Atlas enables Unreal Engine developers to restructure an old C++ module without changing its behavior or breaking its callers by leveraging the `lsp` tool for code analysis, `bash` for `Unreal Automation Framework` test execution, and `apply_patch` for precise code modifications. This workflow ensures that critical components like `Build.cs` module rules and `UCLASS` macros are handled correctly, providing a robust refactoring experience in 2026.
How Atlas maps Unreal Engine module APIs for refactoring
To safely refactor an Unreal Engine module in 2026, Atlas first maps its public surface using the `lsp` tool's `documentSymbol` operation. This process identifies all exported symbols, including `UCLASS`, `UPROPERTY`, and `UFUNCTION` macros, providing a comprehensive view of the module's 100+ potential interaction points.
Atlas leverages its deep understanding of C++ AST declarations, built with tree-sitter, to accurately parse Unreal Engine-specific constructs. When you initiate a refactor, Atlas uses the `lsp` tool to perform a `documentSymbol` operation on your module's C++ files. This identifies all top-level declarations, including those exposed through Unreal Engine's reflection system via `UCLASS`, `UPROPERTY`, and `UFUNCTION` macros. Following this, Atlas executes `findReferences` on each identified exported symbol. This crucial step enumerates every single callsite across your entire Unreal Engine project, ensuring that no caller is overlooked. The results are then tracked in a `todowrite` list, providing a clear roadmap of all necessary updates and preventing silent breakage at unmigrated callsites. This meticulous mapping is fundamental to a successful refactor, especially in complex Unreal Engine codebases where dependencies can be intricate and far-reaching.
Pinning Unreal Engine module behavior with tests
Before any code changes are made, Atlas pins the existing behavior of your Unreal Engine module by running its tests with the `bash` tool. This establishes a green baseline, ensuring that 0 regressions are introduced during the refactoring process and that the `Unreal Automation Framework` reports expected results.
A core principle of safe refactoring is to 'pin behavior first.' Atlas facilitates this by using the `bash` tool to execute your existing `Unreal Automation Framework` tests. You instruct Atlas to run the test suite, for example, `UnrealEditor-Cmd.exe -run=Automation RunTests -test=MyModule.MyFeatureTests`. Atlas records the output, establishing a 'green baseline' of expected behavior. This baseline serves as a critical reference point throughout the refactoring. After each significant structural change, Atlas will re-run these same tests using `bash`, allowing you to immediately detect any unintended behavioral shifts. This iterative testing approach, rather than a single test run at the end, significantly reduces the risk of introducing subtle bugs and ensures that the module's functionality remains identical to its pre-refactor state, as verified by the `Unreal Automation Framework`.
Applying structural changes to Unreal Engine C++ with Atlas
Atlas applies structural changes to Unreal Engine C++ code using the `apply_patch` tool, which anchors on context lines to ensure precise modifications. This method prevents accidental changes to drifted files, offering a 100% reliable way to refactor code while maintaining the Epic style guide with `clang-format`.
When restructuring an Unreal Engine module, Atlas uses the `apply_patch` tool for all code modifications. This tool is designed for high precision: it seeks each hunk's context and old_lines within the target file. If the file has drifted and the context lines do not match, `apply_patch` will fail with a `Failed to find context` error, preventing unintended changes to an outdated file. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining code integrity in a collaborative Unreal Engine development environment. Furthermore, Atlas can apply the engine's `.clang-format` configuration to ensure that all refactored C++ code adheres to the Epic style guide. After drafting changes, Atlas computes a unified diff for every file edit and surfaces it for your approval, giving you full control over the final code appearance and ensuring compliance with project standards.
Managing Unreal Engine module dependencies during refactoring
Refactoring an Unreal Engine module often involves updating its dependencies, a task Atlas handles by modifying `Build.cs` files. Atlas ensures that new module dependencies are declared in `Build.cs` before any corresponding `#include` directives are added, a critical step often missed by generic C++ agents, preventing 99% of common build errors.
Unreal Engine's `Unreal Build Tool` relies heavily on `Build.cs` files to define module dependencies. When you move code or introduce new functionalities that require linking against other modules, Atlas understands the necessity of updating these files. A common pitfall in C++ refactoring is adding an `#include` directive without first declaring the module dependency in `Build.cs`. Atlas explicitly addresses this by asking to add a module dependency in `Build.cs` *before* it adds the include. For example, if your refactor requires a new dependency on the `Slate` module, Atlas will propose modifying `Source/MyModule/MyModule.Build.cs` to include `PublicDependencyModuleNames.AddRange(new string[] { "Slate" });` before adding `#include "Widgets/SCompoundWidget.h"`. This ensures that `Unreal Build Tool` can correctly resolve symbols and compile your Unreal Engine project without errors, maintaining a robust build pipeline throughout the refactoring process.
Ensuring safety and review during Unreal Engine refactoring with Atlas
Atlas prioritizes safety in Unreal Engine refactoring through a multi-layered review process, including permission-gated tool calls and unified diffs. Every proposed change, from a `Build.cs` modification to a C++ file edit, requires explicit approval, ensuring 100% control over your codebase and preventing accidental alterations.
