claude-code-arcane 2.3.0 → 2.4.0

package/skills/ue-actor-component-architecture/SKILL.md

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+---
+name: ue-actor-component-architecture
+description: "Actor and component design — BeginPlay, Tick, component attachment, ownership, child actors"
+category: "gamedev"
+argument-hint: "[actor o component]"
+user-invocable: true
+allowed-tools: Read, Glob, Grep, Bash, Write, Edit
+---
+
+# UE Actor-Component Architecture
+
+You are an expert in Unreal Engine's Actor-Component architecture.
+
+Ask before writing: this skill edits actor and component classes under `Source/`. Propose the change and get approval before using Write or Edit.
+
+## Project Context
+
+Before responding, read `docs/unreal/project-context.md` for the project's subsystem inventory, coding conventions, and any existing actor hierarchies or component patterns. This tells you which base classes are established and what naming conventions apply.
+
+## Information Gathering
+
+Clarify the developer's specific need before diving in:
+
+- New actor from scratch, or adding behavior to an existing one?
+- Logic-only (UActorComponent) or needs world position (USceneComponent)?
+- Spawning requirement (deferred init, pooling, net-spawned)?
+- Lifecycle bug (BeginPlay/Constructor confusion, component not initialized)?
+- Cross-actor behavior via interfaces?
+
+---
+
+## Core Architecture Mental Model
+
+Unreal's Actor-Component system is **composition over inheritance**. An `AActor` is a container that owns components. Behavior, rendering, collision, and logic are all expressed through `UActorComponent` subclasses.
+
+```
+UObject
+  └── AActor                         (placeable/spawnable world entity)
+        └── owns N x UActorComponent (reusable behavior units)
+              └── USceneComponent    (adds transform + attachment)
+                    └── UPrimitiveComponent (adds collision + rendering)
+```
+
+`AActor` is a full `UObject` — never `new`/`delete` an actor. Always use `SpawnActor` and `Destroy`.
+
+---
+
+## Actor Lifecycle
+
+Full event order and safety rules are in `references/actor-lifecycle.md`. Key sequence:
+
+```
+Constructor                  → CreateDefaultSubobject, tick config, default values
+PostActorCreated             → spawned actors only; before construction script
+PostInitializeComponents     → all components initialized; world accessible
+BeginPlay                    → game running; full logic OK; components BeginPlay fires here
+Tick(DeltaTime)              → per-frame; each ticking component's TickComponent fires
+EndPlay(EEndPlayReason)      → cleanup; ClearAllTimers; call Super
+Destroyed                    → pre-GC; avoid complex logic
+```
+
+### Constructor vs BeginPlay
+
+**Constructor** runs first on the **Class Default Object (CDO)** — an archetype used for default values. `GetWorld()` returns `nullptr` on the CDO. Never access the world or other actors in the constructor.
+
+```cpp
+// CORRECT — constructor-time only
+AMyActor::AMyActor()
+{
+    MeshComp = CreateDefaultSubobject<UStaticMeshComponent>(TEXT("Mesh"));
+    SetRootComponent(MeshComp);
+    PrimaryActorTick.bCanEverTick = true;
+    PrimaryActorTick.TickInterval = 0.1f;
+}
+
+// CORRECT — world-dependent code belongs in BeginPlay
+void AMyActor::BeginPlay()
+{
+    Super::BeginPlay(); // Required — always call Super
+    GetWorld()->SpawnActor<AProjectile>(...);
+}
+```
+
+### PostInitializeComponents
+
+Called before BeginPlay; components are initialized; world exists. Use it to bind delegates to own components.
+
+```cpp
+void AMyCharacter::PostInitializeComponents()
+{
+    Super::PostInitializeComponents();
+    HealthComponent->OnDeath.AddDynamic(this, &AMyCharacter::HandleDeath);
+}
+```
+
+### EndPlay — reasons matter
+
+| Reason | When |
+|---|---|
+| `Destroyed` | `Actor->Destroy()` called explicitly |
+| `LevelTransition` | Map change |
+| `EndPlayInEditor` | PIE session ended |
+| `RemovedFromWorld` | Level streaming unloaded the sublevel |
+| `Quit` | Application shutdown |
+
+```cpp
+void AMyActor::EndPlay(const EEndPlayReason::Type EndPlayReason)
+{
+    GetWorld()->GetTimerManager().ClearAllTimersForObject(this);
+    Super::EndPlay(EndPlayReason);
+}
+```
+
+### Network lifecycle note
+
+**Replicated actors**: on clients, `BeginPlay` may fire before all replicated properties arrive. Use `OnRep_` callbacks for initialization that depends on replicated state. `PostNetReceive()` fires after each replication update (including the initial one); guard one-time setup inside it with a `bHasInitialized` flag. `PostNetInit` is not a standard `AActor` virtual and should not be used as a general init hook.
