Code Author

Unreal Engine C++ authoring workflow backed by Rider MCP for IDE-grade code quality.
Three additions over a plain editor approach: (1) Rider diagnostics catch issues before a full build, (2) lint_files enforces project-wide consistency, (3) get_project_problems surfaces cross-file issues invisible to grep.

GATE — mandatory checks before any code is written

1. UE Project Check

Verify the current working directory contains a .uproject file:

find . -maxdepth 1 -name "*.uproject" | head -1

If no .uproject found → STOP.

"This skill requires an Unreal Engine project (a .uproject file must be in the working directory). The current directory does not appear to be a UE project. Navigate to the project root and retry."

2. Task Is Coding-Related Check

The task must involve writing or modifying C++ code. If the request has no C++ authoring component → STOP and inform the user this skill only handles C++ source authoring.

3. Rider MCP Availability Check

Check the <system-reminder> deferred-tool list for Rider MCP tools. Load live schemas with ToolSearch before calling any tool. Schemas are authoritative for parameter names — never guess. If execute_tool is the only tool returned, use CLI mode (see reference/rider-mcp-tools.md — execute_tool mode).

If no Rider MCP tools appear in the deferred list:

"Rider MCP tools are unavailable. Open Rider with this project loaded and the MCP server enabled, then retry. Falling back to standard file tools — IDE diagnostics will not run."

Proceed with standard tools (Read/Write/Edit/Grep/Bash) only, skipping all mcp__<prefix>__* steps. Document that quality steps were skipped.

Path Selection

Fast path for small, scoped edits — one file, no reflection macro, module dependency, public API, replication, or UObject lifetime changes:

1. Verify .uproject (Gate 1)
2. Locate files with rg/Grep or Rider search_symbol/search_text
3. Read the nearest existing pattern (1–2 files)
4. Edit the minimum files
5. Run get_file_problems on changed files if Rider MCP is available
6. Show git diff

Full workflow when changing reflection macros, module dependencies, public APIs, replication, UObject lifetime, or multiple files → continue to Checklist below.

Checklist

Use the agent's native planning/todo mechanism when available. For simple one-file tasks, keep the plan implicit and proceed directly. For complex changes, track:

1. GATE — UE project check + task check + Rider prefix resolution
2. Clarify — ask targeted questions if the request is ambiguous (skip if clear)
3. Pre-flight — read .uproject, Build.cs, existing patterns via Rider symbol search
4. Write code — create or modify .h/.cpp with standard Write/Edit tools
5. Rider diagnostics — get_file_problems per changed file; fix all errors and warnings
6. Batch lint (if multiple files changed or new patterns introduced) — lint_files; fix remaining issues
7. Build — build_solution_start; poll build_solution_state until done; fix errors
8. Post-build quality (for non-trivial changes) — get_project_problems; address Critical/Important
9. Reformat — reformat_file on each changed file

Workflow

Search routing: use rg/Grep for portable text discovery; use Rider search_text/search_file when IDE index, generated/reflected UE code, unsaved editor state, or result compactness is likely to help. Use Rider semantic tools (search_symbol, get_file_problems, lint_files, build, get_project_problems) for code intelligence.

Step 0 — Clarify (if ambiguous)

Skip if the request names a specific class, system, or file change.

Ask one question at a time, max two questions total:

• "Is this for a multiplayer game?" — affects Replicated properties, GetLifetimeReplicatedProps, authority guards
• "Should this integrate with GAS?" — affects UAbilitySystemComponent, FGameplayTag parameters, attribute access
• "Is there an existing base class I should extend?" — check with search_symbol before asking

Step 1 — Pre-flight

Read project context before writing anything: .uproject file and Source/<Module>/<Module>.Build.cs using the standard Read tool.

Search for existing patterns using search_symbol. Browse the directory layout using Glob or list_directory_tree.

Read 1–2 existing files of the same type using the standard Read tool to match conventions.

Determine from pre-flight: EngineAssociation (for BuildSettingsVersion), module name and Build.cs deps, and the project's naming/include/UPROPERTY patterns.

Step 2 — Write Code

Create new files using the standard Write tool.

Modify existing files using the standard Edit tool.

Follow conventions from pre-flight. See reference/ue-cpp-conventions.md for UE5 rules, naming prefixes, file placement, and module deps.

Step 3 — Rider Diagnostics (per file)

After writing each file, run get_file_problems on it immediately.

Act on every result:

• Error → fix before proceeding; re-run get_file_problems to confirm clear
• Warning → fix unless it's a known intentional pattern (document why if skipping)
• Hint / Info → note for later; don't block on these

Iterate: edit → diagnose → edit until zero errors and zero warnings on all changed files.

Step 4 — Batch Lint (skip for isolated single-file fixes)

If multiple files changed or new patterns were introduced, run lint_files.

Fix any issues surfaced here that get_file_problems missed (cross-file include violations, project-level style rules).

Step 5 — Build

Compile via Rider using build_solution_start — do NOT shell-build or ask the user to rebuild manually.

Poll using build_solution_state until state != "Running".

On build failure:

• Read the error output from build_solution_state
• Identify which file/line caused the error
• Fix with the standard Edit tool, re-run get_file_problems on the fixed file, then rebuild
• Do NOT proceed to Step 6 with build errors outstanding

Step 6 — Post-Build Quality Gate

After a successful build, run get_project_problems. Filter results to files you changed. For each issue:

• Error → fix immediately (build would have caught these; if new, something is wrong)
• Warning on your files → fix unless intentionally deferred

Step 7 — Reformat

Use reformat_file on every file you created or modified.

see: reference/rider-mcp-tools.md — ALL Rider MCP tools: complete parameter reference, execute_tool mode table, UE editor/asset/debugger tools see: reference/rider-tools.md — Code authoring workflow patterns: fix-loop, quality pass, common lookups see: reference/ue-cpp-conventions.md — UE5 C++ rules, naming prefixes, file placement, module dependencies, BuildSettingsVersion, generated header errors