GDScript Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need in One Place

GDScript is Godot's built-in scripting language. It's designed specifically for game development - fast to write, easy to read, and tightly integrated with the engine. If you're coming from Python, it'll feel familiar. If you're coming from C# or JavaScript, you'll appreciate how little boilerplate it needs.

This is a reference, not a tutorial. Bookmark it and come back when you need to remember how something works.

Variables and Types

GDScript

# Basic types
var health: int = 100
var speed: float = 5.5
var name: String = "Player"
var alive: bool = true
var direction: Vector2 = Vector2(1, 0)
var position: Vector3 = Vector3.ZERO
# Type inference
var score := 0          # int
var damage := 10.5      # float
var label := "Hello"    # String
# Constants
const MAX_SPEED: float = 10.0
const GRAVITY: float = 9.8
# Enums
enum State { IDLE, RUN, JUMP, ATTACK }
var current_state: State = State.IDLE
# Exports (editable in Inspector)
@export var max_health: int = 100
@export var walk_speed: float = 3.0
@export var player_name: String = "Hero"
@export var item_scene: PackedScene
@export_range(0, 100, 1) var volume: int = 80
@export_enum("Sword", "Axe", "Bow") var weapon: String
@export_group("Movement")
@export var run_speed: float = 6.0
@export var jump_force: float = 8.0

Functions

GDScript

# Basic function
func take_damage(amount: int) -> void:
    health -= amount
# Return value
func get_speed() -> float:
    return speed * speed_multiplier
# Default parameters
func heal(amount: int = 10) -> void:
    health = mini(health + amount, max_health)
# Optional return type
func is_alive() -> bool:
    return health > 0
# Static function (callable without instance)
static func calculate_damage(attack: int, defense: int) -> int:
    return maxi(attack - defense, 1)
# Lambda / anonymous function
var double := func(x: int) -> int: return x * 2

Control Flow

GDScript

# If / elif / else
if health <= 0:
    die()
elif health < 20:
    show_warning()
else:
    regenerate()
# Match (like switch)
match current_state:
    State.IDLE:
        play_idle()
    State.RUN:
        play_run()
    State.JUMP, State.ATTACK:
        # Multiple values
        play_action()
    _:
        # Default
        pass
# Ternary
var label := "Dead" if health <= 0 else "Alive"
# For loops
for i in range(10):          # 0 to 9
    print(i)
for item in inventory:       # Iterate array
    print(item.name)
for key in stats:            # Iterate dictionary keys
    print(key, stats[key])
# While loop
while not is_on_floor():
    velocity.y -= gravity * delta

Collections

GDScript

# Arrays
var items: Array[String] = ["Sword", "Shield", "Potion"]
items.append("Bow")
items.remove_at(0)
items.has("Shield")          # true
items.size()                 # 3
items.find("Potion")         # index or -1
items.sort()
items.shuffle()
items.filter(func(i): return i != "Bow")
items.map(func(i): return i.to_upper())
# Typed arrays
var enemies: Array[Enemy] = []
var numbers: Array[int] = [1, 2, 3]
# Dictionary
var stats: Dictionary = {
    "health": 100,
    "strength": 15,
    "defense": 10,
}
stats["health"]               # 100
stats.get("mana", 0)          # 0 (default)
stats.has("strength")          # true
stats.keys()                   # Array of keys
stats.values()                 # Array of values
stats.erase("defense")
stats.merge({"speed": 5})

Strings

GDScript

var name := "Adventurer"
# String operations
name.length()                  # 10
name.to_upper()                # "ADVENTURER"
name.to_lower()                # "adventurer"
name.begins_with("Adv")       # true
name.contains("vent")          # true
name.replace("er", "or")      # "Adventuror"
name.split("e")                # ["Adv", "ntur", "r"]
# String formatting
var msg := "HP: %d / %d" % [health, max_health]
var pos := "Position: %.2f, %.2f" % [x, y]
# String interpolation (Godot 4.x - no built-in f-strings, use % or +)
var greeting := "Hello, " + name + "!"

Node Lifecycle

GDScript

extends CharacterBody3D
# Called when node enters the scene tree
func _ready() -> void:
    pass
# Called every frame (variable delta)
func _process(delta: float) -> void:
    pass
# Called at fixed rate (default 60/sec) - use for physics
func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
    pass
# Called for unhandled input events
func _unhandled_input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
    pass
# Called for all input events
func _input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
    pass
# Called when node exits the scene tree
func _exit_tree() -> void:
    pass

