Yarn Spinner Format

Dialogue Forge exports to Yarn Spinner's .yarn format, which can be used directly in Unreal Engine with the Yarn Spinner plugin.

Basic Syntax

Yarn

title: Start
---
Stranger: You find yourself at a crossroads.
Stranger: What brings you here?
-> I seek treasure
    <<jump TreasurePath>>
-> I seek knowledge
    <<jump KnowledgePath>>
-> None of your business
    <<set $hostile = true>>
    <<jump HostilePath>>
===

Node Structure

Each dialogue node becomes a Yarn node:

Yarn

title: NodeId
---
// Content goes here
===

Variables (Memory Flags)

Set variables when choices are made:

Yarn

-> Accept the quest
    <<set $quest_accepted = true>>
    <<jump QuestStart>>

Check variables for conditional choices:

Yarn

<<if $has_key>>
-> Use the key to unlock the door
    <<jump UnlockedDoor>>
<<endif>>
 
<<if $gold >= 100>>
-> Bribe the guard (100 gold)
    <<set $gold -= 100>>
    <<jump BribedGuard>>
<<endif>>

Visited Tracking

Yarn Spinner tracks visited nodes automatically:

Yarn

<<if visited("MetTheStranger")>>
Stranger: We meet again, traveler.
<<else>>
Stranger: A new face in these parts.
<<endif>>

Export from Dialogue Forge

Build your dialogue in the graph editor
Click Export → Yarn Spinner (.yarn)
Import the .yarn file into Unreal Engine

Import to Dialogue Forge

Click Import → Yarn Spinner (.yarn)
Select your .yarn file
Nodes appear in the graph editor

Unreal Engine Integration

The Yarn Spinner Unreal plugin provides:

Blueprint nodes for running dialogues
Variable storage integration
Custom commands for game logic
Localization support

See Yarn Spinner Unreal Docs for setup.