Action Variables

The Action Variables subsystem provides a data-binding layer for the Action System. It exposes action fields and runtime-created values as named, type-safe variables that can be read, written, and cross-referenced between actions — enabling Inspector-driven parameterization and data flow without hard-coded coupling.

Architecture

Key Concepts

Concept	Description
Field Variable	A variable backed by reflection over an Action field marked with [Variable]. Reading/writing goes directly to the field. Discovered automatically.
Dynamic Variable	A variable created at runtime via AddVariable(). Stores its value in an internal object field.
Reference	An ActionVariable can be set to reference another ActionVariable. When IsReference is true, GetValue() delegates to the referenced variable, enabling data flow between actions.
[Variable] Attribute	Marker attribute (extends OdinSerializeAttribute) placed on action fields to opt them into the variable system.

Data Flow

Quick Start

Exposing a Field as a Variable

[Serializable]
public class MyAction : Action
{
    [Variable]
    private float speed = 5f;

    [Variable]
    private Transform target;

    protected override Task OnExecute()
    {
        // 'speed' and 'target' are automatically available as named variables
        return Task.CompletedTask;
    }
}

Reading / Writing Variables Externally

// Via the Action convenience API
myAction.SetVariable("speed", 10f);
float speed = myAction.GetVariable<float>("speed");

// Via ActionVariables directly
actionVariables.SetVariableValue("speed", 10f);
float speed = actionVariables.GetVariableValue<float>("speed");

Adding a Dynamic Variable at Runtime

actionVariables.AddVariable(typeof(int), "hitCount", 0);
actionVariables.SetVariableValue("hitCount", 5);
int hits = actionVariables.GetVariableValue<int>("hitCount");

Cross-Referencing Variables Between Actions

// actionVarA will read its value from actionVarB
actionVarA.SetReference(actionVarB);
actionVarA.IsReference = true;
// actionVarA.GetValue() now returns actionVarB.GetValue()

Classes

Class	Description
ActionVariable	Abstract wrapper that pairs a Variable with optional reference semantics. Generic subclass ActionVariable<T> adds typed Value property.
ActionVariables	Container managing all field and dynamic variables for a single Action.
Variable	Internal abstract base for storage backends (FieldVariable, DynamicVariable).

See Also

• Action — the base class whose fields this subsystem exposes

• Action System — parent system overview