unity-mcp-orchestrator

What this skill does

# Unity-MCP Operator Guide

This skill helps you effectively use the Unity Editor with MCP tools and resources.

## Template Notice

Examples in `references/workflows.md` and `references/tools-reference.md` are reusable templates. They may be inaccurate across Unity versions, package setups (UGUI/TMP/Input System), and project-specific conventions. Please check console, compilation errors, or use screenshot after implementation.

Before applying a template:
- Validate targets/components first via resources and `find_gameobjects`.
- Treat names, enum values, and property payloads as placeholders to adapt.

## Quick Start: Resource-First Workflow

**Always read relevant resources before using tools.** This prevents errors and provides the necessary context.

```
1. Check editor state     → mcpforunity://editor/state
2. Understand the scene   → mcpforunity://scene/gameobject-api
3. Find what you need     → find_gameobjects or resources
4. Take action            → tools (manage_gameobject, create_script, script_apply_edits, apply_text_edits, validate_script, delete_script, get_sha, etc.)
5. Verify results         → read_console, manage_camera(action="screenshot"), resources
```

## Critical Best Practices

### 1. After Writing/Editing Scripts: Wait for Compilation and Check Console

```python
# After create_script or script_apply_edits:
# Both tools already trigger AssetDatabase.ImportAsset + RequestScriptCompilation automatically.
# No need to call refresh_unity — just wait for compilation to finish, then check console.

# 1. Poll editor state until compilation completes
# Read mcpforunity://editor/state → wait until is_compiling == false

# 2. Check for compilation errors
read_console(types=["error"], count=10, include_stacktrace=True)
```

**Why:** Unity must compile scripts before they're usable. `create_script` and `script_apply_edits` already trigger import and compilation automatically — calling `refresh_unity` afterward is redundant.

### 2. Use `batch_execute` for Multiple Operations

```python
# 10-100x faster than sequential calls
batch_execute(
    commands=[
        {"tool": "manage_gameobject", "params": {"action": "create", "name": "Cube1", "primitive_type": "Cube"}},
        {"tool": "manage_gameobject", "params": {"action": "create", "name": "Cube2", "primitive_type": "Cube"}},
        {"tool": "manage_gameobject", "params": {"action": "create", "name": "Cube3", "primitive_type": "Cube"}}
    ],
    parallel=True  # Hint only: Unity may still execute sequentially
)
```

**Max 25 commands per batch by default (configurable in Unity MCP Tools window, max 100).** Use `fail_fast=True` for dependent operations.

**Tip:** Also use `batch_execute` for discovery — batch multiple `find_gameobjects` calls instead of calling them one at a time:
```python
batch_execute(commands=[
    {"tool": "find_gameobjects", "params": {"search_term": "Camera", "search_method": "by_component"}},
    {"tool": "find_gameobjects", "params": {"search_term": "Player", "search_method": "by_tag"}},
    {"tool": "find_gameobjects", "params": {"search_term": "GameManager", "search_method": "by_name"}}
])
```

### 3. Use Screenshots to Verify Visual Results

```python
# Basic screenshot (saves to Assets/, returns file path only)
manage_camera(action="screenshot")

# Inline screenshot (returns base64 PNG directly to the AI)
manage_camera(action="screenshot", include_image=True)

# Use a specific camera and cap resolution for smaller payloads
manage_camera(action="screenshot", camera="MainCamera", include_image=True, max_resolution=512)

# Batch surround: captures front/back/left/right/top/bird_eye around the scene
manage_camera(action="screenshot", batch="surround", max_resolution=256)

# Batch surround centered on a specific object
manage_camera(action="screenshot", batch="surround", view_target="Player", max_resolution=256)

# Positioned screenshot: place a temp camera and capture in one call
manage_camera(action="screenshot", view_target="Player", view_position=[0, 10, -10], max_resolution=512)

# Scene View screenshot: capture what the developer sees in the editor
manage_camera(action="screenshot", capture_source="scene_view", include_image=True)

# Scene View framed on a specific object
manage_camera(action="screenshot", capture_source="scene_view", view_target="Canvas", include_image=True)
```

