Godot TileMap V2 Migration

Migrates legacy TileMap system to Godot 4.3+ TileMapLayer architecture.

Breaking Changes

Godot 4.3 introduced a new TileMap system with breaking changes:

TileMap

TileMapLayer

set_cell()

set_cells_terrain_connect()

update_bitmask_region()

UPON INVOCATION - START HERE

When this skill is invoked, IMMEDIATELY execute:

1. Verify Godot Project (5 seconds)

ls project.godot 2>/dev/null && echo "✓ Godot project detected" || echo "✗ Not a Godot project"

If NOT a Godot project:

• Inform user this skill only works on Godot projects
• STOP here

2. Detect TileMap Usage (10 seconds)

echo "=== Detecting TileMap Usage ==="

echo "TileMap nodes in scenes:"
grep -rn "type=\"TileMap\"" --include="*.tscn" . | wc -l

echo "TileMap references in scripts:"
grep -rn "TileMap" --include="*.gd" . | wc -l

echo "set_cell calls:"
grep -rn "set_cell\|get_cell" --include="*.gd" . | wc -l

echo "update_bitmask calls:"
grep -rn "update_bitmask" --include="*.gd" . | wc -l

echo "tile_set property access:"
grep -rn "\.tile_set" --include="*.gd" . | wc -l

3. Present Findings

Show the user:

=== TileMap V2 Migration Analysis ===

Project: [project name]
Current: Legacy TileMap (Godot 4.0-4.2 style)

TileMap usage detected:
- TileMap nodes: X
- TileMap references: X
- set_cell/get_cell calls: X
- update_bitmask calls: X
- tile_set access: X

Migration includes:
✓ TileMap → TileMapLayer node conversion
✓ set_cell() → set_cells_terrain_connect()
✓ TileSet resource upgrade
✓ Physics layer mapping
✓ Navigation layer conversion
✓ Custom data preservation
✓ Terrain system setup
✓ Git commit per layer
✓ Backup before changes

⚠️  WARNING: Godot 4.3+ required for new TileMapLayer system

Would you like me to:
1. Proceed with migration (recommended)
2. Show detailed breakdown first
3. Migrate specific TileMaps only
4. Cancel

4. Wait for User Choice

• If 1 (Proceed): Start Phase 2 immediately
• If 2 (Details): Show file-by-file breakdown
• If 3 (Selective): Ask which TileMaps to migrate
• If 4 (Cancel): Exit skill

Phase 1: Analysis & Inventory

1.1 Create TileMap Inventory

# Find all TileMap nodes in .tscn files
grep -rn "type=\"TileMap\"" --include="*.tscn" . | while read line; do
    file=$(echo "$line" | cut -d: -f1)
    echo "Found TileMap in: $file"
done > /tmp/tilemap_scenes.txt

# Find all TileMap references in scripts
grep -rn "extends TileMap\|var.*TileMap\|: TileMap" --include="*.gd" . | while read line; do
    file=$(echo "$line" | cut -d: -f1)
    echo "TileMap usage in: $file"
done > /tmp/tilemap_scripts.txt

1.2 Analyze TileMap Structure

For each TileMap node:

# Extract TileMap configuration from .tscn
grep -A20 "type=\"TileMap\"" scene.tscn | grep -E "tile_set|format|cell|layer"

1.3 Create Migration Plan

TileMap V2 Migration Plan:
=========================

1. Node Structure Changes (X TileMaps)
   - Convert TileMap → TileMapLayer nodes
   - Preserve layer order and names
   - Update scene hierarchy

2. API Migration (X scripts)
   - set_cell() → set_cells_terrain_connect()
   - get_cell() → get_cell_alternative_tile()
   - update_bitmask() → terrain system

3. TileSet Updates (X resources)
   - Upgrade TileSet format
   - Map physics layers
   - Configure navigation layers
   - Preserve custom data

4. Script Updates (X files)
   - Update TileMap references
   - Fix method calls
   - Update signal connections

Total operations: X
Estimated time: Auto
Godot version required: 4.3+
Backup created: YES
Rollback available: YES

Phase 2: TileMap Node Migration

2.1 Convert TileMap to TileMapLayer

Legacy Structure:

[node name="TileMap" type="TileMap"]
tile_set = ExtResource("1_qwerty")
format = 2

layer_0/name = "Ground"
layer_0/tile_data = PackedInt32Array(...)

layer_1/name = "Walls"  
layer_1/tile_data = PackedInt32Array(...)

