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electron-packager

github.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 7.9 #8 of 29 in Software Packaging Tools

What it is

electron-packager bundles Electron app source code with a renamed Electron executable and supporting files into folders ready for distribution. It works as a command-line tool or a Node.js library called through JavaScript. Packager can find or download a matching Electron release and build for a selected platform and architecture, all valid combinations, or the host combination. Output targets include Windows, macOS—including Mac App Store targets—and Linux; these are also the listed host platforms. Documented target architectures include x86, x86_64, arm64, universal macOS, Linux armv7l, and Linux mips64el, though some depend on Electron versions. CLI options include a regular-expression ignore filter for files and folders. Electron Forge uses Packager internally, and installer tools can use its output folders to create distributables. The free, open-source Node.js tool requires Node.js 22.12.0 or higher, and local installation is recommended. Signing a macOS or Mac App Store bundle requires building on a macOS host. The project also notes that even a minimal zipped app is approximately the size of the matching zipped Electron binary.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Electron Packager bundles Electron app source code with a renamed Electron executable and supporting files into folders ready for distribution.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Integrations
Electron Forge uses Electron Packager internally, while related installer tools use Packager-created folders to create distributables.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Security
GitHub reports that the project has not set up a SECURITY.md security policy.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The project directs usage questions to its FAQ and troubleshooting questions to its contributing documentation.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
API plugins
The project lists API-hook plugins for locale selection, non-proprietary FFmpeg codecs, and rebuilding native Node.js modules.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Architecture support
Documented target architectures include x86, x86_64, arm64, universal macOS, Linux armv7l, and Linux mips64el, with some architecture availability limited by Electron versions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Build behavior
Packager can find or download the matching Electron release and create an app bundle for a chosen platform and architecture, all valid combinations, or the host combination.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Configuration
The CLI supports optional flags, and its ignore option filters files and folders with a regular expression.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Host platforms
The project lists Windows, macOS, and Linux as supported host platforms for running Packager.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Interfaces
It can be used as a command-line tool or as a Node.js library through JavaScript.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Prerequisite
The module requires Node.js 22.12.0 or higher and the project recommends installing it locally rather than globally.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Signing limit
A macOS or Mac App Store app bundle can only be signed when the build runs on a macOS host.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Size limit
The project notes that packaged Electron apps can be relatively large, with a minimal zipped app approximately the size of the matching zipped Electron binary.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Target platforms
It generates application bundles for Windows, macOS including Mac App Store targets, and Linux.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Open-source Node.js library and CLI · requires Node.js 22.12.0 or higher Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every electron-packager plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Offers CLI and JavaScript library interfaces
  • Targets Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Can select target architectures
  • Supports regular-expression file filtering

Limits

  • Requires Node.js 22.12.0 or higher
  • Mac bundle signing requires a macOS build host
  • Packaged apps can be relatively large
  • No auto-update support

Who it suits

electron-packager suits developers who need to bundle Electron applications for Windows, macOS, or Linux from the command line or JavaScript. Builds require Node.js 22.12.0 or higher.

Verdict

electron-packager focuses on creating distribution-ready application folders, with multiple target platforms and architectures. Its Node.js requirement and macOS-host requirement for signing are relevant constraints.

Where Specifiction places it

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