Configuring an IDE

We assume that you already cloned and compiled Godot.

You can easily develop Godot with any text editor and by invoking scons on the command line, but if you want to work with an IDE (Integrated Development Environment), here are setup instructions for some popular ones:

It is possible to use other IDEs, but their setup is not documented yet.

Qt Creator

Importing the project

  • Choose New Project -> Import Project -> Import Existing Project.
../../_images/qtcreator-new-project.png
  • Set the path to your Godot root directory and enter the project name.
../../_images/qtcreator-set-project-path.png
  • Here you can choose which folders and files will be visible to the project. C/C++ files are added automatically. Potentially useful additions: *.py for buildsystem files, *.java for Android development, *.mm for macOS. Click “Next”.
../../_images/qtcreator-apply-import-filter.png
  • Click Finish.
  • Add a line containing . to project_name.includes to get working code completion.
../../_images/qtcreator-project-name-includes.png

Build and run

Build configuration:

  • Click on Projects and open the Build tab.
  • Delete the pre-defined make build step.
../../_images/qtcreator-projects-build.png
  • Click Add Build Step -> Custom Process Step.
../../_images/qtcreator-add-custom-process-step.png
  • Type scons in the Command field. If it fails with ‘Could not start process “scons”’, it can mean that scons is not in your PATH environment variable, so you may have to use the full path to the SCons binary.
  • Fill the Arguments field with your compilation options. (e.g.: p=x11 target=debug -j 4)
../../_images/qtcreator-set-scons-command.png

Run configuration:

  • Open the Run tab.
  • Point the Executable to your compiled Godot binary (e.g: %{buildDir}/bin/godot.x11.opt.tools.64)
  • If you want to run a specific game or project, point Working directory to the game directory.
  • If you want to run the editor, add -e to the Command line arguments field.
../../_images/qtcreator-run-command.png

Updating Sources after pulling latest commits

As a developer you usually want to frequently pull the latest commits from the upstream git repository or a specific fork etc. However this brings a little problem with it: as the development continues, source files (and folders) are added or removed. These changes needs to be reflected in your project files for Qt Creator too, so you continue to have a nice experience coding in it. A simple way to check these things, is to right click at your root folder in the “Projects View” and click on “Edit files…”

../../_images/qtcreator-edit-files-menu.png

Now a new dialog should appear that is similar in functionality to the one in the third step of the “Importing the project” section. Here now you can check whether you want to add/remove specific files and/or folders. You can chose by clicking with your mouse or just simply by clicking the “Apply Filter” button. A simple click on “Ok” and you’re ready to continue your work.

../../_images/qtcreator-edit-files-dialog.png

Kdevelop

Kdevelop is a free, open source IDE for all desktop platforms.

You can find a video tutorial here. Or you may follow this text version tutorial.

Start by opening Kdevelop and choosing “open project”.

../../_images/kdevelop_newproject.png

Choose the directory where you cloned Godot.

../../_images/kdevelop_openproject.png

For the build system, choose “custom build system”.

../../_images/kdevelop_custombuild.png

Now that the project has been imported, open the project configuration.

../../_images/kdevelop_openconfig.png

Add the following includes/imports:

.  // a dot to indicate the root of the Godot project
core/
core/os/
core/math/
tools/
drivers/
platform/x11/  // make that platform/osx/ if you're using OS X
../../_images/kdevelop_addincludes.png

Apply the changes then switch to the “Custom Buildsystem” tab. Leave the build directory blank. Enable build tools and add scons as the executable and add platform=x11 target=debug (platform=osx if you’re on OS X).

../../_images/kdevelop_buildconfig.png

Next we need to tell KDevelop where to find the binary. From the “run” menu, choose “Configure Launches”.

../../_images/kdevelop_configlaunches.png

Click “Add new” if no launcher exists. Then add the path to your executable in the executable section. Your executable should be located in the bin/ sub-directory and should be named something like godot.x11.tools.64 (the name could be different depending on your platform and depending on your build options).

../../_images/kdevelop_configlaunches2.png

That’s it! Now you should be good to go :)

Xcode

Project Setup

  • Create an Xcode external build project anywhere
../../_images/xcode_1_create_external_build_project.png
  • Set the Build tool to the path to scons

Modify Build Target’s Xcode Info Tab:

  • Set Arguments to something like: platform=osx tools=yes bits=64 target=debug
  • Set Directory to the path to Godot’s source folder. Keep it blank if project is already there.
  • You may uncheck Pass build settings in environment
../../_images/xcode_2_configure_scons.png

Add a Command Line Target:

  • Go to Xcode File > New > Target… and add a new Xcode command line target
../../_images/xcode_3_add_new_target.png ../../_images/xcode_4_select_command_line_target.png
  • Name it something so you know not to compile with this target
  • e.g. GodotXcodeIndex
  • Goto the newly created target’s Build Settings tab and search for Header Search Paths
  • Set Header Search Paths to an absolute path to Godot’s source folder
  • Make it recursive by adding two *’s to the end of the path
  • e.g. /Users/me/repos/godot-source/\**

Add Godot Source to the Project:

  • Drag and drop godot source into project file browser.
  • Uncheck Create External Build System
../../_images/xcode_5_after_add_godot_source_to_project.png
  • Click Next
  • Select create groups
../../_images/xcode_6_after_add_godot_source_to_project_2.png
  • Check off only your command line target in the Add to targets section
  • Click finish. Xcode will now index the files.
  • Grab a cup of coffee… Maybe make something to eat, too
  • You should have jump to definition, auto completion, and full syntax highlighting when it is done.

Scheme Setup

Edit Build Scheme of External Build Target:

  • Open scheme editor of external build target
  • Expand the Build menu
  • Goto Post Actions
  • Add a new script run action, select your project in Provide build settings from as this allows you to use ${PROJECT_DIR} variable.
../../_images/xcode_7_setup_build_post_action.png
  • Write a script that gives the binary a name that Xcode will recognize
  • e.g. ln -f ${PROJECT_DIR}/godot/bin/godot.osx.tools.64 ${PROJECT_DIR}/godot/bin/godot
  • Build the external build target

Edit Run Scheme of External Build Target:

  • Open the scheme editor again
  • Click Run
../../_images/xcode_8_setup_run_scheme.png
  • Set the Executable to the file you linked in your post build action script
  • Check Debug executable if it isn’t already
  • You can go to Arguments tab and add an -e and a -path to a project to debug the editor not the project selection screen

Test it:

  • Set a breakpoint in platform/osx/godot_main_osx.mm
  • It should break at the point!