status: active
timestamp: 2026-06-21
tags: [feedback, agent-preferences, pwa, distribution, native]
PWABuilder is primary PWA→native converter
PWABuilder (Microsoft, free, CLI) = primary PWA→native converter. Tauri demoted to opt-in. iOS PWA-only
User direction 2026-06-21: every app’s PWA is the source of truth; native packages (Android AAB, Windows MSIX) are generated by PWABuilder from the deployed <brand>.oriz.in. No per-app native code. Tauri stays available as --tauri flag for apps wanting auto-update or smaller binaries.
Why: User said “I cannot Play Store / Microsoft Store / Chrome Store” then clarified: “PWA will be converted into the [APK/EXE]. Instead of creating a separate code for it. The conversion should be happening of the PWA as well.” Wants PWA as one source of truth, not three parallel codebases. PWABuilder collapses three pipelines into one tool.
How to apply:
- All apps under
projects/apps/**/<brand>-app/need only@vite-pwa/astro+ a manifest. PWABuilder fetches the deployed PWA over HTTPS and emits native artefacts. - iOS: PWA-only via Safari “Add to Home Screen”. No App Store ($99/yr Apple Developer Program violates
no-card-on-fileand user has no Mac to test). - Play Store $25 one-time + Microsoft Store free: both fit the
no-card-on-file“one-time prepaid” escape hatch. Chrome Web Store $5 stays for browser extensions only. - No code-signing certs (SmartScreen reputation builds over time; PWA route avoids it entirely).
Related: free-for-developer-not-for-services, no-card-on-file-prepaid-escape.