---
name: assets-refresh
description: Refresh the Unity AssetDatabase. Use after files were added or updated outside of the Unity API, or to force script recompilation when a '.cs' file changed. Returns a processing/success response and waits for compilation when triggered.
---

# Assets / Refresh

Refreshes the AssetDatabase. Use it if any file was added or updated in the project outside of Unity API. Use it if need to force scripts recompilation when '.cs' file changed.

## Inputs

- `options` — `ImportAssetOptions` flag (default `ForceSynchronousImport`).
- `requestId` — required for processing-mode responses; the tool returns `Processing` immediately and delivers a follow-up completion when compilation finishes.

## Behavior

Runs `AssetDatabase.Refresh(options)`. If `EditorApplication.isCompiling` is true after the refresh, schedules a post-compilation notification and returns a `Processing` response. If compilation already failed (`EditorUtility.scriptCompilationFailed`), returns `Success` with the compilation error details. Otherwise returns a plain `Success`.

## How to Call

```bash
unity-mcp-cli run-tool assets-refresh --input '{
  "options": "string_value"
}'
```

> For complex input (multi-line strings, code), save the JSON to a file and use:
> ```bash
> unity-mcp-cli run-tool assets-refresh --input-file args.json
> ```
>
> Or pipe via stdin (recommended):
> ```bash
> unity-mcp-cli run-tool assets-refresh --input-file - <<'EOF'
> {"param": "value"}
> EOF
> ```


### Troubleshooting

If `unity-mcp-cli` is not found, either install it globally (`npm install -g unity-mcp-cli`) or use `npx unity-mcp-cli` instead.
Read the /unity-initial-setup skill for detailed installation instructions.

## Input

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|------|------|----------|-------------|
| `options` | `any` | No | Asset import options. |

### Input JSON Schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "options": {
      "$ref": "#/$defs/UnityEditor.ImportAssetOptions"
    }
  },
  "$defs": {
    "UnityEditor.ImportAssetOptions": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "Default",
        "ForceUpdate",
        "ForceSynchronousImport",
        "ImportRecursive",
        "DontDownloadFromCacheServer",
        "ForceUncompressedImport"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Output

This tool does not return structured output.