Browse Source
- Updated electron-builder.config.json with proper TimeSafari metadata - Added Linux package support (AppImage, deb, rpm) - Created build-packages.sh script for easy package building - Added npm scripts for building from project root - Created comprehensive README-BUILDING.md documentation - Fixed package.json metadata (author, homepage, repository) - Added maintainer information for Linux packages Features: - AppImage: Portable, no installation required (~145MB) - Debian package: System integration via package manager (~96MB) - RPM package: Support for RPM-based distributions - Build scripts support individual or all package types Usage: - npm run electron:build (all packages) - npm run electron:build:appimage (AppImage only) - npm run electron:build:deb (Debian package only) - cd electron && ./build-packages.sh [type]streamline-attempt
Matthew Raymer
1 week ago
5 changed files with 357 additions and 10 deletions
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# Building TimeSafari Electron App |
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This guide explains how to build distributable packages for the TimeSafari Electron desktop application. |
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## Quick Start |
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### From Project Root |
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```bash |
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# Build all Linux packages (AppImage, deb) |
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npm run electron:build |
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# Build specific package types |
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npm run electron:build:appimage # AppImage only |
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npm run electron:build:deb # Debian package only |
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``` |
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### From Electron Directory |
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```bash |
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cd electron |
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# Build all packages |
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./build-packages.sh |
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# Build specific types |
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./build-packages.sh appimage |
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./build-packages.sh deb |
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./build-packages.sh pack # Unpacked directory (for testing) |
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``` |
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|
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## Package Types |
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### 1. AppImage (Recommended for Linux) |
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- **File**: `TimeSafari-1.0.0.AppImage` |
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- **Size**: ~145MB |
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- **Usage**: Download and run directly, no installation required |
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- **Distribution**: Upload to GitHub releases or website |
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```bash |
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# Make executable and run |
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chmod +x TimeSafari-1.0.0.AppImage |
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./TimeSafari-1.0.0.AppImage |
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``` |
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|
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### 2. Debian Package (.deb) |
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- **File**: `TimeSafari_1.0.0_amd64.deb` |
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- **Size**: ~96MB |
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- **Usage**: Install via package manager |
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- **Distribution**: Upload to repositories or direct download |
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|
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```bash |
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# Install |
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sudo dpkg -i TimeSafari_1.0.0_amd64.deb |
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# Run |
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timesafari |
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``` |
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### 3. RPM Package (.rpm) |
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- **File**: `TimeSafari-1.0.0.x86_64.rpm` |
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- **Requirements**: `rpmbuild` must be installed |
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- **Usage**: Install via package manager |
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```bash |
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# Install rpmbuild (Arch Linux) |
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sudo pacman -S rpm-tools |
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# Build RPM |
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./build-packages.sh rpm |
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# Install (on RPM-based systems) |
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sudo rpm -i TimeSafari-1.0.0.x86_64.rpm |
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``` |
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## Build Requirements |
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### System Dependencies |
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- Node.js 18+ |
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- npm or yarn |
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- Python 3 (for native module compilation) |
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- Build tools (gcc, make) |
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|
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### Optional Dependencies |
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- `rpmbuild` - for RPM packages |
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- `fpm` - automatically downloaded by electron-builder |
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|
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### Node Dependencies |
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All required dependencies are in `package.json`: |
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- `electron-builder` - Main build tool |
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- `better-sqlite3-multiple-ciphers` - SQLite with encryption |
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- Native module compilation tools |
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|
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## Build Process |
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### 1. Preparation |
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```bash |
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# Install dependencies |
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npm install |
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# Build TypeScript |
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npm run build |
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``` |
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### 2. Package Creation |
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The build process: |
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1. Compiles TypeScript to JavaScript |
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2. Rebuilds native modules for Electron |
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3. Packages the app with electron-builder |
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4. Creates platform-specific installers |
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### 3. Output Location |
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All built packages are saved to `electron/dist/`: |
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``` |
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dist/ |
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├── TimeSafari-1.0.0.AppImage # Portable AppImage |
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├── TimeSafari_1.0.0_amd64.deb # Debian package |
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├── TimeSafari-1.0.0.x86_64.rpm # RPM package (if built) |
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└── linux-unpacked/ # Unpacked directory |
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``` |
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## Configuration |
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### App Metadata |
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App information is configured in `electron/package.json`: |
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```json |
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{ |
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"name": "TimeSafari", |
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"version": "1.0.0", |
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"description": "Time Safari - Community building through gifts, gratitude, and collaborative projects", |
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"homepage": "https://timesafari.app", |
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"author": { |
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"name": "Matthew Raymer", |
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"email": "matthew@timesafari.app" |
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} |
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} |
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``` |
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|
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### Build Configuration |
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Build settings are in `electron/electron-builder.config.json`: |
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- Package formats and architectures |
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- Icons and assets |
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- Platform-specific settings |
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- Signing and publishing options |
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## Troubleshooting |
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### Common Issues |
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#### 1. Native Module Compilation Errors |
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```bash |
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# Clear cache and rebuild |
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npm run build |
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``` |
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#### 2. Missing Dependencies |
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```bash |
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# Install system dependencies (Arch Linux) |
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sudo pacman -S base-devel python |
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# Install Node dependencies |
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npm install |
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``` |
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#### 3. RPM Build Fails |
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```bash |
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# Install rpmbuild |
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sudo pacman -S rpm-tools |
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# Try building again |
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./build-packages.sh rpm |
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``` |
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#### 4. Large Package Size |
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The packages are large (~100-150MB) because they include: |
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- Complete Electron runtime |
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- Node.js runtime |
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- SQLite native modules |
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- Application assets |
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This is normal for Electron applications. |
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### Debug Mode |
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For detailed build information: |
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```bash |
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DEBUG=electron-builder npx electron-builder build |
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``` |
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## Distribution |
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### GitHub Releases |
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1. Create a new release on GitHub |
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2. Upload the built packages as release assets |
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3. Users can download and install directly |
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### Package Repositories |
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- **Debian/Ubuntu**: Upload `.deb` to repository |
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- **Fedora/CentOS**: Upload `.rpm` to repository |
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- **Arch Linux**: Create PKGBUILD for AUR |
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### Direct Download |
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Host the packages on your website for direct download. |
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## Cross-Platform Building |
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### Current Support |
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- **Linux**: Full support (AppImage, deb, rpm) |
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- **Windows**: Configured but requires Windows build environment |
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- **macOS**: Configured but requires macOS build environment |
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### Building for Other Platforms |
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To build for Windows or macOS, you need: |
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- The target platform's build environment |
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- Platform-specific signing certificates |
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- Updated build configuration |
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## Security Considerations |
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### Code Signing |
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For production releases, consider code signing: |
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- **Linux**: Not required but recommended |
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- **Windows**: Required for Windows SmartScreen |
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- **macOS**: Required for Gatekeeper |
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### Package Integrity |
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- Verify package checksums |
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- Use HTTPS for distribution |
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- Consider GPG signatures for packages |
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## Performance Tips |
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### Build Optimization |
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- Use `--dir` flag for faster development builds |
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- Cache node_modules between builds |
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- Use CI/CD for automated builds |
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### Package Size Reduction |
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- Remove unnecessary dependencies |
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- Use electron-builder's file filtering |
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- Consider using electron-updater for delta updates |
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## Support |
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For build issues: |
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1. Check the console output for specific errors |
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2. Verify all dependencies are installed |
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3. Try cleaning and rebuilding |
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4. Check electron-builder documentation |
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5. Open an issue with build logs |
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--- |
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**Happy Building! 🚀** |
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@ -0,0 +1,56 @@ |
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#!/bin/bash |
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# TimeSafari Electron Build Script |
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# Usage: ./build-packages.sh [pack|appimage|deb|rpm|all] |
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set -e |
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echo "🚀 TimeSafari Electron Build Script" |
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echo "==================================" |
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# Build TypeScript and rebuild native modules |
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echo "📦 Building TypeScript and native modules..." |
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npm run build |
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BUILD_TYPE="${1:-all}" |
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case "$BUILD_TYPE" in |
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"pack") |
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echo "📦 Creating unpacked build..." |
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npx electron-builder build --dir -c ./electron-builder.config.json |
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;; |
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"appimage") |
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echo "📦 Creating AppImage..." |
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npx electron-builder build --linux AppImage -c ./electron-builder.config.json |
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;; |
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"deb") |
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echo "📦 Creating Debian package..." |
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npx electron-builder build --linux deb -c ./electron-builder.config.json |
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;; |
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"rpm") |
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echo "📦 Creating RPM package..." |
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if ! command -v rpmbuild &> /dev/null; then |
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echo "⚠️ rpmbuild not found. Install with: sudo pacman -S rpm-tools" |
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exit 1 |
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fi |
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npx electron-builder build --linux rpm -c ./electron-builder.config.json |
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;; |
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"all") |
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echo "📦 Creating all Linux packages..." |
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npx electron-builder build --linux -c ./electron-builder.config.json |
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;; |
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*) |
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echo "❌ Unknown build type: $BUILD_TYPE" |
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echo "Usage: $0 [pack|appimage|deb|rpm|all]" |
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exit 1 |
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;; |
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esac |
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echo "" |
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echo "✅ Build completed successfully!" |
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echo "📁 Output files in: ./dist/" |
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echo "" |
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echo "📦 Available packages:" |
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ls -la dist/ | grep -E '\.(AppImage|deb|rpm)$' || echo " No packages found" |
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echo "" |
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echo "🎉 Ready to distribute!" |
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