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Electron

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Also called Electron.js

What is Electron?

A framework that allows developers to build cross-platform desktop applications for Windows, Mac, and Linux using standard web technologies.

Electron bundles the Chromium rendering engine and the Node.js runtime into a single executable. This allows developers to write a web app (using React or Vue) and deploy it as a native desktop app with access to the local file system. It powers massive applications like VS Code, Slack, and Discord.

How it relates to Orbit

Orbit itself uses Electron for its desktop window, while a separate server process handles live agent and MCP work. See Project Window for details.

When you would use it

You use Electron when you want to build a robust desktop application across all major operating systems quickly, using your team's existing web development skills.

Common operations

  • Converting a web-based SaaS product into a downloadable desktop application.
  • Building complex developer tools that require local file system access.

Related terms

Where this is taught

No learning path uses this term yet. Browse the Learning Atlas for guided sequences through related ideas.