Electron-packager: --asar-unpack not working due to invalid glob syntax

[stormageddon]

I am trying to bundle an electron app that uses the node-notifier module. In order to get the node-notifier module to work, it has to be unpacked when doing asar. I have tried to use both asar-unpack and asar-unpack-dir to get it to work, but neither seems to be working.

The call I am trying to use is ./node_modules/electron-packager/cli.js . MyApp --platform=darwin --arch=x64 --version=0.36.0 --asar=true --asar-unpack="./node_modules/node-notifier/vendor/**" --overwrite --out dist/and it is working 100% as expected except for the unpacking.

However, running asar pack . app.asar --unpack "./node_modules/node-notifier/vendor/**" does work. I can even then replace the app.asar that electron-packager creates in the Resources folder (along with adding the app.asar.unpacked folder) and everything works as expected.

This is occurring in version 5.2.0 of electron-packager.

There are no errors that I can see that are shown when I try to use the unpack parameter. Everything seems to work fine, except that there is no app.asar.unpacked directory created within the electron app.

Steps to reproduce:
1) Run ./node_modules/electron-packager/cli.js . MyApp --platform=darwin --arch=x64 --version=0.36.0 --asar=true --asar-unpack="./node_modules/node-notifier/vendor/**" --overwrite --out dist/ on an electron app
2) Navigate to ./dist/MyApp-darwin-x64/MyApp.app/Contents/Resources
3) Notice that app.asar has been created, but app.asar.unpacked has not been.

[malept]

Could you write a failing testcase for this? It would help whoever works on fixing this bug.

[schneidmaster]

@stormageddon Just solved exactly this issue -- all you need to do is remove the "./" in the node-notifier path, i.e.

--asar-unpack="node_modules/node-notifier/vendor/**"

not

--asar-unpack="./node_modules/node-notifier/vendor/**"

[malept]

If that's the answer, then I'm changing this from a bug to a (solved) question.

[Mxdi]

Not working. Ive tried like every possible way to unpack,
"electron-packager . BTCPlus --asar=true --asar-unpack=\"/node_modules/node-notifier/vendor/**\""

[malept]

As of version 8.0.0 it should look something like

electron-packager . BTCPlus --asar.unpack="/node_modules/node-notifier/vendor/**"

Please keep in mind that an issue that was last commented on 2 years ago may not be accurate anymore since the major version of Electron Packager has changed several times.

[Mxdi]

Yeah Im looking at their npm page, It says --unpack-dir but thats not working either, Ill give this a try.

[Mxdi]

Nope.

electron-packager . BTCPlus --asar.unpack="/node_modules/node-notifier/vendor/"**

Did not work.

[malept]

Im looking at their npm page, It says --unpack-dir but thats not working either

What NPM page?

Did not work.

I mistyped, I think you need to remove the leading slash:

electron-packager . BTCPlus --asar.unpack="node_modules/node-notifier/vendor/**"

If you need more assistance, please use one of the community forums. The issue tracker is primarily used for bug reports and feature requests.

[Mxdi]

I believe i tried every alternative, Will give that another go. I have opened the issue with asar, I appreciate the kind replies and you remaining tolerant.

[Mxdi]

And the npm page for asar.

[Mxdi]

But yes just to confirm for you, The method provided, still does not work.

[malept]

It seems like it's because asar uses absolute paths. This works:

electron-packager . BTCPlus --asar.unpack="**/node_modules/node-notifier/vendor/**"

[Mxdi]

Thank you so much man.

[Mxdi]

However the icon is still not appearing for node-notifier :(

[malept]

If you need more assistance, please use one of the community forums. Support for node-notifier is outside the scope of this issue tracker.

[Mxdi]

Yeah IM going back to their issue, Thanks again.

[rvignesh123]

Hi,
Can anyone help me .. I tried all the mentioned above techniques nothing works for me ..
electron-packager . --overwrite --asar --asar-unpack-dir=unpack --asar-unpack=\"**/src/engine/**\" --platform=win32 --arch=ia32 --icon=src/images/vuejs.ico --prune=true --out=release-builds

I'm keeping a JAR file inside the engine .. Which should be unpacked so that I can run it.
Added the above line as a script in package.json

Is there anything wrong in this ? Please help