All I know is CSS but I can do UI with math. I’m all in with Defold because its code-first, but UI is my biggest problem.
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I use only the basic GUI nodes provided by the engine. You don’t need any extension unless you need very complex UI with grids, scrolling, sliders, dropdowns and etc. The “lack” of pre-made UI components forces you to think do you really need them at all.
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In Defold, UI is usually done with GUI component: consisting of nodes, layouts, and a GUI script. It is more code-driven than CSS/HTML, so positioning, scaling, anchoring, and state changes are typically handled in Lua, in the GUI script.
For simple UI, the built-in GUI system is enough. You have box nodes that support 9-slice, texutres, nodes support stencils, there are also radial pie nodes, and text nodes with any font. You can also use particles in GUI and spine animations (with Spine Extension).
For more structured UI, many people use libraries like the mentioned Druid or Gooey, which gives you ready components like buttons, grids, scrolls, sliders, data lists, etc. There is also one new approach to GUI in Defold - the “Flow” framework:
Defold GUI Manual is a good starting point:
Some good tips:
Video Tutorials about GUI:
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