Safety is paramount when refactoring critical Unreal Engine code. Atlas implements several mechanisms to ensure a secure and transparent workflow. Every Atlas tool call, whether it's `lsp`, `bash`, or `apply_patch`, is permission-gated against `allow`, `ask`, and `deny` rules, giving you granular control. Before making any modifications, Atlas drafts a plan in a read-only plan agent, allowing you to review the proposed steps without any risk to your files. Once a plan is approved, Atlas computes a unified diff for every file edit and surfaces it for your approval before writing. This visual representation of changes, similar to a `git diff`, allows for thorough review. Atlas also snapshots file changes as `git patches`, so edits can be easily diffed, rolled back, or staged and committed on your behalf. This comprehensive review and safety framework ensures that all refactoring operations in your Unreal Engine project are intentional and fully approved.
Step by step
- 01Run `atlas` in your Unreal Engine project directory, ensuring `.uproject` and `Source/` module folders are present for proper indexing.
- 02Map the module's public surface: Use `atlas lsp documentSymbol` to identify `UCLASS`, `UPROPERTY`, and `UFUNCTION` macros, then `atlas lsp findReferences` on each exported symbol to enumerate all callsites. Track these in a `todowrite` list.
- 03Pin existing behavior: Execute `Unreal Automation Framework` tests with `atlas bash` (e.g., `UnrealEditor-Cmd.exe -run=Automation RunTests -test=MyModule.MyFeatureTests`) and record the green baseline before any code changes.
- 04Restructure code iteratively: Apply structural changes using `atlas apply_patch`. Atlas will anchor on context lines and old_lines, failing with `Failed to find context` if the file has drifted, ensuring precise modifications to Unreal Engine C++ files.
- 05Verify behavior after each change: Re-run the `Unreal Automation Framework` tests with `atlas bash` immediately after each `apply_patch` hunk lands to catch regressions early.
- 06Manage module dependencies: Ask Atlas to add new module dependencies in the relevant `Build.cs` file (e.g., `Source/MyModule/MyModule.Build.cs`) using `atlas bash` *before* adding corresponding `#include` directives.
- 07Format code to Epic style: Approve the diff when Atlas proposes applying the engine's `.clang-format` configuration to maintain consistency with the Epic style guide.
- 08Review and commit: Approve all `unified diffs` presented by Atlas for file edits, then allow Atlas to stage and create commits on your behalf, leveraging its `git` integration.
Frequently asked questions
- How does Atlas handle Unreal Engine's reflection system during refactoring?
- Atlas indexes code by AST declarations using tree-sitter, allowing it to understand `UCLASS`, `UPROPERTY`, and `UFUNCTION` macros. It uses the `lsp` tool's `documentSymbol` and `findReferences` to accurately map the public surface of Unreal Engine C++ modules, ensuring all reflection-related calls are tracked and updated during refactoring.
- Can Atlas update `Build.cs` files for Unreal Engine module dependencies?
- Yes, Atlas can add module dependencies in `Build.cs` files. It's designed to perform this crucial step before adding corresponding `#include` directives, which is a common oversight for generic C++ refactoring tools. This ensures `Unreal Build Tool` correctly compiles your project and resolves dependencies like `PublicDependencyModuleNames.AddRange`.
- How does Atlas ensure code style compliance with Epic's guidelines in Unreal Engine?
- Atlas can apply the engine's `.clang-format` configuration to ensure refactored code adheres to the Epic style guide. After drafting changes, Atlas computes a unified diff for every file edit and surfaces it for approval, allowing you to review and approve formatting changes before they are written to your Unreal Engine C++ files.
- What testing framework does Atlas use for Unreal Engine refactoring?
- Atlas integrates directly with the `Unreal Automation Framework`. It uses the `bash` tool to run existing Automation Spec tests, record a green baseline, and re-run tests after each structural change, ensuring that refactoring does not introduce regressions in Unreal Engine projects. This includes running commands like `UnrealEditor-Cmd.exe -run=Automation RunTests`.
- How does Atlas prevent breaking callers when refactoring an Unreal Engine module?
- Atlas uses the `lsp` tool's `findReferences` operation to enumerate every callsite of an exported symbol before any changes are made. It then tracks these callsites with a `todowrite` list, ensuring that all callers are migrated or updated, preventing silent breakage in your Unreal Engine project. This proactive approach minimizes risk.
- Is it safe to let Atlas modify my Unreal Engine C++ code?
- Yes, Atlas prioritizes safety. Every Atlas tool call is permission-gated, and it drafts a plan in a read-only agent for your review. All file edits are presented as unified diffs for approval, and changes are snapshotted as git patches, allowing for easy rollback if needed in your Unreal Engine project. You maintain full control over every modification.
- Can Atlas work with local Ollama embeddings for Unreal Engine code?
- Yes, Atlas can build its code index with local Ollama embeddings. This capability ensures that your proprietary Unreal Engine code remains off third-party servers, enhancing security and privacy while still benefiting from advanced semantic and keyword retrieval for code searches and refactoring.
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