`Code::Blocks <https://codeblocks.org/>`_ is a free, open source, cross platform IDE.
Creating a new project
----------------------
From Code::Blocks' main screen, click **Create a new project** or select **File > New > Project...**.
..figure:: img/code_blocks_file_new_project.png
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In the **New from template** window, from **Projects**, select **Empty project**, and click **Go**.
..figure:: img/code_blocks_new_empty_project.png
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Click Next, to pass the welcome to the new empty project wizard.
..figure:: img/code_blocks_wizard_welcome.png
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The project file should be created in the root of the cloned project folder. To achieve this, first, ensure that the **Project title** is the same as the folder name that Godot was cloned into. Unless you cloned the project into a folder with a different name, this will be ``godot``.
Second, ensure that the **Folder to create project in** is the folder you ran the Git clone command from, not the ``godot`` project folder. Confirm that the **Resulting filename** field will create the project file in the root of the cloned project folder.
The compiler and configuration settings are managed through **SCons** and will be configured later. However, it's worth deselecting the **Create "Release" configuration** option; so only a single build target is created before clicking **Finish**.
Select the **"Make" commands** tab and remove all the existing commands for all the build targets. For each build target enter the **SCons** command for creating the desired build in the **Build project/target** field. The minimum is ``scons``. For details on the **SCons** build options, see `doc_introduction_to_the_buildsystem`. It's also useful to add the ``scons --clean`` command in the **Clean project/target** field to the project's default commmands.
If you're using Windows, all the commands need to be preceded with ``cmd /c`` to iniitalize the command interpreter.
..figure:: img/code_blocks_scons_minimum.png
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..figure:: img/code_blocks_scons_clean.png
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Windows example:
..figure:: img/code_blocks_scons_windows.png
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Code::Blocks should now be configured to build Godot; so either select **Build > Build**, click the gear button, or press :kbd:`Ctrl + F9`.
Configuring the run
-------------------
Once **SCons** has successfully built the desired target, reopen the project **Properties...** and select the **Build targets** tab. In the **Output filename** field, browse to the ``bin`` folder and select the compiled file.
Deselect the **Auto-generate filename prefix** and **Auto-generate filename extension** options.
..figure:: img/code_blocks_build_targets.png
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Code::Blocks should now be configured to run your compiled Godot executable; so either select **Build > Run**, click the green arrow button, or press :kbd:`Ctrl + F10`.
There are two additional points worth noting. First, if required, the **Execution working dir** field can be used to test specific projects, by setting it to the folder containing the ``project.godot`` file. Second, the **Build targets** tab can be used to add and remove build targets for working with and creating different builds.
Adding files to the project
---------------------------
To add all the Godot code files to the project, right-click on the new project and select **Add files recursively...**.
Before editing any files, remember that all code needs to comply with the `doc_code_style_guidelines`. One important difference with Godot is the use of tabs for indents. Therefore, the key default editor setting that needs to be changed in Code::Blocks is to enable tabs for indents. This setting can be found by selecting **Settings > Editor**.
Under **General Settings**, on the **Editor Settings** tab, under **Tab Options** check **Use TAB character**.
..figure:: img/code_block_use_tab_character.png
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That's it. You're ready to start contributing to Godot using the Code::Blocks IDE. Remember to save the project file and the **Workspace**. If you run into any issues, ask for help in one of `Godot's community channels <https://godotengine.org/community>`__.
