| name | common-electron-app-devops-package |
| description | DevOps sets up the full Electron packaging + release pipeline — Forge 7.x (default) or electron-builder, code signing for macOS (Developer ID + @electron/notarize → notarytool + staple) and Windows (Azure Trusted Signing as the post-EV-hardware default), electron-updater ≥ 6.3.9 with `verifyUpdateCodeSignature` ON, the @electron/fuses table including ASAR integrity, cross-platform CI matrix on native runners (no QEMU), `@electron/rebuild` per-arch, and client handoff guides for everything the client must do (Apple Developer enrollment, Azure Trusted Signing tenant). Produces `.claude/packaging-plan.md` plus per-action handoff guides under `.claude/handoff/`. Use after system design is approved, before or during sprint. |
| user-invocable | true |
| allowed-tools | Read, Grep, Glob, Bash, Write, Edit, Agent |
| argument-hint | [--update to revise existing plan] [--handoff to generate client guides only] |
Electron Package & Ship — Packaging, Signing, Auto-Update
You are the CEO. The system design is approved. Now the devops engineer sets up everything needed to produce signed, notarized, self-updating installers across mac / Windows / Linux.
Step 1: Verify inputs
Check that these files exist:
.claude/system-design.md — ADR-4 (builder), ADR-5 (auto-update), ADR-3 (fuses).claude/product-vision.md — target platforms, distribution channels, auto-update strategy.claude/tasks/_overview.md — to understand what's being built.claude/ceo-brain.md — constraints, timeline, signing-cert availability
If $ARGUMENTS contains --update, read .claude/packaging-plan.md and revise.
If $ARGUMENTS contains --handoff, skip to Step 4 (generate client guides only).
Step 2: Brief the DevOps engineer
Send devops with this brief:
Read these files:
.claude/system-design.md — ADR-4 (builder choice), ADR-5 (auto-update strategy), ADR-3 (fuses table), security plan.claude/product-vision.md — target platforms (mac/Win/Linux + arches + min OS versions), distribution channels (DMG/NSIS/AppImage default ON; MAS/MSIX/Snap/Flatpak optional).claude/ceo-brain.md — constraints, signing-cert availability (Apple Developer enrollment, Windows signing channel).claude/tasks/_overview.md — what features are being built
Create a complete packaging plan. Save it as .claude/packaging-plan.md.
The document MUST follow this structure:
# Packaging Plan
> Version {N} — {date}
> Based on system design v{N}
## 1. Builder
**Choice:** {Electron Forge 7.x | electron-builder} — {one paragraph why for THIS project}
Forge 7.x is the boring default — first-party, gets new Electron features day one. Pick electron-builder when you need staged rollouts, delta updates, or exotic targets (Snap/Flatpak/AppImage variants).
**Don't mix the two.**
## 2. Targets & Architectures
| Platform | Target | Arch | Min OS | Default ON? |
|----------|--------|------|--------|------------|
| macOS | DMG | arm64 + x64 (universal from arm64) | {12+} | YES |
| macOS | MAS | x64 + arm64 | {12+} | only if vision says so |
| Windows | NSIS | x64 + arm64 | {Win 10 21H2+} | YES |
| Windows | MSI / MSIX | x64 | {Win 10+} | only if vision says so |
| Linux | AppImage | x64 + arm64 | glibc {2.31+} | YES |
| Linux | deb | x64 + arm64 | {Ubuntu 22.04+} | YES |
| Linux | rpm / Snap / Flatpak | x64 | distro-specific | only if vision says so |
macOS universal builds via `--arch=universal` from the arm64 runner.
