entity-query-patterns-requireforupdate-gating

What problem does it solve?

This Skill prevents first-frame crashes and wasted work in Unity DOTS by ensuring systems only update when their required singletons, feature-flag tags, or prerequisite entity queries are present.

Core Features & Use Cases

• Senior RequireForUpdate gating: Enforces that every ISystem/SystemBase declares prerequisites in OnCreate so OnUpdate is skipped when the world is not ready.
• AND semantics across multiple gates: Combines multiple RequireForUpdate calls so the system runs only when all declared conditions are satisfied.
• Correct query-based prerequisites: Uses state.RequireForUpdate(query) when the requirement is “at least one entity matching complex conditions,” not merely “a singleton exists.”
• Empty tag feature-flag pattern: Gates feature systems on baked empty component tags derived from authoring toggles, generalizing ExecuteXxx-style patterns.

Quick Start

Use this skill when authoring a new DOTS system so you add state.RequireForUpdate<T>() or state.RequireForUpdate(query) in OnCreate, then verify that toggling feature flags makes the gated systems appear or disappear.