nativefier

wraps websites as desktop applications using Electron

TLDR

Create app from website

$ nativefier "[https://example.com]"

Create with custom name

$ nativefier --name "[App Name]" "[https://example.com]"

Create with custom icon

$ nativefier --icon [icon.png] "[https://example.com]"

Create in specific directory

$ nativefier "[https://example.com]" [/output/dir]

Create with tray icon

$ nativefier --tray "[https://example.com]"

Create maximized window

$ nativefier --maximize "[https://example.com]"

Create single instance app

$ nativefier --single-instance "[https://example.com]"

Create with injected CSS or JavaScript (repeatable)

$ nativefier --inject [style.css] --inject [script.js] "[https://example.com]"

Build for another platform and architecture

$ nativefier --platform [windows] --arch [x64] "[https://example.com]"

Keep login and OAuth pages inside the app

$ nativefier --internal-urls "[.*?\.example\.com.*?]" "[https://example.com]"

Upgrade an existing app to the latest Electron, keeping its options

$ nativefier --upgrade [path/to/App-linux-x64]

SYNOPSIS

nativefier [options] url [outputdir_]nativefier --upgrade apppath [options_]

nativefier wraps websites as desktop applications using Electron. The result is a standalone app that behaves like a native application.Applications get their own window, dock/taskbar icon, and can run independently of browsers. This is useful for web apps that benefit from dedicated window management.Custom icons, names, and window behavior make apps feel native. Tray mode minimizes to system tray. Single instance prevents multiple copies.CSS and JavaScript injection modifies the wrapped site. This can customize appearance, add features, or remove unwanted elements.Internal URL patterns control which links open in the app versus the default browser. This keeps the app focused on its core functionality.Platform targeting creates apps for Windows, macOS, or Linux from any development machine.

PARAMETERS

-n, --name NAME

Application name.

-i, --icon PATH

Custom icon file (.png on Linux, .ico on Windows, .icns on macOS).

-p, --platform OS

Target platform (mac, windows, linux).

-a, --arch ARCH

Target architecture.

-e, --electron-version VERSION

Electron version to bundle.

--upgrade PATH

Rebuild an existing app in place, reusing its options.

--tray [start-in-tray]

Add system tray icon; optionally start hidden in the tray.

--width, --height PIXELS

Initial window size (default 1280x800).

--full-screen

Start in full screen.

--maximize

Start maximized.

--single-instance

Only one instance allowed.

--inject FILE

Inject CSS or JavaScript.

-u, --user-agent STRING

Custom user agent, or a preset such as firefox or safari.

-m, --show-menu-bar

Show the menu bar.

-c, --conceal

Pack the app source into an asar archive.

--portable

Store user data (cookies, cache) next to the app.

--counter

Show the count from the page title on the dock/taskbar icon.

--internal-urls REGEX

URLs to open internally.

--file-download-options JSON

Download behavior settings.

--disable-context-menu

Disable right-click menu.

--widevine

Enable Widevine DRM.

CAVEATS

Electron apps are large (100MB+) and bundle a Chromium that no longer receives updates once built; rebuild regularly with --upgrade for security fixes. Some sites (e.g. Google sign-in) block embedded browsers. The --flash option was removed in v43. The project is unmaintained and archived (2023); consider alternatives such as Pake or the browser's own "install as app" feature.

HISTORY

nativefier was created by Jia Hao Gao around 2015 to easily create desktop apps from web pages. It became popular for wrapping services like Slack, WhatsApp Web, and internal tools. After its maintainers stepped back, the GitHub repository was archived in 2023 and no further releases are made.

RESOURCES

Source code · Documentation