Prevent Rider IDE from Rebuilding Godot Projects

Rider IDE’s automatic rebuild feature for Godot projects can be disruptive when maximizing windows or switching focus. To prevent rider ide godot rebuild behavior, you’ll need to adjust specific settings in the IDE’s configuration. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to disable the automatic build functionality that triggers when focus changes.

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Contents

• Understanding Rider’s Automatic Rebuild Feature for Godot Projects
• Step-by-Step Guide to Disable Automatic Rebuilds in Rider
• Troubleshooting Additional Build Settings in Rider
• Best Practices for Godot Development in Rider IDE
• Sources
• Conclusion

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Understanding Rider’s Automatic Rebuild Feature for Godot Projects

Rider IDE has introduced an automatic rebuild feature specifically for Godot projects that triggers when the IDE loses focus. This rider godot integration behavior was introduced in Rider 2025.3 EAP as part of an effort to improve development workflow by ensuring projects are always in a build-ready state. However, many developers find this feature disruptive, as it causes unnecessary rebuilds when simply maximizing the window or switching back to the IDE.

The automatic build focus change mechanism is designed to keep your Godot project updated, but it can significantly slow down your workflow, especially with larger projects. According to the JetBrains blog, this feature was introduced to address common complaints about manual build processes, but it appears the implementation needs refinement to be less intrusive [1].

When Rider detects that focus has moved away from the IDE (when you switch to another application or maximize a window), it automatically initiates a rebuild process for your Godot project. This behavior is controlled by a specific setting that can be disabled if it doesn’t align with your development preferences.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Disable Automatic Rebuilds in Rider

To prevent rider ide godot rebuild behavior when maximizing windows or switching applications, follow these detailed steps to disable the automatic build functionality:

1. Open Rider Settings: Navigate to File > Settings (or Rider > Preferences on macOS).

2. Access Godot Configuration: In the settings window, expand the Languages & Frameworks section and select Godot Engine.

3. Locate Build Settings: Find the Build on focus change option in the Godot settings. This checkbox controls whether Rider rebuilds your project when focus moves away from the IDE.

4. Disable the Setting: Uncheck the Build on focus change option to prevent automatic rebuilds when maximizing windows or switching applications.

5. Apply Changes: Click Apply and then OK to save your settings.

This solution directly addresses the issue of unwanted rebuilds in rider godot integration. The setting was introduced in Rider 2025.3 EAP 1 and appears to be related to issue RIDER-127586, which focuses on improving build processes for Godot projects [1].

For those using different versions of Rider or experiencing issues with the above method, an alternative approach is to check the Build Automatically setting in the Godot tab. Disabling this setting can also help prevent unwanted rebuild behavior, though it may affect other aspects of the rider godot integration [2].

After making these changes, Rider should no longer automatically rebuild your Godot project when you maximize windows or switch back to the IDE, allowing for a smoother development experience.

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Troubleshooting Additional Build Settings in Rider

If you’ve disabled the Build on focus change setting but still experience unwanted rebuilds in your rider godot integration, there are several additional settings and factors to consider:

Build Configuration Settings

Rider contains multiple build-related settings that might interact with each other unexpectedly:

1. Solution Configuration: Ensure your solution is set to the correct configuration (Debug/Release) in the toolbar. Sometimes Rider may attempt to rebuild when switching configurations.

2. Output Path Verification: Check that your build output paths are correctly configured. Incorrect paths can trigger unnecessary rebuild attempts.

3. File Watchers: Rider uses file watchers to detect changes in your project. Navigate to Settings > Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > File Watchers to verify if any watchers are triggering unwanted builds.

Version-Specific Considerations

Different versions of Rider may behave differently regarding automatic builds:

• Rider 2025.3 EAP: This version specifically introduced the focus-based build feature. If you’re experiencing issues, consider updating to the latest EAP build where the feature might be more refined.

