I hotreload Rust and so can you

This title could be clearer and more informative.Try out Clickbait Shieldfor free (5 uses left this month).

Hot-reloading in Rust allows changing program behavior while running without full restarts. This guide demonstrates splitting a Rust game into a host (persistent state) and worker (reloadable logic) using dynamic libraries. The worker compiles to both dylib and static library, communicating via trait objects. Key challenges include handling state persistence across reloads (solved via serialization), avoiding invalid function pointers from dynamic dispatch, and managing thread-local storage. The approach requires same compiler/flags for ABI compatibility, making it suitable for development but not production plugins. Includes practical tips on compile times, dependency management, and integration with game frameworks like macroquad.

19m read timeFrom kampffrosch94.github.io
Post cover image
Table of contents
Basic idea #Initial Setup #Loading the dynamic library #Stateless hotreloading #Stateful hotreloading #Miscellaneous tips and observations #Other approaches and acknowledgments #Last words #
631 Impressions