Can't build editor to reduce export size

[blackears]

Godot Version

4.4.1

Question

I’m trying to compile a custom version of the editor so that I can reduce my export size, as described here:

Optimizing a build for size

I made the mistake of initially compiling the master branch which is still in beta, so no templates exist to let it export to web. I then switched to the 4.4 branch and deleted everything in the /bin subdirectory and recompiled. Unfortunately, only the console version of Godot is being built:

The optimization page doesn’t actually say what you are supposed to do after you’ve built using the flags the recommend. Is it supposed to produce a custom version of the editor and then you can just export normally from that? If I compile while disabling the advanced text server, how is the editor even supposed to run? Or are those flags not supposed to affect the editor itself?

Anyhow, I’d like to know exactly how I am suppose to use this optimized version of Godot to reduce the export size of my game? Or has something gone wrong and I need to fix my build process?

I’m building Godot with the command

scons platform=windows debug_symbols=no lto=full target=template_release optimize=size module_text_server_adv_enabled=no module_text_server_fb_enabled=yes disable_3d=yes disable_advanced_gui=yes

I’ve also added a custom.py file to the root with the following content:

module_basis_universal_enabled = "no"
module_bmp_enabled = "no"
module_camera_enabled = "no"
module_csg_enabled = "no"
module_dds_enabled = "no"
module_enet_enabled = "no"
module_gridmap_enabled = "no"
module_hdr_enabled = "no"
module_jsonrpc_enabled = "no"
module_ktx_enabled = "no"
module_mbedtls_enabled = "no"
module_meshoptimizer_enabled = "no"
module_minimp3_enabled = "no"
module_mobile_vr_enabled = "no"
module_msdfgen_enabled= "no"
module_multiplayer_enabled = "no"
module_noise_enabled = "no"
module_navigation_enabled = "no"
module_ogg_enabled = "yes"
module_openxr_enabled = "no"
module_raycast_enabled = "no"
module_regex_enabled = "yes"
module_squish_enabled = "no"
module_svg_enabled = "yes"
module_tga_enabled = "no"
module_theora_enabled = "no"
module_tinyexr_enabled = "no"
module_upnp_enabled = "no"
module_vhacd_enabled = "no"
module_vorbis_enabled = "yes"
module_webrtc_enabled = "no"
module_websocket_enabled = "no"
module_webxr_enabled = "no"
module_zip_enabled = "no"

[tibaverus]

Based on the screenshot you provided, you’ve successfully built the release template and you can use it, simply point your godot editor to use the built file on the export screen and you should be fine.
On your screenshot, use the second file. Don’t actually try to run it, but make the export tool inside godot use it.

[blackears]

How do I get the export tool to use this? I’ve enabled Advanced Options in the export dialog, but when I browse for the Release path, it seems to be looking for a zip file. How am I supposed to package what I compiled into a release template? Do I just put the binary in a zip file?

[tibaverus]

You simply set the export template here. It doesn’t need to be a zip file at all, it is specifically looking for an exe file. I think you’re looking for this at the wrong place. You need to go to Project → Export, then add the Preset you need, and then you’ll see the “Custom Template” options there.

[blackears]

It’s not working. I’ve set the Release field to be the binary I compiled, but when I try to export I get an error that it cannot be opened.

This is how I’ve set my Options:

[tibaverus]

You built an export template for a Windows export, but now you’re trying to use it for Web exporting. You need to specifically build your export template for web. In your original command, you set “platform=windows”, but if you want Web, it’s incorrect.

[blackears]

How do I compile for web? I set platform=web but it looks like the only valid options are android and ‘windows’.

PS X:\biz\fiverr\2025\2025-05-27-scott-wheel\godot_ed_build\godot> scons platform=web debug_symbols=no lto=full target=template_release optimize=size module_text_server_adv_enabled=no module_text_server_fb_enabled=yes disable_3d=yes disable_advanced_gui=yes
scons: Reading SConscript files ...
ERROR: Invalid target platform "web".
The following platforms are available:
        android
        windows
Please run SCons again and select a valid platform: platform=<string>.

[tibaverus]

Compiling for the Web