Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code is a free cross-platform IDE 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:
  1. {
  2.   "label": "build",
  3.   "type": "shell",
  4.   "command": "scons",
  5.   "group": "build",
  6.   "args": [
  7.     "platform=x11", // Change to your current platform
  8.     "target=debug",
  9.     "-j4"
  10.   ],
  11.   "problemMatcher": "$msCompile"
  12. }

../../../_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:
  1. {
  2.   "name": "Launch",
  3.   "type": "cppdbg",
  4.   "request": "launch",
  5.   // Change the path below to match your current platform.
  6.   "program": "${workspaceFolder}/bin/godot.x11.tools.64",
  7.   // Change the arguments below for the project you want to test with.
  8.   // To run the project instead of editing it, remove the "--editor" argument.
  9.   "args": [ "--editor", "--path", "path-to-your-godot-project-folder" ],
  10.   "stopAtEntry": false,
  11.   "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}",
  12.   "environment": [],
  13.   "externalConsole": true,
  14.   "MIMode": "gdb",
  15.   "setupCommands": [
  16.     {
  17.       "description": "Enable pretty-printing for gdb",
  18.       "text": "-enable-pretty-printing",
  19.       "ignoreFailures": true
  20.     }
  21.   ],
  22.   "preLaunchTask": "build"
  23. }

../../../_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.