+
+---
+
+## Component System
+
+### The three layers
+
+| Class | Transform | Rendering/Collision | Use for |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| `UActorComponent` | No | No | Pure logic — health, inventory, AI data |
+| `USceneComponent` | Yes | No | Transform anchors, grouping, pivot points |
+| `UPrimitiveComponent` | Yes | Yes | Meshes, shapes, anything visible or collidable |
+
+**Notable subclasses**: `UStaticMeshComponent`, `USkeletalMeshComponent`, shape primitives (`UCapsuleComponent`, `UBoxComponent`, `USphereComponent`), `UWidgetComponent` (3D UI in world space — requires `"UMG"` module), `USpringArmComponent` + `UCameraComponent`, `UChildActorComponent`. See `references/component-types.md`.
+
+### Component creation
+
+**In the constructor** (for default components that appear in the Details panel):
+
+```cpp
+AMyActor::AMyActor()
+{
+    // CreateDefaultSubobject registers the component as a subobject —
+    // it is serialized with the actor and visible in Blueprint editors.
+    MeshComp = CreateDefaultSubobject<UStaticMeshComponent>(TEXT("Mesh"));
+    SetRootComponent(MeshComp);
+
+    ArrowComp = CreateDefaultSubobject<UArrowComponent>(TEXT("Arrow"));
+    ArrowComp->SetupAttachment(MeshComp); // Parent set here; no world needed
+
+    HealthComp = CreateDefaultSubobject<UHealthComponent>(TEXT("Health"));
+    // Logic-only components need no attachment
+}
+```
+
+**At runtime** (dynamic addition):
+
+```cpp
+void AMyActor::AddLight()
+{
+    // NewObject creates but does NOT register with the world
+    UPointLightComponent* Light = NewObject<UPointLightComponent>(this,
+        UPointLightComponent::StaticClass(), TEXT("DynamicLight"));
+
+    Light->SetupAttachment(GetRootComponent());
+    Light->RegisterComponent(); // Gives it world presence (render proxy, physics)
+    Light->SetIntensity(5000.f);
+}
+
+void AMyActor::RemoveLight(UActorComponent* Comp)
+{
+    Comp->DestroyComponent(); // Unregisters and marks for GC
+}
+
+// UnregisterComponent() removes a component from the world without destroying it (reversible).
+// DestroyComponent() marks it for GC — irreversible. Use Unregister when you may re-enable it later.
+```
+
+Why this distinction matters: constructor-created components are owned subobjects and participate in the actor's GC root. Runtime components via `NewObject` are not automatically serialized unless you add them to a `UPROPERTY` array.
+
+### Attachment
+
+```cpp
+// Constructor (SetupAttachment — no world required)
+SpringArmComp->SetupAttachment(RootComponent);
+CameraComp->SetupAttachment(SpringArmComp);
+
+// Runtime (AttachToComponent — world must exist)
+WeaponMesh->AttachToComponent(
+    CharMesh,
+    FAttachmentTransformRules::SnapToTargetNotIncludingScale,
+    TEXT("WeaponSocket")  // Named socket on the skeletal mesh
+);
+
+WeaponMesh->DetachFromComponent(FDetachmentTransformRules::KeepWorldTransform);
+```
+
+### Activation
+
+```cpp
+// In constructor — opt out of auto-activation for optional components
+SoundComp->bAutoActivate = false;
+
+// Runtime — Activate() checks ShouldActivate() internally
+SoundComp->Activate();
+SoundComp->Deactivate();
+SoundComp->SetActive(true, /*bReset=*/false);
+```
+
+---
+
+## Spawning
+
+### Standard spawn
+
+```cpp
+FActorSpawnParameters Params;
+Params.Owner = this;
+Params.Instigator = GetInstigator();
+Params.SpawnCollisionHandlingOverride =
+    ESpawnActorCollisionHandlingMethod::AdjustIfPossibleButAlwaysSpawn;
+Params.Name = FName("Enemy_Boss");  // deterministic name for replication (must be unique)
+
+AEnemy* Enemy = GetWorld()->SpawnActor<AEnemy>(
+    AEnemy::StaticClass(), Location, Rotation, Params);
+```
+
+### Deferred spawning — configure before BeginPlay
+
+Use when the actor's `BeginPlay` reads data that must be set before it runs.
+
+```cpp
+AEnemy* Enemy = GetWorld()->SpawnActorDeferred<AEnemy>(
+    AEnemy::StaticClass(), SpawnTransform, Owner, Instigator,
+    ESpawnActorCollisionHandlingMethod::AlwaysSpawn);
+
+if (Enemy)
+{
+    Enemy->SetEnemyData(EnemyDataAsset); // Set BEFORE BeginPlay
+    Enemy->FinishSpawning(SpawnTransform);
+    // FinishSpawning triggers PostInitializeComponents then BeginPlay
+}
+```
+
+### Object pooling
+
+For high-frequency actors (projectiles, shell casings), repeated `SpawnActor`/`Destroy` creates GC pressure. Pool them: pre-spawn, hide + disable collision to "return," re-enable to "reuse."
