How to package web pages into desktop apps with the command pake (with examples)
This article will illustrate several use cases of the pake command, which allows you to package web pages into desktop applications using Rust/Tauri. With this command, you can easily convert any webpage into a standalone app.
Use case 1: Package a web page
Code:
pake https://www.google.com/
Motivation: Using this command, you can quickly package a web page into a desktop app without having to manually create a new app from scratch. This can be useful if you want to have a dedicated app for a specific website or if you want to access a webpage without the need for a browser.
Explanation: The command pake is followed by the URL of the web page you want to package, in this case, https://www.google.com/.
Example output: This command will create a desktop application that opens Google’s homepage in a separate window.
Use case 2: Package a web page with a specific window size
Code:
pake --width 800 --height 600 https://www.google.com/
Motivation: Specifying a custom window size can be helpful if you want to have more control over the user experience or if you want the app to fit a specific screen size.
Explanation: In addition to the URL, the command pake takes two arguments: --width and --height, followed by the desired dimensions of the app’s window in pixels. In this example, the window size is set to 800 pixels wide and 600 pixels high.
Example output: This command will create a desktop application of Google’s homepage with a window size of 800x600 pixels.
Use case 3: Package a web page with a custom application name and icon
Code:
pake --name Google --icon path/to/icon.ico https://www.google.com/
Motivation: By customizing the application name and icon, you can create a more personalized experience for your users and make the app visually distinct.
Explanation: Apart from the URL, the pake command accepts two additional arguments: --name and --icon. --name is followed by the desired name for the app, in this case, “Google”. --icon is followed by the path to an icon file, allowing you to specify a custom icon for the app.
Example output: This command will create a desktop application with the name “Google” and the specified icon, which opens Google’s homepage.
Use case 4: Package a web page with a non-resizable window
Code:
pake --no-resizable https://www.google.com/
Motivation: Making a window non-resizable can be useful if you want to prevent users from changing the size of the app’s window or if you want to maintain a specific aspect ratio.
Explanation: The --no-resizable flag tells the pake command to create a non-resizable window for the app.
Example output: This command will create a desktop application with a non-resizable window that opens Google’s homepage.
Use case 5: Package a web page with fullscreen mode
Code:
pake --fullscreen https://www.google.com/
Motivation: Enabling fullscreen mode allows the app to occupy the entire screen, providing a distraction-free experience or creating a kiosk-like application.
Explanation: The --fullscreen flag instructs the pake command to create a desktop application that opens in fullscreen mode.
Example output: This command will create a desktop application that opens Google’s homepage in fullscreen mode.
Use case 6: Package a web page with a transparent title bar
Code:
pake --transparent https://www.google.com/
Motivation: Having a transparent title bar can give the app a sleek and modern look, allowing the webpage’s content to extend to the top of the app’s window.
Explanation: The --transparent flag tells the pake command to create a desktop application with a transparent title bar.
Example output: This command will create a desktop application with a transparent title bar that opens Google’s homepage.
Conclusion:
The pake command is a powerful tool that allows you to package web pages into desktop applications with ease. By using various arguments, you can customize the app’s appearance, functionality, and user experience. Whether you want to create a standalone app for a specific website or build a unique browsing experience, pake provides a simple and efficient solution.
