# godot-3d-lighting

A skill that gives AI agents working patterns for Godot 3D lighting: shadow cascades, light attenuation, VoxelGI, SDFGI and lightmap baking.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 449 installs · ★ 893
- Author: thedivergentai
- License: LGPL-3.0 · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/thedivergentai/Game-Dev-Agentic-Skills/tree/HEAD/skills/godot-3d-lighting/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-10-16
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/godot-3d-lighting

## What it does

The skill covers DirectionalLight3D, OmniLight3D and SpotLight3D: shadow modes, attenuation curves, spot angles. It also walks through the global illumination options — VoxelGI, SDFGI, LightmapGI and ReflectionProbe — and says which one fits which scene.

Inside are GDScript helpers. `shadow_cascade_tuner.gd` adjusts shadow split distances from sun angle, `lightmap_bake_helper.gd` sets up Shadowmasking for hybrid static and dynamic scenes, `fake_gi_bounce.gd` fakes bounced light on mobile renderers, `light_lod_optimizer.gd` culls shadows by distance. There are managers for fog, reflection probes and day-night cycles too. The skill asks the agent to read the matching script before implementing a pattern.

The renderer is the hard limit. Real-time SDFGI is Forward+ only, so on Mobile and Compatibility you fall back to fake bounce lights. VoxelGI leaks light through thin walls, and baked lightmaps do not follow moving geometry. If your scene is fully dynamic, baking is the wrong tool — pick SDFGI or VoxelGI from the start.

## Requirements
- Works with: Godot

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add thedivergentai/Game-Dev-Agentic-Skills --skill godot-3d-lighting -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/godot-3d-lighting/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/godot-3d-lighting/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add thedivergentai/Game-Dev-Agentic-Skills --skill godot-3d-lighting -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/godot-3d-lighting/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add thedivergentai/Game-Dev-Agentic-Skills --skill godot-3d-lighting -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/godot-3d-lighting/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install thedivergentai/Game-Dev-Agentic-Skills godot-3d-lighting
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/godot-3d-lighting/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add thedivergentai/Game-Dev-Agentic-Skills --skill godot-3d-lighting -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/thedivergentai/Game-Dev-Agentic-Skills --path skills/godot-3d-lighting
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/godot-3d-lighting/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add thedivergentai/Game-Dev-Agentic-Skills --skill godot-3d-lighting -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/thedivergentai/Game-Dev-Agentic-Skills/tree/HEAD/skills/godot-3d-lighting/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- set up DirectionalLight3D shadow cascades for a large outdoor scene
- stop VoxelGI light leaking through thin walls
- choose between VoxelGI, SDFGI and LightmapGI for a scene
- cut the number of shadow-casting lights without wrecking the look
- bake a lightmap with denoising and Shadowmasking

## Example prompts
- help me set up a DirectionalLight3D with four shadow cascades for an open field
- why does VoxelGI leak light through walls and how do I fix it
- build a fake bounce light setup for the mobile renderer with fake_gi_bounce.gd

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From the same set: [thedivergentai/game-dev-agentic-skills](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/by/thedivergentai/game-dev-agentic-skills.md) — 61 cards

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