## 3. CI Matrix (native runners — no QEMU)
```yaml
# GitHub Actions
jobs:
build:
strategy:
matrix:
include:
- { os: macos-14, arch: arm64 }
- { os: macos-13, arch: x64 }
- { os: windows-latest, arch: x64 }
- { os: windows-11-arm, arch: arm64 } # GA 2025
- { os: ubuntu-24.04, arch: x64 }
- { os: ubuntu-24.04-arm, arch: arm64 } # free on GH
runs-on: ${{ matrix.os }}
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v4
- uses: actions/setup-node@v4
with: { node-version: 20, cache: npm }
- run: npm ci # never `npm install` in CI
- run: npx @electron/rebuild # NOT electron-rebuild (deprecated)
- run: npm test
- run: npm run package -- --arch=${{ matrix.arch }}
- run: npm run make
- if: matrix.os == 'macos-14'
run: npm run notarize # @electron/notarize → notarytool + staple
- run: npm run publish # uploads to update server
```
Why native runners: cross-compiling Electron across architectures via QEMU is unreliable for native modules. GH now offers free `windows-11-arm` and `ubuntu-24.04-arm` — use them.
## 4. macOS Signing & Notarization
### Identities
- **Developer ID Application** cert (NOT Mac App Store cert unless shipping MAS).
- Hardened runtime ON (required for notarization).
- Entitlements plist:
```xml
<key>com.apple.security.cs.allow-jit</key><true/>
<key>com.apple.security.cs.allow-unsigned-executable-memory</key><true/>
<!-- only the entitlements your app actually needs; default-deny -->
```
- All embedded helper apps signed with `--deep` discipline.
### Environment
```
CSC_LINK=... # base64-encoded .p12 or .keychain reference
CSC_KEY_PASSWORD=...
APPLE_ID=... # OR
APPLE_APP_SPECIFIC_PASSWORD=...
APPLE_TEAM_ID=...
# OR (preferred for CI):
APPLE_API_KEY=... # JWT
APPLE_API_KEY_ID=...
APPLE_API_ISSUER=...
```
### Notarization
- `@electron/notarize` invokes `notarytool` (Apple's modern flow; the old `altool` is deprecated).
- Always `xcrun stapler staple` after notarization succeeds — without staple, offline first-launch is rejected.
## 5. Windows Signing
Post-June-2023 reality: code-signing CAs no longer issue exportable keys; EV certs require hardware tokens. Pick ONE, ranked:
1. **Azure Trusted Signing** (~$10/mo, instant SmartScreen reputation, US/CA orgs with 3yr+ history). electron-builder ≥ 25 supports `azureSignOptions` natively. **DEFAULT for new projects.**
2. **DigiCert KeyLocker** / **SSL.com eSigner** — cloud HSM via signtool plugin. Fallback when Azure Trusted Signing isn't available (e.g. EU org, or org < 3yr).
3. **YubiKey / eToken EV** — only with a human at a physical machine. NOT usable on hosted CI runners.
Skip on-disk `.pfx` — current CAs won't issue exportable keys.
### Environment
```
# Azure Trusted Signing (preferred)
AZURE_TENANT_ID=...
AZURE_CLIENT_ID=...
AZURE_CLIENT_SECRET=...
AZURE_TRUSTED_SIGNING_ACCOUNT=...
AZURE_CERTIFICATE_PROFILE=...
```
## 6. Linux Packaging
- AppImage: signed via embedded GPG signature; verified at update time.
- deb: GPG-signed package; published to apt repo or direct-download.
- Snap / Flatpak / rpm: only if vision asks.
No code-signing CA story on Linux equivalent to mac/Win — trust comes from the package source.
## 7. @electron/fuses (set at package time, BEFORE signing)
Production values:
| Fuse | Value | Why |
|------|-------|-----|
| `RunAsNode` | `false` | Prevents the Electron binary from being executed as a generic Node runtime |
| `EnableNodeOptionsEnvironmentVariable` | `false` | Blocks `NODE_OPTIONS` injection |
| `EnableNodeCliInspectArguments` | `false` | Blocks `--inspect` debugger attach |
| `EnableCookieEncryption` | `true` | Cookies encrypted at rest |
| `EnableEmbeddedAsarIntegrityValidation` | `true` | Detects tampering with packaged code |
| `OnlyLoadAppFromAsar` | `true` | Pairs with the above — refuse to load app code from anywhere else |
| `LoadBrowserProcessSpecificV8Snapshot` | `true` | Cold-start improvement; pairs with snapshot tooling |
| `GrantFileProtocolExtraPrivileges` | `false` | Locks down `file://` |
**Verification step in CI:** `npx @electron/fuses read --app <packaged path>`. Fail the build if any value drifts.
ASAR integrity REQUIRES sign-after-package order: package → fuses → sign → notarize → staple. Any other order breaks the integrity check.
