Packaging a node.js webapp as a normal desktop app
I've searched a bit but can't find an existing tool for this.
I have a node.js web server that is designed to run on your own computer that does some snazzy things for you. It would be pretty aswesome if I could double click MySnazzyThing.app instead of installing nodejs, and npm and running node mysnazzyapp.js on the command line.
The .app executable would spool up the node server and open a simple native webkit window which would show what would normally be on localhost:3000 if I were running on the command line.
This native app could then, say, be distributed through the mac app store. And bam, a node.js desktop app.
Does any such tool exist? Or are there any technical reasons that this wouldn't work as I imagine it?
Answer
Option 1: electron (aka atom-shell)
This is the shell that github's Atom editor uses. It's very similar to node-webkit, though it will run the script first, and you have to create a view/window for the user. There are some other minor differences, but it's worth looking at.
Option 2: NW.js formerly node-webkit
The gist is that it basically extends the JS engine for you to write a web-based app supporting node's extended object model, and modules... you then package your package.json start.html modules and js files into a zip (with the .nw extension) and run it with nw(.exe) .. there are windows, mac and linux builds available.
Option 3: Carlo chrom(ium) shell from Node.
This will allow you to launch the locally installed Chrome as a shell that can connect to a locally running server application. It does require a local chrome, but is very close to what was asked for.
Option 4: MacGapNode (OSX Only)
MacGap with Node integration (Seems to be getting stale)
Aside: Services...
I can't speak for OSX on this as a .App, but it could well be possible to create a background service install in NodeJS and a link to a "local" site on the desktop. Most browsers have an option to not show all the features (I know firefox in particular does).
I know your question is to OSX in particular, but in windows you can use NSSM to run anything as a service, and I have used it for NodeJS based services in windows. I think some of the other options above are better depending on your needs though.
Removed:
nexe- stale/unmaintainedAppJS- replaced with DeskShellDeskShell- stale, website offlinenode-webkit-renamed to NW.jsXULRunnerproject stalled, and exceedingly behind.Thrust (Node Adapter)- deprecated/stale
This answer is copied for multiple questions, these references are mostly for updating convenience.