Godot Export & Builds (4.x)

Turn a project into runnable platform builds via export presets and the command line, and handle the web/dedicated-server gotchas. Targets Godot 4.7.

When to use

• Use when producing a shippable build: installing export templates, creating/editing export presets, exporting from the editor or headless CLI (CI), or troubleshooting web (HTML5) and dedicated-server exports.

When not to use: storefront publishing flows → steam-publish/itch-publish; the networking code of a server → godot-multiplayer (this skill covers building it headless).

Core workflow

1. Install export templates matching your engine version: Editor menu > Manage Export Templates (download), or install the .tpz offline. Versions must match the editor exactly. Since 4.7 the downloader can fetch templates for a single platform or architecture instead of the full set.
2. Add export presets in Project > Export: pick a platform (Windows Desktop, macOS, Linux, Web, Android, iOS), set the export path, icons, features, and resource include/exclude filters. Presets are saved to export_presets.cfg.
3. Export from the editor with Export Project (release) or Export PCK/ZIP.
4. Or export headless from the CLI for automation/CI using --export-release "<preset name>" <output path>.
5. Per platform: Web needs cross-origin isolation (COOP/COEP) only if the preset's Thread Support is on (off by default); Android needs the SDK/keystore; macOS/iOS need signing for distribution.
6. Smoke-test the build on the target before shipping, exported builds use res:// read-only; write to user://.

Patterns

1. Headless CLI export (CI-friendly)