Guide · Open source
How to use proton-native: setup, components and limits
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
Proton Native is an open-source framework that lets you write desktop applications using React, with the same component style as React Native. This guide explains what it is, what you need before starting, how to get the code, and what to check before building on it. After reading, you will know whether it fits your project and where to find the setup details the README leaves out.
Proton Nativekusti8/proton-native · ★ 10.9k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Install Node.js. Install Node.js, the listed prerequisite for Proton Native.
- 2Clone the repository. Run the git clone command from the README to download the source code.
- 3Check the fork. Review the announcement and the community fork to decide which codebase to use.
- 4Open the examples. Look in the examples/ folder for a working starting point.
- 5Read the documentation. Use the documentation site for setup details and the component reference.
- 6Build and test. Make small changes, using hot reloading as listed in the features, and test on each target platform.
What Proton Native is and how it works
Proton Native is a React environment for building cross-platform desktop apps. You write components the way you would in React Native, and the framework is meant to produce desktop applications without bundling a full Chromium browser the way Electron does.
The project lists these features: the same syntax and components as React Native, support for existing React libraries such as Redux, cross-platform output, compatibility with normal Node.js packages, and hot reloading.
- Same syntax and components as React Native
- Works with existing React libraries such as Redux
- Cross platform
- No Electron bundled
- Compatible with all normal Node.js packages
- Hot reloading
Check the project status before you start
The README contains an announcement that the original author no longer has time to maintain the project. It points to a community fork at https://github.com/proton-nativejs/proton-native that continues the work.
The README also says V2 has been released with new components, styling, flexbox and hot reloading. The metadata shows no latest release, and the last push was January 2023. Treat the project as unmaintained and consider the fork before committing to it.
Install the prerequisites and get the code
The listed prerequisite is Node.js. The README's install instruction is to clone the repository with git. The README does not cover further setup steps, so check the documentation at https://proton-native.js.org or the fork's instructions for the rest.
- Install Node.js
- Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/kusti8/proton-nativeBuild your first component
Because Proton Native uses React and React Native style components, your code will look like a React Native app. Start from the examples folder in the repository, which the README links at examples/, rather than writing a project from nothing.
Use the documentation for details on every component, since the README only points to it.
- Open the examples/ folder in the cloned repository
- Copy an example as a starting point
- Read the component reference on the documentation site
Reuse React libraries and Node packages
Proton Native states that it works with existing React libraries such as Redux and is compatible with normal Node.js packages. This means state management and utility code you already know can often carry over into a desktop app.
Test each library in your app before relying on it, because the README does not list which ones have been verified.
Compare with Electron and other options
The project's main selling point is avoiding Electron's footprint, since it does not bundle Chromium. The comparable projects named in the analysis are Electron, Tauri, React Native for Windows and NW.js.
If you need an actively maintained framework or a stable release, one of these alternatives may be a safer choice. Proton Native suits teams who already know React and want a smaller footprint.
- Electron: the widely used option that bundles Chromium
- Tauri, React Native for Windows, NW.js: other comparable projects to evaluate
What people use it for
- Building a desktop tool for a React developer who already knows React Native components
- Reusing a Redux store and existing React logic in a desktop application
- Prototyping a cross-platform desktop interface without bundling Chromium
Frequently asked questions
Is proton-native still maintained?
The README says the original author no longer has time to maintain it. The last push was January 2023 and a community fork exists at github.com/proton-nativejs/proton-native.
What do I need to install proton-native?
The listed prerequisite is Node.js. The README's install step is to clone the repository with git clone https://github.com/kusti8/proton-native.
Is proton-native free to use?
The project is licensed under the MIT License, as shown in the README badge and repository metadata.
Is proton-native a good alternative to Electron?
It aims to build desktop apps without bundling Chromium, which is the main difference from Electron. Because it is no longer actively maintained, Electron may be the safer choice for production work.
Can I use Redux with proton-native?
The README says Proton Native works with existing React libraries such as Redux. Test your specific libraries in your app before relying on them.
Does proton-native have a stable production release?
The metadata lists no latest release, so the project does not show a stable production release. Check the fork and documentation before choosing it.
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Our verdict
Proton Native suits React developers who already know React Native components and want a desktop app without Electron's footprint. It is a poor fit for teams that need active maintenance, a stable release, or beginners who need setup and debugging help, so consider Electron, Tauri or the community fork instead.
Install options & downloads