New Structure:

[node name="Ground" type="TileMapLayer" parent="."]
tile_map_data = PackedByteArray(...)
tile_set = ExtResource("1_qwerty")

[node name="Walls" type="TileMapLayer" parent="."]
tile_map_data = PackedByteArray(...)
tile_set = ExtResource("1_qwerty")

Transformation Process:

1. Parse legacy TileMap

   • Extract layer names
   • Extract layer data
   • Extract TileSet reference
   • Extract position/z-index

2. Generate TileMapLayer nodes

   • One node per layer
   • Name from layer name
   • Convert tile_data format
   • Preserve TileSet reference

3. Update scene hierarchy

   • Remove TileMap node
   • Add TileMapLayer children
   • Update parent references

2.2 Tile Data Conversion

Legacy Format:

layer_0/tile_data = PackedInt32Array(0, 1, 0, 65536, 1, 0, ...)

New Format:

tile_map_data = PackedByteArray(0, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0, 0, ...)

Note: Direct byte conversion requires Godot's internal format knowledge. Alternative approach:

# Migration script approach
# 1. Load scene with legacy TileMap in Godot 4.3
# 2. Run migration tool script
# 3. Save with new TileMapLayer format

Phase 3: API Migration

3.1 Method Call Updates

Detection:

grep -rn "set_cell\|get_cell\|update_bitmask" --include="*.gd" .

Common Mappings:

set_cell(layer, coords, source_id)

set_cells_terrain_connect(coords_array, terrain_set, terrain)

get_cell(layer, coords)

get_cell_alternative_tile(coords)

get_cell_source_id(layer, coords)

get_cell_source_id(coords)

update_bitmask_region(start, end)

clear_layer(layer)

clear()

erase_cell(layer, coords)

erase_cell(coords)

3.2 Script Transformations

Example 1: Setting a cell

Before:

# Legacy TileMap API
tilemap.set_cell(0, Vector2i(5, 3), 1)
tilemap.set_cell(0, Vector2i(5, 4), 1)
tilemap.set_cell(0, Vector2i(6, 3), 1)

After:

# New TileMapLayer API - Using terrain for multiple cells
ground_layer.set_cells_terrain_connect(
    [Vector2i(5, 3), Vector2i(5, 4), Vector2i(6, 3)],
    0,  # terrain_set
    1   # terrain_id
)

Example 2: Getting cell data

Before:

var source_id = tilemap.get_cell_source_id(0, coords)
var atlas_coords = tilemap.get_cell_atlas_coords(0, coords)

After:

var source_id = ground_layer.get_cell_source_id(coords)
var atlas_coords = ground_layer.get_cell_atlas_coords(coords)

Example 3: Autotile/Bitmask

Before:

tilemap.set_cell(0, coords, 1)
tilemap.update_bitmask_region(Rect2i(0, 0, 20, 20))

After:

# Using terrain system
ground_layer.set_cells_terrain_connect([coords], 0, 1)
# Terrain automatically connects - no update_bitmask needed!

Phase 4: TileSet Resource Migration

4.1 Physics Layers

Legacy: Physics setup per tile in TileSet

New: Dedicated physics layers

# New TileSet setup in Godot 4.3
tileset.set_physics_layer_collision_layer(0, 1)
tileset.set_physics_layer_collision_mask(0, 1)
tileset.set_physics_layer_physics_material_override(0, physics_material)

4.2 Navigation Layers

Legacy: Navigation polygons per tile

New: Navigation layers system

# Enable navigation layer
tileset.set_navigation_layer_enabled(0, true)

# Set navigation polygon for specific tile
var source_id = 1
var atlas_coords = Vector2i(0, 0)
tileset.set_navigation_polygon(0, source_id, atlas_coords, navigation_polygon)

