The Electron framework lets you write cross-platform desktop applications using JavaScript, HTML and CSS. It is based on Node.js and Chromium and is used by the Atom editor and many other apps.
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This project adheres to the Contributor Covenant code of conduct. By participating, you are expected to uphold this code. Please report unacceptable behavior to coc@electronjs.org.
Installation
To install prebuilt Electron binaries, use npm
.
The preferred method is to install Electron as a development dependency in your
app:
npm install electron --save-dev [--save-exact]
The --save-exact
flag is recommended for Electron prior to version 2, as it does not follow semantic
versioning. As of version 2.0.0, Electron follows semver, so you don't need --save-exact
flag. For info on how to manage Electron versions in your apps, see
Electron versioning.
For more installation options and troubleshooting tips, see installation.
Quick start & Electron Fiddle
Use Electron Fiddle
to build, run, and package small Electron experiments, to see code examples for all of Electron's APIs, and
to try out different versions of Electron. It's designed to make the start of your journey with
Electron easier.
Alternatively, clone and run the electron/electron-quick-start repository to see a minimal Electron app in action:
git clone https://github.com/electron/electron-quick-start
cd electron-quick-start
npm install
npm start
Resources for learning Electron
- electronjs.org/docs - All of Electron's documentation
- electron/fiddle - A tool to build, run, and package small Electron experiments
- electron/electron-quick-start - A very basic starter Electron app
- electronjs.org/community#boilerplates - Sample starter apps created by the community
- electron/simple-samples - Small applications with ideas for taking them further
- electron/electron-api-demos - An Electron app that teaches you how to use Electron
- hokein/electron-sample-apps - Small demo apps for the various Electron APIs
Programmatic usage
Most people use Electron from the command line, but if you require electron
inside
your Node app (not your Electron app) it will return the file path to the
binary. Use this to spawn Electron from Node scripts:
const electron = require('electron')
const proc = require('child_process')
// will print something similar to /Users/maf/.../Electron
console.log(electron)
// spawn Electron
const child = proc.spawn(electron)
Mirrors
Documentation Translations
Find documentation translations in electron/i18n.
Contributing
If you are interested in reporting/fixing issues and contributing directly to the code base, please see CONTRIBUTING.md for more information on what we're looking for and how to get started.
Community
Info on reporting bugs, getting help, finding third-party tools and sample apps, and more can be found in the support document.
License
When using the Electron or other GitHub logos, be sure to follow the GitHub logo guidelines.