godot-nodes-scenes

1# Godot Nodes & Scenes (4.x)
2 
3Compose games from nodes and scenes, instance them at runtime, and access the tree
4without crashing on freed or missing nodes. Targets **Godot 4.7**.
5 
6## When to use
7 
8- Use when structuring `.tscn` scenes, choosing how to break a feature into nodes,
9  instancing a `PackedScene` (bullets, enemies, UI), or setting up autoload singletons.
10- Use when debugging `get_node()` / `$Path` returning `null`, or "Attempt to call on a
11  previously freed instance".
12 
13**When _not_ to use:** GDScript language/syntax → `godot-gdscript`; signal-based
14decoupling → `godot-signals-groups`; physics bodies/collisions → `godot-physics`.
15 
16## Core workflow
17 
181. **Model with composition.** A scene is a tree of nodes saved as `.tscn`. Build small,
19   single-purpose scenes (Player, Bullet, Enemy) and compose larger scenes from them.
20   Favor adding child nodes over deep inheritance.
212. **Make a scene reusable** by giving its root a script and exposing `@export` config.
22   Save it; it becomes a `PackedScene` you can instance many times.
233. **Instance at runtime** with `preload`/`load` → `scene.instantiate()` →
24   `add_child(instance)`. Set state needed by `_ready()` before adding. Convert world
25   positions to the future parent's local space before adding, or set global position
26   afterward only if `_ready()` does not need the final transform.
274. **Access nodes safely.** Use `@onready var x = $Path` for fixed children; use unique
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