GDScript & Godot 4 Cheat Sheet

📦 Variables & Types

var health: int = 100
var name: String = "Pip"
var speed: float = 4.5
var is_alive: bool = true
const MAX_HP = 100
@export var jump_force: float = 12.0

Use @export to edit a variable in the Inspector. const values can't change at runtime.

⚙️ Functions

func _ready():
    # runs once when node enters scene
    print("Hello!")

func _process(delta):
    # runs every frame
    position.x += speed * delta

func take_damage(amount: int) -> void:
    health -= amount

🔁 Loops & Conditionals

if health <= 0:
    queue_free()
elif health < 20:
    print("Low HP!")
else:
    print("OK")

for enemy in get_tree().get_nodes_in_group("enemies"):
    enemy.queue_free()

while ammo > 0:
    ammo -= 1

📡 Signals

signal health_changed(new_value)

func take_damage(amount):
    health -= amount
    health_changed.emit(health)

# connect in code:
player.health_changed.connect(_on_health_changed)

func _on_health_changed(value):
    hp_label.text = str(value)

Signals let one node tell other nodes when something happens no tight coupling needed.

🎮 Input & Movement

func _physics_process(delta):
    var dir = Vector2.ZERO
    dir.x = Input.get_axis("ui_left", "ui_right")
    dir.y = Input.get_axis("ui_up", "ui_down")
    velocity = dir.normalized() * speed
    move_and_slide()

    if Input.is_action_just_pressed("jump") and is_on_floor():
        velocity.y = JUMP_FORCE

🌳 Node & Scene Basics

🧱 Common Nodes

⏱️ Built-in Callbacks (Lifecycle)

• _init() — object created (before scene tree)
• _ready() — node + children ready
• _process(delta) — every frame (variable rate)
• _physics_process(delta) — every physics tick (fixed rate)
• _input(event) — raw input events
• _on_* — convention for signal callback functions