tomkrikorian USDKit Runtime Developer
Quick Start
Use this skill for in-process USD stage work from Swift. For hand-authored
.usda edits, package inspection, CLI conversion, or usdchecker validation,
switch to $usd-editor.
- Confirm the target uses the 27 SDKs and can
import USDKit. - Decide whether the task belongs to runtime USDKit or the
usd*command-line asset pipeline. - Load the USDKit decision reference, then the USDKit framework reference.
- Keep
USDStage,USDPrim,USDLayer, and nested property work on one actor; these types are not Sendable. - For live RealityKit display, use
USDStageComponentfrom the RealityKit skill; for Spatial Preview streaming, keep$spatial-preview-developer.
Load References When
| Reference | When to Use |
|---|---|
usdkit-vs-cli.md |
When choosing between runtime USDKit and the command-line USD pipeline. |
usdkit-framework.md |
When using USDStage, USDPrim, USDLayer, observers, export, or package APIs. |
visionos-runtime-loading.md |
When checking how authored USD or USDZ content loads inside a visionOS app. |
apple-runtime-boundaries.md |
When deciding whether to edit authored USD, load through RealityKit, or validate for Apple platforms. |
Workflow
- Identify the owner: runtime Swift-edited stage, authored asset, or package pipeline.
- Use USDKit for in-process stage editing, observation, live rendering, or runtime package export.
- Keep CLI validation in the asset pipeline; USDKit does not replace
usdchecker --arkit --strict. - Preserve authored assets as source of truth unless the task is explicitly procedural or runtime-generated.
Guardrails
- Do not use USDKit just to inspect or batch-convert files in CI; use the CLI
tools through
$usd-editor. - Do not assume beta USDKit symbols are stable; re-check the installed 27 SDK before shipping.
- Do not recreate authored Reality Composer Pro content in Swift unless the feature explicitly requires procedural authoring.
Output Expectations
Provide:
- why USDKit is the right runtime path
- which USDKit references were used
- the
USDStage/USDLayer/USDPrimownership model - observer, actor, export, and validation considerations