# app > Control your application's event lifecycle. Process: [Main](../glossary.md#main-process) The following example shows how to quit the application when the last window is closed: ```javascript const {app} = require('electron') app.on('window-all-closed', () => { app.quit() }) ``` ## Events The `app` object emits the following events: ### Event: 'will-finish-launching' Emitted when the application has finished basic startup. On Windows and Linux, the `will-finish-launching` event is the same as the `ready` event; on macOS, this event represents the `applicationWillFinishLaunching` notification of `NSApplication`. You would usually set up listeners for the `open-file` and `open-url` events here, and start the crash reporter and auto updater. In most cases, you should do everything in the `ready` event handler. ### Event: 'ready' Returns: * `launchInfo` Object _macOS_ Emitted when Electron has finished initializing. On macOS, `launchInfo` holds the `userInfo` of the `NSUserNotification` that was used to open the application, if it was launched from Notification Center. You can call `app.isReady()` to check if this event has already fired. ### Event: 'window-all-closed' Emitted when all windows have been closed. If you do not subscribe to this event and all windows are closed, the default behavior is to quit the app; however, if you subscribe, you control whether the app quits or not. If the user pressed `Cmd + Q`, or the developer called `app.quit()`, Electron will first try to close all the windows and then emit the `will-quit` event, and in this case the `window-all-closed` event would not be emitted. ### Event: 'before-quit' Returns: * `event` Event Emitted before the application starts closing its windows. Calling `event.preventDefault()` will prevent the default behaviour, which is terminating the application. **Note:** If application quit was initiated by `autoUpdater.quitAndInstall()` then `before-quit` is emitted *after* emitting `close` event on all windows and closing them. **Note:** On Windows, this event will not be emitted if the app is closed due to a shutdown/restart of the system or a user logout. ### Event: 'will-quit' Returns: * `event` Event Emitted when all windows have been closed and the application will quit. Calling `event.preventDefault()` will prevent the default behaviour, which is terminating the application. See the description of the `window-all-closed` event for the differences between the `will-quit` and `window-all-closed` events. **Note:** On Windows, this event will not be emitted if the app is closed due to a shutdown/restart of the system or a user logout. ### Event: 'quit' Returns: * `event` Event * `exitCode` Integer Emitted when the application is quitting. **Note:** On Windows, this event will not be emitted if the app is closed due to a shutdown/restart of the system or a user logout. ### Event: 'open-file' _macOS_ Returns: * `event` Event * `path` String Emitted when the user wants to open a file with the application. The `open-file` event is usually emitted when the application is already open and the OS wants to reuse the application to open the file. `open-file` is also emitted when a file is dropped onto the dock and the application is not yet running. Make sure to listen for the `open-file` event very early in your application startup to handle this case (even before the `ready` event is emitted). You should call `event.preventDefault()` if you want to handle this event. On Windows, you have to parse `process.argv` (in the main process) to get the filepath. ### Event: 'open-url' _macOS_ Returns: * `event` Event * `url` String Emitted when the user wants to open a URL with the application. Your application's `Info.plist` file must define the url scheme within the `CFBundleURLTypes` key, and set `NSPrincipalClass` to `AtomApplication`. You should call `event.preventDefault()` if you want to handle this event. ### Event: 'activate' _macOS_ Returns: * `event` Event * `hasVisibleWindows` Boolean Emitted when the application is activated. Various actions can trigger this event, such as launching the application for the first time, attempting to re-launch the application when it's already running, or clicking on the application's dock or taskbar icon. ### Event: 'continue-activity' _macOS_ Returns: * `event` Event * `type` String - A string identifying the activity. Maps to [`NSUserActivity.activityType`][activity-type]. * `userInfo` Object - Contains app-specific state stored by the activity on another device. Emitted during [Handoff][handoff] when an activity from a different device wants to be resumed. You should call `event.preventDefault()` if you want to handle this event. A user activity can be continued only in an app that has the same developer Team ID as the activity's source app and that supports the activity's type. Supported activity types are specified in the app's `Info.plist` under the `NSUserActivityTypes` key. ### Event: 'will-continue-activity' _macOS_ Returns: * `event` Event * `type` String - A string identifying the activity. Maps to [`NSUserActivity.activityType`][activity-type]. Emitted