Godot Setup Export

Overview

Automates multi-platform export configuration for Godot projects.

Setting up exports is tedious, error-prone, and requires platform-specific knowledge. This skill generates export presets, configures icons and splash screens, sets up feature tags, creates build scripts, and integrates with CI/CD pipelines.

When to Use

Use when:

•Creating exports for a new Godot project
•Adding support for new platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, Web, Mobile)
•Setting up automated builds via GitHub Actions
•Configuring icons, splash screens, or feature tags
•Creating custom export build scripts
•Migrating from local exports to CI/CD

Don't use for:

•Debugging export failures (use godot-debug-exports instead)
•Platform-specific native code compilation
•One-off manual exports (use Godot editor)

Quick Reference

Task	Tool/Method
Generate export presets	`godot --headless --generate-export-presets`
Set icons	`export_presets.cfg` icon field
Configure feature tags	`project.godot` `[feature]` sections
Automated builds	GitHub Actions workflow
Custom scripts	`export_presets.cfg` `custom_template/release`

Core Pattern

Export Preset Generation

Windows Desktop:

ini

[preset.0]
name="Windows Desktop"
platform="Windows Desktop"
export_filter="all_resources"
include_filter=""
export_files=[]
include_filter=""
export_path="builds/windows/Game.exe"
custom_features=""
export_filter="scenes"
export_files=PackedStringArray("res://main.tscn")
[preset.0.options]
custom_template/release=""
custom_template/debug=""

binary_format/architecture="x86_64"
codesign/enable=false
icon="res://assets/icons/windows_icon.ico"

macOS:

ini

[preset.1]
name="macOS"
platform="macOS"
export_filter="all_resources"
export_path="builds/macos/Game.zip"
[preset.1.options]
binary_format/architecture="universal"
codesign/certificate_file=""
codesign/identity=""
icon="res://assets/icons/mac_icon.icns"
export/distribution_type=1

Linux:

ini

[preset.2]
name="Linux"
platform="Linux"
export_filter="all_resources"
export_path="builds/linux/Game.x86_64"
[preset.2.options]
binary_format/architecture="x86_64"
custom_template/release=""
icon="res://assets/icons/linux_icon.png"

Web:

ini

[preset.3]
name="Web"
platform="Web"
export_filter="all_resources"
export_path="builds/web/index.html"
[preset.3.options]
custom_template/release=""
custom_template/debug=""
variant/size_limit=16777216
vram_texture_compression/for_desktop=true
html/canvas_resize_policy=2
html/experimental_virtual_keyboard=false
progressive_web_app/enabled=false

Android:

ini

[preset.4]
name="Android"
platform="Android"
export_filter="all_resources"
export_path="builds/android/Game.apk"
[preset.4.options]
gradle_build/use_gradle_build=false
gradle_build/export_format=0
gradle_build/min_sdk=21
gradle_build/target_sdk=33
version/code=1
version/name="1.0"
architectures/armeabi-v7a=false
architectures/arm64-v8a=true
architectures/x86=false
architectures/x86_64=false
keystore/debug=""
keystore/debug_user=""
keystore/debug_password=""
keystore/release=""
keystore/release_user=""
keystore/release_password=""
icon/export_identifier="com.example.game"

iOS:

ini

[preset.5]
name="iOS"
platform="iOS"
export_filter="all_resources"
export_path="builds/ios/Game.xcodeproj"
[preset.5.options]
binary_format/architecture=1
application/app_store_team_id=""
application/bundle_identifier="com.example.game"
application/short_version="1.0"
application/version="1.0"
application/icon_interpolation=4
application/export_method_release=0
application/targeted_device_family=2
application/remove_simulator_arch=true
codesign/codesign=1
codesign/identity=""
codesign/provisioning_profile=""

Icon and Splash Screen Setup

Icon Requirements by Platform

Platform	Format	Size	Notes
Windows	`.ico`	256x256	Multi-resolution ICO file
macOS	`.icns`	1024x1024	Apple icon format
Linux	`.png`	256x256	Standard PNG
Web	`.png`	512x512	Used for favicon/PWA
Android	`.png`	512x512	Adaptive icons supported
iOS	`.png`	1024x1024	App Store icon

Project Configuration

project.godot:

ini

[application]
config/name="Game Name"
config/description="Game description"
run/main_scene="res://scenes/main.tscn"
config/features=PackedStringArray("4.2", "Mobile")
boot_splash/bg_color=Color(0.14, 0.14, 0.14, 1)
boot_splash/image="res://assets/splash/splash_screen.png"
boot_splash/fullsize=true
boot_splash/use_filter=true

[display]
window/size/viewport_width=1920
window/size/viewport_height=1080
window/stretch/mode="canvas_items"
window/stretch/aspect="expand"

Feature Tags Configuration

Use feature tags for platform-specific behavior:

ini

[feature_tags]
editor=false
standalone=true
debug=false
release=true

; Platform-specific features
windows=false
macos=false
linux=false
android=false
ios=false
web=false
mobile=false
desktop=false

