Free course

Electron Course

Learn to build secure desktop applications with Electron, Forge, BrowserWindow, preload scripts, IPC, local files, native menus, packaging, and signing.

6 modules · 36 lessons · No signup

Prerequisites: HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Node.js

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What you'll learn

Build, secure, package, and prepare a local-first desktop notes application for distribution on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Course contents

  1. Foundations and setup

    Choose Electron deliberately and create a project with Electron Forge.

    1. ✓ What Electron is
    2. ✓ Decide if Electron fits the app
    3. ✓ Prepare the toolchain
    4. ✓ Create the Electron Forge project
    5. ✓ Read the generated project
    6. ✓ Check your understanding: foundations and setup

  2. Windows and the renderer

    Create a secure window and build the notes interface with browser JavaScript.

    1. ✓ Understand the process model
    2. ✓ Create the main window
    3. ✓ Handle the window lifecycle
    4. ✓ Build the notes interface
    5. ✓ Render notes safely
    6. ✓ Check your understanding: windows and renderer

  3. Preload and IPC

    Expose narrow desktop capabilities and validate every privileged request.

    1. ✓ Why the renderer is isolated
    2. ✓ Expose a preload API
    3. ✓ Handle two-way IPC
    4. ✓ Validate IPC input
    5. ✓ Finish renderer editing
    6. ✓ Check your understanding: preload and IPC

  4. Local data and native APIs

    Persist notes and add native dialogs, menus, and keyboard shortcuts.

    1. ✓ Choose the data location
    2. ✓ Read and write the notes file
    3. ✓ Connect persistence to IPC
    4. ✓ Export with a native dialog
    5. ✓ Add an application menu
    6. ✓ Check your understanding: local data and native APIs

  5. Security and quality

    Restrict renderer authority, test data behavior, debug, and update safely.

    1. ✓ Keep secure window defaults
    2. ✓ Restrict navigation and new windows
    3. ✓ Deny unused permissions
    4. ✓ Test the store and validator
    5. ✓ Debug and update deliberately
    6. ✓ Check your understanding: security and quality

  6. Package and ship

    Create distributables, add platform assets, sign releases, and plan updates.

    1. ✓ Set application metadata
    2. ✓ Package and make distributables
    3. ✓ Add application icons
    4. ✓ Sign the application
    5. ✓ Plan publishing and updates
    6. ✓ Final check: package and ship