during [Handoff][handoff] before an activity from a different device wants to be resumed. You should call `event.preventDefault()` if you want to handle this event. ### Event: 'continue-activity-error' _macOS_ Returns: * `event` Event * `type` String - A string identifying the activity. Maps to [`NSUserActivity.activityType`][activity-type]. * `error` String - A string with the error's localized description. Emitted during [Handoff][handoff] when an activity from a different device fails to be resumed. ### Event: 'activity-was-continued' _macOS_ Returns: * `event` Event * `type` String - A string identifying the activity. Maps to [`NSUserActivity.activityType`][activity-type]. * `userInfo` Object - Contains app-specific state stored by the activity. Emitted during [Handoff][handoff] after an activity from this device was successfully resumed on another one. ### Event: 'update-activity-state' _macOS_ Returns: * `event` Event * `type` String - A string identifying the activity. Maps to [`NSUserActivity.activityType`][activity-type]. * `userInfo` Object - Contains app-specific state stored by the activity. Emitted when [Handoff][handoff] is about to be resumed on another device. If you need to update the state to be transferred, you should call `event.preventDefault()` immediately, construct a new `userInfo` dictionary and call `app.updateCurrentActiviy()` in a timely manner. Otherwise the operation will fail and `continue-activity-error` will be called. ### Event: 'new-window-for-tab' _macOS_ Returns: * `event` Event Emitted when the user clicks the native macOS new tab button. The new tab button is only visible if the current `BrowserWindow` has a `tabbingIdentifier` ### Event: 'browser-window-blur' Returns: * `event` Event * `window` [BrowserWindow](browser-window.md) Emitted when a [browserWindow](browser-window.md) gets blurred. ### Event: 'browser-window-focus' Returns: * `event` Event * `window` [BrowserWindow](browser-window.md) Emitted when a [browserWindow](browser-window.md) gets focused. ### Event: 'browser-window-created' Returns: * `event` Event * `window` [BrowserWindow](browser-window.md) Emitted when a new [browserWindow](browser-window.md) is created. ### Event: 'web-contents-created' Returns: * `event` Event * `webContents` [WebContents](web-contents.md) Emitted when a new [webContents](web-contents.md) is created. ### Event: 'certificate-error' Returns: * `event` Event * `webContents` [WebContents](web-contents.md) * `url` String * `error` String - The error code * `certificate` [Certificate](structures/certificate.md) * `callback` Function * `isTrusted` Boolean - Whether to consider the certificate as trusted Emitted when failed to verify the `certificate` for `url`, to trust the certificate you should prevent the default behavior with `event.preventDefault()` and call `callback(true)`. ```javascript const {app} = require('electron') app.on('certificate-error', (event, webContents, url, error, certificate, callback) => { if (url === 'https://github.com') { // Verification logic. event.preventDefault() callback(true) } else { callback(false) } }) ``` ### Event: 'select-client-certificate' Returns: * `event` Event * `webContents` [WebContents](web-contents.md) * `url` URL * `certificateList` [Certificate[]](structures/certificate.md) * `callback` Function * `certificate` [Certificate](structures/certificate.md) (optional) Emitted when a client certificate is requested. The `url` corresponds to the navigation entry requesting the client certificate and `callback` can be called with an entry filtered from the list. Using `event.preventDefault()` prevents the application from using the first certificate from the store. ```javascript const {app} = require('electron') app.on('select-client-certificate', (event, webContents, url, list, callback) => { event.preventDefault() callback(list[0]) }) ``` ### Event: 'login' Returns: * `event` Event * `webContents` [WebContents](web-contents.md) * `request` Object * `method` String * `url` URL * `referrer` URL * `authInfo` Object * `isProxy` Boolean * `scheme` String * `host` String * `port` Integer * `realm` String * `callback` Function * `username` String * `password` String Emitted when `webContents` wants to do basic auth. The default behavior is to cancel all authentications, to override this you should prevent the default behavior with `event.preventDefault()` and call `callback(username, password)` with the credentials. ```javascript const {app} = require('electron') app.on('login', (event, webContents, request, authInfo, callback) => { event.preventDefault() callback('username', 'secret') }) ``` ### Event: 'gpu-process-crashed' Returns: * `event` Event * `killed` Boolean Emitted when the gpu process crashes or is killed. ### Event: 'accessibility-support-changed' _macOS_ _Windows_ Returns: * `event` Event * `accessibilitySupportEnabled` Boolean - `true` when Chrome's accessibility support is enabled, `false` otherwise. Emitted when Chrome's accessibility support changes. This event fires when assistive technologies, such as screen readers, are