# 2d Essentials

Use when working with 2D-specific systems, TileMaps, parallax scrolling, 2D lights and...

- Repository: https://github.com/jame581/GodotPrompter (914 stars)
- Category: Engineering
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add jame581/GodotPrompter --skill 2d-essentials -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add jame581/GodotPrompter --skill 2d-essentials -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add jame581/GodotPrompter --skill 2d-essentials -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add jame581/GodotPrompter --skill 2d-essentials -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add jame581/GodotPrompter`

## Description

Use when working with 2D-specific systems, TileMaps, parallax scrolling, 2D lights and shadows, canvas layers, particles 2D, custom drawing, and 2D meshes in Godot 4.3+

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# 2D Essentials in Godot 4.3+

All examples target Godot 4.3+ with no deprecated APIs. GDScript is shown first, then C#.

> **Related skills:** **player-controller** for CharacterBody2D movement patterns, **animation-system** for AnimatedSprite2D and sprite animation, **physics-system** for collision shapes and raycasting, **camera-system** for Camera2D follow and shake, **shader-basics** for 2D shaders and post-processing, **godot-optimization** for rendering and draw call tuning.

---

## 1. Canvas Layers and Draw Order

### Draw Order Rules

Within a single canvas layer, nodes draw in **scene tree order**, nodes listed lower in the Scene panel draw **on top**. Use `z_index` to override without rearranging the tree.

```gdscript
# Draw this node above siblings (default z_index is 0)
z_index = 10

# z_index is relative to the parent by default (z_as_relative = true);
# set it false to make this node's z_index absolute
z_as_relative = false
```

### CanvasLayer

`CanvasLayer` creates a separate rendering layer with its own transform, independent of the camera. Higher `layer` values draw on top.

| Layer | Typical Use |
|-------|-------------|
| -1 | Parallax backgrounds |
| 0 | Default game layer (all Node2D without CanvasLayer) |
| 1 | HUD / UI overlay |
| 2 | Pause menu, screen transitions |

```
# Scene tree example
Main
├── ParallaxBackground (CanvasLayer, layer = -1)
│   └── Parallax2D (follow_viewport = false, the layer doesn't follow the camera)
├── World (Node2D, default layer 0)
│   ├── TileMapLayer
│   └── Player
└── HUD (CanvasLayer, layer = 1)
    └── Control
```

> **Note:** CanvasLayers are NOT required to control draw order. For objects within the same game world, use `z_index` or scene tree ordering. CanvasLayers are for elements that should be independent of the camera (HUD, parallax, transitions).

### Canvas Transform

`Camera2D` works by modifying the viewport's `canvas_transform`. For manual control:

The rest: https://github.com/jame581/GodotPrompter/blob/HEAD/skills/2d-essentials/SKILL.md