Packaging & Distribution – electron‑builder

Packaging & Distribution – electron‑builder

electron‑builder is the most popular tool for creating installers for Windows (nsis), macOS (dmg, pkg) and Linux (AppImage, deb).

Install

npm install --save-dev electron-builder

Add build config to package.json

"build": {
  "appId": "com.example.myapp",
  "productName": "MyApp",
  "directories": { "output": "dist" },
  "files": [ "dist/**/*", "main/**/*", "preload/**/*", "package.json" ],
  "mac": { "target": "dmg" },
  "win": { "target": "nsis" },
  "linux": { "target": "AppImage" }
}

Scripts

"scripts": {
  "build": "electron-builder",
  "dist": "npm run build"
}

Run npm run build – you’ll get platform‑specific installers in the dist/ folder.

Code signing (macOS)

1. Create an Apple Developer ID certificate.
2. Add to build config:

"mac": {
  "identity": "Developer ID Application: Your Name (TEAMID)"
}

Code signing (Windows)

• Obtain a code‑signing certificate (pfx file)
• Add to config:

"win": {
  "certificateFile": "cert.pfx",
  "certificatePassword": "your‑password"
}