# Gdextension

Use when building native extensions for Godot, godot-cpp (C++) or gdext (Rust)...

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

## Description

Use when building native extensions for Godot, godot-cpp (C++) or gdext (Rust), binding classes, building, and GDScript/C# interop

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

# GDExtension

Run native C++ (or Rust) in Godot as a shared library **without recompiling the engine**. Use it for performance-critical code, wrapping existing C/C++ libraries, or language bindings.

> **Related skills:** **csharp-godot** for when C# is enough, **gdscript-advanced** for GDScript performance idioms first, **godot-optimization** for profiling before going native, **addon-development** for distributing the result, **export-pipeline** for shipping the binaries.

---

## 1. When to reach for GDExtension

Reach for GDScript or C# for almost all game logic. Choose GDExtension only when you genuinely need it:

- **Native speed** in a hot loop that GDScript/C# can't keep up with (profile first, see **godot-optimization**).
- **Wrapping a C/C++ library** you must call directly.
- **Building a language binding**.

Contrast with **C++ modules**, which are compiled *into* the engine and therefore require shipping a custom engine binary. GDExtension's key advantage is that it runs against a **stock** Godot, you distribute just a shared library. It is "more complicated to use than GDScript and C#," so don't reach for it by default.

> ⚠️ **Changed in Godot 4.7:** The engine's built-in text servers (`text_server_adv`, `text_server_fb`) can no longer be built as GDExtensions, their `gdextension_build/` scripts were removed. Writing your own text server as a GDExtension by subclassing `TextServerExtension` is unaffected. See [GH-117056](https://github.com/godotengine/godot/pull/117056).

---

## 2. Project & build setup

```bash
mkdir gdextension_example && cd gdextension_example
git init
# IMPORTANT: use the godot-cpp branch matching your target engine version (e.g. 4.3),
# not the literal "4.x".
git submodule add -b 4.3 https://github.com/godotengine/godot-cpp
cd godot-cpp && git submodule update --init && cd ..
```

Directory layout:

The rest: https://github.com/jame581/GodotPrompter/blob/HEAD/skills/gdextension/SKILL.md