---
generated_by: gdlink-build
generated_at: 2026-06-23T12:34:28Z
do_not_edit: true
title: Parent
brick_type: executor
tier: Basic
generated: true
---

# Parent

**Category:** Executor
**Tier:** Basic

## Purpose

Manages real-time scene tree manipulation.

## Visual Reference

```{raw} html
<div class="illustration-container"><div class="illustration-box"><div class="box-header">As added to your scene</div><img src="https://gdlink.solventech.ca/guide/assets/images/bricks/parent_executor.png" alt="Parent brick as it appears in the GDLink editor" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%;height:auto;display:block;margin:0 auto;border-radius:8px;" /></div></div>
```

## Runtime Behavior

**Inputs**
- **Activate** (Boolean): Triggers the specified structural change.

**Properties**
- **Action** (Enum, "Set Child"):
    - **Set Child**: Makes the target object a child of the current node.
    - **Remove Child**: Orphans the target object from its current parent.
    - **Clear Children**: Removes and cleans up all children from the current node.
    - **Instantiate**: Spawns a new scene as a child.
- **Target Node** (NodePath): The object to be reparented or managed.
- **Keep Transform** (Boolean, true): If true, uses native `reparent()` logic to maintain the object's visual position.
- **Destruction Mode** (Enum, "Deferred"):
    - **Deferred**: Uses `queue_free()` for safe deletion.
    - **Immediate**: Uses native cleanup for performance-critical pools.

**P3 Enhancements & Safety**
- **Safe Reparenting**: Automatically handles `Top Level` flags and transform preservation to prevent "teleporting" children.
- **Instantiation Metadata**: Automatically attaches a unique UID to new instances, allowing `Interaction Listeners` to track them immediately.
- **Ladybug Debug**: Logs the successful reparenting or destruction event: `[Hierarchy] Set Child | Target: Sword_01 -> Player_Hand`.

```{raw} html
<div class="illustration-container">
        <div class="illustration-box">
            <div class="box-header">Generated UI Mockup — showing expanded properties</div>
            <div class="real-node brick-executor">
                <div class="real-header">
                    <div class="real-title"><span class="brick-icon-fallback"></span> <span>Parent</span></div>
                    <div class="real-controls"><div class="real-checkbox"></div><div class="real-btn">-</div><div class="real-btn">x</div></div>
                </div>
                <div class="real-inner-panel"><div class="real-row name-row" style="position:relative;"><span class="real-label">Name:</span><div class="real-input" style="color:#666; font-style:italic;">Label this brick...</div><div class="real-port" style="left:-15px;"></div></div><div class="real-row"><span class="real-label">Mode:</span><div class="real-input-dropdown">Set Parent</div></div><div class="real-row"><span class="real-label" style="width: auto; padding-right:8px;">Target:</span><div class="real-input" style="justify-content:space-between; padding:4px 8px;"><span></span><div class="real-input-dropdown-btn" style="padding:2px 6px;">v</div></div></div><div class="real-inline-row" style="margin-top:4px;"><div class="real-inline-btn" style="background:#2f5c2f;">Keep Transform</div></div></div>
            </div>
        </div>
    </div>
```

## Properties

| Property | Type | Default | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mode | option | Set Parent | Set Parent: Reparent to target node. Remove Parent: Move to scene root |
| Target | string |  | Name or path of the new parent node (for Set Parent mode) |
| Keep Transform | bool | True | Preserve world position/rotation after reparenting |