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.

  • 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.

../../../_images/vscode_configure_task.png
  • Select the Create tasks.json file from template option.

../../../_images/vscode_create_tasksjson.png
  • Then select Others.

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

{
  "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"
}
../../../_images/vscode_3_tasks.json.png

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.

../../../_images/vscode_1_create_launch.json.png
  • 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:

{
  "name": "Launch Project",
  "type": "cppdbg",
  "request": "launch",
  "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": true,
  "MIMode": "gdb",
  "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"
}
../../../_images/vscode_2_launch.json.png

An example of a filled out launch.json.

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.