Custom Editor Manifest Format

Godot Launcher registers custom-built Godot editors from a godotlauncher-editor-manifest.json file.

Most users should create this file from Installs -> Custom Editor -> Create custom editor manifest. Use this reference when you need to inspect, generate, or review a manifest manually.

For the canonical machine-readable definition, see the v1 engine manifest JSON schema.

File name

godotlauncher-editor-manifest.json

Required fields

Field	Type	Notes
schema_version	number	Must be 1.
version	string	Unique version identifier shown to the launcher, for example 4.4-custom.1.
name	string	Display name shown in Godot Launcher.
base_version	string	Godot compatibility version in major.minor format, for example 4.4.
flavor	string	Use gdscript for standard builds or dotnet for .NET builds. Custom values are accepted.
config_version	number	Must be 5 for supported Godot 4 project files.
platforms	array	One or more platform entries.

Optional fields

Field	Type	Notes
$schema	string	Optional JSON schema URL for editor validation.
prerelease	boolean	Marks the custom editor as a prerelease build. Defaults to false.
mono	boolean	Deprecated compatibility field. Godot Launcher derives .NET behavior from flavor === "dotnet".

Platform entries

Each item in platforms must include:

Field	Values	Notes
platform	windows, linux, macos	Operating system for this editor entry.
arch	x64, arm64, universal	CPU architecture. universal matches any architecture for the selected platform.
paths.editor	string	Path to the editor executable or app bundle.
paths.console	string	Optional console executable path.

Paths are resolved relative to the manifest file location.

Example

{
  "$schema": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/godotlauncher/launcher/main/schemas/v1/engine-manifest.json",
  "schema_version": 1,
  "version": "4.4-custom.1",
  "name": "Acme Godot 4.4 Custom Editor",
  "base_version": "4.4",
  "flavor": "gdscript",
  "config_version": 5,
  "prerelease": false,
  "platforms": [
    {
      "platform": "windows",
      "arch": "x64",
      "paths": {
        "editor": "./Godot_v4.4-custom_win64.exe",
        "console": "./Godot_v4.4-custom_win64_console.exe"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Validation behavior

When registering a manifest, Godot Launcher:

• Validates the manifest shape.
• Selects the platform entry matching the current operating system and architecture.
• Accepts universal as a platform architecture match.
• Verifies that the editor path exists.
• Verifies the optional console path when it is present.
• Registers the editor as a custom install without deleting or moving the editor files.

For the full user workflow, see Custom-Built Godot Editors.