+
+```cpp
+AProjectile* AProjectilePool::Get()
+{
+    for (AProjectile* P : Pool)
+    {
+        // IsHidden() reflects the pool's "inactive" state set on return.
+        // IsActive() exists only on UActorComponent, not on AActor.
+        if (P->IsHidden())
+        {
+            P->SetActorHiddenInGame(false);
+            P->SetActorEnableCollision(true);
+            return P;
+        }
+    }
+    AProjectile* New = GetWorld()->SpawnActor<AProjectile>(ProjectileClass, ...);
+    Pool.Add(New);
+    return New;
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## Ticking
+
+### Setup
+
+```cpp
+AMyActor::AMyActor()
+{
+    PrimaryActorTick.bCanEverTick = true;
+    PrimaryActorTick.bStartWithTickEnabled = false; // Enable in BeginPlay
+    PrimaryActorTick.TickInterval = 0.1f;           // ~10 Hz throttle
+    PrimaryActorTick.TickGroup = TG_PostPhysics;    // After physics settles
+}
+```
+
+Tick groups: `TG_PrePhysics` (default, input/movement) → `TG_DuringPhysics` (physics-coupled logic, runs during physics step) → `TG_PostPhysics` (camera, IK) → `TG_PostUpdateWork` (final reads).
+
+**Component tick**: Set `PrimaryComponentTick.bCanEverTick = true` in the component constructor, with `PrimaryComponentTick.TickGroup` for ordering — same API as actor tick.
+
+### Tick dependencies
+
+```cpp
+// ActorA ticks after ActorB completes
+ActorA->AddTickPrerequisiteActor(ActorB);
+ComponentA->AddTickPrerequisiteComponent(ComponentB);
+```
+
+### When NOT to tick
+
+Tick has per-frame cost even when nothing changes. Prefer:
+
+```cpp
+// Delayed/repeating events → FTimerHandle
+GetWorld()->GetTimerManager().SetTimer(TimerHandle, this,
+    &AMyActor::OnTimerFired, 2.0f, /*bLoop=*/true);
+
+// State changes → delegates / multicast delegates
+HealthComp->OnDeath.AddDynamic(this, &AMyActor::HandleDeath);
+
+// Collision events → OnComponentBeginOverlap / OnActorBeginOverlap
+```
+
+Only tick for true per-frame needs: smooth interpolation, physics sub-stepping, streaming queries.
+
+---
+
+## Interfaces (UINTERFACE Pattern)
+
+Interfaces let unrelated actor types respond to the same message without coupling through inheritance. This replaces `Cast<ASpecificType>` scattered across your codebase.
+
+### Declaration
+
+```cpp
+// IInteractable.h
+UINTERFACE(MinimalAPI, Blueprintable)
+class UInteractable : public UInterface { GENERATED_BODY() };
+
+class MYGAME_API IInteractable
+{
+    GENERATED_BODY()
+public:
+    // BlueprintNativeEvent: C++ default + Blueprint can override
+    UFUNCTION(BlueprintNativeEvent, BlueprintCallable, Category="Interaction")
+    void OnInteract(AActor* Instigator);
+};
+```
+
+### Implementation
+
+```cpp
+// AChest.h
+UCLASS()
+class AChest : public AActor, public IInteractable
+{
+    GENERATED_BODY()
+public:
+    virtual void OnInteract_Implementation(AActor* Instigator) override;
+};
+```
+
+### Calling through the interface
+
+```cpp
+// No cast needed — works on any actor or component
+if (Target->Implements<UInteractable>())
+{
+    // Execute_ prefix required for Blueprint-callable interface functions
+    IInteractable::Execute_OnInteract(Target, GetPawn());
+}
+```
+
+**Interface vs component**: use an interface for a *capability declaration* ("this can be interacted with") especially when Blueprint classes need to implement it. Use a component when the behavior has its own state, needs ticking, or is reused identically by many actor types.
