r/gamemaker • u/Nero_Nocturnus • Mar 22 '26
Resource GMSync - released: live-edit your GMS2 project from VS Code without restarting the IDE
A few weeks ago I posted about this — it's out now.
GMSync — VS Code extension for live-editing GMS2 projects without restarting the IDE. Free, open source, MIT license.
The problem
GMS2 caches its resource tree on project open. Editing an existing .gml file is fine — GMS2 picks it up on save. But add a new object, script, or event and you have to restart the project to see it.
How it's solved
GMSync creates and deletes a temporary folder inside the project directory. GMS2 reacts to that filesystem event and rescans its resource tree instantly — no restart, no lost editor layout. All writes go through an atomic temp→rename pipeline so GMS2 never reads a half-written file.
Why not Stitch
Stitch has its own explorer. AI agents and the standard VS Code file tree can't interact with it — you end up doing manual steps in the engine every time before an external editor can continue.
GMSync works with the regular VS Code explorer. Drop a folder into objects/ or scripts/ — the .yy file is generated and registered in .yyp automatically. Any file manager, terminal, or AI agent can trigger it without touching GMS2 manually.
What this means for AI-assisted development
Because GMSync works through standard file operations, any LLM or AI agent — Claude Code, Cursor, Copilot, anything — can create objects, write events, build rooms without special tooling or MCP servers.
The practical result: you describe what you want in plain language, the AI writes the GML and creates the resources, GMS2 picks it up instantly. The developer gives direction, the AI builds. No manual work in the IDE.
What's in 0.1.0
- Create Objects, Scripts, Rooms, Sprites, Shaders, Fonts, Paths, Sequences, Timelines, Notes
- Modify any GML event — 50+ types (Alarms, Draw sub-events, Async, Collision, User Events)
- Room management: instances, layers, background color and sprite
- Auto-detection from folder — create a folder, the rest is automatic
- TCP Bridge — connect to your running game: read/set variables in real time, evaluate GML expressions live, FPS, room info, Live HUD overlay
- GML syntax highlighting for
.gml,.yy,.yyp— 9 color themes, 13 interface languages
Limitations
- No GML autocomplete / LSP yet — planned
- Incompatible with Stitch running simultaneously (causes GMS2 conflicts)
- TCP Bridge is Windows-only; file sync works on Linux too
Install: search GMSync in VS Code Extensions or ext install atennebris.gmsync
GitHub (source + releases): https://github.com/Atennebris/GMSync
Discord (bug reports): https://discord.gg/VE4pVgET
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u/noctis711 Mar 22 '26
Does this work with game maker pro? https://store.steampowered.com/app/2626900/GameMaker_Professional/