Cooldown

General

A reusable cooldown for shooting, dashing or any ability. Ask try_use() and it only says yes when the cooldown is over.

Setup

Save the script as cooldown.gd.
Add a Node as a child of your character, attach the script and name it after the ability, for example ShootCooldown.
Set Duration in the Inspector.
Wrap the ability in an if that calls try_use().

Code

GDScript

class_name Cooldown
extends Node
## A reusable cooldown. try_use() returns true only when the cooldown is over.

signal ready_again

@export var duration: float = 0.5

var _time_left: float = 0.0


func _process(delta: float) -> void:
	if _time_left <= 0.0:
		return
	_time_left -= delta
	if _time_left <= 0.0:
		ready_again.emit()


func is_ready() -> bool:
	return _time_left <= 0.0


func try_use() -> bool:
	if not is_ready():
		return false
	_time_left = duration
	return true

Usage example

GDScript

# player.gd
@onready var shoot_cooldown: Cooldown = $ShootCooldown


func _process(_delta: float) -> void:
	if Input.is_action_pressed("shoot") and shoot_cooldown.try_use():
		spawn_bullet()