Installation

This page covers how to install and enable FWSkillSystem in your Unreal Engine 5 project.

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Prerequisites

Requirement	Minimum Version
Unreal Engine	5.3 or later
Project Type	C++ (Blueprint-only projects are not supported)
Dependencies	GameplayAbilities

GameplayAbilities Required

FWSkillSystem depends on the Gameplay Ability System. You must enable the GameplayAbilities plugin before enabling FWSkillSystem. If GameplayAbilities is not enabled, the plugin will fail to compile.

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Step 1 -- Enable GameplayAbilities

If your project does not already use the Gameplay Ability System, add it to your .uproject file:

{
    "Plugins": [
        {
            "Name": "GameplayAbilities",
            "Enabled": true
        }
    ]
}

And add the module dependency in your game module's Build.cs:

PublicDependencyModuleNames.AddRange(new string[]
{
    "GameplayAbilities",
    "GameplayTags",
    "GameplayTasks"
});

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Step 2 -- Copy the Plugin

Copy the FWSkillSystem/ folder into your project's Plugins/ directory:

YourProject/
    Plugins/
        FWSkillSystem/
            FWSkillSystem.uplugin
            Source/
            Content/

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Step 3 -- Enable the Plugin

Add the plugin to your .uproject file:

{
    "Plugins": [
        {
            "Name": "GameplayAbilities",
            "Enabled": true
        },
        {
            "Name": "FWSkillSystem",
            "Enabled": true
        }
    ]
}

Alternatively, enable it through Edit > Plugins in the Unreal Editor and restart.

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Step 4 -- Regenerate Project Files

Right-click your .uproject file and select Generate Visual Studio project files. This ensures your build system picks up the new module.

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Step 5 -- Add Module Dependency

In your game module's Build.cs, add the module dependency:

PublicDependencyModuleNames.AddRange(new string[]
{
    "GameplayAbilities",
    "GameplayTags",
    "GameplayTasks",
    "FWSkillSystem"
});

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Step 6 -- Configure Project Settings

After enabling the plugin and restarting the editor, navigate to Edit > Project Settings > Plugins > FW Skill System. This is where you configure global skill system behavior through UFWSkillSystemSettings.

At minimum, you should set:

• Skill Database -- Reference to your UFWSkillDatabase asset (created in the Configuration guide)
• Default XP Curve -- Reference to a UFWSkillXPCurve asset that defines the default XP-per-level progression

Project Settings Are Optional at Install Time

You can complete installation without configuring project settings immediately. The plugin will load without errors, but skill operations will not function until a UFWSkillDatabase is assigned. See Configuration for full setup.

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Step 7 -- Verify Installation

Build your project and check the Output Log for:

LogModuleManager: Loading module FWSkillSystem

Troubleshooting

If the module fails to load:

• Verify that GameplayAbilities is enabled and compiles successfully before enabling FWSkillSystem.
• Verify the plugin folder name matches FWSkillSystem exactly.
• Regenerate project files and perform a full rebuild.
• Check the Output Log for unresolved symbol errors, which typically indicate a missing Build.cs dependency.

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Include Paths

After installation, you can include plugin headers in your C++ code:

#include "FWSkillProgressionComponent.h"
#include "FWSkillMilestoneComponent.h"
#include "Data/FWSkillDefinition.h"
#include "Data/FWSkillDatabase.h"
#include "Data/FWSkillXPCurve.h"
#include "Data/FWSkillMilestoneDefinition.h"
#include "Requirements/FWSkillRequirement.h"
#include "Settings/FWSkillSystemSettings.h"
#include "Utils/FWSkillTypeLibrary.h"
#include "Types/FWSkillTypes.h"

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Next Steps

• Follow the Quick Start to get skill progression running in 10 minutes.
• Read the Configuration guide to set up your skill database, XP curves, and milestones.