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# Electron Release and Deployment After Electron application development is completed and packaged, the application needs to be released to users. Release methods are mainly divided into **App Stores** and **Independent Distribution**, while also considering update services and version management strategies. * * * ## App Store Release ### Microsoft Store Release * **Packaging Requirements**: Use `electron-windows-store` tool to convert `.exe` or `.msix` to Store package * **Signing**: Requires Microsoft Developer account and code signing certificate application **Process**: 1. Generate MSIX package 2. Upload in Store Partner Center 3. Fill in application information, screenshots and category 4. Submit for review ### Mac App Store Release * **Packaging Requirements**: Must use `.pkg` or `.app`, and enable **Apple Notarization** * **Signing**: Apple Developer account to apply for developer certificate **Process**: 1. Package and sign the application 2. Upload using Xcode or Transporter 3. Submit application information and screenshots 4. Available after review approval ### Snap Store Release (Linux) **Packaging Requirements**: Use Snapcraft to package application as `.snap` format. **Process**: 1. Write `snapcraft.yaml` configuration 2. Package to generate `.snap` 3. Upload to Snapcraft Store 4. Publish after review approval ### Review Preparation * Application icons and screenshots meet store requirements * Submit application description, category, privacy policy * Ensure stability through automated or manual testing * Avoid using APIs or permissions not allowed by the application * * * ## Independent Distribution ### Official Website Download * Place packaged `.exe`, `.dmg`, `.AppImage` on official website for download * Can combine with CDN to provide stable download speed * Can provide SHA256 or MD5 checksum to ensure file integrity ### GitHub Releases * Use GitHub Releases to upload platform-specific installers * Can combine with electron-updater to achieve automatic updates * Advantages: Free, easy version management ### CDN Distribution * Recommended for high-traffic applications * Can provide fast cross-region downloads * Combine with automatic update server to achieve differential updates * * * ## Update Service Setup ### Using Third-party Services * Services provide automatic update hosting, for example: * GitHub Releases + electron-updater * AWS S3 + CloudFront * Netlify / Vercel static hosting ### Self-hosted Update Server * Deploy simple HTTP or HTTPS service * Provide JSON update description file (contains version number, download URL, changelog) * Support differential updates to reduce user download traffic Example `latest.yml` file: version: 1.0.2 files: - url: MyElectronApp-1.0.2.exe sha512: "file hash value" releaseDate: "2025-10-15T00:00:00Z" ### Version Management Strategy * **Semantic Versioning** (SemVer): `major.minor.patch` * **Release Strategy**: * Minor version: Bug fixes * Major version: New features or UI changes * Automatic update strategy: * Check for updates on startup * Regular polling for updates * User manual trigger * * * ## Summary Electron release and deployment core process: * **App Stores**: Strict review, signing, platform packaging requirements * **Independent Distribution**: Official website, GitHub Releases, CDN providing downloads * **Update Services**: Automatic updates, differential updates, version management strategies Through reasonable release and update strategies, you can ensure users get the latest, stable, and secure application version, while improving user experience and application maintenance efficiency.