Godot GDScript (4.x)

Write correct, statically typed GDScript and use the node lifecycle and signal system the way the engine intends. Targets Godot 4.7 (GDScript 2.0).

When to use

• Use when writing or fixing .gd files: declaring variables, functions, classes, using @export/@onready, connecting signals, or awaiting coroutines/signals.
• Use when porting Godot 3.x scripts to 4.x and the script no longer parses.

When not to use: scene/node structure and instancing questions → godot-nodes-scenes; signal architecture/decoupling patterns → godot-signals-groups; using C# instead of GDScript → godot-csharp.

Core workflow

1. Type everything you can. GDScript 2.0 supports static types (var hp: int = 10, func add(a: int, b: int) -> int:). Types catch errors at parse time and speed up the VM. Use := for inferred types.
2. Use the lifecycle callbacks for their purpose: _ready() once when the node and its children enter the tree; _process(delta) every rendered frame; _physics_process(delta) on the fixed physics tick (use it for movement/physics).
3. Grab node references with @onready, not in _init(), children do not exist until the node enters the tree.
4. Expose tunables with @export so designers edit them in the Inspector.
5. React to events with signals + await, not polling, where it reads cleanly.
6. Run and read errors. The Debugger panel prints typed errors with line numbers; fix the first error first (later ones are often cascades).

Patterns

1. A typed script with lifecycle, @export, and @onready

extends Node2D
class_name Spinner            # registers a global type usable in other scripts

@export var speed: float = 90.0          # editable in the Inspector (degrees/sec)
@export_range(0, 10, 0.5) var wobble := 2.0
@onready var sprite: Sprite2D = $Sprite2D # resolved when the node enters the tree