How to reload BAR widgets without restarting the game

Save hours of time by using the luaui reload command or a hotkey script to test widget changes instantly.

Tags: widgets, modding, lua, luaui reload, BAR modding, Beyond All Reason

Why reloading the whole game is a waste of time

Every BAR modder starts by putting a widget file in the luaui/widgets/ folder, making a change, and restarting the entire game to test it. That takes minutes. The fix takes seconds. The luaui reload command lets you test changes without restarting the match.

The luaui reload command

Open the in-game console and type luaui reload. The UI layer rebuilds itself and picks up any new or modified widget files. Your match keeps running. You just need to reload UI to check your changes instead of reloading the game.

If you are making frequent edits, typing that command every time gets old fast. Two paths solve this:

• Type luaui reload manually in chat console each time
• Install a hotkey script that triggers the reload with a single key press

Both work. The hotkey script is the faster option once you have it installed.

Where widget files go

Widget files belong in your BAR userdata folder under luaui/widgets/. The exact path depends on your operating system. On Linux it is usually something like /home/username/Documents/Beyond All Reason/data/luaui/widgets/. On Windows it lives under the equivalent Documents path.

If you drop a widget in that folder and nothing happens, check the in-game widget list. Scroll all the way down in the widget configuration screen. New widgets sometimes land at the bottom and stay untoggled until you turn them on manually.

A quick word on group commands

One common modding goal is building a context-sensitive widget that issues commands to specific units in a selection. The default UI already supports deselecting one unit from a group with a command. You might need to pass it a unit ID when clicking on icons in the actual UI. This means you do not always need a custom widget for basic group management tasks. Check the built-in controls before writing new code.

Getting started with BAR modding

The modding community around BAR is active and helpful. The barrier to entry is lower than most players assume. You do not need to understand the full engine to build useful widgets. Start small, reload often, and ask questions when your widget does not load.

Play with people who share the same mindset

The BAR modding and general communities reward players who experiment, ask questions, and take feedback well. That carries into team games. Groups like Creed of Champions are built around that exact ethos. Cooperative, low-drama environments where players who want to learn and improve find each other.

[Crd] The removal of toxicity, the goal of fun and learning, makes for a refreshing spot to play and spend time. It has also made a game with plenty of complexity a bit less daunting to dive into.

Whether you are tweaking widgets or improving your build orders, playing in a team that values patience over blame makes the entire experience better.