> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.flatredball.com/flatredball/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.flatredball.com/flatredball/glue-reference/screen/custominitialize.md).

# CustomInitialize

A screen's CustomInitialize is the first method in *custom code* called after a screen is created. It is called before the screen performs any rendering, but after all of the screen's content has been loaded and after the objects defined in the FRB Editor have been initialized.

CustomInitialize can be used to perform any logic-based initialization. Examples of common types of initialization include:

* Loading custom data from disk such as loading a user profile from a JSON file
* Positioning the player based on spawn locations
* Adding events to factories to perform custom code when an entity is instantiated
* Assigning input devices based on plugged-in hardware or settings from previous screens
* Playing animations or intro sequences such as having a Gum overlay fade out or starting a countdown before the game begins


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.flatredball.com/flatredball/glue-reference/screen/custominitialize.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.