Creating desktop applications using web technologies has been popular for years, especially with Electron. It makes it easy to build cross-platform apps with a consistent look and feel. But Electron can be heavy, taking up lots of disk space and memory because it bundles a full browser engine and JavaScript runtime with every app. That’s led developers to look for smaller, more efficient solutions. One of the latest options is Electrobun, which promises to deliver the same ease of use without the hefty size.

Getting Started with Electrobun

To start using Electrobun, you first need to install Bun, a fast JavaScript runtime. Once Bun is set up, you can add Electrobun as a dependency by running a simple command. After that, creating a new project is straightforward with a command that sets up the necessary files and folders. You get a ready-to-run sample application, complete with directories for your code and HTML views. The main configuration file lets you customize how the app builds, what files to include, and whether to bundle a browser engine or rely on the system’s native web view.

This setup makes it easy to start developing immediately. You can run the sample in development mode with a single command, allowing you to see your app in action right away. The default project includes a basic “hello world” interface, but it can be customized with menus, icons, and tray icons to suit your needs.

Building and Distributing Apps with Electrobun

When you’re ready to share your app, Electrobun offers a build command that packages everything into a distribution artifact. You can generate a stable release by adding a specific flag, which also handles patch updates if you’ve configured them. The final package appears in an artifacts folder and can be distributed as a self-extracting installer on Windows or as a simple ZIP archive that users can unzip and run.

Electrobun gives you the option to include a bundled browser engine or use the system’s native web view, depending on your target platform. For Linux or situations where you need consistent behavior, bundling the browser can be a good idea. This flexibility helps optimize app size and performance based on your needs.

Overall, Electrobun offers a promising new way to build lightweight, TypeScript-powered desktop apps. It combines the simplicity of web development with the performance benefits of a smaller footprint and built-in update technology. As it matures, it could become a popular choice for developers wanting a modern, efficient alternative to Electron.

Inspired by

• https://www.infoworld.com/article/4137964/first-look-electrobun-for-typescript-powered-desktop-apps.html

Sources

• blackboard.sh
• blackboard.sh
• blackboard.sh
• blackboard.sh
• blackboard.sh