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Package detailsv0.5.1

launch_at_startup

This plugin allows Flutter desktop apps to Auto launch on startup / login.

macOSWindowsLinux
30-day downloads
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Likes
151
Pub points
125

Install package

flutter pub add launch_at_startup

Package Overview

Package selection guidance compiled from public package information, community data, and project usage.

The launch_at_startup package enables Flutter desktop applications to automatically start when the user logs in on macOS, Windows, or Linux. It provides a simple API to check, enable, or disable auto-launch behavior across platforms. This is particularly useful for apps that need to run continuously in the background, such as system monitors, notification tools, or productivity utilities. The plugin integrates seamlessly with Flutter's desktop support and requires no native code changes. It leverages platform-specific mechanisms to manage startup entries reliably.

Use cases

  • Background monitoring apps
  • System utility tools
  • Notification services
  • Auto-starting productivity apps
  • Persistent desktop applications

Key features

  • Cross-platform startup control
  • Simple enable/disable API
  • Platform-specific implementation
  • No native code required
  • Supports macOS, Windows, and Linux

Suitable for

  • Desktop apps needing auto-launch
  • System-level utilities
  • Apps requiring persistent presence
  • Developers targeting multiple desktop OSes
  • Tools that run without manual user intervention

Considerations

  • Requires user permission on some systems
  • May conflict with other auto-start apps
  • Behavior varies slightly by OS
  • Not suitable for mobile apps
  • User may need to manually enable in system settings

Original README

Original README snapshot from the linked source repository. Visit the repository for the latest content.

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launch_at_startup

pub version

This plugin allows Flutter desktop apps to Auto launch on startup / login.


English | 简体中文


Platform Support

Linux macOS* Windows
✔️ ✔️ ✔️

*Required macOS support installation instructions below

Quick Start

Installation

Add this to your package's pubspec.yaml file:

dependencies:
  launch_at_startup: ^0.5.1

Or

dependencies:
  launch_at_startup:
    git:
      url: https://github.com/leanflutter/launch_at_startup.git
      ref: main
Usage
import 'dart:io';

import 'package:launch_at_startup/launch_at_startup.dart';
import 'package:package_info_plus/package_info_plus.dart';

void main() async {
  WidgetsFlutterBinding.ensureInitialized();

  PackageInfo packageInfo = await PackageInfo.fromPlatform();

  launchAtStartup.setup(
    appName: packageInfo.appName,
    appPath: Platform.resolvedExecutable,
    // Set packageName parameter to support MSIX.
    packageName: 'dev.leanflutter.examples.launchatstartupexample',
  );

  await launchAtStartup.enable();
  await launchAtStartup.disable();
  bool isEnabled = await launchAtStartup.isEnabled();

  runApp(const MyApp());
}

// ...

Please see the example app of this plugin for a full example.

macOS Support

Setup

Add platform channel code to your macos/Runner/MainFlutterWindow.swift file.

import Cocoa
import FlutterMacOS
// Add the LaunchAtLogin module
import LaunchAtLogin
//

class MainFlutterWindow: NSWindow {
  override func awakeFromNib() {
    let flutterViewController = FlutterViewController.init()
    let windowFrame = self.frame
    self.contentViewController = flutterViewController
    self.setFrame(windowFrame, display: true)

    // Add FlutterMethodChannel platform code
    FlutterMethodChannel(
      name: "launch_at_startup", binaryMessenger: flutterViewController.engine.binaryMessenger
    )
    .setMethodCallHandler { (_ call: FlutterMethodCall, result: @escaping FlutterResult) in
      switch call.method {
      case "launchAtStartupIsEnabled":
        result(LaunchAtLogin.isEnabled)
      case "launchAtStartupSetEnabled":
        if let arguments = call.arguments as? [String: Any] {
          LaunchAtLogin.isEnabled = arguments["setEnabledValue"] as! Bool
        }
        result(nil)
      default:
        result(FlutterMethodNotImplemented)
      }
    }
    //

    RegisterGeneratedPlugins(registry: flutterViewController)

    super.awakeFromNib()
  }
}

then open your macos/ folder in Xcode and do the following:

Instructions referenced from "LaunchAtLogin" package repository. Read for more details and FAQ's.

Requirements

macOS 10.13+

Install

Add https://github.com/sindresorhus/LaunchAtLogin in the “Swift Package Manager” tab in Xcode.

Usage

Skip this step if your app targets macOS 13 or later.

Add a new “Run Script Phase” below (not into) “Copy Bundle Resources” in “Build Phases” with the following:

"${BUILT_PRODUCTS_DIR}/LaunchAtLogin_LaunchAtLogin.bundle/Contents/Resources/copy-helper-swiftpm.sh"

And uncheck “Based on dependency analysis”.

The build phase cannot run with "User Script Sandboxing" enabled. With Xcode 15 or newer where it is enabled by default, disable "User Script Sandboxing" in build settings.

(It needs some extra works to have our script to comply with the build phase sandbox.) (I would name the run script Copy “Launch at Login Helper”)

Who's using it?

License

MIT

Categories

Dependencies

Dependency list 1 items

Source repository

Projects using this package