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makeself
What it is
Makeself is a shell script for packaging a directory as a self-extracting compressed TAR archive. The resulting file includes a shell stub; when run, it unpacks the contents into a temporary directory, can launch an optional command such as an installation script, and removes temporary files afterward. Archive options let users list files, check integrity, choose where to extract, request confirmation or skip the embedded command. Integrity checks can use CRC or MD5, with optional SHA256 support. Compression choices include gzip, bzip2, bzip3, xz, lz4 and zstd, among others. Methods beyond the available default require the matching compressor on the system extracting the archive. Archive creation also offers GPG and OpenSSL encryption, which requires those tools for archive users. The project aims to run on Unix-compatible systems with a compatible Bourne shell, without relying on Bash-specific features. It lists Linux, macOS, several Unix systems and Windows through Cygwin or WSL among tested platforms. Makeself is free under GNU GPL version 2 and above; archives it creates do not have to use that license.
For and against
For
- Creates self-extracting compressed TAR archives.
- Can check archive integrity with CRC or MD5.
- Offers extraction controls and optional command execution.
- Free under GNU GPL version 2 and above.
Against
- Non-default compressors must be installed for extraction.
- Encryption requires GPG or OpenSSL on archive users’ systems.
- Archives before version 2.1.2 may have extraction problems on some GNU/Linux distributions.
The verdict
Makeself provides directory packaging with configurable extraction, integrity checks and optional command execution. Its shell and compressor requirements are relevant when choosing how recipients will open an archive.
Who it suits
Makeself may suit people distributing directory contents as self-extracting shell archives, including packages that should run an optional installation command. Windows users need Cygwin or WSL.
Plans and prices
Makeself
GPL version 2 and above · self-extracting archives for Unix-compatible systems
Read 9 Oct 2026 · makeself.io
On the record
- Archive behavior
- An archive can extract to a temporary directory and run an optional command, such as an installation script.makeself.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Archive controls
- Generated archives support options to list or check contents, choose an extraction target, request confirmation, or skip execution of the embedded script.makeself.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Archive format
- Generated archives contain a compressed TAR archive with a shell script stub that extracts files, runs the embedded command, and removes temporary files when done.makeself.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Compression
- The documented options include gzip, bzip2, bzip3, pbzip2, xz, lzo, lz4, zstd, pigz, and uncompressed TAR.makeself.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Download
- The maker links to the official GitHub distribution and identifies version 2.7.1 as the latest official release on the page.makeself.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- The tool has options to encrypt archives with GPG or OpenSSL AES-256-CBC.makeself.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Extraction
- Running an archive extracts it to a temporary directory and can execute an optional command, such as an installation script.makeself.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Extraction controls
- Generated archives support options to list files, check integrity, choose an extraction target, prompt for confirmation, or skip running the embedded command.makeself.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Integration
- The maker says Makeself is supported by a Maven plugin and directs users to that plugin project for usage and bug reports.makeself.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Integrity
- Archives include checksums for integrity validation, with CRC, MD5, and optional SHA256 support.makeself.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Integrity checks
- Archives can include CRC, MD5, or SHA256 checksums for integrity validation.makeself.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- Makeself is covered by the GNU General Public License version 2 and above; the maker says generated archives do not have to use that license.makeself.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The page notes that archives made before version 2.1.2 may have extraction problems on some GNU/Linux distributions because of obsolete head and tail syntax.makeself.io · read 8 Oct 2026
- Portability
- The maker says Makeself avoids Bash-specific features and is intended to run with compatible Bourne shells on Unix systems, when required compression programs are available.makeself.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Makeself is a shell script that creates self-extracting compressed TAR archives from directories.makeself.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Requirement
- Compression methods other than the available default require their corresponding compressor to be installed for archive extraction.makeself.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maintainer welcomes patches and bug reports through the GitHub project page and lists an email address for suggestions.makeself.io · read 9 Oct 2026
- Tested platforms
- The maker lists Linux, macOS, Solaris, HP-UX, SCO OpenUnix and OpenServer, AIX, IRIX, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, UnicOS/Cray, and Windows through Cygwin or WSL as tested platforms.makeself.io · read 9 Oct 2026
