mirror of
https://github.com/AeThex-Corporation/AeThex-OS.git
synced 2026-04-17 22:27:19 +00:00
222 lines
6.4 KiB
Markdown
222 lines
6.4 KiB
Markdown
# AeThex Desktop Launcher
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A modern desktop application launcher for AeThex OS, inspired by Battle.net and Epic Games Launcher.
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## Features
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### 🚀 Modern Launcher Experience
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- **Game Launcher Style UI** - Beautiful, modern interface similar to Battle.net and Epic Games Store
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- **App Library Management** - View, install, and launch all your AeThex applications
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- **Download Management** - Track installations with progress bars and status updates
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- **Auto-Updates** - Automatic updates for the launcher and installed apps
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### 💻 Desktop Integration
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- **System Tray** - Minimize to system tray for quick access
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- **Native Performance** - Built with Tauri for optimal performance and small binary size
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- **Cross-Platform** - Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
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- **Offline Mode** - Launch installed apps even without internet connection
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### 🎨 User Interface
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- **Grid/List Views** - Switch between grid cards and list views
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- **Featured Apps** - Discover new AeThex applications
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- **Play Time Tracking** - See your usage statistics
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- **Dark/Light Themes** - Automatic theme switching
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## Screenshots
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### Library View
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The main library shows all your installed applications with play buttons and stats.
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### Store View
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Browse and install new AeThex applications from the integrated store.
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### Updates View
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Keep all your apps up to date with automatic update notifications.
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## Installation
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### Pre-built Binaries
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Download the latest release for your platform:
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**Windows**
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- Download `AeThex-Launcher-Setup.msi`
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- Run the installer and follow the prompts
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- Launch from Start Menu or Desktop shortcut
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**macOS**
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- Download `AeThex-Launcher.dmg`
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- Open the DMG and drag AeThex Launcher to Applications
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- Launch from Applications folder or Launchpad
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**Linux**
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- **Ubuntu/Debian**: Download `.deb` and run `sudo dpkg -i aethex-launcher*.deb`
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- **Fedora/RHEL**: Download `.rpm` and run `sudo rpm -i aethex-launcher*.rpm`
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- **Universal**: Download `.AppImage`, make executable, and run
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### Build from Source
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See [LAUNCHER_BUILD.md](LAUNCHER_BUILD.md) for detailed build instructions.
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## Usage
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### Launching Apps
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1. **Open AeThex Launcher** - Find it in your applications menu or system tray
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2. **Browse Library** - See all your installed apps
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3. **Click Launch** - Click the play button to launch any installed app
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4. **Install New Apps** - Go to the Store tab to discover and install new apps
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### Managing Apps
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- **Install**: Click "Install" button on any app in the Store
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- **Uninstall**: Click the menu icon (⋮) on any installed app and select uninstall
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- **Update**: Go to the Updates tab to update apps with new versions
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- **Open Folder**: Access app installation folders from the menu
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### System Tray
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The launcher can run in the background in your system tray:
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- **Left Click** - Show/hide the launcher window
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- **Right Click** - Open context menu with options
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- **Quit** - Close the launcher completely
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## Development
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### Prerequisites
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- Node.js 18+
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- Rust toolchain
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- Platform-specific dependencies (see [LAUNCHER_BUILD.md](LAUNCHER_BUILD.md))
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### Running in Development Mode
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```bash
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# Install dependencies
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npm install
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# Run in development mode with hot reload
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npm run dev:launcher
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```
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### Building
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```bash
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# Build for current platform
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npm run build:launcher
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# Platform-specific builds
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npm run build:launcher:windows # Windows
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npm run build:launcher:macos # macOS
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npm run build:launcher:linux # Linux
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```
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## Architecture
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### Technology Stack
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- **Frontend**: React + TypeScript + Vite
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- **UI Framework**: Tailwind CSS + shadcn/ui components
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- **Desktop Framework**: Tauri 2.0
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- **Backend**: Rust (Tauri commands)
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- **State Management**: React hooks + localStorage
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### Project Structure
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```
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├── client/src/
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│ ├── components/
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│ │ └── DesktopLauncher.tsx # Main launcher component
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│ └── pages/
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│ └── launcher.tsx # Launcher page
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├── src-tauri/
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│ ├── src/
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│ │ └── lib.rs # Tauri commands and system integration
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│ ├── Cargo.toml # Rust dependencies
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│ └── tauri.conf.json # Tauri configuration
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```
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### Tauri Commands
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The launcher exposes several Tauri commands for app management:
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- `launch_app(app_id)` - Launch an installed application
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- `install_app(app_id)` - Install a new application
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- `uninstall_app(app_id)` - Uninstall an application
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- `check_for_updates()` - Check for available updates
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- `get_installed_apps()` - Get list of installed apps
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- `open_app_folder(app_id)` - Open app installation folder
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## Configuration
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### Launcher Settings
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Configuration is stored in:
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- **Windows**: `%APPDATA%/com.aethex.os/`
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- **macOS**: `~/Library/Application Support/com.aethex.os/`
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- **Linux**: `~/.config/com.aethex.os/`
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### Auto-Update Server
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Configure the update server in `src-tauri/tauri.conf.json`:
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```json
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{
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"plugins": {
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"updater": {
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"endpoints": ["https://your-update-server.com/{{target}}/{{arch}}/{{current_version}}"]
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}
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}
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}
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```
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## Troubleshooting
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### Launcher won't start
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- Check that all system requirements are met
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- On Linux, ensure webkitgtk is installed
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- Try running from terminal to see error messages
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### Apps won't install
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- Check internet connection
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- Verify disk space is available
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- Check firewall settings
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### System tray icon missing
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- On Linux, ensure system tray support is enabled in your desktop environment
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- Try restarting the launcher
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## Contributing
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Contributions are welcome! Please see [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for guidelines.
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## License
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MIT License - see [LICENSE](LICENSE) for details.
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## Support
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- **Documentation**: [docs.aethex.com](https://docs.aethex.com)
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- **Issues**: [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/AeThex-Corporation/AeThex-OS/issues)
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- **Discord**: [Join our community](https://discord.gg/aethex)
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## Acknowledgments
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Built with:
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- [Tauri](https://tauri.app/) - Desktop framework
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- [React](https://react.dev/) - UI framework
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- [shadcn/ui](https://ui.shadcn.com/) - UI components
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- [Lucide Icons](https://lucide.dev/) - Icon library
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Inspired by:
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- Battle.net Launcher (Blizzard Entertainment)
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- Epic Games Launcher (Epic Games)
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- Steam (Valve Corporation)
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---
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**AeThex Corporation** © 2025-2026 | Building the future of web desktop platforms
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