Godot Export & Builds (4.x)

Turn a project into runnable platform builds via export presets and the command line, and handle the web/dedicated-server gotchas. Targets Godot 4.7.

When to use

• Use when producing a shippable build: installing export templates, creating/editing export presets, exporting from the editor or headless CLI (CI), or troubleshooting web (HTML5) and dedicated-server exports.

When not to use: storefront publishing flows → steam-publish/itch-publish; the networking code of a server → godot-multiplayer (this skill covers building it headless).

Core workflow

1. Install export templates matching your engine version: Editor menu > Manage Export Templates (download), or install the .tpz offline. Versions must match the editor exactly. Since 4.7 the downloader can fetch templates for a single platform or architecture instead of the full set.
2. Add export presets in Project > Export: pick a platform (Windows Desktop, macOS, Linux, Web, Android, iOS), set the export path, icons, features, and resource include/exclude filters. Presets are saved to export_presets.cfg.
3. Export from the editor with Export Project (release) or Export PCK/ZIP.
4. Or export headless from the CLI for automation/CI using --export-release "<preset name>" <output path>.
5. Per platform: Web needs cross-origin isolation (COOP/COEP) only if the preset's Thread Support is on (off by default); Android needs the SDK/keystore; macOS/iOS need signing for distribution.
6. Smoke-test the build on the target before shipping — exported builds use res:// read-only; write to user://.

Patterns

1. Headless CLI export (CI-friendly)

# Preset name must match exactly what's in Project > Export (quote it).
# Run from the project directory (where project.godot lives).
godot --headless --export-release "Windows Desktop" build/windows/game.exe
godot --headless --export-release "Linux"           build/linux/game.x86_64
godot --headless --export-release "Web"             build/web/index.html

# Debug build (includes debug symbols / remote debug):
godot --headless --export-debug "Windows Desktop" build/windows/game_debug.exe

# Export only the data pack (no executable):
godot --headless --export-pack "Linux" build/game.pck

# Export only files changed since the given base pack(s):
godot --headless --export-patch "Linux" build/patch1.pck --patches build/game.pck

2. Run a project headless (dedicated server / tests)

# No window/GPU — for a server build or automated runs.
godot --headless --path . res://server_main.tscn
# Quit after N main-loop iterations (frames, NOT seconds) — handy for a headless smoke test:
godot --headless --path . --quit-after 600

3. Detect the build context at runtime

func _ready() -> void:
    if OS.has_feature("dedicated_server") or DisplayServer.get_name() == "headless":
        _start_server_only()          # skip rendering/UI on a headless server
    if OS.has_feature("web"):
        _apply_web_tweaks()
    # Custom feature tags (added per preset) are also queryable:
    # if OS.has_feature("demo"): limit_content()

4. Choose write paths that survive export

# res:// is READ-ONLY in exported games. Always write to user://.
func save_path() -> String:
    return "user://savegame.tres"     # resolves to the OS app-data dir

func _ready() -> void:
    print(OS.get_user_data_dir())     # where user:// actually lives

Pitfalls

• "No export template found". Templates must match the exact editor version (incl. beta/rc). Re-download via Manage Export Templates after upgrading Godot.
• Preset name mismatch in CLI. --export-release "Windows" fails if the preset is named "Windows Desktop". Names are case- and space-sensitive; quote them.
• Web build shows a blank page / threads error. Builds with the preset's Thread Support option enabled require the server to send Cross-Origin-Opener-Policy: same-origin and Cross-Origin-Embedder-Policy: require-corp (cross-origin isolation for SharedArrayBuffer). Must be served over HTTP(S), not opened as a file://. itch.io has a "SharedArrayBuffer support" toggle for this. If the host cannot set headers (GitHub Pages), leave Thread Support off — the default since 4.3.
• Writing to res:// at runtime fails in exports (read-only, packed). Use user://.
• Missing resources in the build. Non-resource files (e.g. external .json, .txt) are not auto-included — add them via the preset's Resources > Filters to export non-resource files (e.g. *.json).
• Android export needs setup: Android SDK/JDK paths in Editor Settings, a debug or release keystore, and the INTERNET permission for networked games.
• macOS/iOS distribution requires signing/notarization; unsigned macOS apps are blocked by Gatekeeper.
• Debug vs release. --export-debug enables remote debugging and debug checks; ship --export-release.

References

• For the export_presets.cfg structure, all useful CLI flags, custom feature tags, PCK/expansion patching, encryption, and per-platform setup (Android keystore, macOS signing, web headers), read references/presets-and-cli.md.

Related skills

• godot-multiplayer — the dedicated-server code you export headless.
• steam-publish / itch-publish — getting the build to players.
• prototype-fast / game-jam — quick web/desktop builds for sharing.