Desktop App Deployment with Holochain Kangaroo

[Soushi888]

Overview

Create a cross-platform desktop version of the Requests and Offers hApp using Holochain Kangaroo, which provides Tauri-based desktop application packaging.

Compatibility Concerns

• Current project uses Holochain v0.4, while Kangaroo supports v0.3.2
• Project uses Bun for package management and scripts
• hREA suite integration needs to be considered in desktop packaging

Prerequisites

• Rust installed
• Tauri prerequisites for each target platform
• Migration strategy for Holochain version difference
• Bun package manager

Implementation Steps

Setup

• Create new repository from Kangaroo template
• Migrate package management from Bun to npm for Kangaroo compatibility
• Install Tauri dependencies (npm install)
• Compile Holochain and lair-keystore binaries
  • Linux/MacOS: Use bash setup/install_binaries.sh
  • Windows: Follow manual compilation guide
• Address Holochain version compatibility

App Configuration

• Package hApp and UI
  • Generate .happ file using current build scripts
  • Create UI bundle (bun run package and rename to ui.zip)
  • Ensure hREA suite is properly bundled
• Configure app details
  • Update product name in src-tauri/tauri.conf.json (no special characters)
  • Set version numbers in:
    • package.json
    • src-tauri/Cargo.toml
    • src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
• Add app icons (1024x1024 PNG)
  • Run: npm run tauri icon [path-to-icon]

Build & Test

• Test local build with npm run kangaroo
• Test dev mode with npm run tauri dev
• Verify hREA functionality in desktop environment
• Test network connectivity in desktop context

Release Configuration

• Setup GitHub Actions workflow for cross-platform builds
• Configure code signing (optional)
  • MacOS signing setup
  • Windows EV Certificate setup
• Setup auto-update configuration (optional)

Technical Challenges to Address

• Potential compatibility issues between Holochain v0.4 and v0.3.2. We would need to wait for Kangaroo update
• Ensuring hREA suite compatibility in desktop environment
• Maintaining Bun scripts functionality in npm environment
• Network configuration for desktop deployment

Related Documentation

• Holochain Kangaroo Documentation
• Technical specifications in documentation/specifications/technical.md
• Current build scripts in package.json

Priority

High - After hREA integration
Blocked by: Holochain version compatibility