gum-tool-variable-references

To sync Gum UI variables across instances, you use the variable reference system to manage cross-instance bindings. This skill parses assignment syntax with Roslyn, validates references, and bakes hard-coded values into StateSave during tool-time.

Gum processes cross-element variable references through VariableReferenceLogic, which validates references, performs cascade updates, and propagates values deeply. It parses assignment syntax and shorthand expansions to manage both expressions and literals.

Variable reference assignment syntax in Gum uses a specific format for cross-element bindings, supports comment handling, and allows shorthand expansions. The system parses this syntax with Roslyn to validate and apply values to StateSave.

Gum does not dynamically re-evaluate variable references at runtime. The system distinguishes between tool-time hard-value baking into StateSave and runtime evaluation, meaning references are primarily resolved during tool-time processing.

Known limitations of Gum variable references include a lack of dynamic re-evaluation at runtime and specific shortcomings such as font generation misses. These gaps affect how cross-instance bindings propagate through the UI layout.