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electron-packager
What it is
electron-packager is a free, open-source Node.js library and command-line tool for turning Electron source code into distributable application folders. It adds a renamed Electron executable and supporting files, and can find or download the matching Electron release. Packaging can target Windows, macOS, including Mac App Store targets, and Linux. Documented architectures include x86, x86_64, arm64, universal macOS, Linux armv7l, and Linux mips64el, with some availability depending on Electron versions. You can build for one platform and architecture, every valid combination, or the host combination. The CLI provides optional flags, including a regular-expression ignore filter for files and folders. JavaScript projects can call the library directly. Electron Forge uses Packager internally, and installer tools can consume its output folders. Node.js 22.12.0 or higher is required, with local installation recommended. Mac signing requires a macOS build host.
For and against
For
- Free open-source library and CLI
- Packages Windows, macOS, and Linux targets
- Supports JavaScript library usage
- Offers architecture-specific builds
- Includes regular-expression file ignoring
Against
- Requires Node.js 22.12.0 or higher
- Mac signing requires a macOS host
- Packaged apps can be relatively large
- No auto-update support is listed
The verdict
electron-packager provides direct control over Electron bundle creation across major desktop platforms. It is useful for developers who can meet its Node.js requirement and handle signing and distribution separately.
Who it suits
It suits Electron developers who need application bundles for Windows, macOS, or Linux. Teams comfortable with Node.js, command-line packaging, or JavaScript APIs can use it in build workflows.
Plans and prices
Free
Open-source Node.js library and CLI · requires Node.js 22.12.0 or higher
Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- API plugins
- The project lists API-hook plugins for locale selection, non-proprietary FFmpeg codecs, and rebuilding native Node.js modules.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Architecture support
- Documented target architectures include x86, x86_64, arm64, universal macOS, Linux armv7l, and Linux mips64el, with some architecture availability limited by Electron versions.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Build behavior
- Packager can find or download the matching Electron release and create an app bundle for a chosen platform and architecture, all valid combinations, or the host combination.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- The CLI supports optional flags, and its ignore option filters files and folders with a regular expression.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Host platforms
- The project lists Windows, macOS, and Linux as supported host platforms for running Packager.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Electron Forge uses Electron Packager internally, while related installer tools use Packager-created folders to create distributables.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Interfaces
- It can be used as a command-line tool or as a Node.js library through JavaScript.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Prerequisite
- The module requires Node.js 22.12.0 or higher and the project recommends installing it locally rather than globally.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Electron Packager bundles Electron app source code with a renamed Electron executable and supporting files into folders ready for distribution.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- GitHub reports that the project has not set up a SECURITY.md security policy.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Signing limit
- A macOS or Mac App Store app bundle can only be signed when the build runs on a macOS host.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Size limit
- The project notes that packaged Electron apps can be relatively large, with a minimal zipped app approximately the size of the matching zipped Electron binary.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs usage questions to its FAQ and troubleshooting questions to its contributing documentation.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Target platforms
- It generates application bundles for Windows, macOS including Mac App Store targets, and Linux.github.com · read 7 Oct 2026