Input

GDScript

# Polling (check state right now)
if Input.is_action_pressed("move_forward"):    # Held down
    move()
if Input.is_action_just_pressed("jump"):       # Just pressed this frame
    jump()
if Input.is_action_just_released("attack"):    # Just released this frame
    stop_charging()
# Movement vector (combines 4 directional inputs into Vector2)
var input := Input.get_vector("left", "right", "forward", "back")
# Mouse
Input.set_mouse_mode(Input.MOUSE_MODE_CAPTURED)
Input.set_mouse_mode(Input.MOUSE_MODE_VISIBLE)
# Event-based (in _unhandled_input or _input)
func _unhandled_input(event: InputEvent) -> void:
    if event is InputEventMouseMotion:
        rotate_y(-event.relative.x * sensitivity)
    if event is InputEventKey:
        if event.pressed and event.keycode == KEY_ESCAPE:
            get_tree().quit()

Signals

GDScript

# Define a signal
signal health_changed(new_health: int)
signal died
# Emit a signal
func take_damage(amount: int) -> void:
    health -= amount
    health_changed.emit(health)
    if health <= 0:
        died.emit()
# Connect a signal (in code)
func _ready() -> void:
    $Enemy.died.connect(_on_enemy_died)
func _on_enemy_died() -> void:
    score += 100
# Connect with lambda
$Button.pressed.connect(func(): print("clicked"))
# One-shot connection (auto-disconnects after firing once)
$Timer.timeout.connect(_on_timeout, CONNECT_ONE_SHOT)
# Disconnect
$Enemy.died.disconnect(_on_enemy_died)
# Check if connected
$Enemy.died.is_connected(_on_enemy_died)

Node References

GDScript

# Get child node (same scene)
@onready var sprite: Sprite2D = $Sprite2D
@onready var health_bar: ProgressBar = $UI/HealthBar
@onready var anim: AnimationPlayer = $AnimationPlayer
# Export (set in Inspector - survives restructuring)
@export var target: Node3D
@export var weapon_scene: PackedScene
# Get node by path
var player := get_node("/root/Main/Player")
# Get parent
var parent := get_parent()
# Get children
for child in get_children():
    if child is Enemy:
        child.take_damage(10)
# Groups
add_to_group("enemies")
if is_in_group("enemies"):
    pass
var all_enemies := get_tree().get_nodes_in_group("enemies")
# Find nodes
var camera := get_viewport().get_camera_3d()

Scenes and Instantiation

GDScript

# Load a scene
var enemy_scene: PackedScene = preload("res://scenes/enemy.tscn")
# Instantiate
var enemy := enemy_scene.instantiate()
add_child(enemy)
enemy.global_position = Vector3(10, 0, 5)
# Remove from scene
enemy.queue_free()
# Change scene
get_tree().change_scene_to_file("res://scenes/game_over.tscn")
get_tree().change_scene_to_packed(preload("res://scenes/menu.tscn"))
# Reload current scene
get_tree().reload_current_scene()

Physics and Movement (CharacterBody3D)

GDScript

extends CharacterBody3D
@export var speed: float = 5.0
@export var jump_force: float = 8.0
@export var gravity: float = 20.0
func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
    # Gravity
    if not is_on_floor():
        velocity.y -= gravity * delta
    # Jump
    if Input.is_action_just_pressed("jump") and is_on_floor():
        velocity.y = jump_force
    # Movement
    var input := Input.get_vector("left", "right", "forward", "back")
    velocity.x = input.x * speed
    velocity.z = input.y * speed
    move_and_slide()
# Useful checks after move_and_slide()
is_on_floor()
is_on_wall()
is_on_ceiling()
get_last_slide_collision()

Timers

GDScript

# Create timer in code
var timer := Timer.new()
timer.wait_time = 2.0
timer.one_shot = true
timer.timeout.connect(_on_timer_done)
add_child(timer)
timer.start()
# Quick one-shot timer
await get_tree().create_timer(1.5).timeout
print("1.5 seconds later")
# Scene tree timer (no node needed)
get_tree().create_timer(0.5).timeout.connect(func(): print("done"))

Tweens

GDScript

# Create tween
var tween := create_tween()
# Move to position over 0.5 seconds
tween.tween_property(self, "position", Vector3(10, 0, 0), 0.5)
# Chain animations
tween.tween_property(self, "modulate:a", 0.0, 0.3)  # Fade out
tween.tween_callback(queue_free)                       # Then remove
# Parallel tweens
tween.set_parallel(true)
tween.tween_property(self, "position:y", 5.0, 0.3)
tween.tween_property(self, "rotation:y", PI, 0.3)
# Easing
tween.tween_property(self, "position", target, 0.5)\
    .set_ease(Tween.EASE_OUT)\
    .set_trans(Tween.TRANS_CUBIC)
# Loop
tween.set_loops(3)  # Repeat 3 times
tween.set_loops(0)  # Loop forever

