An efficient means of performing kinetic simulations of oblique-incidence laser–plasma interaction via a relativistic Lorentz transformation is described in detail. Comparisons are made between one-dimensional boost codes and previous two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations in an effort to define benchmarks for modeling high-intensity, short-pulse interactions. Apparent discrepancies between results obtained using PIC and Vlasov codes are resolved, and some pitfalls involved with both techniques are identified.