Add Project Template Support in Godot for Faster Development

[QatariGameDev]

Godot should have a Project Template system like GameMaker and Unity.

This feature will allow developers to create or archive project templates using ZIP files. They can do this through the Godot Editor or third-party tools. The Project Manager will detect these templates when creating a project for the first time or when browsing and selecting a locally stored template (a zipped Godot project). This will let users choose a template when starting a new project.

When a template is selected, Godot will copy its contents into the new project while keeping the original template safe. A wizard can help users include or exclude specific parts before copying. This will make project setup easier and improve productivity.

This feature is already possible through manual steps, but adding built-in support would improve workflow efficiency, provide a better experience for new developers, and create opportunities for selling and sharing project templates for content creators.

Extra Features That Would Be Nice to Have:

1- The Project Manager should detect which Godot version the template was prepared with.
2- It would be useful to add a thumbnail, small banner, or icon that is visible when browsing templates using Godot project manager.

Mockup:

[theraot]

Godot has project templates.

On the top of the Project Manager, there are two tabs: Projects and Asset Library. If you access the Asset Library from the Project Manager you can download project templates. To be clear: This is before you open a project.

Now, although Godot has project templates, there are a couple issues with them:

• They are out of the way. I have argued before that they should be more prominent. See: Put templates on the forefront #4996 and as I mention there, I found a proposal: Integrate templates for a new project into "Create New Project" window #3029
• We cannot have a local asset library. Meaning that: 1. creating our own project templates and adding them to the system requires to submit them. And 2. you cannot use project templates offline. I believe this is covered by this proposal: Add a way to save and load local project templates #1481 - By the way, since addons are also in the asset library, I want to bring this one up: Add support for global plugins/universal addons #831

I believe many of us would be willing to submit templates for a system like this if Godot made a call for it with some clear guidelines (the guidelines are necessary because we might go crazy, in fact there some templates in Github that go beyond the basics).

[QatariGameDev]

Hi @theraot

I am aware of the assets library, but the concept behind my idea is intended to be local and straightforward, without requiring internet access or public sharing online via assets library.

Perhaps this feature could be achieved differently by copying current projects within the Godot Project Manager IDE, rather than just opening them? Like duplicating with different name or access them as base (inheritance style?).

As I mentioned, it is already possible to do this by copying and adjusting things manually or by relying on Godot Library Assets.

However, my suggestion primarily focuses on providing quality-of-life features, which would streamline and simplify the process while opening up new possibilities.