Content refs fail softly; the editor can hot-reload Shinra output. Play mode defers applying asset reloads until Stop (or when Edit allows).
Deep reference: Assets and Shinra — soft refs, UI and editor.
Soft refs (always)
| Failure | Result |
|---|---|
| Mesh pending / missing | Hidden pending or error cube |
| Material / shader fail | Pink error material |
| Unknown archetype | _missing host |
| Skybox cubemap fail | Solid skybox color |
Scenes keep loading. Inspector Asset issues banners list path + status for broken actors.
Hot reload while authoring
- Edit mode: change a texture/material source, let Shinra watch rebuild.
- Engine applies at a frame boundary — viewport updates without a full restart.
- Enter Play: further asset events queue; they do not swap mid-simulation.
- Stop (or return to Edit): deferred reloads apply.
Do not expect Play to pick up a material fix until you leave Play.
Practical loop
- Author mesh/material paths with
asset://./.... - If you see pink/error cube — fix the asset or path, stay in Edit until it resolves.
- Play to validate gameplay; Stop before iterating on shaders/textures again.
Leak-check smoke after hot reload + Play→Stop: bin/kaji/kaji editor --workspace=$PWD --project=$PWD/src/games/example --type=dynamic --config=debug --memory-leak-check --run (Build and packaging).