Projects and examples

A GDE project has one root folder. It can contain a new design, an existing game repository, or an example you are using to learn the interface.

Open an existing project

Choose File → Open project and select the existing project location. GDE adopts the folder in place; it does not need to move your game’s files into a new template. Keep your current folder layout and review any proposed setup before applying it.

Use Project settings to attach the appropriate engine descriptor or add a binding. Selecting another integration does not convert the game’s code or assets between engines.

Local editor paths belong to this machine. Project-relative bindings and authored knowledge belong with the project. The project model explains that separation.

Try an example

Choose File → Open example project to return to the editable example. To start from a fresh copy, choose File → New example copy and a new destination.

Example	Useful for
The Last Lantern	Illustrated pages, collections, worldbuilding, spatial plans, markup, an experiment and sample Work.
Service Shift	A small contemporary service-game brief with a Godot binding.
Unity adoption	Seeing how an existing Unity-shaped project can sit beside GDE knowledge.

The examples are files you can change. A fresh copy does not overwrite a copy you have already edited. Opening one does not run an engine, sign into a provider or start implementation.

The Last Lantern’s populated Work is simulated example work. Its cards and results explain the interface; they are not claims about live GitHub work or a tested game. Its generated concept art is sample design material.

The Service Shift project overview with its project brief and Godot editor action. — Service Shift starts with a compact project brief and a Godot binding. A binding does not mean the editor is installed or a build has been tested.

Reopen and continue

Use the project picker or File → Recent projects. Open tabs and project navigation help you return to the same work. If a referenced file has moved outside GDE, locate it in the actual filesystem rather than creating a duplicate just to repair a recent entry.

For setup details, see Your first project and Project and engines.