Package a Node.js application as an OS X application

Question

I want to build an interface for a series of terminal commands that our developers use to manage their development environments. I\'d like to try to build it in Node.js.

Answer 1

Check out AppJS: http://appjs.com/ - "Build Desktop Applications for Linux, Windows and Mac using HTML, CSS and Javascript"

Sounds like a good match :)

Answer 2

Check out http://github.com/rogerwang/node-webkit - its a project sponsored by Intel to package up Node.js apps for the desktop

Specifically, see http://strongloop.com/strongblog/creating-desktop-applications-with-node-webkit/

Answer 3

If you compile node.js from source every JavaScript file from nodes lib folder will be included into the binary. That same way could pack your code into the binary.

I am not familar how Mac OSX packages are created, but at the end it does not seem to be very hard. Just pack your custom node binary into one.

Answer 4

Here's a screencast + writeup on the subject of an installer (.pkg):

How to create an OS X pkg for NodeJS apps

As for the .app, I'm not sure yet, but I'm hot on the trail.

Also:

• How to create a Node.js app .deb for Ubuntu Linux
• How to create a Node.js app .exe for Microsoft Windows

Answer 5

Option 1: electron (aka atom-shell)

This is the shell that github's Atom editor uses. It's very similar to node-webkit, though it will run the script first, and you have to create a view/window for the user. There are some other minor differences, but it's worth looking at.

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Option 2: NW.js formerly node-webkit

The gist is that it basically extends the JS engine for you to write a web-based app supporting node's extended object model, and modules... you then package your package.json start.html modules and js files into a zip (with the .nw extension) and run it with nw(.exe) .. there are windows, mac and linux builds available.

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Option 3: Carlo chrom(ium) shell from Node.

This will allow you to launch the locally installed Chrome as a shell that can connect to a locally running server application. It does require a local chrome, but is very close to what was asked for.

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Option 4: MacGapNode (OSX Only)

MacGap with Node integration (Seems to be getting stale)

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Aside: Services...

I can't speak for OSX on this as a .App, but it could well be possible to create a background service install in NodeJS and a link to a "local" site on the desktop. Most browsers have an option to not show all the features (I know firefox in particular does).

I know your question is to OSX in particular, but in windows you can use NSSM to run anything as a service, and I have used it for NodeJS based services in windows. I think some of the other options above are better depending on your needs though.

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Removed:

• nexe - stale/unmaintained
• AppJS - replaced with DeskShell
• DeskShell - stale, website offline
• node-webkit -renamed to NW.js
• XULRunner project stalled, and exceedingly behind.
• Thrust (Node Adapter) - deprecated/stale

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This answer is copied for multiple questions, these references are mostly for updating convenience.

• Packaging a node.js webapp as a normal desktop app [closed]
• Package a Node.js app as an osx app