The present disclosure generally relates to methods of assembling projectors, and more particularly, to methods of aligning laser diodes in laser projectors. Implementations of the present disclosure include positioning an alignment beam and a photodetector in an optical path of the projector. The alignment beam propagates from an alignment light source through a location where a laser diode is to be mounted. A laser diode is then initially positioned in the optical path with a laser cavity of the diode acting as a passive waveguide during the assembly process. The laser diode is then fixed in place at a position and, or, an orientation that corresponds to light from the alignment beam passing through a laser cavity of the diode to be aligned and registering at least a minimum threshold value of a measure at the photodetector.