4.3 Custom Data Layers

New in 4.3: Custom data per tile

# Define custom data layer
tileset.add_custom_data_layer()
tileset.set_custom_data_layer_name(0, "tile_health")
tileset.set_custom_data_layer_type(0, TYPE_INT)

# Set data on specific tile
tileset.set_custom_data(0, source_id, atlas_coords, 100)

Phase 5: Execution & Safety

5.1 Create Git Baseline

# Create backup tag
git tag tilemap-v1-baseline-$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S)

# Commit any current changes
git add .
git commit -m "Baseline: Pre-TileMap V2 migration" || echo "No changes to commit"

5.2 Migration Execution

For each TileMap:

1. Backup scene file

   cp scene.tscn scene.tscn.backup
   

2. Parse TileMap data

   • Extract layers
   • Extract tile data
   • Note TileSet reference

3. Generate TileMapLayer nodes

   • Create node entries
   • Convert data format
   • Set properties

4. Update scripts

   • Replace TileMap references
   • Update method calls
   • Fix signal connections

5. Commit changes

   git add scene.tscn modified_scripts.gd
   git commit -m "Migrate: TileMap to TileMapLayer in scene.tscn
   
   - Converted TileMap node to TileMapLayer nodes
   - Updated script references
   - Migrated set_cell() calls
   - Preserved layer data"
   

5.3 Validation After Each Migration

# Check scene loads in Godot
godot --headless --quit-after 5 project.godot 2>&1 | tee test.log

# Check for errors
if grep -q "ERROR\|SCRIPT ERROR" test.log; then
    echo "⚠️  Migration error detected!"
    git reset --hard HEAD~1
    echo "✓ Reverted to pre-migration state"
    exit 1
fi

rm test.log

Phase 6: Post-Migration Setup

6.1 Terrain System Configuration

# Setup terrain for autotiling
tileset.add_terrain_set()
tileset.set_terrain_set_mode(0, TileSet.TerrainMode.CONNECT)

# Add terrain
tileset.add_terrain(0, 0)
tileset.set_terrain_name(0, 0, "Ground")

# Assign terrain to tiles
# (Configure in Godot editor for best results)

6.2 Physics Layer Setup

# Configure physics layers per tile type
tileset.set_physics_layer_collision_layer(0, 1)  # Layer 1
tileset.set_physics_layer_collision_mask(0, 1)   # Detect layer 1

6.3 Navigation Setup

# Enable navigation on specific tiles
navigation_layer.enabled = true
tileset.set_navigation_layer_enabled(0, true)

Examples

Example 1: Complete TileMap Migration

Before (Godot 4.2):

# level.tscn
[node name="TileMap" type="TileMap"]
tile_set = ExtResource("1_tileset")
format = 2
layer_0/name = "Ground"
layer_0/tile_data = PackedInt32Array(...)
layer_1/name = "Obstacles"
layer_1/tile_data = PackedInt32Array(...)

# level.gd
extends Node2D

@onready var tilemap: TileMap = $TileMap

func _ready():
    # Set some cells
    tilemap.set_cell(0, Vector2i(10, 5), 1)
    tilemap.set_cell(0, Vector2i(11, 5), 1)
    tilemap.update_bitmask_region(Rect2i(10, 5, 2, 1))
    
    # Get cell info
    var source_id = tilemap.get_cell_source_id(0, Vector2i(10, 5))
    print("Cell source: ", source_id)

func generate_level():
    for x in range(20):
        for y in range(15):
            tilemap.set_cell(0, Vector2i(x, y), randi() % 3)
    tilemap.update_bitmask_region(Rect2i(0, 0, 20, 15))

After (Godot 4.3):

# level.tscn
[node name="Ground" type="TileMapLayer" parent="."]
tile_set = ExtResource("1_tileset")
tile_map_data = PackedByteArray(...)

[node name="Obstacles" type="TileMapLayer" parent="."]
tile_set = ExtResource("1_tileset")
tile_map_data = PackedByteArray(...)