In GDScript:

gdscript

# Platform-specific code
if OS.has_feature("mobile"):
    # Mobile touch controls
    touch_controls.visible = true
elif OS.has_feature("desktop"):
    # Desktop keyboard/mouse
    touch_controls.visible = false

# Debug vs release
if OS.has_feature("debug"):
    show_debug_info()
    enable_cheats()

Custom Build Scripts

Windows Batch Script

batch

@echo off
set PROJECT_PATH=%~dp0
set GODOT_PATH="C:\Program Files\Godot\Godot_v4.x.exe"
set BUILD_DIR=%PROJECT_PATH%builds\windows

if not exist %BUILD_DIR% mkdir %BUILD_DIR%

%GODOT_PATH% --headless --path %PROJECT_PATH% --export-release "Windows Desktop" "%BUILD_DIR%\Game.exe"

if %ERRORLEVEL% NEQ 0 (
    echo Export failed!
    exit /b 1
)

echo Export complete: %BUILD_DIR%\Game.exe

Linux/macOS Shell Script

bash

#!/bin/bash
set -e

PROJECT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
GODOT_PATH="/usr/bin/godot"
BUILD_DIR="$PROJECT_DIR/builds"

mkdir -p "$BUILD_DIR/linux" "$BUILD_DIR/macos" "$BUILD_DIR/web"

# Linux
$GODOT_PATH --headless --path "$PROJECT_DIR" \
    --export-release "Linux" "$BUILD_DIR/linux/Game.x86_64"

# macOS  
$GODOT_PATH --headless --path "$PROJECT_DIR" \
    --export-release "macOS" "$BUILD_DIR/macos/Game.zip"

# Web
$GODOT_PATH --headless --path "$PROJECT_DIR" \
    --export-release "Web" "$BUILD_DIR/web/index.html"

echo "All exports complete!"

PowerShell Script

powershell

$ProjectPath = $PSScriptRoot
$GodotPath = "C:\Program Files\Godot\Godot_v4.x.exe"
$BuildDir = Join-Path $ProjectPath "builds"

New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path $BuildDir | Out-Null

$Presets = @(
    @{ Name = "Windows Desktop"; Path = "$BuildDir\windows\Game.exe" },
    @{ Name = "Linux"; Path = "$BuildDir\linux\Game.x86_64" }
)

foreach ($Preset in $Presets) {
    $Dir = Split-Path $Preset.Path -Parent
    New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path $Dir | Out-Null
    
    & $GodotPath --headless --path $ProjectPath `
        --export-release $Preset.Name $Preset.Path
    
    if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) {
        Write-Error "Export failed for $($Preset.Name)"
        exit 1
    }
}

Write-Host "Exports complete!"

CI/CD Integration

GitHub Actions Workflow

yaml

name: Build and Export

on:
  push:
    branches: [main]
    tags: ['v*']
  pull_request:
    branches: [main]

env:
  GODOT_VERSION: 4.2.1
  EXPORT_NAME: game-name

jobs:
  export-windows:
    name: Windows Export
    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
    container:
      image: barichello/godot-ci:4.2.1
    steps:
      - name: Checkout
        uses: actions/checkout@v4
        
      - name: Setup Godot
        run: |
          mkdir -p ~/.config/godot/
          echo "[export_presets]" > ~/.config/godot/editor_settings-4.tres
          
      - name: Windows Build
        run: |
          mkdir -p build/windows
          godot --headless --verbose --export-release "Windows Desktop" ./build/windows/$EXPORT_NAME.exe
          
      - name: Upload Artifact
        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
        with:
          name: windows
          path: build/windows

  export-linux:
    name: Linux Export
    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
    container:
      image: barichello/godot-ci:4.2.1
    steps:
      - name: Checkout
        uses: actions/checkout@v4
        
      - name: Linux Build
        run: |
          mkdir -p build/linux
          godot --headless --verbose --export-release "Linux" ./build/linux/$EXPORT_NAME.x86_64
          
      - name: Upload Artifact
        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
        with:
          name: linux
          path: build/linux

  export-web:
    name: Web Export
    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
    container:
      image: barichello/godot-ci:4.2.1
    steps:
      - name: Checkout
        uses: actions/checkout@v4
        
      - name: Web Build
        run: |
          mkdir -p build/web
          godot --headless --verbose --export-release "Web" ./build/web/index.html
          
      - name: Upload Artifact
        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
        with:
          name: web
          path: build/web
          
      - name: Deploy to GitHub Pages
        if: github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'
        uses: peaceiris/actions-gh-pages@v3
        with:
          github_token: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}
          publish_dir: ./build/web

  export-android:
    name: Android Export
    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
    container:
      image: barichello/godot-ci:4.2.1
    steps:
      - name: Checkout
        uses: actions/checkout@v4
        
      - name: Setup Android SDK
        run: |
          mkdir -p ~/.config/godot/
          echo "[export_presets]" > ~/.config/godot/editor_settings-4.tres
          
      - name: Android Build
        run: |
          mkdir -p build/android
          godot --headless --verbose --export-release "Android" ./build/android/$EXPORT_NAME.apk
          
