# Rust Pin > Pin and self-referential types expert covering Pin, Unpin, Future, async state machines, pinning projection, and memory stability guarantees. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/rust-pin` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/rust-pin` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/rust-pin/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/rust-pin --- ## When Pin is Needed ### 1. async/await Futures ```rust use std::pin::Pin; use std::task::{Context, Poll}; use std::future::Future; struct MyFuture { state: State, } impl Future for MyFuture { type Output = (); fn poll(self: Pin<&mut Self>, cx: &mut Context<'_>) -> Poll { // self is pinned, guaranteed not to move let this = self.get_mut(); Poll::Ready(()) } } ``` ### 2. Self-Referential Structures ```rust use std::pin::Pin; struct Node { value: i32, // Self-reference: pointer to field within same struct next: Option>>, } ``` ## Solution Patterns ### Pattern 1: Pinning on Heap ```rust use std::pin::Pin; let future = async { // async block creates a Future }; // Pin future on heap let pinned: Pin>> = Box::pin(future); // Now safe to poll ``` ### Pattern 2: Pinning with Pin::new_unchecked ```rust use std::pin::Pin; struct SelfReferential { data: String, ptr: *const String, // Points to data field } impl SelfReferential { fn new(data: String) -> Pin> { let mut boxed = Box::new(SelfReferential { data, ptr: std::ptr::null(), }); let ptr = &boxed.data as *const String; boxed.ptr = ptr; // SAFETY: boxed is on heap and won't move unsafe { Pin::new_unchecked(boxed) } } fn data(&self) -> &str { // SAFETY: ptr still valid because we're pinned unsafe { &*self.ptr } } } ``` ### Pattern 3: Pin Projection ```rust use std::pin::Pin; struct Wrapper { inner: T, extra: String, } impl Wrapper { // Safe projection: T is Unpin fn project(self: Pin<&mut Self>) -> Pin<&mut T> { Pin::new(&mut self.get_mut().inner) } } impl Wrapper { // Unsafe projection: must maintain invariants fn project_unchecked(self: Pin<&mut Self>) -> Pin<&mut T> { // SAFETY: if Self is pinned, inner field is also pinned unsafe { Pin::new_unchecked(&mut self.get_unchecked_mut().inner) } } } ``` ### Pattern 4: Pinning in Async Context ```rust use std::pin::Pin; use futures::Future; async fn process_data() { let mut state = String::new(); // This reference is held across await let state_ref = &mut state; some_async_operation().await; // state_ref must remain valid state_ref.push_str("data"); } // Compiler ensures state doesn't move by pinning the Future ``` ## Pin Types | Type | Use Case | Example | |------|----------|---------| | `Pin<&T>` | Borrowed, immutable | `Pin<&Foo>` | | `Pin<&mut T>` | Borrowed, mutable | `Pin<&mut Foo>` | | `Pin>` | Owned on heap | `Pin>` | | `Pin>` | Shared ownership | `Pin>` | ## Unpin Marker Trait ```rust // Most types implement Unpin (safe to move) struct MyType { data: Vec, } // Unpin auto-implemented // Which types DON'T implement Unpin? // - Futures (from async/await) // - Generators // - Manually marked with PhantomPinned use std::marker::PhantomPinned; struct NotUnpin { data: String, _pin: PhantomPinned, // Opts out of Unpin } ``` ## Workflow ### Step 1: Determine if Pin Needed ``` Need Pin when: → async/await (Future trait) → Self-referential struct → Implementing custom Future → Working with generators Don't need Pin when: → Synchronous code → No self-references → Stack-allocated temporaries → Type is Unpin ``` ### Step 2: Choose Pinning Strategy ``` Heap pinning: → Box::pin(value) → Safe, most common Stack pinning: → pin!(value) // macro in std → More complex, zero allocation Unsafe pinning: → Pin::new_unchecked() → Require SAFETY comments ``` ### Step 3: Handle Projections ``` Projecting to field: → If T: Unpin → Safe with Pin::new → If !Unpin → Unsafe, need Pin::new_unchecked → Use pin-project crate for safety ``` ## Common Use Cases | Scenario | Need Pin? | |----------|-----------| | `async {}` block | ✅ Yes (Future) | | `Box` | ✅ Yes | | Self-referential struct | ✅ Yes | | Regular Vec/HashMap | ❌ No | | Stack variables | ❌ No | | No self-references | ❌ No | ## Review Checklist When working with Pin: - [ ] Pin actually necessary (async or self-ref) - [ ] Correct pinning strategy chosen (heap vs stack) - [ ] Unsafe projections have SAFETY comments - [ ] Type correctly implements/opts-out of Unpin - [ ] No accidental moves after pinning - [ ] Projection maintains structural pinning - [ ] Drop implementation respects pinning - [ ] Documentation explains why pinned ## Verification Commands ```bash # Check if type is Unpin cargo expand # Verify async state machine cargo expand --lib my_async_fn # Test with miri cargo +nightly miri test ``` ## Common Pitfalls ### 1. Forgetting to Pin Future **Symptom**: Compilation error about poll signature ```rust // ❌ Bad: Future not pinned fn poll_future(mut future: impl Future) { future.poll(); // Error: no poll method } // ✅ Good: Pin the Future fn poll_future(mut future: Pin<&mut impl Future>) { future.as_mut().poll(cx); // OK } ``` ### 2. Moving Pinned Value **Symptom**: Undefined behavior ```rust // ❌ Bad: moving after pinning let pinned = Box::pin(value); let moved = *pinned; // Error: cannot move out of pinned // ✅ Good: work with pinned reference let pinned = Box::pin(value); let pinned_ref: Pin<&mut Value> = pinned.as_mut(); ``` ### 3. Incorrect Projection **Symptom**: Unsoundness in self-referential types ```rust // ❌ Bad: unsafe projection without guarantee impl Wrapper { fn bad_project(self: Pin<&mut Self>) -> &mut T { &mut self.get_mut().inner // Unsound if T: !Unpin } } // ✅ Good: safe projection with Unpin bound impl Wrapper { fn safe_project(self: Pin<&mut Self>) -> Pin<&mut T> { Pin::new(&mut self.get_mut().inner) } } ``` ## Related Skills - **rust-async** - Async/await and Future trait - **rust-unsafe** - Unsafe code for Pin::new_unchecked - **rust-ownership** - Lifetime and borrowing - **rust-type-driven** - PhantomPinned and marker types - **rust-performance** - Zero-cost abstractions with Pin ## Localized Reference - **Chinese version**: [SKILL_ZH.md](./SKILL_ZH.md) - 完整中文版本，包含所有内容 --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/huiali) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.