Scratch Coder

Scratch Coder

Create Scratch 3.0 projects with Python and ScratchGen.

Setup

pip install "ScratchGen~=1.1"

Quick start

from ScratchGen import *

project = Project()
sprite = project.createSprite('Cat')

sprite.createScript(
    WhenFlagClicked(),
    Show(),
    Say('Hello!')
)

project.save('hello.sb3')

Common pitfalls

• Sprites are hidden by default. Call Show() in WhenFlagClicked().
• Sprites have no default costume. Add costumes via addCostume() or inject them after saving.
• Broadcast() / WhenBroadcastReceived() use null IDs in ScratchGen. Use ChangeVariable on global stage variables for cross-sprite state instead.
• GetAttribute requires ScratchGen constants, not strings: GetAttribute(Y_POSITION, ball).
• Stop(ALL) clears speech bubbles before rendering. Use a game_over state variable plus a dedicated message sprite.
• Stage fence clamps sprites at y = -180 to 180. Keep detection thresholds inside the bounds.

Stage coordinates

• x: -240 to 240
• y: -180 to 180

Physics tips

• Keep MoveSteps(N) <= half the target sprite's width to avoid tunneling.
• For axis-aligned games, store direction as dx/dy stage variables and move with ChangeX(Multiply(dx, speed)).

Save pipeline

project.save() -> add_costumes() -> add_monitors()

Testing

python -c "import zipfile; print(zipfile.ZipFile('project.sb3').namelist())"

Open the file in TurboWarp to verify.

Reference

• references/block-reference.md — complete block reference