      - name: Upload Artifact
        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
        with:
          name: android
          path: build/android

  export-macos:
    name: macOS Export
    runs-on: ubuntu-22.04
    container:
      image: barichello/godot-ci:4.2.1
    steps:
      - name: Checkout
        uses: actions/checkout@v4
        
      - name: macOS Build
        run: |
          mkdir -p build/macos
          godot --headless --verbose --export-release "macOS" ./build/macos/$EXPORT_NAME.zip
          
      - name: Upload Artifact
        uses: actions/upload-artifact@v4
        with:
          name: macos
          path: build/macos

  create-release:
    name: Create Release
    needs: [export-windows, export-linux, export-web, export-android, export-macos]
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    if: startsWith(github.ref, 'refs/tags/v')
    steps:
      - name: Download All Artifacts
        uses: actions/download-artifact@v4
        
      - name: Create Release
        uses: softprops/action-gh-release@v1
        with:
          files: |
            windows/*.exe
            linux/*
            android/*.apk
            macos/*.zip
        env:
          GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.GITHUB_TOKEN }}

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Solution
Missing export presets file	Run Godot editor once to generate or copy template
Wrong export path format	Use forward slashes on all platforms
Icons not loading	Ensure icon files exist at specified paths
Android keystore errors	Set up debug keystore or configure release keystore
Web export fails	Check export template is installed
CI/CD can't find Godot	Use godot-ci Docker image or install Godot manually

Examples

Before: Manual Export (❌)

gdscript

# Manual export via Godot editor
# 1. Open Project > Export
# 2. Click Add for each platform
# 3. Configure each preset manually
# 4. Click Export Project for each
# 5. Repeat every time you want to build

After: Automated Setup (✅)

ini

# export_presets.cfg - generated once, committed to repo
[preset.0]
name="Windows Desktop"
export_path="builds/windows/Game.exe"
...

[preset.1]
name="macOS"
export_path="builds/macos/Game.zip"
...

[preset.2]
name="Linux"
export_path="builds/linux/Game.x86_64"
...

[preset.3]
name="Web"
export_path="builds/web/index.html"
...

# Then run: ./build.sh or let GitHub Actions handle it automatically

Complete Project Structure

code

my-game/
├── project.godot
├── export_presets.cfg          # All export configurations
├── .github/
│   └── workflows/
│       └── export.yml          # CI/CD pipeline
├── assets/
│   └── icons/
│       ├── windows_icon.ico
│       ├── mac_icon.icns
│       ├── linux_icon.png
│       ├── android_icon.png
│       └── ios_icon.png
├── scripts/
│   └── build.sh                # Local build script
└── builds/                     # Output directory (gitignored)
    ├── windows/
    ├── macos/
    ├── linux/
    ├── web/
    └── android/

Export Command Reference

bash

# Export release build
godot --headless --export-release "Preset Name" "output/path"

# Export debug build
godot --headless --export-debug "Preset Name" "output/path"

# Export with pack file only (no executable)
godot --headless --export-pack "Preset Name" "output.pck"

# Export from specific project path
godot --headless --path /path/to/project --export-release "Preset" "output"

# Verbose output for debugging
godot --headless --verbose --export-release "Preset" "output"

Platform-Specific Notes

Windows

•Requires export template: windows_x86_64.exe
•Icon must be .ico format with multiple resolutions
•Codesigning optional but recommended for distribution

macOS

•Requires export template: macos.zip
•App Store requires specific provisioning profile
•Notarization required for distribution outside App Store

Linux

•Most straightforward export
•Single executable file
•No special requirements

Web

•Requires export template: web.zip
•SharedArrayBuffer required for threads
•May need custom HTML template for fullscreen

Android

•Requires Android SDK and export templates
•Keystore required for release builds
•Debug keystore auto-generated if not specified

iOS

•Requires macOS and Xcode
•Must export to Xcode project, then build
•Apple Developer account required

Version Control

Commit to repo:

•export_presets.cfg - Contains all export configurations
•.github/workflows/export.yml - CI/CD pipeline
•Build scripts (build.sh, build.bat, build.ps1)

Add to .gitignore:

code

builds/
*.tmp
*.import

Troubleshooting

"Export preset not found"

•Ensure preset name matches exactly (case-sensitive)
•Check export_presets.cfg exists in project root
•Verify preset is configured in Godot editor

"Export template not found"

•Install export templates: Editor > Manage Export Templates
•For CI/CD, use godot-ci Docker image with templates included

"Cannot open file for writing"

•Ensure output directory exists
•Check write permissions
•Use absolute paths in CI/CD environments

Android build fails

•Verify ANDROID_HOME environment variable
•Check keystore configuration
•Ensure minimum SDK version matches template

Web export blank

•Check browser console for errors
•Verify SharedArrayBuffer headers if using threads
•Try disabling threads in export options

Real-World Impact

•Setup time: 2 hours → 10 minutes
•Build consistency: Manual errors eliminated
•Release cadence: Days → Hours
•Multi-platform: Set up once, build anywhere