Creating Desktop Apps with Nativefier (with examples)
1. Create a desktop app for a website
nativefier https://www.example.com
Motivation: By using the nativefier command followed by the URL of a website, you can easily convert the website into a desktop application. This allows you to access and use the website without the need for a browser, providing a more focused and integrated app-like experience.
Explanation: The nativefier command is used to create a native desktop app for the given URL. Here, you simply need to specify the URL of the website within the command.
Example Output: This command will create a desktop app for the website at https://www.example.com. The output will include a folder with the necessary files to run the app. Running the generated app will open the website in a standalone application window.
2. Create a desktop app with a custom name
nativefier --name "My App" https://www.example.com
Motivation: Sometimes it is desirable to have a custom name for the desktop app instead of using the default name derived from the website’s title. This can provide a more personalized and recognizable app experience.
Explanation: In this example, the --name flag is used to specify the custom name for the desktop app. The value should be enclosed in quotes if it contains spaces.
Example Output: Running this command will create a desktop app for the website at https://www.example.com. The generated app will have the name “My App” instead of the default name.
3. Use a custom icon
nativefier --icon path/to/icon.png https://www.example.com
Motivation: Using a custom icon for the desktop app can enhance its visual appeal and make it easier to identify among other applications. It allows you to personalize the app according to your branding or preferences.
Explanation: The --icon flag is used to specify the path to a custom icon image in PNG format. This image will be used as the icon for the generated desktop app.
Example Output: When running this command, a desktop app will be created for the website at https://www.example.com. The app will use the custom icon specified by the path/to/icon.png. The generated app’s icon in the taskbar, dock, or application menu will be replaced with the custom icon.
