Using the Godot Command (with examples)

Running a Project or Opening the Project Manager

To run a project in Godot, you can use the godot command. If the current directory contains a project.godot file, the project will be run. Otherwise, the project manager will be opened.

godot

Motivation: This command is useful when you want to quickly run your Godot project without navigating through menus in the Godot editor.

Explanation: The godot command without any arguments will either run the current project or open the project manager. The presence of a project.godot file in the current directory determines the behavior.

Example Output:

• If the current directory contains a project.godot file, the project will run and you will see the game window with your project.
• If the current directory does not contain a project.godot file, the project manager will open with a list of projects.

Editing a Project

You can use the godot command with the -e option to edit a project. The current directory must contain a project.godot file for this to work.

godot -e

Motivation: This command allows you to quickly open your project for editing without navigating through menus in the Godot editor. It is particularly handy when you have multiple projects and want to switch between them easily.

Explanation: The -e option tells Godot to open the project for editing. The presence of a project.godot file in the current directory is required.

Example Output: If the current directory contains a project.godot file, the project will open in the editor, allowing you to modify and add new scenes, scripts, and assets.

Opening the Project Manager

Even if the current directory contains a project.godot file, you can still open the project manager using the godot command with the -p option.

godot -p

Motivation: This command is useful when you want to open the project manager to manage multiple projects, even if the current directory contains a project.godot file. It allows you to easily switch between different projects without having to close and reopen the Godot editor.

Explanation: The -p option tells Godot to open the project manager. This will happen regardless of whether the current directory contains a project.godot file or not.

Example Output: The project manager will open, displaying a list of projects. You can then select the project you want to work on or create a new project.

Exporting a Project

To export a Godot project for a specific platform or preset, you can use the godot command with the --export option followed by the desired preset and the output path.

godot --export preset output_path

Motivation: This command is useful when you want to distribute your Godot game for specific platforms or create standalone executables. It allows you to export your project with the necessary settings and assets for a particular target platform or preset.

Explanation: The --export option is used to indicate that you want to export the project. The preset argument specifies the name of the export preset defined in your project. The output_path argument refers to the location where the exported project will be saved.

Example Output: The project will be exported according to the specified preset and saved at the specified output path. This could be a standalone executable or a package suitable for distribution on a specific platform.

Executing a Standalone GDScript File

If you have a standalone GDScript file that inherits from SceneTree or MainLoop, you can use the godot command with the -s option to execute it.

godot -s script.gd

Motivation: This command is useful when you have a standalone GDScript file that does not require a full Godot project. It allows you to quickly test and execute the script without having to create a project or navigate through the Godot editor.

Explanation: The -s option tells Godot to execute the specified GDScript file. The file should contain a script that inherits from either SceneTree or MainLoop for it to run properly.

Example Output: The script will be executed, and the output will depend on the content and behavior defined in the GDScript file. This could include logging information, displaying visuals, or performing certain calculations.