Expert guide for Unreal Engine 5.x C++ development, covering UObject hygiene, performance patterns, and best practices.
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This skill provides expert-level guidelines for developing with Unreal Engine 5 using C++. It focuses on writing robust, performant, and standard-compliant code.
Use this skill when:
Do not use this skill when:
UObject & Garbage Collection:
UPROPERTY() for UObject* member variables to ensure they are tracked by the Garbage Collector (GC).TStrongObjectPtr<> if you need to keep a root reference outside of a UObject graph, but prefer generally.addToRoot()IsValid() check vs nullptr. IsValid() handles pending kill state safely.Unreal Reflection System:
UCLASS(), USTRUCT(), UENUM(), UFUNCTION() to expose types to the reflection system and Blueprints.BlueprintReadWrite when possible; prefer BlueprintReadOnly for state that shouldn't be trampled by logic in UI/Level BPs.Performance First:
bCanEverTick = false) by default. Only enable it if absolutely necessary. Prefer timers (GetWorldTimerManager()) or event-driven logic.Cast<T>() in hot loops. Cache references in BeginPlay.F structs for data-heavy, non-UObject types to reduce overhead.Follow Epic Games' coding standard:
T (e.g., TArray, TMap).U (e.g., UCharacterMovementComponent).A (e.g., AMyGameMode).S (Slate widgets).F (e.g., FVector).E (e.g., EWeaponState).I (e.g., IInteractable).b (e.g., bIsDead).Avoid GetComponentByClass in Tick. Do it in PostInitializeComponents or BeginPlay.
void AMyCharacter::PostInitializeComponents() {
Super::PostInitializeComponents();
HealthComp = FindComponentByClass<UHealthComponent>();
check(HealthComp); // Fail hard in dev if missing
}
Use interfaces to decouple systems (e.g., Interaction system).
// Interface call check
if (TargetActor->Implements<UInteractable>()) {
IInteractable::Execute_OnInteract(TargetActor, this);
}
Avoid hard references (UPROPERTY(EditDefaultsOnly) TSubclassOf<AActor>) for massive assets which force load orders. Use TSoftClassPtr or TSoftObjectPtr.
UPROPERTY(EditAnywhere, BlueprintReadWrite)
TSoftClassPtr<AWeapon> WeaponClassToLoad;
void AMyCharacter::Equip() {
if (WeaponClassToLoad.IsPending()) {
WeaponClassToLoad.LoadSynchronous(); // Or use StreamableManager for async
}
}
UE_LOG with custom categories.
DEFINE_LOG_CATEGORY_STATIC(LogMyGame, Log, All);
UE_LOG(LogMyGame, Warning, TEXT("Health is low: %f"), CurrentHealth);
if (GEngine) GEngine->AddOnScreenDebugMessage(-1, 5.f, FColor::Red, TEXT("Died!"));
IVisualLoggerDebugSnapshotInterface.UObject* members wrapped in UPROPERTY?EndPlay?
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Generate or edit images via Gemini 3 Pro Image (Nano Banana Pro).
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Set up and use 1Password CLI (op). Use when installing the CLI, enabling desktop app integration, signing in (single or multi-account), or reading/injecting/running secrets via op.