• Older Versions: If you’re using an older version of Rider that doesn’t have the Build on focus change setting, the issue might be related to the general Build Automatically setting in the Godot integration.

Project-Specific Troubleshooting

Sometimes the issue isn’t with Rider’s settings but with your specific Godot project:

1. Project Clean: Try cleaning your project (Build > Clean) to remove any cached build artifacts that might be causing confusion in the build system.

2. Workspace Reload: Close your project completely and reopen it. This can reset any build state that might be causing issues.

3. Plugin Conflicts: If you have additional plugins installed, they might be interfering with the Godot integration. Try running Rider with plugins disabled to identify potential conflicts.

Remember that the rider godot integration is still evolving, and some build behavior might be expected as part of the development workflow. The goal is to find the right balance between keeping your project build-ready and avoiding unnecessary interruptions.

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Best Practices for Godot Development in Rider IDE

Optimizing your Rider IDE configuration for Godot development involves more than just disabling automatic rebuilds. Here are several best practices to enhance your rider godot integration experience:

Strategic Build Management

1. Manual Build Triggers: Instead of relying on automatic builds, get in the habit of manually triggering builds when you’re ready (Build > Rebuild Solution). This gives you control over when the IDE allocates resources to building.

2. Selective File Monitoring: Configure file watchers to monitor only the directories you’re actively working on, rather than your entire project. This reduces unnecessary build triggers.

3. Build Scheduling: If you must use automatic builds, consider scheduling them during less active development periods using Rider’s task scheduling features.

IDE Performance Optimization

1. Memory Management: Rider can be resource-intensive. Allocate sufficient memory (4GB minimum, 8GB recommended) in the VM options (Help > Edit Custom VM Options) for smooth operation with Godot projects.

2. Indexing Configuration: Adjust the indexing settings to balance between comprehensive code analysis and performance. Navigate to Settings > Editor > General > Code Editing > Code Completion to fine-tune these options.

3. Plugin Management: Only enable essential plugins for your Godot development workflow. Disable unnecessary plugins to reduce memory usage and potential conflicts.

Workflow Integration

1. Version Control Integration: Set up proper version control integration to track changes and facilitate collaboration. Rider’s Git integration works well with Godot projects.

2. Debug Configuration: Create dedicated debug configurations for your Godot project to streamline the testing process. This can be done in Run > Edit Configurations.

3. External Tools Integration: If you prefer certain external tools for specific tasks (like texture compression or shader editing), integrate them properly into your Rider workflow.

By implementing these best practices, you’ll create a more efficient and pleasant development environment that balances the benefits of rider godot integration with your specific workflow needs. Remember that the optimal configuration varies between projects and personal preferences, so don’t hesitate to experiment with different settings to find what works best for you.

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Sources

1. JetBrains Rider Blog — Early access program details for Rider 2025.3 with automatic rebuild feature information: https://blog.jetbrains.com/dotnet/2025/09/17/the-early-access-program-for-rider-2025-3/
2. Stack Overflow Community — Rider keeps rebuilding the game every time I maximize the window or switch back: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/79854335/rider-keeps-rebuilding-the-game-every-time-i-maximize-the-window-or-switch-back
3. JetBrains Rider Documentation — Official Godot integration documentation: https://www.jetbrains.com/help/rider/Godot.html
4. GitHub - JetBrains Godot Support - Technical details about the Godot support plugin in Rider: https://github.com/JetBrains/godot-support

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Conclusion

Preventing rider ide godot rebuild behavior when maximizing windows or switching focus is achievable through proper configuration of the IDE’s build settings. By disabling the “Build on focus change” option in Languages & Frameworks > Godot Engine, you can eliminate unwanted interruptions while maintaining an efficient development workflow. Remember that some automatic build behavior might be beneficial for certain workflows, so it’s worth experimenting with different settings to find the optimal balance for your specific needs. The rider godot integration continues to evolve, so staying updated with the latest Rider versions and community discussions will help you make the most of this powerful development environment.