Use Rider for Unreal Engine

What You Will Do

• Set Rider as the default source code editor in Unreal Engine
• Restart Unreal so the editor switch applies correctly
• Refresh the Rider project files
• Open the Unreal project directly in Rider
• Install RiderLink for better Unreal integration
• Disable Live Coding for a more reliable C++ workflow

Why Use Rider for Unreal Engine

Visual Studio can work for Unreal. That is true. But for many Unreal C++ workflows, Rider is simply better organized, faster to navigate, and easier to live with.

The practical advantages usually include:

• faster code indexing
• better code navigation
• smarter autocomplete
• cleaner Unreal awareness
• better project-wide search and refactoring
• a more focused C++ editing experience

That does not mean Rider makes you a better programmer automatically. It just removes a lot of unnecessary friction.

Why This Setup Matters

IDE choice is not a cosmetic preference when you are working in Unreal C++. It affects:

• how quickly you move through code
• how painful compile iterations feel
• how often you lose time to bad tooling behavior
• how easy it is to understand larger codebases

If the toolchain is bad, the development experience gets bad too.

Step 1: Open Editor Preferences

Open your Unreal project.

Then go to:

Edit → Editor Preferences

This is where Unreal lets you choose the external source code editor used when opening C++ files and generating project workflows.

Step 2: Set Rider as the Source Code Editor

Inside Editor Preferences, find the Source Code settings and change:

Source Code Editor = Rider for Unreal (Rider U-Project)

This tells Unreal to use Rider as the main editor for C++ project work.

Use the Rider Unreal project option, not some random external-text-editor fallback. You want the actual Unreal-aware Rider integration path.

Why the Rider U-Project Option Matters

The Unreal-specific Rider project path gives you the proper Unreal integration experience instead of treating your project like a generic C++ folder.

That matters because Unreal projects are not normal small CMake apps. They have generated files, engine-level dependencies, reflection systems, build tool behavior, and editor-specific workflow expectations.

Step 3: Restart Unreal Engine

After changing the source code editor, restart Unreal Engine.

Do not skip this and assume the switch is fully active already. Restarting makes the change apply cleanly.

Step 4: Refresh the Rider Project

After Unreal restarts, go to:

Tools → Refresh Rider U-Project Project

This refresh step helps Unreal regenerate the project integration data that Rider uses.

It is a simple step, but skipping it is dumb if you want the cleanest handoff between Unreal and Rider.

Step 5: Open the Project in Rider

Then go to:

Tools → Open Rider U-Project

Rider should launch and begin loading your Unreal project.

The first load may take a bit depending on:

• project size
• engine indexing
• machine performance
• whether Rider has seen this project before

That is normal.

What Rider Improves in Day-to-Day Unreal Work

Once Rider is set up properly, the biggest practical improvements usually show up in ordinary daily tasks:

• jumping between declarations and definitions
• finding usages across gameplay code
• tracking BlueprintCallable and UPROPERTY-heavy classes
• navigating larger Unreal codebases without losing time
• working with generated project structures more comfortably

None of that is glamorous, but it is where real workflow speed comes from.

Step 6: Install RiderLink

Rider works without RiderLink, but the full Unreal integration experience is better with it.

To install RiderLink properly:

1. Close Unreal Engine completely.
2. Open Rider.
3. Go into Rider settings.
4. Find the RiderLink integration section.
5. Choose where to install it.

Usually you will get two installation options:

• Install in Engine
• Install in Project

Engine vs Project Installation

This matters more than people think.

Install in Engine

This makes RiderLink available across projects using that engine installation. It is usually the better choice if you work on multiple Unreal projects and want one consistent setup.

Install in Project

This keeps RiderLink local to a single project. That can be fine for isolated setups, but it also means repeating the installation more often if you jump between multiple projects.

For most developers, engine-level installation is the better default.

Why Unreal Should Be Closed First

If you try to install RiderLink while Unreal is still open, you are inviting file-locking issues, half-applied changes, or failed installation behavior.

Close the editor first. This is not complicated.

Step 7: Reopen Unreal After RiderLink Installation

Once RiderLink is installed, reopen Unreal Engine.

At that point, Rider and Unreal should communicate much more smoothly, and the integration features should be active.

What RiderLink Actually Improves

RiderLink helps tighten the connection between Unreal and Rider. Depending on the current engine and IDE version, that typically improves things like:

• editor-to-IDE workflow integration
• smoother project synchronization
• better Unreal-specific tooling behavior
• less friction when opening or navigating project-related code

Rider without RiderLink is usable. Rider with RiderLink is better.