**Best practices for AI scene understanding:**
- Use `include_image=True` when you need to *see* the scene, not just save a file.
- Use `batch="surround"` for a comprehensive overview (6 angles, one command).
- Use `view_target`/`view_position` to capture from a specific viewpoint without needing a scene camera.
- Use `capture_source="scene_view"` to see the editor viewport (gizmos, wireframes, grid).
- Keep `max_resolution` at 256–512 to balance quality vs. token cost.

```python
# Agentic camera loop: point, shoot, analyze
manage_gameobject(action="look_at", target="MainCamera", look_at_target="Player")
manage_camera(action="screenshot", camera="MainCamera", include_image=True, max_resolution=512)
# → Analyze image, decide next action

# Multi-view screenshot (6-angle contact sheet)
manage_camera(action="screenshot_multiview", max_resolution=480)

# Scene View for editor-level inspection (shows gizmos, debug overlays, etc.)
manage_camera(action="screenshot", capture_source="scene_view", view_target="Player", include_image=True)
```

### 4. Check Console After Major Changes

```python
read_console(
    action="get",
    types=["error", "warning"],  # Focus on problems
    count=10,
    format="detailed"
)
```

### 5. Always Check `editor_state` Before Complex Operations

```python
# Read mcpforunity://editor/state to check:
# - is_compiling: Wait if true
# - is_domain_reload_pending: Wait if true  
# - ready_for_tools: Only proceed if true
# - blocking_reasons: Why tools might fail
```

## Parameter Type Conventions

These are common patterns, not strict guarantees. `manage_components.set_property` payload shapes can vary by component/property; if a template fails, inspect the component resource payload and adjust.

### Vectors (position, rotation, scale, color)
```python
# Both forms accepted:
position=[1.0, 2.0, 3.0]        # List
position="[1.0, 2.0, 3.0]"     # JSON string
```

### Booleans
```python
# Both forms accepted:
include_inactive=True           # Boolean
include_inactive="true"         # String
```

### Colors
```python
# Auto-detected format:
color=[255, 0, 0, 255]         # 0-255 range
color=[1.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0]    # 0.0-1.0 normalized (auto-converted)
```

### Paths
```python
# Assets-relative (default):
path="Assets/Scripts/MyScript.cs"

# URI forms:
uri="mcpforunity://path/Assets/Scripts/MyScript.cs"
uri="file:///full/path/to/file.cs"
```

## Core Tool Categories

| Category | Key Tools | Use For |
|----------|-----------|---------|
| **Scene** | `manage_scene`, `find_gameobjects` | Scene operations, finding objects |
| **Objects** | `manage_gameobject`, `manage_components` | Creating/modifying GameObjects |
| **Scripts** | `create_script`, `script_apply_edits`, `validate_script` | C# code management (auto-refreshes on create/edit) |
| **Assets** | `manage_asset`, `manage_prefabs` | Asset operations. **Prefab instantiation** is done via `manage_gameobject(action="create", prefab_path="...")`, not `manage_prefabs`. |
| **Editor** | `manage_editor`, `execute_menu_item`, `read_console` | Editor control, package deployment (`deploy_package`/`restore_package` actions) |
| **Testing** | `run_tests`, `get_test_job` | Unity Test Framework |
| **Batch** | `batch_execute` | Parallel/bulk operations |
| **Camera** | `manage_camera` | Camera management (Unity Camera + Cinemachine). **Tier 1** (always available): create, target, lens, priority, list, screenshot. **Tier 2** (requires `com.unity.cinemachine`): brain, body/aim/noise pipeline, extensions, blending, force/release. 7 presets: follow, third_person, freelook, dolly, static, top_down, side_scroller. Resource: