electron-builder
A complete solution to package and build ready-for-distribution Electron apps with auto-update support.
What is electron-builder?
electron-builder is a Node.js-based tool that packages and builds Electron and Proton Native applications into ready-for-distribution installers for macOS, Windows, and Linux. It solves the problem of complex deployment workflows by handling code signing, auto-updates, native dependency management, and multi-platform packaging automatically.
Electron and Proton Native developers who need to distribute their desktop applications across multiple operating systems with professional-grade installers and update mechanisms.
Developers choose electron-builder for its comprehensive feature set out of the box, including auto-update support, extensive platform targets, and seamless CI/CD integration, which significantly reduces the overhead of desktop app distribution compared to manual or alternative solutions.
Overview
A complete solution to package and build a ready for distribution Electron app with “auto update” support out of the box
Use Cases
Best For
- Creating distributable installers for Electron apps on macOS, Windows, and Linux
- Implementing auto-update functionality in desktop applications
- Managing code signing for Electron apps in CI/CD pipelines
- Packaging apps with native Node.js module dependencies
- Building Proton Native applications for cross-platform distribution
- Publishing app artifacts to GitHub Releases or cloud storage
Not Ideal For
- Teams using Yarn 3 with Plug'n'Play (PnP) enabled who want to avoid switching to node-modules
- Projects requiring only simple ZIP packaging or minimal installers without auto-updates
- Developers seeking a graphical UI or drag-and-drop tool for packaging, as it's CLI-based
- Applications with highly custom, non-standard build processes not covered by its targets
Pros & Cons
Pros
Supports a wide range of formats across macOS, Windows, and Linux, including dmg, nsis, AppImage, and more, as detailed in the README's multi-platform packaging section.
Provides out-of-the-box auto-update functionality, reducing the need for manual update handling and integrating seamlessly with distribution channels.
Automatically compiles native Node.js modules and excludes development dependencies, simplifying packaging for apps with native add-ons.
Facilitates code signing and artifact publishing on CI servers, with support for GitHub Releases and cloud storage, as highlighted in the features.
Cons
Requires switching to node-modules linker when using Yarn 3 with PnP, which can disrupt workflows for teams adopting modern Yarn features, as noted in the README.
While it aims for zero-config, advanced customization involves numerous options that can lead to verbose and confusing configuration files, especially for niche use cases.
Relies on external code signing certificates that must be purchased and managed separately, adding cost and setup steps beyond the tool itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
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