Step 8: Disable Live Coding

Back in Unreal, go to:

Edit → Editor Preferences → Live Coding

Then disable:

Enable Live Coding

This is optional in theory, but for serious Unreal C++ work it is often the right call.

Why Disable Live Coding

Live Coding sounds convenient, but in many real projects it causes more mess than it solves.

Common complaints include:

• random instability
• weird build state issues
• editor confusion after code changes
• harder-to-trust iteration results

If your goal is a stable Unreal C++ workflow, disabling Live Coding is often the cleaner move.

Why Stability Matters More Than Tiny Convenience

A slightly faster iteration shortcut is worthless if it makes the project less predictable.

Stable rebuilds beat flaky convenience. Especially once your codebase grows, reliability matters more than fake speed.

What This Setup Improves Immediately

Once Rider is the main IDE, RiderLink is installed, and Live Coding is turned off, the development workflow usually becomes:

• cleaner
• more predictable
• easier to navigate
• less annoying during larger C++ work

You are not changing Unreal itself. You are just removing bad friction from the loop around it.

Common Problem: Rider Does Not Show Up as an Option

If Rider does not appear in Unreal as a source code editor option, check:

• Is Rider installed correctly?
• Is it the Unreal-capable version you intended to use?
• Did Unreal detect the installation path?
• Does Unreal need a restart after Rider installation?

Most of the time, this is an installation or detection issue, not a mysterious engine bug.

Common Problem: RiderLink Installation Fails

If RiderLink installation fails, check:

• Was Unreal fully closed?
• Do you have permission to write into the engine or project location?
• Did you choose a sane install target?
• Are you mixing incompatible versions in a weird setup?

Again, most of these failures are not magical. They are setup mistakes.

Common Problem: Unreal Still Opens Visual Studio

If Unreal still opens Visual Studio after changing the setting:

• double-check the Source Code Editor preference
• restart Unreal again
• refresh the Rider project
• confirm the engine is using the correct project settings

Usually the fix is simple. The editor change just did not fully apply yet.

Who Benefits Most From This Setup

This Rider setup is especially useful if:

• you work in Unreal C++ often
• you are tired of weak code navigation
• you want a cleaner IDE workflow
• you are building larger gameplay systems, tools, or plugins
• you care more about stable iteration than gimmicky hot reload behavior

If you only open code once every two months, the difference may feel smaller. If you work in Unreal C++ daily, the difference matters.

Why This Is Better Than Just Accepting the Default Workflow

A lot of Unreal developers keep using whatever default toolchain they started with, even when it is clearly slowing them down.

That is a bad habit.

Good tooling matters. If one setup gives you:

• better navigation
• cleaner IDE integration
• less unstable iteration
• a more reliable everyday workflow

then use the better setup.

What to Expect After Switching

After switching to Rider, expect an adjustment period if you have years of Visual Studio habits. That is normal.

But once the project is indexed and the integration is working properly, most people quickly notice the workflow feels more coherent for Unreal C++ work.

Conclusion

In this guide, you set Rider as the default source code editor for Unreal Engine, refreshed and opened the project in Rider, installed RiderLink correctly, and disabled Live Coding for a more stable and predictable workflow.

That is one of the simplest ways to make Unreal Engine C++ development less painful and much easier to manage on real projects.

Watch the full video on YouTube: How to Make Unreal Engine Coding Way Easier With Rider!

Download Rider: JetBrains Rider

RiderLink plugin: RiderLink Plugin

Subscribe for more Unreal Engine tutorials: Subscribe to Rambod on YouTube

Resources

• JetBrains Rider
• RiderLink Plugin
• Unreal Engine Docs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rider good for Unreal Engine C++ development?

Yes. Many developers prefer it because of better navigation, smarter code assistance, and a cleaner Unreal-focused workflow compared to heavier or less specialized alternatives.

Do I need RiderLink to use Rider with Unreal?

No, but RiderLink improves the integration and makes the workflow smoother. It is worth installing.

Should RiderLink be installed in the engine or the project?

Engine installation is usually the better default if you work across multiple Unreal projects. Project installation is fine for isolated setups.

Should I disable Live Coding in Unreal Engine?

If stability and predictability matter, usually yes. Live Coding can introduce random issues that are not worth the convenience for serious work.

Why is Unreal still opening Visual Studio after I switched to Rider?

Usually because the editor setting did not fully apply yet, Unreal was not restarted, or the Rider project integration was not refreshed.

Does this setup help beginners too?

Yes. A better IDE setup reduces friction early and makes Unreal C++ less annoying to learn.