> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.warpathstudios.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Best Practices

> 1.

**1. Always call** `InitializeEquipment()` — pass equipment inventory, player inventory, and base mesh; required before any equip operations

**2. Use** `CharacterEquipmentSetup`for first-time character setup — the CallInEditor buttons handle mesh component creation and slot wiring automatically

**3. Use preset slot configs** — `SetupStandardArmorSlots()` etc. for common layouts

**4. \*\*Set up mesh components properly\*\*** — parent to correct sockets with Master Pose

**5. Use body part hiding** — prevents clipping issues

**6. Validate before equipping** — use `CanEquipItemInSlot()` to prevent errors

**7. Handle two-handed weapons** — implement custom logic for weapon conflicts in `OnEquipmentChanged`

**8. Use material overrides** — key by bare rarity name `"Common"`, `"Rare"`, etc.), not full tag path

**9. Bind to events** — keep UI synchronized; `OnEquipmentChanged` gives you old and new item in one call

**10. Test in multiplayer** — ensure visuals update on all clients; use `PrintDebugState` to compare state across roles

***

## **Common Patterns**

### **Equip from Inventory**

```
// Player double-clicks item in inventory
void EquipFromInventory(int32 InventorySlot)
{
    FItemInstance Item = InventoryComponent->GetItemAtIndex(InventorySlot);

    if (!Item.IsEmpty() && Item.ItemData->bIsEquipable)
    {
        // Find valid slot
        TArray<int32> ValidSlots = EquipmentComponent->FindValidSlotsForItem(Item);
        if (ValidSlots.Num() > 0)
        {
            // Equip to first valid slot
            bool bSuccess = EquipmentComponent->EquipItemToSlot(Item, ValidSlots[0]);
            if (bSuccess)
            {
                // Remove from inventory
                InventoryComponent->RemoveItemAtIndex(InventorySlot, 1);
            }
        }
    }
}
```

### **Swap Equipment**

```
// Right-click equipped item to unequip
void UnequipToInventory(int32 EquipmentSlot)
{
    FItemInstance EquippedItem = EquipmentComponent->GetEquippedItem(EquipmentSlot);

    if (!EquippedItem.IsEmpty())
    {
        // Check if inventory has space
        if (InventoryComponent->GetEmptySlotCount() > 0)
        {
            // Unequip (returns to inventory automatically)
            EquipmentComponent->UnequipItemFromSlot(EquipmentSlot);
        }
        else
        {
            ShowNotification("Inventory full");
        }
    }
}
```

### **Quick Weapon Switch**

```
// Press 1 to equip weapon from hotbar
void QuickEquipWeapon(int32 HotbarSlot)
{
    FItemInstance Item = HotbarComponent->GetItemAtIndex(HotbarSlot);

    if (!Item.IsEmpty() && Item.ItemData->bIsWeapon)
    {
        int32 MainHandSlot = EquipmentComponent->FindSlotIndexByTag(
            FGameplayTag::RequestGameplayTag("Equipment.Slot.MainHand")
        );

        // Unequip current weapon
        EquipmentComponent->UnequipItemFromSlot(MainHandSlot);

        // Equip new weapon
        EquipmentComponent->EquipItemToSlot(Item, MainHandSlot);
    }
}
```