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