Krate
Questions
How do I distribute a desktop app to Windows, macOS and Linux?
Either build, sign and host a package for each system, or ship one .krate file that opens on all three through the Krate runtime. Both routes, step by step.
Can I ship one app file to Windows, Mac and Linux?
Yes, as a .krate: the same bytes open on all three once the person has installed the Krate runtime. A normal native executable cannot do this. How the format works.
What is a good Electron alternative?
It depends on what you need. Tauri, Wails and Neutralino keep a web frontend in the system WebView; Flutter and Qt draw their own interface; Krate ships one sandboxed .krate file for all three desktop systems. Krate vs Electron.
Is there a Tauri alternative that doesn't need a build per OS?
Krate. Tauri builds an installer or bundle for each operating system; Krate ships one file and keeps the per-OS work in a runtime that Krate maintains. Krate vs Tauri.
How do I share an app I built with AI as a desktop app?
If it is a Krate app, send the .krate file; the person installs Krate once and opens it. If your AI tool built a website, host it, wrap it per OS with Electron or Tauri, or port it to Krate in Krate Studio. Sharing an AI-built app.
Can I ship a cross-platform app without code signing?
With a .krate, you don't sign a package per OS, because the file is opened by the Krate runtime. Native installers effectively need signing on macOS and Windows. Code signing and Krate.
How can I run an untrusted desktop app more safely?
For an unknown native program, use the strongest isolation you have, such as a virtual machine or Windows Sandbox. For apps shipped as .krate files, the app starts without file or network access and asks; inspect it first with krate run app.krate --dump-caps. Krate is not yet hardened against deliberately hostile code. Inspecting an app before you run it.
Is there a portable app format that runs on every OS?
No format runs on every system. A .krate runs on macOS, Windows and Linux desktops through the Krate runtime. AppImage is Linux only, Cosmopolitan's Actually Portable Executable runs one executable on several systems, mainly for command-line programs, and Java apps need a Java runtime. The .krate format.
Is there a WebAssembly runtime for desktop GUI apps?
Yes. Krate runs desktop apps compiled to WebAssembly components, with windows, widgets, a 2D canvas, files, storage and networking behind permissions. It embeds Wasmtime. General runtimes such as Wasmtime, Wasmer and WasmEdge focus on servers and command-line programs. Krate's architecture.
Do people need to install anything to open a .krate?
Yes, the Krate runtime, once. Download Krate, or read what to do when someone sends you a .krate.
Is Krate free and open source?
The runtime, CLI and SDK are free and open source under MIT OR Apache-2.0. Krate Studio is source-available under the Business Source License 1.1 and free on your own machine with your own AI. Licence details.
Does Krate run existing .exe or .app files?
No. An app has to be built or ported for Krate's interfaces. Krate Studio can port a project folder with AI; the porting guide explains what carries over.
What can't Krate do yet?
Phones, shipping apps in languages other than Rust, native libraries and subprocesses, and demanding 3D games. The full list.