Build Scene

Build Scene

Construct Godot scenes from proven patterns. Each pattern includes REQUIRED companion nodes that LLMs commonly forget.

Scene Patterns

Platformer Character

CharacterBody2D "Player"
  CollisionShape2D          # REQUIRED -- CharacterBody2D without this = no collisions
  Sprite2D                  # Visual representation
  AnimationPlayer           # Idle, run, jump, fall animations
  Camera2D                  # Follow camera
    position_smoothing_enabled = true
    position_smoothing_speed = 5.0

Companion rule: CharacterBody2D MUST have a CollisionShape2D child. Without it, move_and_slide() works but detects zero collisions.

Top-Down Character

CharacterBody2D "Player"
  CollisionShape2D          # REQUIRED
  Sprite2D
  NavigationAgent2D         # Pathfinding (if AI/NPC)
    path_desired_distance = 4.0
    target_desired_distance = 4.0

UI Screen

Control "MenuScreen"
  MarginContainer           # Prevents content touching edges
    VBoxContainer           # Vertical layout for menu items
      Label "Title"
      Button "StartButton"
      Button "OptionsButton"
      Button "QuitButton"

Companion rule: Always wrap UI content in MarginContainer first. Direct children of Control have no automatic margins.

Projectile

Area2D "Bullet"
  CollisionShape2D          # REQUIRED -- Area2D signals need this to detect overlaps
  Sprite2D
  VisibleOnScreenNotifier2D # Auto-cleanup when off-screen (connect screen_exited -> queue_free)

Companion rule: Area2D without CollisionShape2D will never emit body_entered or area_entered signals.

Pickup Item

Area2D "Coin"
  CollisionShape2D          # REQUIRED
  Sprite2D
  AudioStreamPlayer         # Pickup sound effect

Tilemap Level

Node2D "Level"
  TileMapLayer              # Godot 4.3+ (NOT TileMap -- deprecated)
  Camera2D
    limit_left = 0
    limit_top = 0

Note: TileMap node is deprecated in Godot 4.3+. Use TileMapLayer instead.

Implementation Steps

1. Identify pattern from user description. Map to the closest template above.

2. Create scene:

   scenes(action="create", scene_path="scenes/<name>.tscn", root_type="<RootType>")
   

3. Add nodes top-down (parent before children):

   nodes(action="add", scene_path="scenes/<name>.tscn", parent=".", type="CollisionShape2D", name="CollisionShape2D")
   nodes(action="add", scene_path="scenes/<name>.tscn", parent=".", type="Sprite2D", name="Sprite2D")
   

4. Configure properties:

   nodes(action="set_property", scene_path="scenes/<name>.tscn", name="Camera2D",
         property="position_smoothing_enabled", value="true")
   

5. Attach script (create from template in add-mechanic skill if needed):

   scripts(action="create", script_path="res://scripts/<name>.gd", content="...")
   

6. Verify scene tree:

   scenes(action="info", scene_path="scenes/<name>.tscn")
   

Common Mistakes to Prevent

• Missing CollisionShape2D on physics bodies/areas (most frequent LLM error)
• Using TileMap instead of TileMapLayer in Godot 4.3+
• Forgetting Camera2D smoothing (causes jarring camera movement)
• Putting UI elements directly under Control without layout containers
• Using RigidBody2D when CharacterBody2D is needed (characters need move_and_slide)

When to Use

• Creating a new game entity (character, enemy, projectile, pickup)
• Setting up a UI screen (menu, HUD, dialog)
• Building a level structure
• Prototyping a scene with correct node hierarchy