/desktop-packaging-tauri

name: desktop-packaging-tauri
description: Tauri 2.x bundling, code signing, auto-updater, platform installers, CI/CD

Tauri 2.x Bundling & Distribution

> **Quick Guide:** Configure bundling in `tauri.conf.json` under `bundle`. Platform targets: NSIS/MSI (Windows), DMG/app bundle (macOS), deb/rpm/AppImage (Linux). Code signing is required for macOS distribution (Apple notarization) and recommended for Windows (SmartScreen). The auto-updater uses Ed25519 (Minisign) signatures -- generate keys with `cargo tauri signer generate`, set `TAURI_SIGNING_PRIVATE_KEY` at build time. Cross-platform CI uses `tauri-apps/tauri-action` with a matrix strategy. Optimize binary size with `[profile.release]` settings in `Cargo.toml`. > > **Current version:** Tauri 2.x (stable). Updater artifacts use `createUpdaterArtifacts: true` (not the v1 `"v1Compatible"` unless migrating).

---

<critical_requirements>

CRITICAL: Before Using This Skill

**(You MUST set `TAURI_SIGNING_PRIVATE_KEY` as an environment variable at build time for updater artifacts -- never commit the private key)**

**(You MUST configure code signing for macOS distribution -- unsigned apps are blocked by Gatekeeper)**

**(You MUST use `bundle.identifier` as a valid reverse-domain string -- it is used for code signing, app data paths, and store submissions)**

**(You MUST build platform-specific installers on their native OS -- cross-compilation is limited to NSIS via `cargo-xwin`)**

**(You MUST set `createUpdaterArtifacts: true` in `bundle` to generate `.sig` files alongside installers)**

</critical_requirements>

---

**Auto-detection:** tauri.conf.json bundle, cargo tauri build, bundle targets, NSIS, MSI, DMG, AppImage, deb, rpm, code signing, notarization, APPLE_SIGNING_IDENTITY, certificateThumbprint, tauri-plugin-updater, createUpdaterArtifacts, TAURI_SIGNING_PRIVATE_KEY, sidecar, externalBin, tauri-action, cargo tauri signer, Minisign, installer hooks

**When to use:**

• Configuring `tauri.conf.json` bundle settings (targets, icons, resources, identifier)
• Building platform-specific installers (NSIS, MSI, DMG, deb, rpm, AppImage)
• Setting up macOS code signing and Apple notarization
• Setting up Windows code signing (OV/EV certificates, Azure Trusted Signing)
• Configuring the auto-updater plugin with Ed25519 signature verification
• Optimizing Tauri app binary size (Rust release profile, frontend bundle)
• Bundling sidecar binaries or extra resources
• Creating GitHub Actions CI/CD for cross-platform builds
• Customizing NSIS installers with hooks or templates

**When NOT to use:**

• Tauri command/IPC bridge, permissions, plugins, window management (use the Tauri framework skill)
• Frontend framework or build tool configuration (separate skills)
• General Rust programming or Cargo configuration not specific to Tauri bundling
• Mobile distribution to App Store / Google Play (different workflow)

**Key patterns covered:**

• Bundle configuration in `tauri.conf.json` ([examples/core.md](examples/core.md))
• Platform-specific installer options ([examples/core.md](examples/core.md))
• macOS code signing and notarization ([examples/code-signing.md](examples/code-signing.md))
• Windows code signing ([examples/code-signing.md](examples/code-signing.md))
• Auto-updater setup with Ed25519 signatures ([examples/updater.md](examples/updater.md))
• Binary size optimization ([examples/core.md](examples/core.md))
• Sidecar binaries and resources ([examples/core.md](examples/core.md))
• GitHub Actions cross-platform CI/CD ([examples/ci-cd.md](examples/ci-cd.md))
• NSIS installer hooks and customization ([examples/core.md](examples/core.md))

**Detailed resources:**

• [examples/core.md](examples/core.md) - Bundle config, platform targets, size optimization, sidecars, NSIS hooks
• [examples/code-signing.md](examples/code-signing.md) - macOS notarization, Windows signing, CI/CD signing setup
• [examples/updater.md](examples/updater.md) - Auto-updater plugin, key generation, endpoint format, JS/Rust usage
• [examples/ci-cd.md](examples/ci-cd.md) - GitHub Actions workflow, matrix strategy, secrets
• [reference.md](reference.md) - Bundle config field reference, CLI commands, platform target table

---

<philosophy>

Philosophy

Tauri's bundling system produces small, native installers by leveraging the OS system webview instead of bundling a browser engine. The typical binary is 5-15 MB compared to 150+ MB for alternatives. Distribution requires platform-specific steps: code signing and notarization for macOS, SmartScreen-friendly signing for Windows, and package manager formats for Linux.

**The bundling workflow:**

1. Configure `tauri.conf.json` bundle section (identifier, icons, targets) 2. Set up code signing for target platforms 3. Configure the updater plugin with Ed25519 keys 4. Build with `cargo tauri build` (produces installer + `.sig` files) 5. Distribute via CI/CD pipeline with platform matrix

**Key constraints:**

• Cross-compilation is limited -- build macOS on macOS, Windows on Windows (NSIS is the exception via `cargo-xwin`)
• Code signing requires platform-specific certificates and accounts (Apple Developer, Windows code signing cert)
• The updater requires Ed25519 signatures -- this cannot be disabled
• AppImage bundles all dependencies (~70+ MB) while deb/rpm rely on system packages (~2-6 MB)

</philosophy>

---

<patterns>

Core Patterns

Pattern 1: Bundle Configuration

The `bundle` section in `tauri.conf.json` controls all packaging behavior. The `identifier` is the most important field -- it must be a unique reverse-domain string used for app data paths, code signing, and store submissions.

{
  "bundle": {
    "active": true,
    "targets": "all",
    "identifier": "com.mycompany.myapp",
    "icon": [
      "icons/32x32.png",
      "icons/128x128.png",
      "icons/128x128@2x.png",
      "icons/icon.icns",
      "icons/icon.ico"
    ],
    "resources": {
      "locales/*": "locales/"
    },