Squirrel is a Flutter package that enables developers to create installable desktop applications for Windows, Linux, and macOS. It simplifies the process of packaging and publishing Flutter apps as native desktop installers, handling updates, file associations, and system integration. By leveraging Squirrel's robust update mechanism, apps can automatically check for and apply updates, ensuring users always have the latest version. The package integrates seamlessly with Flutter workflows and supports cross-platform deployment with minimal configuration.
Use cases
- Building distributable desktop apps
- Automating app updates
- Creating installer packages for multiple OS
- Integrating native desktop features
- Publishing Flutter apps to end users
- Enabling silent background updates
Key features
- Cross-platform desktop support
- Automatic update management
- Installer generation for Windows, Linux, and macOS
- Seamless integration with Flutter
- Support for delta updates
- Simple CLI-based setup
Suitable for
- Desktop app developers
- Publishers of cross-platform desktop apps
- Teams needing automatic updates
- Developers targeting Windows, Linux, and macOS
- Projects requiring native installer behavior
Considerations
- Requires platform-specific setup steps
- Limited to desktop platforms
- May need additional configuration for complex workflows
- Not suitable for mobile or web deployment
- Depends on external Squirrel tools for full functionality