Documentation

Universal Game Pilot Installation Guide

This guide is for users starting from scratch. It walks through the full UGP setup: Codex, the Universal Game Pilot desktop app, the Unreal Engine plugin, project linking, sign-in, and final MCP verification.

Windows 10 or 11 UE 5.4 - 5.7 Codex-backed workflow MCP integration
Start the setup Download the desktop app

What ships with UGP

Desktop app

An Agent first Desktop App for Unreal workflows with graph previews

UE5 plugin

The Unreal-side integration layer that exposes MCP hooks and lets the app read project context and drive supported UE actions.

Top-right badges

Connected MCP

Core stack

UGP combines the desktop app, Unreal plugin, local Codex-backed workflow, and MCP-based editor integration.

Overview

UGP for Unreal teams

Universal Game Pilot is an agent workflow desktop app plus Unreal Engine 5 plugin that brings a Codex-style workflow directly into UE projects. It is designed for Unreal Engine 5.4, 5.6, and 5.7.

Includes

  • a UE5 plugin installed in your project or engine
  • the Universal Game Pilot desktop app
  • a local Codex-backed app server workflow
  • MCP-based integration between the desktop app and Unreal

Notable UI features

  • Unreal node graph preview
  • built-in skills and linked project support
  • docked and always-on overlay mode
  • explicit Connected and MCP status badges
1

Before you begin

What you need

Required

  • Windows 10 or Windows 11
  • Unreal Engine 5.4, 5.6, or 5.7
  • Internet access
  • An OpenAI account or OpenAI API key
  • Permission to install software on your machine
  • A local installation of the Universal Game Pilot desktop app

Optional but useful

  • Python 3.x for custom scripts, helper tooling, or advanced local automation
  • Node.js LTS with npm on your PATH if you prefer the Codex CLI install route
  • Administrator approval if your machine is managed by IT
2

Install Codex

Recommended easy setup

UGP is designed around the Codex local experience, so the easiest setup is to install Codex first using one of the official user-friendly routes. Choose one option below.

Option A

Microsoft Store

  1. Open the Microsoft Store.
  2. Search for Codex by OpenAI.
  3. Install the app.
  4. Launch Codex once and complete sign-in.

Option B

OpenAI download page

  1. Open the official Codex download page: chatgpt.com/codex.
  2. Download the Windows build.
  3. Install it.
  4. Launch Codex once and complete sign-in.

Option C

Visual Studio Code extension

  1. Open Visual Studio Code.
  2. Open the Extensions view.
  3. Search for Codex by OpenAI.
  4. Install the extension.
  5. Open the Codex panel and complete sign-in.

Option D

CLI install

npm install -g @openai/codex
codex --version

UGP uses the same general Codex-style account flow and terminology, so using the official Codex app or extension first usually makes setup easier.

3

Desktop app

Install Universal Game Pilot

Install steps

  1. Download the app from ugamepilot.com/download.
  2. Unzip the package.
  3. Run Universal Game Pilot-1.0.0 Setup.exe.
  4. Install the Universal Game Pilot desktop app.
  5. Launch Universal Game Pilot.

Sign in with ChatGPT or OpenAI

  1. If the status is Disconnected, click Connect or Reconnect.
  2. Your browser opens.
  3. Sign in with your ChatGPT or OpenAI account.
  4. Return to the app after the browser completes the callback.

What you should see

On first launch, the main desktop shell should appear with top-right status badges such as Disconnected or Connected and MCP. Depending on state, they may not both be active yet.

  • Codex-style thread UI
  • linked references and built-in skills
  • UE graph preview support
  • docked and always-on overlay mode
  • Unreal MCP and harness integration
4

Configuration

Check backend and model setup

Open Settings > Configuration. Use this page to verify the active local backend before you start making Unreal requests.

Verify these values

  • Codex version or local backend version
  • app-server version
  • active binary path
  • active CODEX_HOME
  • detected model list
  • configuration file locations

Useful actions

  • Use Refresh backend + model list if something looks wrong.
  • Open config.xml or config.toml for direct inspection.
  • Use these files to review approvals, models, and MCP connections.

API keys entered in the settings page are stored safely in the Windows Credential Manager.

5

Unreal setup

Install the Unreal plugin

Copy the plugin into either your project or your engine installation. The desktop app and plugin are meant to be used together.

Project-local install

YourProject/Plugins/UniversalGamePilot/

Engine-wide install

UE_5.x/Engine/Plugins/Marketplace/UniversalGamePilot/

Plugin folder contents

UniversalGamePilot/
|- UniversalGamePilot.uplugin
|- Source/
|- Resources/
`- Config/

Then in Unreal

  1. Start Unreal and open your project.
  2. Go to Edit > Plugins.
  3. Search for Universal Game Pilot.
  4. Enable it.
  5. Restart the editor.
7

MCP connection

Manually connect to Unreal if needed

If the MCP badge is still blinking red, you can manually connect the UGP plugin and Unreal project.

  1. Make sure you already linked the correct UE project in UGP.
  2. Click Link UE Project if you still need to point at the project with the plugin installed.
  3. Click Launch UE with MCP to launch the linked project with MCP enabled.
  4. If you launch from the .uproject, MCP is usually auto-started.
  5. Confirm that the MCP badge turns green.
8

Verification

Confirm the full connection

With both Unreal and UGP open, run a quick read-only check before using any edit actions.

  1. Check the badge labeled Connected.
  2. Check the badge labeled MCP.
  3. Open a thread in UGP.
  4. Try one of these read-only prompts first.

Explain this Blueprint.

List the linked UE project context.

Preview the graph for the selected asset.

If the plugin and desktop app are communicating correctly, UGP should be able to interact with the linked Unreal workflow and show graph context where supported.

9

Optional

Overlay mode and extra tooling

Docked and always-on mode

UGP includes an optional compact overlay workflow for in-editor use. Turn on Always On When Minimized if you want a lightweight assistant surface while continuing to work inside Unreal Editor.

Python and npm

Python is recommended for custom scripts and helper tooling. Node.js with npm is useful if you prefer the Codex CLI installation route.

python --version
pip --version
10

Troubleshooting

Common setup issues

UGP does not detect Codex

  1. Open Settings > Configuration.
  2. Check the reported binary path.
  3. Click Refresh backend + model list.
  4. Confirm you already completed sign-in in the Codex app or extension.

Browser sign-in completes but UGP still looks disconnected

  1. Close and reopen UGP.
  2. Re-open the Codex app or VS Code Codex panel.
  3. Refresh backend status again from Settings > Configuration.

MCP is not active

  1. Confirm the UE plugin is enabled.
  2. Confirm the correct UE project is linked in Settings > General.
  3. Restart Unreal Editor.
  4. Restart UGP.

The plugin appears in Unreal but no actions work

  1. Test a read-only request first.
  2. Confirm the top-right Connected and MCP badges are active.
  3. Verify the linked Content folder points to the intended project.
11

Recommended flow

Smoothest first-time setup

  1. Install the official Codex app from the Microsoft Store or the OpenAI download page.
  2. Sign in there first.
  3. Install and launch Universal Game Pilot.
  4. Install and enable the Unreal plugin.
  5. Link your UE project.
  6. Verify Connected and MCP.
  7. Start with a safe read-only prompt before using edit actions.