TiddlyInstall offers a universal, isolated installation system for Windows, Linux, and macOS

Universal Installer Generation

TiddlyInstall is a system designed to generate native installers for Windows, Linux, and macOS directly from a GitHub repository. Windows installers are built using NSIS, while Linux and macOS installers are created as a POSIX shell script and a zip archive, respectively. This approach aims to provide consistent installation across different operating systems.

Dependency and Runtime Management

The system handles project dependencies by identifying the newest compatible runtime for the target machine and installing it into the application's dedicated folder. This ensures that each application has its specific runtime environment without interfering with other installed software. Supported languages include Python, JavaScript (Node.js), and Ruby.

Application Isolation

A core feature of TiddlyInstall is its isolation model. Each application receives its own folder containing all its dependencies, preventing conflicts between different applications. Uninstalling an application simply involves deleting its dedicated folder, which removes all associated files and runtimes without affecting other installations.

Self-Contained Operation

TiddlyInstall functions primarily as a single HTML file, which contains the installer programs, runtime catalogue, and code for creation, editing, and signing. It can operate without a server, requiring only a GitHub repository pinned to a commit and access to a runtime mirror. An optional server component is available for signing install scripts, though this feature is not yet fully implemented.