Setting up a roblox proximity prompt script gui is one of those things that instantly makes your game feel way more professional than just using the standard "Press E" box that everyone else has. We've all seen the default one—it's that rounded gray rectangle that pops up whenever you get close to a part. It does the job, sure, but if you're trying to build an immersive horror game or a sleek sci-fi simulator, that default look can really kill the vibe.
Honestly, the default prompts are a bit of a double-edged sword. They're super easy to use because you just drop the object into a part and it works. But the moment you want to change the font, add a custom icon, or make the progress bar look like something other than a shrinking circle, you're going to need to dive into a custom script setup.
Why you should ditch the default look
Let's be real for a second: the default proximity prompt is everywhere. While it's great for accessibility since every Roblox player knows exactly how it works, it doesn't always "fit." If your game has a very specific UI aesthetic—maybe everything is pixelated or has a neon glow—the standard prompt sticks out like a sore thumb.
By creating a roblox proximity prompt script gui, you're taking control of the player's visual experience. You can animate the prompt as it appears, change how the "hold" duration looks, and even make the UI react to the environment. It's a small detail, but it's these small details that separate a "front-page" game from something that feels like a weekend project.
How the custom setup actually works
If you've never messed with custom prompts before, the logic is actually pretty straightforward. Usually, Roblox handles the rendering of the prompt for you. To take over, you have to tell the ProximityPrompt object to stop drawing its own UI.
You do this by changing the Style property from Default to Custom. Once you do that, the prompt becomes invisible to the player, but the logic still runs in the background. It still detects when a player is close, it still fires the Triggered event, and it still tracks how long someone is holding down a key.
Your job is to write a script (usually a LocalScript inside StarterPlayerScripts) that listens for those events. You essentially tell the game, "Hey, whenever a custom prompt is supposed to be shown, show my cool GUI instead."
Using ProximityPromptService
The heavy lifting is done by ProximityPromptService. This is a service that lives on the client and fires signals whenever a player gets within range of a prompt. The three big ones you'll care about are PromptShown, PromptHidden, and PromptButtonHoldBegan.
When PromptShown fires, it gives you the prompt object itself. You can use this to grab the text, the keybind, and the action name. You then take that info and shove it into your custom ScreenGui or BillboardGui.
Designing a GUI that doesn't feel clunky
When you're making your own roblox proximity prompt script gui, it's easy to go overboard. You might want to add huge icons, fancy gradients, and five different sound effects. But remember: the prompt's only job is to tell the player they can do something. It shouldn't block their entire screen.
Most developers prefer using a BillboardGui for this. This keeps the prompt attached to the object in 3D space, which feels way more natural than a flat 2D element pinned to the player's HUD. If you use a BillboardGui, make sure you set the AlwaysOnTop property carefully. You don't want the prompt showing through walls, but you also don't want it flickering behind the object the player is trying to interact with.
Making the interaction feel "juicy"
"Juice" is a term game devs use for those little animations that make a game feel responsive. For your custom prompt, don't just have it pop into existence. Use TweenService to fade the transparency or scale it up from zero.
When the player starts holding the key, make the UI react. Maybe the stroke thickness of the button gets larger, or the color shifts from white to green as the progress bar fills up. These visual cues tell the player "Yes, the game knows you're pressing the button," which prevents that annoying feeling of wondering if a game is lagging or if your keyboard is broken.
Handling multiple prompts at once
This is where things can get a bit messy. What happens if the player is standing next to three different things? If you didn't script your roblox proximity prompt script gui logic correctly, you might end up with three overlapping GUIs or a console full of errors.
The best way to handle this is to keep a reference to the "active" prompt. Your script should check if a prompt is already being displayed before trying to show a new one. Roblox's engine is actually pretty good at prioritizing the closest prompt for you, but you still need to make sure your GUI cleanup logic is solid. When PromptHidden fires, you need to make sure that specific GUI instance is destroyed or hidden immediately so it doesn't linger on the screen like a ghost.
Common pitfalls to watch out for
I've seen a lot of people struggle with the "Hold" mechanic. When you're using a custom roblox proximity prompt script gui, you have to manually update your progress bar. You can't just tell the GUI to "match the hold time." You have to use the PromptButtonHoldBegan and PromptButtonHoldEnded events, combined with a loop or a tween, to make the progress bar fill up in sync with the actual prompt's HoldDuration.
Another mistake is forgetting about gamepad players. Roblox handles "E" on a keyboard and "X" on a controller automatically, but if you hard-code the letter "E" into your custom GUI, your console players are going to be very confused. Make sure your script checks the KeyboardKeyCode or uses UserInputService to get the correct string for whatever device the player is using.
Finishing touches for a professional feel
If you really want to go the extra mile, try adding a "distance fade." As the player gets further away from the object, the GUI becomes more transparent. This helps reduce visual clutter, especially in busy areas with lots of interactable items.
Also, consider the font. Roblox's standard "SourceSans" is fine, but if you're making a medieval RPG, using something like "Antique" or a custom uploaded font can make a world of difference. It's these tiny design choices that make a roblox proximity prompt script gui feel like a native part of your game rather than an afterthought.
At the end of the day, custom prompts are just a way to add a layer of polish. It takes a bit more work to set up than just ticking a box, but once you have a solid script template, you can reuse it across all your projects. It's one of the easiest ways to level up your UI/UX game and give your players a smoother experience. Just keep it clean, keep it responsive, and make sure it fits the world you're building.