#stale-data

GameObject.Destroy() in edit mode is deferred; a query fired right after returns the previous build's objects.

A C# static list/registry survives editor Play stop/start and code hotloads, holding references to destroyed GameObjects: gate iteration on IsValid(), don't rely on clearing alone. It can also mask a new scene's state when stale high-priority entries outrank it. Hand registrations back in OnDestroy.