# Terminal quickstart

Build a visible scene in a fresh project, validate it, and play it from your terminal.

This walkthrough uses the CLI and Godot 4.7.2. No agent or MCP client is required.
Install a [release bundle](https://regiellis.github.io/godot-mcp-go/docs/installation), put its CLI on PATH, and make sure
`godot --version` finds your engine. Keep the bundled addon beside the binary.
The commands work in PowerShell and Bash. In Git Bash on Windows, put the actual
Godot executable directory on PATH; a PowerShell `.cmd` shim may not resolve.

## 1. Create and open a project

Run from a directory where `hello-godot` does not already exist:

```bash
swallowtail create --path hello-godot
cd hello-godot
swallowtail install --enable --skill=false
swallowtail doctor
swallowtail launch
```

`doctor` may warn that the editor is closed before launch. `launch` starts one
editor and waits for the addon to answer. Without a display, use
`swallowtail launch --headless`. Run the remaining commands inside `hello-godot`
so the CLI discovers its editor automatically.

## 2. Build something visible

```bash
swallowtail scene create --path res://hello.tscn --root-type Node2D --root-name Hello
swallowtail node add --type Label --name Greeting --parent-path .
swallowtail node set --node-path Greeting --property text --value "Hello from the terminal!"
swallowtail node set --node-path Greeting --property position --value "Vector2(80, 80)"
swallowtail node get --node-path Greeting --properties '["text","position"]'
swallowtail scene save
swallowtail scene tree
swallowtail scene validate --path res://hello.tscn
```

The read-back should show the greeting at `(80, 80)`. The scene is saved as
`hello.tscn`. Node edits support the editor's Undo command.

## 3. Play and verify

Run the saved scene directly, without configuring a main scene:

```bash
swallowtail scene play --mode res://hello.tscn
swallowtail runtime tree
swallowtail runtime get --node-path Greeting --properties '["text","position"]'
swallowtail scene stop
```

The game window displays the greeting. Runtime inspection reads the running
game, so text and position should agree with the editor read-back. In a headless
session, use that read-back to verify the result.

## 4. Discover your next command

```bash
swallowtail node add --help
swallowtail scene --help
swallowtail engine search --query velocity
```

Command help comes from the editor. If a connection fails, run `swallowtail doctor`
and follow its diagnosis. Continue with [validation](https://regiellis.github.io/godot-mcp-go/docs/validation),
[playtesting](https://regiellis.github.io/godot-mcp-go/docs/playtest-loop), or [Scripting and CI](https://regiellis.github.io/godot-mcp-go/docs/automation).
[MCP setup](https://regiellis.github.io/godot-mcp-go/docs/mcp-setup) is optional.

> **Before your first export**
>
> The addon is development tooling. [Before you ship](https://regiellis.github.io/godot-mcp-go/docs/before-you-ship) has the two steps that keep it out of a build and the scan that proves it.