MonoGame Content Pipeline Implementation Guide

This skill guides asset loading and content pipeline usage in MonoGame. For custom processor code patterns, see references/content-pipeline.md.

How the Pipeline Works

Source asset → Importer → Processor → Writer → .xnb file (compiled)

• The .mgcb file defines which assets to build, which importer/processor to use, and build settings.
• The MGCB Editor is a GUI tool to manage the .mgcb file — use it to add, configure, and remove assets.
• At runtime, ContentManager.Load<T>() reads the compiled .xnb files.

Loading Assets

All asset loading belongs in LoadContent(). Never load assets in Update() or Draw().