Transform Websites into Lightweight Desktop Apps with Pake — Free from Bloat and Browser Dependency

In a world saturated with web-based tools, each vying for attention in crowded browser tabs, it’s all too easy for critical applications to get lost, accidentally closed, or rendered useless due to browser crashes. Enter Pake—a solution designed to transform any website into a functional desktop application. Pake provides a dedicated window, its own taskbar slot, and operates independently as a separate process.

Limitations of Browser App Shortcuts

If you’ve experimented with conventional methods to convert websites into desktop applications using browsers like Chrome or Edge, you likely encountered several limitations. Both browsers allow website installations as apps; however, these still operate within the browser’s context. While the toolbar may be absent, the app is essentially tethered to the browser’s process—meaning if you close the browser, the app closes as well.

Attempting to use progressive web apps through Chrome or Edge results in a similar experience. Although they seem independent, they are still reliant on the browser’s architecture, sharing memory, session information, and vulnerability to crashes or problematic updates.

Alternatives like WebCatalog and Nativefier make strides by separating apps from the browser. However, they employ Electron, which bundles a full Chromium browser in each application, often bloating file sizes to around 150MB or more—creating a new set of issues in the process.

Pake addresses these challenges with a streamlined approach, utilizing Tauri, which leverages existing web engines on your device. For Windows users, that’s WebView2, already installed with Microsoft Edge. This methodology results in applications that are nearly 20 times smaller than those created with Electron and open significantly faster. Pake excels in enabling developers and users to convert websites to desktop applications without the typical trade-offs.

Command-Line Approach to Create Desktop Apps

If you prefer hands-on control, transforming any website into a desktop application via the terminal is straightforward. Here’s what you need: Node.js version 22 or higher, pnpm, and Rust version 1.85 or higher. Fortunately, WebView2 is already available on Windows 10 and 11.

Start by downloading the LTS version of Node.js from nodejs.org and install it with default settings. Open the Start menu, search for Terminal, right-click it, and select Run as administrator. Enter the following command to install pnpm:

npm install -g pnpm

Next, visit rustup.rs to download the Rust installer for Windows. Follow the installation prompts. Once finished, close the Terminal and reopen it with administrator privileges. To install Pake CLI, execute:

pnpm install -g pake-cli

With Pake CLI installed, converting a website to a desktop app becomes a simple matter of running a command. Substitute the URL and app name as needed:

pake https://maketecheasier.com --name MTE

Turn Maketecheasier Website into Desktop App

Pake automatically retrieves the website’s favicon for the application icon. You can further customize the command with optional flags:

--width 1280 --height 800 to define the app’s window size.
--hide-title-bar for a minimalistic appearance.
--icon to specify a custom image file.

Upon completion of the build process, Pake saves the app file—either as a .exe or .msi—in the PowerShell’s current directory, typically your user directory on Windows. Launch the installer by double-clicking the file.

Once installed, you can right-click the application icon on the taskbar and select Pin to taskbar for quick access.

Every application created with Pake includes several built-in keyboard shortcuts:

Shortcut	Action
`Ctrl` + `R`	Refresh the page
`Ctrl`+`W`	Hide the window (without quitting)
`Ctrl` + `left` /`Ctrl` + `right`	Navigate back / Navigate forward
`Ctrl`+`L`	Copy current URL
`Ctrl` + `-` /`Ctrl` + `=`	Zoom out / Zoom in

Note that the initial build process may take several minutes as Rust compiles everything, but subsequent builds will be much quicker.

Streamlined Method Using GitHub

If you prefer a method that eliminates local installation, you can use GitHub to create desktop apps without the need for a terminal, as long as you possess a free GitHub account.

After signing in, navigate to github.com/tw93/Pake and click the Fork button in the upper right corner. Then hit Create fork to make a personal copy of the Pake repository in your GitHub account.

Within your forked repository, click the Actions tab located at the top. In the left sidebar, select Build App With Pake CLI, then click on Run workflow.

A dropdown form will appear prompting you to enter the URL, app name, window size, and an optional icon. Fill in the required information and click the green Run workflow button.

Fill Form and Run Workflow to Turn Website into Desktop App

The initial build may take 10 to 15 minutes, as GitHub establishes its cache, while subsequent attempts reduce to approximately five minutes. Once you see a green checkmark beside your workflow, click to view it, scroll down to the Artifacts section, and download your installer.

Download Installer under Artifacts on GitHub

After downloading, run the installer just like any other application.

Maktecheasier Website Converted to MTE Desktop App

This is an efficient approach to turning websites into desktop apps without needing to engage with the terminal at all.

Accessing Pre-Built Applications

Pake also offers a selection of pre-built desktop applications available for download on its GitHub Releases page. If your desired tool is included, you can bypass all previous steps and access it immediately. Options currently available include ChatGPT, DeepSeek, YouTube Music, Grok, Twitter/X, Excalidraw, and WeRead.

Windows users should download the .msi file, while Mac users should opt for the .dmg, and Linux users will look for the .deb. Just download, install, and you’re completed within a couple of minutes. If the tool you need isn’t listed, the second method can still provide the same outcome without terminal interaction.

Understanding Pake’s Limitations

While Pake presents a strong solution, it’s important to acknowledge its limitations upfront. Each Pake app operates in a single session, meaning if you require access to two accounts for the same service simultaneously, you will need to create two distinct applications.

Additionally, browser extensions won’t transfer over; thus, password managers, ad blockers, and grammar-checking tools do not function within these apps. For Mac and Linux users, rendering utilizes WebKit instead of Chromium, which can lead to slight visual discrepancies.

Moreover, since Pake is designed to wrap live URLs, an active internet connection is necessary, as the app cannot function offline.

If you’re looking to create quick shortcuts without any installation, the built-in app installation method in Edge may prove quicker. However, if you’re seeking a real desktop application experience rather than a browser tab with a hidden toolbar, Pake is an excellent choice. For those who prioritize a leaner Windows setup, exploring other open-source utilities, such as AppControl, is also recommended.

Choosing the Best Method for You

The optimal approach to converting a website into a desktop app with Pake ultimately hinges on your comfort with setup processes. For complete control, opt for the terminal method; for convenience, use GitHub Actions. If your desired tool is already available, simply download it.

While Pake is not a substitute for native applications, it provides an efficient means to transition web tools that lack a dedicated app from your browser tabs to your taskbar. If browser tab overload is an issue for you, you may also want to consider utilizing Windows’ virtual desktops alongside this setup.

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