Project Templates Genre-specific scaffolding, AutoLoad patterns, and modular architecture define rapid prototyping. Available Scripts base_game_manager.gd Expert AutoLoad template for game state management (pause, scene transitions, scoring). NEVER Do in Project Templates NEVER hardcode scene paths — get_tree().change_scene_to_file("res://levels/level_1.tscn") in 20 places? Nightmare refactoring. Use AutoLoad + constants OR scene registry. NEVER forget AutoLoad registration — Template includes game_manager.gd but not in Project Settings? Script won't load. MUST add to Project → AutoLoad. NEVER use get_tree().paused without groups — Pausing entire tree = pause menu also freezes. Use process mode groups ( PROCESS_MODE_PAUSABLE vs PROCESS_MODE_ALWAYS ). NEVER skip Input.MOUSE_MODE_CAPTURED in FPS — FPS template without mouse capture = cursor visible during gameplay. Set in player _ready() . NEVER copy-paste templates as-is — Using platformer template for RPG? Leads to architectural debt. UNDERSTAND the structure, then adapt. Directory Structure my_platformer/ ├── project.godot ├── autoloads/ │ ├── game_manager.gd │ ├── audio_manager.gd │ └── scene_transitioner.gd ├── scenes/ │ ├── main_menu.tscn │ ├── game.tscn │ └── pause_menu.tscn ├── entities/ │ ├── player/ │ │ ├── player.tscn │ │ ├── player.gd │ │ └── player_states/ │ └── enemies/ │ ├── base_enemy.gd │ └── goblin/ ├── levels/ │ ├── level_1.tscn │ └── tilesets/ ├── ui/ │ ├── hud.tscn │ └── themes/ ├── audio/ │ ├── music/ │ └── sfx/ └── resources/ └── data/ Core Scripts game_manager.gd: extends Node signal game_started signal game_paused ( paused : bool ) signal level_completed var current_level : int = 1 var score : int = 0 var is_paused : bool = false func start_game ( ) -> void : score = 0 current_level = 1 SceneTransitioner . change_scene ( "res://levels/level_1.tscn" ) game_started . emit ( ) func pause_game ( paused : bool ) -> void : is_paused = paused get_tree ( ) . paused = paused game_paused . emit ( paused ) func complete_level ( ) -> void : current_level += 1 level_completed . emit ( ) Top-Down RPG Template Directory Structure my_rpg/ ├── autoloads/ │ ├── game_data.gd │ ├── dialogue_manager.gd │ └── inventory_manager.gd ├── entities/ │ ├── player/ │ ├── npcs/ │ └── interactables/ ├── maps/ │ ├── overworld/ │ ├── dungeons/ │ └── interiors/ ├── systems/ │ ├── combat/ │ ├── dialogue/ │ ├── quests/ │ └── inventory/ ├── ui/ │ ├── inventory_ui.tscn │ ├── dialogue_box.tscn │ └── quest_log.tscn └── resources/ ├── items/ ├── quests/ └── dialogues/ Core Systems inventory_manager.gd: extends Node signal item_added ( item : Resource ) signal item_removed ( item : Resource ) var inventory : Array [ Resource ] = [ ] func add_item ( item : Resource ) -> void : inventory . append ( item ) item_added . emit ( item ) func remove_item ( item : Resource ) -> bool : if item in inventory : inventory . erase ( item ) item_removed . emit ( item ) return true return false func has_item ( item_id : String ) -> bool : for item in inventory : if item . id == item_id : return true return false 3D FPS Template Directory Structure my_fps/ ├── autoloads/ │ ├── game_manager.gd │ └── weapon_manager.gd ├── player/ │ ├── player.tscn │ ├── player.gd │ ├── camera_controller.gd │ └── weapons/ │ ├── weapon_base.gd │ ├── pistol/ │ └── rifle/ ├── enemies/ │ ├── ai_controller.gd │ └── soldier/ ├── levels/ │ ├── level_1/ │ └── level_2/ ├── ui/ │ ├── hud.tscn │ └── crosshair.tscn └── resources/ ├── weapons/ └── pickups/ Player Controller player.gd: extends CharacterBody3D @ export var speed := 5.0 @ export var jump_velocity := 4.5 var gravity : float = ProjectSettings . get_setting ( "physics/3d/default_gravity" ) @ onready var camera : Camera3D = $Camera3D @ onready var weapon_holder : Node3D = $Camera3D / WeaponHolder func _ready ( ) -> void : Input . mouse_mode = Input . MOUSE_MODE_CAPTURED func _physics_process ( delta : float ) -> void : if not is_on_floor ( ) : velocity . y -= gravity * delta if Input . is_action_just_pressed ( "jump" ) and is_on_floor ( ) : velocity . y = jump_velocity var input_dir := Input . get_vector ( "move_left" , "move_right" , "move_forward" , "move_backward" ) var direction := ( transform . basis * Vector3 ( input_dir . x , 0 , input_dir . y ) ) . normalized ( ) if direction : velocity . x = direction . x * speed velocity . z = direction . z * speed else : velocity . x = move_toward ( velocity . x , 0 , speed ) velocity . z = move_toward ( velocity . z , 0 , speed ) move_and_slide ( ) Input Map Template

All templates should include these actions:

[ input ] move_left = Keys: A, Left, Gamepad Left move_right = Keys: D, Right, Gamepad Right move_up = Keys: W, Up, Gamepad Up move_down = Keys: S, Down, Gamepad Down jump = Keys: Space, Gamepad A interact = Keys: E, Gamepad X pause = Keys: Escape, Gamepad Start ui_accept = Keys: Enter, Gamepad A ui_cancel = Keys: Escape, Gamepad B Usage Copy template structure Rename project in project.godot Register AutoLoads Configure Input Map Begin development Reference GDSkills godot-project-foundations Related Master Skill: godot-master