monumentalsystems Godot Development Skill
Engine Detection
Look for: project.godot, .tscn, .tres, .gd, .gdshader, addons/, export_presets.cfg
Project Structure
my_game/
scenes/
player/
player.tscn
player.gd
enemies/
enemy_base.tscn
enemy_base.gd
ui/
hud.tscn
main_menu.tscn
levels/
level_01.tscn
scripts/
autoloads/
game_manager.gd
audio_manager.gd
resources/
weapon_data.gd
utilities/
state_machine.gd
assets/
sprites/
models/
audio/
fonts/
addons/ # Third-party plugins
project.godot
export_presets.cfg
Node Tree Architecture
Everything in Godot is a Node. Scenes are reusable node trees:
# player.gd - attached to the root node of player.tscn
extends CharacterBody2D
@export var speed: float = 200.0
@export var jump_velocity: float = -400.0
@onready var animated_sprite = $AnimatedSprite2D
@onready var collision_shape = $CollisionShape2D
@onready var health_component = $HealthComponent
var gravity: float = ProjectSettings.get_setting("physics/2d/default_gravity")
func _ready() -> void:
# Called when node enters scene tree
health_component.health_depleted.connect(_on_health_depleted)
func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
# Called every physics frame (fixed timestep)
if not is_on_floor():
velocity.y += gravity * delta
if Input.is_action_just_pressed("jump") and is_on_floor():
velocity.y = jump_velocity
var direction = Input.get_axis("move_left", "move_right")
velocity.x = direction * speed
move_and_slide()
func _process(delta: float) -> void:
# Called every frame (variable timestep)
# Use for visual updates, input that doesn't affect physics
pass
func _on_health_depleted() -> void:
queue_free()
Signals (Event System)
Signals are Godot's observer pattern for decoupled communication:
# Defining custom signals
signal health_changed(new_health: float)
signal died
# Emitting signals
func take_damage(amount: float) -> void:
current_health -= amount
health_changed.emit(current_health)
if current_health <= 0:
died.emit()
# Connecting signals (in code)
func _ready() -> void:
# Connect to child node's signal
$HealthComponent.health_changed.connect(_on_health_changed)
# Connect with bind for extra data
$Button.pressed.connect(_on_button_pressed.bind("confirm"))
# Connecting signals (in editor)
# Use the Node > Signals panel to connect visually
Resources (Data-Driven Design)
Custom Resources are Godot's equivalent of ScriptableObjects:
# weapon_data.gd
class_name WeaponData
extends Resource
@export var weapon_name: String = ""
@export var damage: int = 10
@export var attack_speed: float = 1.0
@export var range: float = 100.0
@export var projectile_scene: PackedScene
@export var attack_sound: AudioStream
Usage:
# weapon_controller.gd
extends Node2D
@export var weapon_data: WeaponData
func attack() -> void:
var projectile = weapon_data.projectile_scene.instantiate()
projectile.damage = weapon_data.damage
get_tree().current_scene.add_child(projectile)
State Machine Pattern
# state_machine.gd
class_name StateMachine
extends Node
@export var initial_state: State
var current_state: State
var states: Dictionary = {}
func _ready() -> void:
for child in get_children():
if child is State:
states[child.name.to_lower()] = child
child.transitioned.connect(_on_state_transitioned)
if initial_state:
initial_state.enter()
current_state = initial_state
func _process(delta: float) -> void:
if current_state:
current_state.update(delta)
func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
if current_state:
current_state.physics_update(delta)
func _on_state_transitioned(state: State, new_state_name: String) -> void:
if state != current_state:
return
var new_state = states.get(new_state_name.to_lower())
if new_state:
current_state.exit()
new_state.enter()
current_state = new_state
# state.gd
class_name State
extends Node
signal transitioned(state: State, new_state_name: String)
func enter() -> void:
pass
func exit() -> void:
pass
func update(delta: float) -> void:
pass
func physics_update(delta: float) -> void:
pass
Autoloads (Singletons)
Register in Project > Project Settings > Autoload:
# game_manager.gd (autoload)
extends Node
signal game_paused
signal game_resumed
var score: int = 0
var is_paused: bool = false
func pause_game() -> void:
is_paused = true
get_tree().paused = true
game_paused.emit()
func resume_game() -> void:
is_paused = false
get_tree().paused = false
game_resumed.emit()
Key Rules
- Use @onready for child node references -
@onready var sprite = $Sprite2D - Use @export for inspector-exposed properties - Type-safe, visible in editor
- Use signals for decoupled communication - Never reach up the tree
- Use _physics_process for physics - Fixed timestep, use for movement
- Use _process for visuals - Variable timestep, use for animation/UI
- Use class_name for custom types - Enables type hints and editor integration
- Use Resources for shared data - Not nodes, lighter weight
- Use queue_free() to destroy nodes - Safe deferred deletion
- Use groups for batch operations -
get_tree().get_nodes_in_group("enemies") - Use Tweens for animations -
create_tween().tween_property(self, "position", target, 0.5)
Common Anti-Patterns
get_node()with long paths - use @onready or signals insteadfind_child()in _process - cache references- Not using typed arrays and dictionaries -
var items: Array[Item] = [] - Modifying node tree during iteration - use
call_deferred() - Using
get_tree().reload_current_scene()without cleanup
GDScript Style Guide
snake_casefor functions and variablesPascalCasefor classes and nodesSCREAMING_SNAKE_CASEfor constants- Prefix private members with underscore:
_private_var - Use type hints everywhere:
func attack(target: Enemy) -> int: - Use
StringNamefor frequently compared strings:&"idle"