enabled or disabled. See https://www.chromium.org/developers/design-documents/accessibility for more details. ### Event: 'session-created' Returns: * `event` Event * `session` [Session](session.md) Emitted when Electron has created a new `session`. ```javascript const {app} = require('electron') app.on('session-created', (event, session) => { console.log(session) }) ``` ### Event: 'second-instance' Returns: * `event` Event * `argv` String[] - An array of the second instance's command line arguments * `workingDirectory` String - The second instance's working directory This event will be emitted inside the primary instance of your application when a second instance has been executed. `argv` is an Array of the second instance's command line arguments, and `workingDirectory` is its current working directory. Usually applications respond to this by making their primary window focused and non-minimized. This event is guaranteed to be emitted after the `ready` event of `app` gets emitted. ## Methods The `app` object has the following methods: **Note:** Some methods are only available on specific operating systems and are labeled as such. ### `app.quit()` Try to close all windows. The `before-quit` event will be emitted first. If all windows are successfully closed, the `will-quit` event will be emitted and by default the application will terminate. This method guarantees that all `beforeunload` and `unload` event handlers are correctly executed. It is possible that a window cancels the quitting by returning `false` in the `beforeunload` event handler. ### `app.exit([exitCode])` * `exitCode` Integer (optional) Exits immediately with `exitCode`. `exitCode` defaults to 0. All windows will be closed immediately without asking user and the `before-quit` and `will-quit` events will not be emitted. ### `app.relaunch([options])` * `options` Object (optional) * `args` String[] (optional) * `execPath` String (optional) Relaunches the app when current instance exits. By default the new instance will use the same working directory and command line arguments with current instance. When `args` is specified, the `args` will be passed as command line arguments instead. When `execPath` is specified, the `execPath` will be executed for relaunch instead of current app. Note that this method does not quit the app when executed, you have to call `app.quit` or `app.exit` after calling `app.relaunch` to make the app restart. When `app.relaunch` is called for multiple times, multiple instances will be started after current instance exited. An example of restarting current instance immediately and adding a new command line argument to the new instance: ```javascript const {app} = require('electron') app.relaunch({args: process.argv.slice(1).concat(['--relaunch'])}) app.exit(0) ``` ### `app.isReady()` Returns `Boolean` - `true` if Electron has finished initializing, `false` otherwise. ### `app.whenReady()` Returns `Promise` - fulfilled when Electron is initialized. May be used as a convenient alternative to checking `app.isReady()` and subscribing to the `ready` event if the app is not ready yet. ### `app.focus()` On Linux, focuses on the first visible window. On macOS, makes the application the active app. On Windows, focuses on the application's first window. ### `app.hide()` _macOS_ Hides all application windows without minimizing them. ### `app.show()` _macOS_ Shows application windows after they were hidden. Does not automatically focus them. ### `app.getAppPath()` Returns `String` - The current application directory. ### `app.getPath(name)` * `name` String Returns `String` - A path to a special directory or file associated with `name`. On failure an `Error` is thrown. You can request the following paths by the name: * `home` User's home directory. * `appData` Per-user application data directory, which by default points to: * `%APPDATA%` on Windows * `$XDG_CONFIG_HOME` or `~/.config` on Linux * `~/Library/Application Support` on macOS * `userData` The directory for storing your app's configuration files, which by default it is the `appData` directory appended with your app's name. * `temp` Temporary directory. * `exe` The current executable file. * `module` The `libchromiumcontent` library. * `desktop` The current user's Desktop directory. * `documents` Directory for a user's "My Documents". * `downloads` Directory for a user's downloads. * `music` Directory for a user's music. * `pictures` Directory for a user's pictures. * `videos` Directory for a user's videos. * `logs` Directory for your app's log folder. * `pepperFlashSystemPlugin` Full path to the system version of the Pepper Flash plugin. ### `app.getFileIcon(path[, options], callback)` * `path` String * `options` Object (optional) * `size` String * `small` - 16x16 * `normal` - 32x32 * `large` - 48x48 on _Linux_, 32x32 on _Windows_, unsupported on _macOS_. * `callback` Function * `error` Error * `icon` [NativeImage](native-image.md) Fetches a path's associated icon. On _Windows_, there a 2 kinds of icons: - Icons associated with certain file extensions, like `.mp3`, `.png`, etc. - Icons inside the