Resources

GDScript

# Define a custom Resource
class_name ItemData
extends Resource
@export var id: String
@export var name: String
@export var icon: Texture2D
@export var value: int
# Load a resource
var sword: ItemData = load("res://data/items/sword.tres")
var sword2: ItemData = preload("res://data/items/sword.tres")  # Compile-time
# Create at runtime
var item := ItemData.new()
item.name = "Potion"
item.value = 50
# Save a resource
ResourceSaver.save(item, "user://custom_item.tres")

File I/O

GDScript

# Write JSON
func save_data(data: Dictionary) -> void:
    var file := FileAccess.open("user://save.json", FileAccess.WRITE)
    file.store_string(JSON.stringify(data, "\t"))
# Read JSON
func load_data() -> Dictionary:
    if not FileAccess.file_exists("user://save.json"):
        return {}
    var file := FileAccess.open("user://save.json", FileAccess.READ)
    var json := JSON.new()
    if json.parse(file.get_as_text()) == OK:
        return json.data
    return {}
# ConfigFile (INI-style)
var config := ConfigFile.new()
config.set_value("audio", "volume", 0.8)
config.save("user://settings.cfg")
config.load("user://settings.cfg")
var vol: float = config.get_value("audio", "volume", 1.0)
# Check paths
FileAccess.file_exists("user://save.json")
DirAccess.dir_exists_absolute("user://saves/")

Math Helpers

GDScript

# Common math
abs(-5)                    # 5
sign(-3.2)                 # -1.0
clamp(value, 0, 100)      # Constrain to range
clampf(0.5, 0.0, 1.0)     # Float version
clampi(50, 0, 100)         # Int version
mini(a, b)                 # Smaller int
maxi(a, b)                 # Larger int
minf(a, b)                 # Smaller float
maxf(a, b)                 # Larger float
# Interpolation
lerp(0.0, 100.0, 0.5)     # 50.0
lerpf(a, b, t)             # Float lerp
lerp_angle(a, b, t)        # Angle lerp (handles wrapping)
# Random
randf()                    # 0.0 to 1.0
randi()                    # Random int
randf_range(1.0, 10.0)    # Float in range
randi_range(1, 6)          # Int in range (inclusive)
# Vectors
var v := Vector3(1, 2, 3)
v.normalized()             # Unit vector
v.length()                 # Magnitude
v.distance_to(other)       # Distance between two vectors
v.direction_to(other)      # Normalized direction
v.lerp(other, 0.5)         # Halfway between
v.dot(other)               # Dot product
v.cross(other)             # Cross product (3D)
# Angles
deg_to_rad(90.0)           # 1.5708
rad_to_deg(PI)             # 180.0
atan2(y, x)                # Angle from components

Autoloads (Singletons)

GDScript

# Set up: Project → Project Settings → Autoload → Add script
# GameManager.gd (autoloaded as "GameManager")
extends Node
var score: int = 0
var current_level: int = 1
signal score_changed(new_score: int)
func add_score(amount: int) -> void:
    score += amount
    score_changed.emit(score)
# Use from anywhere:
GameManager.add_score(100)
GameManager.score_changed.connect(_on_score_changed)

Coroutines (Await)

GDScript

# Wait for a signal
await $AnimationPlayer.animation_finished
# Wait for a timer
await get_tree().create_timer(2.0).timeout
# Wait for a tween
var tween := create_tween()
tween.tween_property(self, "position:y", 10.0, 1.0)
await tween.finished
# Async function
func fade_out() -> void:
    var tween := create_tween()
    tween.tween_property(self, "modulate:a", 0.0, 0.5)
    await tween.finished
    queue_free()

Class Inheritance

GDScript

# Base class
# weapon.gd
class_name Weapon
extends Node3D
@export var damage: int = 10
@export var attack_speed: float = 1.0
func attack() -> void:
    print("Base attack")
# Derived class
# sword.gd
class_name Sword
extends Weapon
func _ready() -> void:
    damage = 25
func attack() -> void:
    super.attack()  # Call parent method
    print("Sword slash!")
# Type checking
if weapon is Sword:
    weapon.special_ability()

Common Patterns

GDScript

# Null-safe access
var health_bar := get_node_or_null("UI/HealthBar")
if health_bar:
    health_bar.value = health
# Deferred calls (safe for physics/tree changes)
call_deferred("add_child", new_node)
set_deferred("monitoring", true)
queue_free()  # Already deferred
# Process mode (pause behavior)
process_mode = Node.PROCESS_MODE_ALWAYS      # Runs during pause
process_mode = Node.PROCESS_MODE_PAUSABLE    # Stops during pause (default)
process_mode = Node.PROCESS_MODE_DISABLED    # Never runs
# Pause the game
get_tree().paused = true
get_tree().paused = false

This covers the most-used parts of GDScript. For the full API reference, the official Godot docs are comprehensive.

If you want to learn these patterns by building real game systems - not just reading syntax - check out the quest board. Every course teaches GDScript through hands-on projects: inventory systems, combat, AI, save/load, and more.