/godot-autoload-architecture

Migration notes: godot-autoload-architecture

Incremental upgrade for topics this skill covers. Apply one hop, stabilize/test, then next. Never skip hops.

If the project is < 4.0, follow godot-version-migration era bridges (legacy → 3→4) until 4.0, then these hops. Official 3→4: Upgrading from Godot 3 to Godot 4.

3.x → 4.0

Official: Upgrading from Godot 3 to Godot 4

• Autoload scripts: fix super() in lifecycle; replace Tween nodes.
• Engine.editor_hint → Engine.is_editor_hint().
• randomize() auto on load — set seeds explicitly for determinism.
• Group calls immediate by default — audit Autoload broadcasts.

4.0 → 4.1

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.1

• Object.get_meta_list return type is Array[StringName] (was PackedStringArray).
• WorkerThreadPool.wait_for_task_completion now returns Error.
• Basis/Transform3D.looking_at and Node3D.look_at* gain optional use_model_front.

4.1 → 4.2

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.2

• NOTIFICATION_NODE_RECACHE_REQUESTED removed from Node.

4.2 → 4.3

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.3

• Binary serialization of scripted Objects/typed Arrays changed — re-test save/load of custom Resources.
• PackedByteArray may use compact base64 storage; older editors may not open 4.3 resources with large byte arrays.

4.3 → 4.4

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.4

• @export_file stores uid:// paths from the Inspector (breaking vs res:// expectations).
• FileAccess.store_* methods return bool success.
• Curve enforces min_value/max_value — adjust curves that used points outside [0, 1].
• OS.read_string_from_stdin requires buffer_size.
• @export_file Inspector assignments become uid:// — scripts expecting res:// strings must resolve UIDs or use @export_file_path (4.5+).

4.4 → 4.5

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.5

• Resource.duplicate(true) deep-duplicates only internal resources; use duplicate_deep(DEEP_DUPLICATE_ALL) for old behavior.
• Node.get_rpc_config renamed to get_node_rpc_config.
• JSONRPC.set_scope replaced by set_method.
• ProjectSettings.add_property_info warns on invalid/usage keys.
• Resource deep-duplicate and UID export-file changes affect inventory/quest/economy Resource graphs.

4.5 → 4.6

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.6

• TSCN gains unique node IDs (large VCS diffs on first 4.6 save — expected).
• FileAccess.get_as_text drops skip_cr parameter.
• Performance.add_custom_monitor gains optional type.

4.6 → 4.7

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.7

• Object.is_class takes StringName.
• Setting an element of a packed array property no longer calls the property setter for the whole array.
• Overrides of methods with typed returns must actually return (add return null if needed).
• New projects default stretch canvas_items + aspect expand (was disabled/keep).
• Re-validate Resource pipelines after packed-array setter and typed-return GDScript changes.
• Packed array element assignment no longer triggers whole-property setter.
• Typed-return overrides require an explicit return statement.