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Electron Forge
What it is
Electron Forge is a free, open-source tool for packaging and distributing Electron applications on Windows, macOS and Linux. It brings build steps together for code signing, installers and publishing artifacts. Makers create platform-specific distributables, with formats including Squirrel.Windows, ZIP, DEB, RPM, DMG, AppX and Flatpak. Developers can start projects with create-electron-app and choose first-party Webpack, Webpack with TypeScript, Vite or Vite with TypeScript templates. The Plugin API allows custom build logic, while Makers and Publishers can be adapted for other build and storage targets. Publishers can send artifacts from the make command to distribution services, update servers or storage such as an S3 bucket. GitHub Publisher supports GitHub Releases and GitHub Enterprise with host configuration. Documented auto-update options include a free Electron team service for open-source GitHub apps, static storage publishers or a hosted update server; macOS auto updates require a signed app. Setup requires Node.js 16.4.0 or later, Git and a JavaScript package manager. Packaging requires node_modules on disk, and the module resolver does not account for symlinked dependencies or Yarn Plug'n'Play.
For and against
For
- Open-source tool for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Makers produce multiple platform-specific distributable formats.
- Plugin API supports custom build logic.
- Publishers can target GitHub Releases or storage.
- Documentation covers auto-update options.
Against
- Setup requires Node.js 16.4.0 or later, Git and a package manager.
- Packaging requires node_modules on disk.
- Symlinked dependencies and Yarn Plug'n'Play are not accounted for.
- macOS auto updates require a signed application.
The verdict
Electron Forge offers packaging, publishing and extension mechanisms for Electron application workflows. Check its prerequisites and module-resolution limits, especially if a project uses symlinked dependencies or Yarn Plug'n'Play.
Who it suits
Electron Forge suits Electron developers who want to package and distribute applications, with extension points for customized build workflows. It assumes familiarity with Node.js, Git and a JavaScript package manager.
Plans and prices
Electron Forge
No paid plans or usage limits stated on the official pages opened
Read 7 Oct 2026 · electronforge.io
On the record
- Auto updates
- Forge documents auto-update options using a free Electron team service for open-source GitHub apps, static storage publishers, or a hosted update server.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Build output
- Forge makers generate platform-specific distributables, with documented formats including DMG, AppX, Flatpak, deb, RPM, Snap, MSIX, MSI, and ZIP.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Build pipeline
- Forge combines tools for a build pipeline that supports code signing, installers, and artifact publishing.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Code signing
- The documentation includes guides for configuring code signing and signing Windows and macOS apps.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Custom build logic can be added through Forge’s Plugin API, and custom build and storage targets can be implemented with Makers and Publishers.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Distributables
- Makers generate platform-specific distributable formats, including DMG, AppX, and Flatpak files.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- Forge supports custom build logic through plugins and lets developers create custom makers and publishers for build and storage targets.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Frontend tools
- The first-party templates use plugins to bundle JavaScript for production and include a development server.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- GitHub Releases
- The GitHub Publisher uploads app artifacts to GitHub Releases, and can publish to GitHub Enterprise using host configuration options.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The documentation index includes integrations and guides for Webpack, Vite, Parcel, React, React with TypeScript, and Vue 3.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- macOS update prerequisite
- A signed application is required to use auto updates on macOS.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Package manager setup
- The guide recommends node-modules mode for Yarn 2 or later and node-linker=hoisted for pnpm.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Packaging limit
- Packaging requires node_modules on disk; the module resolver does not account for symlinked dependencies or Yarn Plug'n'Play.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Packaging limitation
- Packaging requires node_modules on disk; Forge’s module resolution does not account for symlinked dependencies or Yarn Plug'n'Play.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Prerequisites
- Getting started requires Node.js version 16.4.0 or later, Git, and a JavaScript package manager.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Pricing
- The official site pages opened describe Electron Forge as a tool and provide setup and usage documentation, but do not state a product price or paid plans.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Publishing
- Publishers send artifacts created by the make command to distribution services, update servers, or storage such as an S3 bucket.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Electron Forge is an all-in-one tool for packaging and distributing Electron applications.electronforge.io · read 7 Oct 2026