+
+---
+
+## Composition Patterns
+
+### Favor components over deep inheritance
+
+```cpp
+// Wrong: inheritance hierarchy collapses under varied requirements
+ACharacter → AHero → ASwordHero → AFireSwordHero
+
+// Right: flat base + composed components
+ABaseCharacter
+  + UHealthComponent     (HP, damage, death event)
+  + UInventoryComponent  (items, equipment)
+  + UAbilityComponent    (skill execution)
+  + UStatusComponent     (buffs/debuffs)
+```
+
+### Component-to-component communication
+
+Components should not hold raw pointers to siblings. Query through the owner or use delegates:
+
+```cpp
+// Query approach
+UHealthComponent* Health = GetOwner()->FindComponentByClass<UHealthComponent>();
+
+// Delegate approach — total decoupling
+HealthComp->OnDeath.AddDynamic(AbilityComp, &UAbilityComponent::OnOwnerDied);
+```
+
+### Data-driven composition
+
+```cpp
+// UEnemyData (UDataAsset) — varies per enemy type
+// AEnemy reads configuration at BeginPlay or via SpawnActorDeferred
+
+void AEnemy::Initialize(UEnemyData* Data)
+{
+    HealthComp->SetMaxHealth(Data->MaxHealth);
+
+    for (TSubclassOf<UActorComponent> CompClass : Data->AdditionalComponents)
+    {
+        UActorComponent* Comp = NewObject<UActorComponent>(this, CompClass);
+        Comp->RegisterComponent();
+    }
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## Common Mistakes and Anti-Patterns
+
+### Inheritance abuse
+
+```cpp
+// Wrong — one class per variant
+UCLASS() class AFireEnemy : public AEnemy { };
+UCLASS() class AIceEnemy  : public AEnemy { };
+
+// Right — one class, multiple DataAssets
+// UEnemyData_Fire.uasset, UEnemyData_Ice.uasset → AEnemy reads at BeginPlay
+```
+
+### Tick polling instead of events
+
+```cpp
+// Wrong — checked every frame
+void AMyActor::Tick(float DeltaTime)
+{
+    if (HealthComp->IsDead()) { HandleDeath(); }
+}
+
+// Right — event-driven, zero per-frame cost
+void AMyActor::BeginPlay()
+{
+    Super::BeginPlay();
+    HealthComp->OnDeath.AddDynamic(this, &AMyActor::HandleDeath);
+    SetActorTickEnabled(false);
+}
+```
+
+### Forgetting Super in lifecycle overrides
+
+Every lifecycle override must call `Super::`. Skipping it breaks replication, GC, and Blueprint event forwarding.
+
+```cpp
+// Always
+void AMyActor::BeginPlay()  { Super::BeginPlay(); ... }
+void AMyActor::EndPlay(...) { ...; Super::EndPlay(EndPlayReason); }
+void AMyActor::PostInitializeComponents() { Super::PostInitializeComponents(); ... }
+```
+
+### Storing raw actor pointers
+
+```cpp
+// Wrong — crashes when the actor is destroyed
+AActor* CachedTarget;
+
+// Right — use TWeakObjectPtr and check IsValid before use
+TWeakObjectPtr<AActor> CachedTarget;
+if (CachedTarget.IsValid()) { CachedTarget->DoSomething(); }
+```
+
+---
+
+## Related Skills
+
+- `/ue-cpp-foundations` — UCLASS, UPROPERTY, UFUNCTION macros underpinning all patterns above
+- `/ue-gameplay-framework` — GameMode, PlayerController, Pawn layered on top of this system
+- `/ue-physics-collision` — UPrimitiveComponent channels, sweeps, overlap events
+
+---
+
+## Quick Reference
+
+```
+Constructor          CreateDefaultSubobject, SetRootComponent, tick config
+PostInitialize       Bind delegates to own components; world accessible
+BeginPlay            Full game logic; SpawnActor; timer setup
+Tick                 Per-frame only; prefer timers/events
+EndPlay              ClearAllTimers; Super required
+Destroyed            Pre-GC; minimal logic
+
+CreateDefaultSubobject<T>()          Constructor — owned, serialized, editable
+NewObject<T>() + RegisterComponent() Runtime — dynamic, not auto-serialized
+SetupAttachment()                    Constructor parent declaration
+AttachToComponent()                  Runtime attachment with transform rules
+
+SpawnActor<T>()                      Standard spawn
+SpawnActorDeferred<T>() + Finish     Configure before BeginPlay fires
+```
+
+---
+
+## Checklist
+
+Validate before considering the work done:
+
+- [ ] Tick is disabled unless genuinely needed; timers or events used instead
+- [ ] Ownership and attachment are explicit, with no dangling component references
+- [ ] Initialization happens in the correct lifecycle stage, not all in `BeginPlay`
+- [ ] Conventions in `docs/unreal/project-context.md` were read and followed
+- [ ] The Common Mistakes section of this skill was reviewed against the change
+
+**PASS** — every item holds. **CONCERNS** — the work stands but at least one item is unresolved and worth flagging to the user. **FAIL** — an item is violated in a way that breaks correctness, replication or the frame budget; fix it before handing the work over.
+
+## Next Steps
+
+- `/ue-gameplay-framework` — wire the actors into the framework classes
+- `/code-review` — architectural and quality review of the change
+- `/commit` — conventional commit once the change is verified