# level.gd
extends Node2D

@onready var ground_layer: TileMapLayer = $Ground
@onready var obstacles_layer: TileMapLayer = $Obstacles

func _ready():
    # Set cells using terrain
    ground_layer.set_cells_terrain_connect(
        [Vector2i(10, 5), Vector2i(11, 5)],
        0,  # terrain_set
        1   # terrain_id
    )
    
    # Get cell info
    var source_id = ground_layer.get_cell_source_id(Vector2i(10, 5))
    print("Cell source: ", source_id)

func generate_level():
    var coords_array = []
    for x in range(20):
        for y in range(15):
            coords_array.append(Vector2i(x, y))
    
    # Use terrain for efficient bulk placement
    ground_layer.set_cells_terrain_connect(coords_array, 0, randi() % 3)

Example 2: Multiple Layer Management

Before:

# Access different layers
func set_ground_cell(coords: Vector2i, tile: int):
    tilemap.set_cell(0, coords, tile)

func set_wall_cell(coords: Vector2i, tile: int):
    tilemap.set_cell(1, coords, tile)

func clear_all():
    tilemap.clear_layer(0)
    tilemap.clear_layer(1)

After:

# Access different layers
func set_ground_cell(coords: Vector2i, tile: int):
    ground_layer.set_cells_terrain_connect([coords], 0, tile)

func set_wall_cell(coords: Vector2i, tile: int):
    obstacles_layer.set_cell(coords, tile)

func clear_all():
    ground_layer.clear()
    obstacles_layer.clear()

Success Criteria

Migration complete when:

• ✓ Zero TileMap nodes remain (converted to TileMapLayer)
• ✓ Zero

  set_cell(layer, ...)

  calls remain
• ✓ Zero

  update_bitmask

  calls remain
• ✓ All scripts use TileMapLayer references
• ✓ TileSet resources upgraded to new format
• ✓ Physics layers configured (if used)
• ✓ Navigation layers configured (if used)
• ✓ Custom data preserved (if any)
• ✓ All scenes load without errors
• ✓ Runtime behavior identical

Common Issues & Solutions

Issue 1: Layer index confusion

Problem: Old code used layer indices (0, 1, 2)

Solution: Replace with explicit layer references

# Before
tilemap.set_cell(0, coords, tile)  # Layer 0

# After
ground_layer.set_cell(coords, tile)  # Named layer

Issue 2: Bulk cell updates

Problem:

update_bitmask_region()

Solution: Use terrain system or set_cells_terrain_connect()

# Before
for x in range(width):
    for y in range(height):
        tilemap.set_cell(0, Vector2i(x, y), source_id)
tilemap.update_bitmask_region(Rect2i(0, 0, width, height))

# After
var coords_array = []
for x in range(width):
    for y in range(height):
        coords_array.append(Vector2i(x, y))
ground_layer.set_cells_terrain_connect(coords_array, 0, source_id)

Issue 3: Cell coordinate systems

Problem: Coordinate system differences between TileMap and TileMapLayer

Solution: Both use Vector2i, but ensure local vs global coordinates

# Both work similarly
var local_coords = tilemap.local_to_map(position)  # Legacy
var local_coords = layer.local_to_map(position)    # New

Rollback Procedure

If migration causes issues:

# Find baseline tag
git tag | grep "tilemap-v1-baseline"

# Reset to pre-migration
git reset --hard <baseline-tag>

# Or restore individual scene from backup
cp scene.tscn.backup scene.tscn

Godot Version Requirements

Minimum: Godot 4.3+

Check version:

godot --version
# Should show 4.3 or higher

Upgrade notes:

• Open project in Godot 4.3 first (converts project.godot)
• Then run this migration skill
• Test thoroughly before committing

Integration with Other Skills

Use with:

• godot-modernize-gdscript

  - Update syntax before TileMap migration

• godot-refactor

  - Clean up code after migration

• godot-setup-navigation

  - Configure navigation on new TileMapLayer

Best practice workflow:

1. Run godot-modernize-gdscript (update syntax)
2. Run godot-migrate-tilemap (this skill)
3. Run godot-refactor (clean architecture)
4. Manual testing in Godot 4.3+

This skill handles the complex TileMap API changes in Godot 4.3, preserving your level data while upgrading to the modern TileMapLayer system.