Gdscript

GDScript Development

Script Structure

extends Node2D  # or Node3D, CharacterBody2D, etc.

# Export variables for editor inspection
@export var speed: float = 200.0
@export var health: int = 100

# Node references
@onready var sprite = $Sprite2D
@onready var animation_player = $AnimationPlayer

# Signals
signal health_changed(new_health)
signal died()

# Private variables
var _velocity: Vector2 = Vector2.ZERO
var _is_alive: bool = true

func _ready():
    # Initialize when node enters scene tree
    pass

func _process(delta: float):
    # Called every frame
    pass

func _physics_process(delta: float):
    # Called every physics frame (fixed timestep)
    pass

Common Node Types

• Node2D/Node3D: Base spatial nodes
• CharacterBody2D/3D: Player/enemy movement with physics
• RigidBody2D/3D: Physics-driven objects
• StaticBody2D/3D: Static collision objects
• Area2D/3D: Trigger zones
• Sprite2D/Sprite3D: Visual sprites
• AnimationPlayer: Animation playback
• Timer: Delayed execution
• Camera2D/Camera3D: Viewport control

Signal Pattern

# Define signal
signal player_hit(damage: int)

# Connect in code
enemy.player_hit.connect(_on_player_hit)

# Connect in editor (via @export)
func _on_player_hit(damage: int):
    health -= damage
    health_changed.emit(health)

Movement Patterns

2D Character Movement

extends CharacterBody2D

@export var speed: float = 200.0
@export var jump_velocity: float = -400.0

var gravity = ProjectSettings.get_setting("physics/2d/default_gravity")

func _physics_process(delta):
    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()

3D Character Movement

extends CharacterBody3D

@export var speed: float = 5.0
@export var jump_velocity: float = 4.5

var gravity = ProjectSettings.get_setting("physics/3d/default_gravity")

func _physics_process(delta):
    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 input_dir = Input.get_vector("move_left", "move_right", "move_forward", "move_back")
    var direction = (transform.basis * Vector3(input_dir.x, 0, input_dir.y)).normalized()

    if direction:
        velocity.x = direction.x * speed
        velocity.z = direction.z * speed
    else:
        velocity.x = move_toward(velocity.x, 0, speed)
        velocity.z = move_toward(velocity.z, 0, speed)

    move_and_slide()

Best Practices

1. Use @onready for node references (resolved when scene enters tree)
2. Use @export for editor-configurable values
3. Prefer move_and_slide() for character physics
4. Use signals for decoupled communication
5. Type variables when possible for better performance
6. Use _physics_process() for physics calculations
7. Use _process() for visual/gameplay updates

Debug Tips

• Use print() or prints() for console output
• Use breakpoint keyword or push_warning() for debugging
• Enable "Visible Collision Shapes" in Debug menu
• Use the Debugger panel for breakpoints and profiling

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: LeeX852
• Source: LeeX852/skills
• License: MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.