Getting Started

Frond supports multiple engines. Godot is the primary target for its accessibility and modding story.

Engine Options

Engine	Language	Status
Godot	GDScript	First target
Bevy	Rust	Planned
Unity	C#	Planned
Love2D	Lua	Planned

Godot Setup

Prerequisites

With nix flakes:

nix develop  # godot_4 included

Or install Godot 4 manually from godotengine.org.

Development Workflow

1. Write GDScript patterns - frond provides composable utilities
2. Test headlessly - no editor needed for quick iteration
3. Integrate in editor - attach to scenes when ready

Headless Testing

Run GDScript without opening the editor:

# Run a script directly
godot --headless --script res://tests/test_fsm.gd

# Run with quit after (for CI)
godot --headless --script res://tests/test_fsm.gd --quit

Example test script:

# tests/test_fsm.gd
extends SceneTree

func _init():
    var fsm = preload("res://addons/frond/fsm.gd").new()
    fsm.add_state("idle")
    fsm.add_state("run")
    fsm.add_transition("idle", "run", func(): return Input.is_action_pressed("move"))

    # Test transitions
    assert(fsm.current_state == "idle")
    fsm.process(0.016)  # simulate frame
    print("FSM test passed")
    quit()

Project Structure

my_game/
├── addons/
│   └── frond/           # frond GDScript library
│       ├── fsm.gd
│       ├── timing.gd
│       └── stats.gd
├── scripts/             # your game code
├── tests/               # headless test scripts
└── project.godot

Rust Core (Optional)

For performance-critical features (spatial queries, pathfinding), use the Rust core via GDExtension:

# Cargo.toml
[dependencies]
frond-spatial = "0.1"
frond-pathfinding = "0.1"
godot = "0.2"  # gdext

The GDScript layer calls into Rust for heavy computation while keeping game logic moddable.

Next Steps

• State Machines - FSM patterns
• Character Controllers - Kinematic movement
• Philosophy - Design principles