TiddlyInstall: A universal, reusable, install system
4 hours ago
- TiddlyInstall provides real installers for Windows, Linux, and macOS directly from a GitHub repo, using NSIS for Windows and a POSIX shell script for Linux/macOS.
- The application is a single HTML file that includes installer programs, runtime catalogue, and all code for making, editing, and signing installers.
- Each app gets its own folder with isolated dependencies, preventing conflicts and enabling easy uninstallation by deleting the app's folders.
- Users can write apps in the browser using Python, JavaScript (Node.js), or Ruby templates, and generate installers with the same pipeline.
- Signing models include: Mode A (TiddlyInstall signs the installer), Mode B (you sign with your own certificate), and Mode C (no signature, fully editable).
- All installers display what they will install, where files come from and go, and who signed the installer before making changes.
- The system operates with no server dependency; offline functionality is supported via USB or any web host.
- The trust system proves what is installed via signed runtime receipts, but cannot vouch for the safety of the installed program itself.
- Users can verify an installer without running it by dropping the file into the page to inspect its contents and signatures.
- The catalogue of runtime releases can be edited within the browser, with changes kept locally or replaced from the server.