Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code is a free cross-platform code editor by Microsoft (not to be confused with Visual Studio).

Importing the project

• Make sure the C/C++ extension is installed. You can find instructions in the official documentation. Alternatively, clangd can be used instead.

• When using the clangd extension, run scons compiledb=yes.

• From the Visual Studio Code’s main screen open the Godot root folder with File > Open Folder….

• Press Ctrl + Shift + P to open the command prompt window and enter Configure Task.

• Select the Create tasks.json file from template option.

• Then select Others.

• Within the tasks.json file find the "tasks" array and add a new section to it:

Linux/X11Windows

{
  "label": "build",
  "group": "build",
  "type": "shell",
  "command": "scons",
  "args": [
    "-j $(nproc)"
  ],
  "problemMatcher": "$msCompile"
}

{
  "label": "build",
  "group": "build",
  "type": "shell",
  "command": "scons",
  "args": [
    // Use this when your default shell is Command Prompt (cmd.exe).
    "-j %NUMBER_OF_PROCESSORS%",
    // Use this when your default shell is PowerShell.
    "-j $env:NUMBER_OF_PROCESSORS"
  ],
  "problemMatcher": "$msCompile"
}

An example of a filled out tasks.json.

Arguments can be different based on your own setup and needs. See Introduction to the buildsystem for a full list of arguments.

Debugging the project

To run and debug the project you need to create a new configuration in the launch.json file.

• Press Ctrl + Shift + D to open the Run panel.

• If launch.json file is missing you will be prompted to create a new one.

• Select C++ (GDB/LLDB). There may be another platform specific option here. If selected, adjust the configuration example provided accordingly.

• Within the launch.json file find the "configurations" array and add a new section to it:

X11X11_gdbWindows

{
  "name": "Launch Project",
  "type": "lldb",
  "request": "launch",
  // Change to godot.x11.tools.64.llvm for llvm-based builds.
  "program": "${workspaceFolder}/bin/godot.x11.tools.64",
  // Change the arguments below for the project you want to test with.
  // To run the project instead of editing it, remove the "--editor" argument.
  "args": [ "--editor", "--path", "path-to-your-godot-project-folder" ],
  "stopAtEntry": false,
  "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}",
  "environment": [],
  "externalConsole": false,
  "preLaunchTask": "build"
}

{
  "name": "Launch Project",
  "type": "cppdbg",
  "request": "launch",
  // Change to godot.x11.tools.64.llvm for llvm-based builds.
  "program": "${workspaceFolder}/bin/godot.x11.tools.64",
  // Change the arguments below for the project you want to test with.
  // To run the project instead of editing it, remove the "--editor" argument.
  "args": [ "--editor", "--path", "path-to-your-godot-project-folder" ],
  "stopAtEntry": false,
  "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}",
  "environment": [],
  "externalConsole": false,
  "setupCommands":
  [
    {
      "description": "Enable pretty-printing for gdb",
      "text": "-enable-pretty-printing",
      "ignoreFailures": true
    }
  ],
  "preLaunchTask": "build"
}

{
  "name": "Launch Project",
  "type": "cppvsdbg",
  "request": "launch",
  "program": "${workspaceFolder}/bin/godot.windows.tools.64.exe",
  // Change the arguments below for the project you want to test with.
  // To run the project instead of editing it, remove the "--editor" argument.
  "args": [ "--editor", "--path", "path-to-your-godot-project-folder" ],
  "stopAtEntry": false,
  "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}",
  "environment": [],
  "console": "internalConsole",
  "visualizerFile": "${workspaceFolder}/platform/windows/godot.natvis",
  "preLaunchTask": "build"
}

An example of a filled out launch.json.

Note

Due to sporadic performance issues, it is recommended to use LLDB over GDB on Unix-based systems. Make sure that the CodeLLDB extension is installed.

If you encounter issues with lldb, you may consider using gdb (see the X11_gdb configuration).

Do note that lldb may work better with llvm-based builds. See Compiling for X11 (Linux, *BSD) for further information.

The name under program depends on your build configuration, e.g. godot.x11.tools.64 for 64-bit X11 platform with tools enabled.

If you run into any issues, ask for help in one of Godot’s community channels.