The Franconian
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Building Modern Apps with PWAs and Local Servers

Building Modern Apps with PWAs and Local Servers

What if you could combine the power of PWAs with native integration using a local server? I explore how this approach can deliver seamless user experiences while leveraging the flexibility of web technologies.

Web technologies can almost everything you need to build modern (desktop) applications. But usually those apps are wrapped in Electron, Tauri or Wails. Or a WPF app, using a WebView.

When I really need native integration which won’t work with a PWA, why not deliver the PWA from a local “server”? Having just a local process, sitting in the tray, which handles the native part. While the PWA creates a great UI user experience.

Of course, there are many things not so smooth. Like installing the PWA and the helper app. The “server” can’t be started from the PWA. Quite open network communication (locally).

But I like the idea to need nothing else than a browser, even for such scenarious. Just support the PWA with a local server, written in any language you want.

#pwa#web development#desktop apps#local server#native integration#web technologies