 func TestLocalizeValidators(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	kustAndPlugin := map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 kind: Kustomization
@@ -622,16 +657,15 @@ replacements:
       namespace: test
 `,
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/", kustAndPlugin)
-	err := Run("/", "", "/dst", fSys)
+	expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/", kustAndPlugin)
+
+	err := Run("/", "", "/dst", actual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/", kustAndPlugin)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/dst", map[string]string{
+	addFiles(t, expected, "/dst", map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": kustAndPlugin["kustomization.yaml"],
 	})
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 }
 
 func TestLocalizeBuiltinPluginsNotResource(t *testing.T) {
@@ -679,9 +713,9 @@ metadata:
 		},
 	} {
 		t.Run(test.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
-			addFiles(t, fSys, "/", test.files)
-			err := Run("/", "", "/dst", fSys)
+			expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/", test.files)
+
+			err := Run("/", "", "/dst", actual)
 
 			var actualErr ResourceLoadError
 			require.ErrorAs(t, err, &actualErr)
@@ -691,9 +725,7 @@ metadata:
 			require.EqualError(t, err, fmt.Sprintf(`unable to localize target "/": %s: when parsing as inline received error: %s
 when parsing as filepath received error: %s`, test.errPrefix, test.inlineErrMsg, test.fileErrMsg))
 
-			fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-			addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/", test.files)
-			checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+			checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 		})
 	}
 }
@@ -789,22 +821,18 @@ namespace: kustomize-namespace
 		},
 	} {
 		t.Run(tc.name, func(t *testing.T) {
-			fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
-			addFiles(t, fSys, "/alpha/beta/gamma", tc.files)
+			expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/alpha/beta/gamma", tc.files)
 
-			err := Run("/alpha/beta/gamma", "/alpha/beta", "/dst", fSys)
+			err := Run("/alpha/beta/gamma", "/alpha/beta", "/dst", actual)
 			require.NoError(t, err)
 
-			fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-			addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/alpha/beta/gamma", tc.files)
-			addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/dst/gamma", tc.files)
-			checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+			addFiles(t, expected, "/dst/gamma", tc.files)
+			checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 		})
 	}
 }
 
 func TestLocalizeDirCleanedSibling(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	kustAndComponents := map[string]string{
 		// This test checks that winding paths that might traverse through directories
 		// outside of scope, which will not be present at destination, are cleaned.
@@ -817,13 +845,11 @@ kind: Component
 namespace: kustomize-namespace
 `,
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/alpha", kustAndComponents)
+	expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/alpha", kustAndComponents)
 
-	err := Run("/alpha/beta/gamma", "/alpha", "/alpha/beta/dst", fSys)
+	err := Run("/alpha/beta/gamma", "/alpha", "/alpha/beta/dst", actual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/alpha", kustAndComponents)
 	cleanedFiles := map[string]string{
 		"beta/gamma/kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 components:
@@ -832,12 +858,11 @@ kind: Kustomization
 `,
 		"beta/sibling/kustomization.yaml": kustAndComponents["beta/sibling/kustomization.yaml"],
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/alpha/beta/dst", cleanedFiles)
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	addFiles(t, expected, "/alpha/beta/dst", cleanedFiles)
+	checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 }
 
 func TestLocalizeComponents(t *testing.T) {
-	fSys := makeMemoryFs(t)
 	kustAndComponents := map[string]string{
 		"kustomization.yaml": `apiVersion: kustomize.config.k8s.io/v1beta1
 components:
@@ -854,13 +879,11 @@ kind: Component
 nameSuffix: -test
 `,
 	}
-	addFiles(t, fSys, "/", kustAndComponents)
+	expected, actual := makeFileSystems(t, "/", kustAndComponents)
 
-	err := Run("/", "", "", fSys)
+	err := Run("/", "", "", actual)
 	require.NoError(t, err)
 
-	fSysExpected := makeMemoryFs(t)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/", kustAndComponents)
-	addFiles(t, fSysExpected, "/localized", kustAndComponents)
-	checkFSys(t, fSysExpected, fSys)
+	addFiles(t, expected, "/localized", kustAndComponents)
+	checkFSys(t, expected, actual)
 }
diff --git a/api/internal/target/kusttarget.go b/api/internal/target/kusttarget.go
index d5534cfa5..6261af277 100644
--- a/api/internal/target/kusttarget.go
+++ b/api/internal/target/kusttarget.go
@@ -10,7 +10,6 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
-
 	"sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/ifc"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/internal/accumulator"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/internal/builtins"
@@ -55,7 +54,7 @@ func NewKustTarget(
 
 // Load attempts to load the target's kustomization file.
 func (kt *KustTarget) Load() error {
-	content, kustFileName, err := loadKustFile(kt.ldr)
+	content, kustFileName, err := LoadKustFile(kt.ldr)
 	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -97,7 +96,7 @@ func (kt *KustTarget) Kustomization() types.Kustomization {
 	return result
 }
 
-func loadKustFile(ldr ifc.Loader) ([]byte, string, error) {
+func LoadKustFile(ldr ifc.Loader) ([]byte, string, error) {
 	var content []byte
 	match := 0
 	var kustFileName string
diff --git a/api/internal/target/kusttarget_test.go b/api/internal/target/kusttarget_test.go
index 2c4ca87d0..36966105c 100644
--- a/api/internal/target/kusttarget_test.go
+++ b/api/internal/target/kusttarget_test.go
@@ -5,12 +5,15 @@ package target_test
 
 import (
 	"encoding/base64"
+	"fmt"
 	"reflect"
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/ifc"
+	. "sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/internal/target"
+	"sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/loader"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/provider"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/resmap"
 	"sigs.k8s.io/kustomize/api/resource"
@@ -21,6 +24,44 @@ import (
 // KustTarget is primarily tested in the krusty package with
 // high level tests.
 
+func TestLoadKustFile(t *testing.T) {
+	for name, test := range map[string]struct {
+		fileNames            []string
+		kustFileName, errMsg string
+	}{
+		"missing": {
+			fileNames: []string{"kustomization"},
+			errMsg:    `unable to find one of 'kustomization.yaml', 'kustomization.yml' or 'Kustomization' in directory '/'`,
+		},
+		"multiple": {
+			fileNames: []string{"kustomization.yaml", "Kustomization"},
+			errMsg: `Found multiple kustomization files under: /
+`,
+		},
+		"valid": {
+			fileNames:    []string{"kustomization.yml", "kust"},
+			kustFileName: "kustomization.yml",
+		},
+	} {
+		t.Run(name, func(t *testing.T) {
+			th := kusttest_test.MakeHarness(t)
+			fSys := th.GetFSys()
+			for _, file := range test.fileNames {
+				require.NoError(t, fSys.WriteFile(file, []byte(fmt.Sprintf("namePrefix: test-%s", file))))
+			}
+
+			content, fileName, err := LoadKustFile(loader.NewFileLoaderAtCwd(fSys))
+			if test.kustFileName != "" {
+				require.NoError(t, err)
+				require.Equal(t, fmt.Sprintf("namePrefix: test-%s", test.kustFileName), string(content))
+				require.Equal(t, test.kustFileName, fileName)
+			} else {
+				require.EqualError(t, err, test.errMsg)
+			}
+		})
+	}
+}
+
 func TestLoad(t *testing.T) {
 	th := kusttest_test.MakeHarness(t)
 	expectedTypeMeta := types.TypeMeta{