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Setting Up Your Environment

In order to create a code plugin for UE5, you'll first need to set up your environment. This part kind of sucks, but we'll get to start writing code soon.

You will need​

Microsoft Visual Studio 2022​

Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 is required for compiling C++ code. If you're installing it for the first time, there are some important check boxes to tick when setting up the installation.

Installing Visual Studio 2022​

  • Download the Visual Studio 2022 installer from the official website.
    • Review the licensing terms and select the edition that is suitable for you. All of them are compatible with Unreal.
  • Select the following options on the Workloads menu tab:
    • .NET desktop development
    • Desktop development with C++
    • Game development with C++
  • Select the following option on the Individual Components menu tab:
    • Unreal Engine installer
  • Feel free to browse through the other available options and install anything else you like.
Forget something?

If you forget to install a workflow or component, you can always find the Visual Studio Installer in the Windows start menu. Run the installer again and select the Modify button. Then you can add or remove whatever you need.

Extensions (optional)​

  • Visual Assist is a popular extension that greatly improves navigating, inspecting, and refactoring Unreal Engine projects.
  • UnrealVS adds some extra integration between Visual Studio and Unreal Engine.

Alternatively...​

JetBrains Rider​

JetBrains Rider is a popular alternative to Visual Studio, due to its better responsiveness, minimalistic view mode options, and deep integration with Unreal Engine. This is what I use primarily!

Visual Studio is still required

You still need to install Visual Studio even if you plan to use Rider (or any other IDE).