file itself, like `.exe`, `.dll`, `.ico`. On _Linux_ and _macOS_, icons depend on the application associated with file mime type. ### `app.setPath(name, path)` * `name` String * `path` String Overrides the `path` to a special directory or file associated with `name`. If the path specifies a directory that does not exist, the directory will be created by this method. On failure an `Error` is thrown. You can only override paths of a `name` defined in `app.getPath`. By default, web pages' cookies and caches will be stored under the `userData` directory. If you want to change this location, you have to override the `userData` path before the `ready` event of the `app` module is emitted. ### `app.getVersion()` Returns `String` - The version of the loaded application. If no version is found in the application's `package.json` file, the version of the current bundle or executable is returned. ### `app.getName()` Returns `String` - The current application's name, which is the name in the application's `package.json` file. Usually the `name` field of `package.json` is a short lowercased name, according to the npm modules spec. You should usually also specify a `productName` field, which is your application's full capitalized name, and which will be preferred over `name` by Electron. ### `app.setName(name)` * `name` String Overrides the current application's name. ### `app.getLocale()` Returns `String` - The current application locale. Possible return values are documented [here](locales.md). To set the locale, you'll want to use a command line switch at app startup, which may be found [here](https://github.com/electron/electron/blob/master/docs/api/chrome-command-line-switches.md). **Note:** When distributing your packaged app, you have to also ship the `locales` folder. **Note:** On Windows you have to call it after the `ready` events gets emitted. ### `app.addRecentDocument(path)` _macOS_ _Windows_ * `path` String Adds `path` to the recent documents list. This list is managed by the OS. On Windows you can visit the list from the task bar, and on macOS you can visit it from dock menu. ### `app.clearRecentDocuments()` _macOS_ _Windows_ Clears the recent documents list. ### `app.setAsDefaultProtocolClient(protocol[, path, args])` * `protocol` String - The name of your protocol, without `://`. If you want your app to handle `electron://` links, call this method with `electron` as the parameter. * `path` String (optional) _Windows_ - Defaults to `process.execPath` * `args` String[] (optional) _Windows_ - Defaults to an empty array Returns `Boolean` - Whether the call succeeded. This method sets the current executable as the default handler for a protocol (aka URI scheme). It allows you to integrate your app deeper into the operating system. Once registered, all links with `your-protocol://` will be opened with the current executable. The whole link, including protocol, will be passed to your application as a parameter. On Windows you can provide optional parameters path, the path to your executable, and args, an array of arguments to be passed to your executable when it launches. **Note:** On macOS, you can only register protocols that have been added to your app's `info.plist`, which can not be modified at runtime. You can however change the file with a simple text editor or script during build time. Please refer to [Apple's documentation][CFBundleURLTypes] for details. The API uses the Windows Registry and LSSetDefaultHandlerForURLScheme internally. ### `app.removeAsDefaultProtocolClient(protocol[, path, args])` _macOS_ _Windows_ * `protocol` String - The name of your protocol, without `://`. * `path` String (optional) _Windows_ - Defaults to `process.execPath` * `args` String[] (optional) _Windows_ - Defaults to an empty array Returns `Boolean` - Whether the call succeeded. This method checks if the current executable as the default handler for a protocol (aka URI scheme). If so, it will remove the app as the default handler. ### `app.isDefaultProtocolClient(protocol[, path, args])` * `protocol` String - The name of your protocol, without `://`. * `path` String (optional) _Windows_ - Defaults to `process.execPath` * `args` String[] (optional) _Windows_ - Defaults to an empty array Returns `Boolean` This method checks if the current executable is the default handler for a protocol (aka URI scheme). If so, it will return true. Otherwise, it will return false. **Note:** On macOS, you can use this method to check if the app has been registered as the default protocol handler for a protocol. You can also verify this by checking `~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.LaunchServices.plist` on the macOS machine. Please refer to [Apple's documentation][LSCopyDefaultHandlerForURLScheme] for details. The API uses the Windows Registry and LSCopyDefaultHandlerForURLScheme internally. ### `app.setUserTasks(tasks)` _Windows_ * `tasks` [Task[]](structures/task.md) - Array of `Task` objects Adds `tasks` to the [Tasks][tasks] category of the JumpList on Windows. `tasks` is an array of [`Task`](structures/task.md) objects. Returns `Boolean` - Whether the call succeeded. **Note:** If you'd like to customize the Jump List even more use `app.setJumpList(categories)` instead. ### `app.getJumpListSettings()` _Windows_ Returns `Object`: * `minItems` Integer - The minimum number of items that will be shown in the Jump List (for a more detailed description of this value see the [MSDN docs][JumpListBeginListMSDN]). * `removedItems` [JumpListItem[]](structures/jump-list-item.md) - Array of `JumpListItem` objects that correspond to items that the user has explicitly removed from custom categories in the Jump List. These items must not be re-added to the Jump List in the **next** call to `app.setJumpList()`, Windows will not display any custom category that contains any of the removed items. ### `app.setJumpList(categories)` _Windows_ * `categories` [JumpListCategory[]](structures/jump-list-category.md) or `null` - Array of `JumpListCategory` objects. Sets or removes a custom Jump List for the application, and returns one of the following strings: * `ok` - Nothing went wrong. * `error` - One or more errors occurred, enable runtime logging to figure out the likely cause. * `invalidSeparatorError` - An attempt was made to add a separator to a custom category in the Jump List. Separators are only allowed in the standard `Tasks` category. * `fileTypeRegistrationError` - An attempt was made to add a file link to the Jump List for a file type the app isn't registered to handle. * `customCategoryAccessDeniedError` - Custom categories can't be added to the Jump List due to user privacy or group policy settings. If `categories` is `null` the previously set custom Jump List (if any) will be replaced by the standard Jump List for the app (managed by Windows). **Note:** If a `JumpListCategory` object has neither the `type` nor the `name` property set then its `type` is assumed to be `tasks`. If the `name` property is set but the `type` property is omitted then the `type` is assumed to be `custom`. **Note:** Users can remove items from custom categories, and Windows will not allow a removed item to be added back into a custom category until **after** the next successful call to `app.setJumpList(categories)`. Any attempt to re-add a removed item to a custom category earlier than that will result in the entire custom category being omitted from the Jump List. The list of removed items can be obtained using `app.getJumpListSettings()`. Here's a very simple example of creating a custom Jump List: ```javascript const {app} = require('electron') app.setJumpList([ { type: 'custom', name: 'Recent Projects', items: [ { type: 'file', path: 'C:\\Projects\\project1.proj' }, { type: 'file', path: 'C:\\Projects\\project2.proj' } ] }, { // has a name so `type` is assumed to be "custom" name: 'Tools', items: [ { type: 'task', title: 'Tool A', program: process.execPath, args: '--run-tool-a', icon: process.execPath, iconIndex: 0, description: 'Runs Tool A' }, { type: 'task', title: 'Tool B', program: process.execPath, args: '--run-tool-b', icon: process.execPath, iconIndex: 0, description: 'Runs Tool B' } ] }, { type: 'frequent' }, { // has no name and no type so `type` is assumed to be "tasks" items: [ { type: 'task', title: 'New Project', program: process.execPath, args: '--new-project', description: 'Create a new project.' }, { type: 'separator' }, { type: 'task', title: 'Recover Project', program: process.execPath, args: '--recover-project', description: 'Recover Project' } ] } ]) ``` ### `app.requestSingleInstanceLock()` Returns `Boolean` This method makes your application a Single Instance Application - instead of allowing multiple instances of your app to run, this will ensure that only a single instance of your app is running, and other instances signal this instance and exit. The return value of this method indicates whether or not this instance of your application successfully obtained the lock. If it failed to obtain the lock you can assume that another instance of your application is already running with the lock and exit immediately. I.e. This method returns `true` if your process is the primary instance of your application and your app should continue loading. It returns `false` if your process should immediately quit as it has sent its parameters to another instance that has already acquired the lock. On macOS the system enforces single instance automatically when users try to open a second instance of your app in Finder, and the `open-file` and `open-url` events will be emitted for that. However when users start your app in command line the system's single instance mechanism will be bypassed and you have to use this method to ensure single instance. An example of activating the window of primary instance when a second instance starts: ```javascript const {app} = require('electron') let myWindow = null const gotTheLock = app.requestSingleInstanceLock() if (!gotTheLock) { app.quit() } else { app.on('second-instance', (commandLine, workingDirectory) => { // Someone tried to run a second instance, we should focus our window. if (myWindow) { if (myWindow.isMinimized()) myWindow.restore() myWindow.focus() } }) // Create