## 8. Auto-Update
### Choice
**{electron-updater ≥ 6.3.9 | update-electron-app + update.electronjs.org | none}** — {why}
electron-updater 6.3.9 fixes CVE-2024-39698. Older versions: never. `verifyUpdateCodeSignature` MUST stay ON; without it, an attacker who controls the update channel can ship code signed by anyone.
update.electronjs.org is free for OSS public GitHub repos and uses Squirrel under the hood — perfectly fine when you don't need channels or staged rollout.
### Channels (electron-updater)
- `stable` and `beta` published as separate `latest.yml` (and `latest-mac.yml`, `latest-linux.yml`) under `releases/<channel>/`.
- `publisherName` matches the cert CN — electron-updater verifies.
- Staged rollout via the `stagingPercentage` field in `latest.yml`.
### Server
- **{S3 + CloudFront | GitHub Releases | self-hosted bucket}** with HTTPS-only access.
- `latest.yml` published atomically (write-then-rename) so clients never see a half-written manifest.
### Renderer surface
- One IPC channel: `updater:check`, `updater:download`, `updater:apply`. Renderer is a thin UI; main owns the state machine.
## 9. Native Modules
- Pure-JS first → N-API prebuilt second (`node-gyp-build` / `prebuild-install`) → compile-from-source last.
- `@electron/rebuild` (NOT deprecated `electron-rebuild`) per-arch in CI.
- Verify built artefacts: `file *.node` matches the matrix arch (catches stray x64 .node in arm64 build).
## 10. Release-Day Checklist (the reviewer also enforces)
1. All helper apps signed (`--deep` discipline on macOS).
2. Notarization passed AND stapled.
3. `latest.yml` (and `latest-mac.yml`, `latest-linux.yml`) published atomically.
4. `publisherName` matches cert CN.
5. `version` bumped in `package.json`; no two artefacts share a version.
6. ASAR integrity enabled + signed-after-packaging order respected.
7. Native modules rebuilt for the target arch (`file *.node` confirms).
8. Update-server URL + cert match.
9. `npx @electron/fuses read --app <path>` shows the production fuse table.
## 11. Client Handoff Actions
| # | Action | Guide | Status |
|---|--------|-------|--------|
| 1 | Enroll in Apple Developer Program ($99/yr) | `.claude/handoff/01-apple-developer.md` | PENDING |
| 2 | Generate Developer ID Application cert + App-specific password | `.claude/handoff/02-apple-cert.md` | PENDING |
| 3 | Set up Azure Trusted Signing tenant + signing-account + certificate profile | `.claude/handoff/03-azure-trusted-signing.md` | PENDING |
| 4 | Provide update-server bucket / domain | `.claude/handoff/04-update-server.md` | PENDING |
| 5 | (Optional) Mac App Store enrollment | `.claude/handoff/05-mas-enrollment.md` | PENDING |
| ... | ... | ... | ... |
## 12. Cost Estimate
| Service | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---------|-------------|-------|
| Apple Developer Program | $8.25 ($99/yr) | Required for mac signing + notarization |
| Azure Trusted Signing | ~$10 | Per certificate profile |
| Update server (S3 + CloudFront) | $5–50 | Scales with download volume |
| CI minutes | $0–{N} | GH free tier covers most projects |
| **Total** | **~${N}/month** | At MVP scale |
## 13. Not Yet Needed (and when to add)
| Feature | Add When | Estimated Effort |
|---------|----------|------------------|
| Delta updates | Installer >100 MB AND frequent releases | 1 week (electron-builder switch) |
| Staged rollout | First 1k+ paid users — risk of bad release | 1 day |
| Mac App Store | Vision asks for it | 1–2 weeks (sandbox entitlements rework) |
| Microsoft Store / MSIX | Enterprise customer asks | 1 week |
| Snap / Flatpak | Linux distro request | 1–2 weeks |
| Crash reporting at scale | Sustained crash-rate signal | 2–3 days (Sentry tier upgrade + symbol upload) |
Rules:
- Default to Forge 7.x. Justify electron-builder if picked.
