Concept: Full-Stack Integration & Multiplayer

Standalone, you boot the stack yourself (Quick Start). On the full Crimson stack, CrimsonCore ships the concrete pieces and drives them through GameFeatures - none of the types below live in CrimsonUI, but knowing them explains 'why does this already work' on the full stack.

What CrimsonCore pre-wires

Quick Start step	CrimsonCore ships	Where
Game instance	`B_CrimsonGameInstance` (Blueprint subclass of `UCrimsonCommonGameInstance`)	`GameInstanceClass` in `DefaultEngine.ini`
Local player	`UCrimsonCoreLocalPlayer` (subclass of `UCrimsonCommonLocalPlayer`)	`LocalPlayerClassName` in `DefaultEngine.ini`
Viewport client	the CrimsonUI class directly	`GameViewportClientClassName`
Policy + root layout	`B_CrimsonGameUIPolicy` + a root layout with all standard layers registered	`DefaultUIPolicyClass` in `DefaultGame.ini`
Layer/slot tags	`UI.Layer.Game`, `UI.Layer.GameMenu`, `HUD.Slot.*`	CrimsonCore's `Config/Tags` ini
HUD push	`GFA_AddWidget` pushes `W_CrimsonHUD_Layout` (a `UCrimsonHUDLayout`) and fills `HUD.Slot.*` extension points	Experience action sets (GameFeature content)

The GameFeature flow

GFA_AddWidget registers a GameFramework extension handler on ACrimsonHUD. When the HUD actor spawns on a client, the action resolves the local player and (a) pushes each configured layout class onto its UI.Layer.* layer via UCrimsonUIExtensions::PushContentToLayer_ForPlayer, and (b) registers each configured widget at its HUD.Slot.* extension point. Deactivating the feature pops and unregisters everything. This is why ACrimsonHUD (or a subclass) is required on the full stack: it is the anchor GameFeatures extend.

Multiplayer & authority

Concern	Where it runs	Networking
Layouts, layers, pushes, dialogs	Owning client only	None - a dedicated server has no local players and creates zero UI
HUD state sources (health, tags, inventory)	Server-authoritative gameplay systems	Replicated to the client; UI reads the replicated state
`UCrimsonTaggedWidget` tag checks	Client-side ASC (from the replicated PlayerState)	Tags replicate via GAS; the widget just listens
Player-triggered actions from UI (buy, drop, use)	UI calls into gameplay code	Route through `Server_` RPCs with `_Validate` or GAS abilities - never mutate authoritative state directly from a widget
Touch input injection	Owning client's Enhanced Input	Consequences replicate through normal movement/ability channels

UI is never authoritative

Nothing in CrimsonUI replicates. Treat every widget event as an untrusted client request: forward it to a validated server RPC or a GAS ability and let the authoritative result replicate back into the UI.

Standalone checklist (what you own without CrimsonCore)

A UCrimsonCommonGameInstance subclass + LocalPlayerClassName (Quick Start step 2).
Layer tags beyond the native ones (UI.Layer.Game, UI.Layer.GameMenu, any HUD.Slot.*).
The policy + root layout Blueprints and UCrimsonUISettings entries.
Your own HUD push (PlayerController BeginPlay, GameMode, or your own GameFeature action).
Dialog widget classes if you use the messaging subsystem.