Rider 2026.3 Enhances Game Development with New Plugins and Debugging
JetBrains updates Rider with Godot integration, Verse support, and improved C++ debugging tools.
1Expanded Language Support
Rider 2026.3 introduces Beta plugins for Lua and Verse, aiming to streamline multi-language development environments. The Lua plugin supports versions 5.1 through 5.4, Luau, and LuaJIT, offering advanced features like code completion and refactoring. Meanwhile, the native Verse plugin provides syntax highlighting and error detection without requiring external language servers for Unreal Engine.
2Godot Editor Integration
The update establishes a live connection between Rider and the Godot Editor, allowing seamless switching between code and scene design. Developers can now debug C# or GDScript directly within the Godot environment. This integration enables users to inspect node hierarchies and properties in real-time while execution is paused at a breakpoint.
3Advanced C++ Debugging
Unreal Engine and custom C++ developers benefit from Natvis hot reload, which allows updating visualizers without restarting the game session. Additionally, native stepping for MSVC on Windows improves consistency during debugging. New data breakpoints allow developers to track variable changes by right-clicking directly in the editor to identify memory modification sources.
4Unity CoreCLR Support
Rider 2026.3 adds support for debugging CoreCLR desktop Players in Unity 6.7, catering to developers testing experimental runtimes. While the Unity 6.7 Editor currently relies on Mono, the IDE provides early support for those exploring the CoreCLR-based Editor in Unity 7 Alpha. Further enhancements for Unity agents are expected in upcoming minor releases.
5Command-Line Argument Presets
The new command-line argument presets replace the previous EzArgs plugin, allowing developers to manage various launch scenarios efficiently. Users can organize arguments into shared presets, which remain independent of specific run configurations. This system supports validation and can be easily shared across teams via version control or XML import and export features.
6Experimental LLDB 21 Debugger
A new experimental debugger built on LLDB 21 is now available across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. This build combines upstream LLVM fixes with JetBrains' custom enhancements, such as MSVC support and a proprietary expression evaluator. Users can select this experimental option within the Debugger settings to test performance improvements on their specific projects.
7Visual Studio Synchronization
To assist teams working in mixed environments, Rider now includes experimental support for .vcxproj.filters files. This feature keeps the logical structure of C++ projects synchronized between Rider and Visual Studio. It ensures that project organization remains consistent for developers who frequently switch between the two IDEs during their daily workflows.
8General Workflow Improvements
Beyond engine-specific tools, the release improves overall responsiveness during solution loading and branch switching. A new Files view allows browsing repository files outside the main solution, such as build scripts or documentation. Furthermore, enhanced Git worktree support enables users to copy local project settings and run configurations into new development worktrees.