io-ui allows you to create fast javascript GUI apps with node.js and system browser

It generates cross-platform javascript apps built with web technologies, executed with bundled node.js and displayed in system-default browser. There's no need to distribute entire browser engine with the app. It's suitable if you want to create a small app with javascript and your target is modern operating systems.

Project deprecated!

The project has been created as a commercial product, and also as a proof-of-concept. The author doesn't have active interest in this project, and it's not being actively developed for now, until there's any extra demand and finance for such specific kind of tool.

Features include

• free and open-source, see licence
• total app size is about 2..3MB
• packaging into single executable
• node.js included
• fast start-up, from 300ms
• easy configuration
• ability to download webkit if OS browser is too old

Usage

1. download pre-compiled binaries
2. create your project structure as follows:
   • main.js – your app entry point, will be executed in node.js
   • package.json – nothing special, just package.json
   • node_modules – modules as usual; they will be packaged into app
   • app – app folder, content from it will be run in browser
     • index.html – main html file for browser
     • js/
     • css/
     • ... and other resource folders as in regular web app
3. package the app:
   $ node <path_to_downloaded_binaries>package.js <path_to_app_folder>
4. run the compiled executable, it will be in build folder by default
5. optionally you can run the app without packaging, e.g. for debug:
   $ <path_to_downloaded_binaries>bin/<...>/node <path_to_app_folder>
   please note that executable name depends on your platform, e.g. on windows it will have .exe extension

More info

You can find some examples in project source code.
Project API is described in detail in project wiki on GitHub. Notable wiki pages:

• FAQ
• Startup sequence and timings
• Minimal requirements
• Known issues and limitations
• Packaging
• Roadmap

Build process is described on GitHub project home page. Please note that typically you want to use pre-compiled binaries instead of building from sources.

Credits and inspirations

The project would not be possible without node.js. Some ideas have been taken from currently abandoned app.js.
Also thanks to Jeff Glatt for a great article about embedding IE on Windows.
Website and source code hosting is provided by GitHub.

Note about project name

The project is named io- because originally I was planning to use io.js but then found no benefits for this case and switched back to node.js. Maybe sometime it will use io.js again, so having node- in name could be discouraging while IO is a neutral acronym and does not mean a reference to any product.

Alternatives

Apps bundled with node.js and webkit:

• nw.js

Non-crossplatform:

• HTA for Windows
• WinJS for modern Windows

License

The project is distributed under MIT license. Dependent open-source projects licenses are included.

Need help?

Please check out FAQ page. If the question is not answered, you can contact me by email: antelle.net@gmail.com.
All questions, including custom private features or support are welcome.