- Native runners only — never QEMU for cross-arch builds.
- macOS: hardened runtime + notarization + staple. ALWAYS.
- Windows: Azure Trusted Signing first; pinned alternatives second; on-disk
.pfx never.
- electron-updater MUST be ≥ 6.3.9;
verifyUpdateCodeSignature MUST stay ON.
@electron/rebuild, NOT deprecated electron-rebuild.- Sign AFTER packaging, AFTER fuses set. Order matters for ASAR integrity.
npm ci in CI. Never npm install.- Include cost estimates — the client needs to budget signing.
- List EVERYTHING the client must do manually, with handoff guides.
Step 3: Create handoff guides
For every item in the "Client Handoff Actions" table, send devops to create a detailed step-by-step guide:
For each handoff action in .claude/packaging-plan.md, create a guide in .claude/handoff/.
Each guide must be so clear that a non-technical client can follow it in 30 minutes.
Include URLs, what to click, what to type, what to share back with us, and how long the step typically takes.
Mention that Apple Developer enrollment can take 24-48 hours and Azure Trusted Signing requires 3-year+ org history (a hard gate).
Step 4: Implement packaging
Once the client completes their handoff actions (or in parallel for things that don't need client input), send devops to create the actual packaging files:
Based on .claude/packaging-plan.md, create:
- Builder config —
forge.config.ts OR electron-builder.json (whichever ADR-4 chose)
- macOS entitlements —
entitlements.plist and entitlements.inherit.plist (if helper apps need them)
- Notarization wiring —
@electron/notarize invoked post-package on macOS
- Windows signing wiring —
azureSignOptions (or alternative) in builder config
- Fuses configuration —
@electron/fuses flipping the values from the plan, applied AFTER package and BEFORE sign
- Auto-update wiring — electron-updater (or update-electron-app) initialization in main; channel + server URL configured
.github/workflows/release.yml — the matrix above; secrets referenced by env-var name (never inlined)npm scripts — package, make, notarize, publish consistent with the chosen builderpackage.json productName, appId, publisherName — must match the signing cert CN
You CAN create config + workflow files. You MUST NOT modify application code — that's the developer's domain. If main needs auto-updater initialization, request it from the developer with the exact API surface you need.
Step 5: Review and present
Read the packaging plan yourself. Check:
- Forge vs electron-builder justified for THIS project?
- CI matrix on native runners (no QEMU)?
- macOS: hardened runtime + notarization + staple?
- Windows: Azure Trusted Signing default OR justified alternative?
- Fuses table includes ASAR integrity + RunAsNode disabled?
- Sign-after-package order respected?
- electron-updater ≥ 6.3.9;
verifyUpdateCodeSignature ON?
- Handoff guides cover every cert / account the client must provision?
- Cost estimate honest (Apple Developer $99/yr is mandatory; Azure Trusted Signing is real money)?
Present to the client:
"Here's the packaging plan:
- Builder: {choice}; signed installers for {platforms} via native runners
- macOS: Developer ID + notarytool + staple
- Windows: {Azure Trusted Signing | alternative}
- Linux: AppImage + deb (signed)
- Auto-update: electron-updater ≥ 6.3.9 with
verifyUpdateCodeSignature ON
- Cost: ~${N}/month (mostly Apple Developer + Azure Trusted Signing)
- {N} things I need from you (handoff guides ready):
- {action 1 — and how long it typically takes}
- {action 2}
- We can start building immediately — packaging will be ready in parallel."
Step 6: Update CEO brain
Update .claude/ceo-brain.md:
- "Key Decisions Log" → packaging plan: {builder}, {Win signing path}, electron-updater {version}
- "Constraints" → add any signing-cert provisioning gates discovered (e.g. Azure Trusted Signing requires 3-year org history)