myWindow, load the rest of the app, etc... app.on('ready', () => { }) } ``` ### `app.hasSingleInstanceLock()` Returns `Boolean` This method returns whether or not this instance of your app is currently holding the single instance lock. You can request the lock with `app.requestSingleInstanceLock()` and release with `app.releaseSingleInstanceLock()` ### `app.releaseSingleInstanceLock()` Releases all locks that were created by `requestSingleInstanceLock`. This will allow multiple instances of the application to once again run side by side. ### `app.setUserActivity(type, userInfo[, webpageURL])` _macOS_ * `type` String - Uniquely identifies the activity. Maps to [`NSUserActivity.activityType`][activity-type]. * `userInfo` Object - App-specific state to store for use by another device. * `webpageURL` String (optional) - The webpage to load in a browser if no suitable app is installed on the resuming device. The scheme must be `http` or `https`. Creates an `NSUserActivity` and sets it as the current activity. The activity is eligible for [Handoff][handoff] to another device afterward. ### `app.getCurrentActivityType()` _macOS_ Returns `String` - The type of the currently running activity. ### `app.invalidateCurrentActivity()` _macOS_ * `type` String - Uniquely identifies the activity. Maps to [`NSUserActivity.activityType`][activity-type]. Invalidates the current [Handoff][handoff] user activity. ### `app.updateCurrentActivity(type, userInfo)` _macOS_ * `type` String - Uniquely identifies the activity. Maps to [`NSUserActivity.activityType`][activity-type]. * `userInfo` Object - App-specific state to store for use by another device. Updates the current activity if its type matches `type`, merging the entries from `userInfo` into its current `userInfo` dictionary. ### `app.setAppUserModelId(id)` _Windows_ * `id` String Changes the [Application User Model ID][app-user-model-id] to `id`. ### `app.importCertificate(options, callback)` _LINUX_ * `options` Object * `certificate` String - Path for the pkcs12 file. * `password` String - Passphrase for the certificate. * `callback` Function * `result` Integer - Result of import. Imports the certificate in pkcs12 format into the platform certificate store. `callback` is called with the `result` of import operation, a value of `0` indicates success while any other value indicates failure according to Chromium [net_error_list](https://code.google.com/p/chromium/codesearch#chromium/src/net/base/net_error_list.h). ### `app.disableHardwareAcceleration()` Disables hardware acceleration for current app. This method can only be called before app is ready. ### `app.disableDomainBlockingFor3DAPIs()` By default, Chromium disables 3D APIs (e.g. WebGL) until restart on a per domain basis if the GPU processes crashes too frequently. This function disables that behaviour. This method can only be called before app is ready. ### `app.getAppMetrics()` Returns [`ProcessMetric[]`](structures/process-metric.md): Array of `ProcessMetric` objects that correspond to memory and cpu usage statistics of all the processes associated with the app. ### `app.getGPUFeatureStatus()` Returns [`GPUFeatureStatus`](structures/gpu-feature-status.md) - The Graphics Feature Status from `chrome://gpu/`. ### `app.setBadgeCount(count)` _Linux_ _macOS_ * `count` Integer Returns `Boolean` - Whether the call succeeded. Sets the counter badge for current app. Setting the count to `0` will hide the badge. On macOS it shows on the dock icon. On Linux it only works for Unity launcher, **Note:** Unity launcher requires the existence of a `.desktop` file to work, for more information please read [Desktop Environment Integration][unity-requirement]. ### `app.getBadgeCount()` _Linux_ _macOS_ Returns `Integer` - The current value displayed in the counter badge. ### `app.isUnityRunning()` _Linux_ Returns `Boolean` - Whether the current desktop environment is Unity launcher. ### `app.getLoginItemSettings([options])` _macOS_ _Windows_ * `options` Object (optional) * `path` String (optional) _Windows_ - The executable path to compare against. Defaults to `process.execPath`. * `args` String[] (optional) _Windows_ - The command-line arguments to compare against. Defaults to an empty array. If you provided `path` and `args` options to `app.setLoginItemSettings` then you need to pass the same arguments here for `openAtLogin` to be set correctly. Returns `Object`: * `openAtLogin` Boolean - `true` if the app is set to open at login. * `openAsHidden` Boolean _macOS_ - `true` if the app is set to open as hidden at login. This setting is not available on [MAS builds][mas-builds]. * `wasOpenedAtLogin` Boolean _macOS_ - `true` if the app was opened at login automatically. This setting is not available on [MAS builds][mas-builds]. * `wasOpenedAsHidden` Boolean _macOS_ - `true` if the app was opened as a hidden login item. This indicates that the app should not open any windows at startup. This setting is not available on [MAS builds][mas-builds]. * `restoreState` Boolean _macOS_ - `true` if the app was opened as a login item that should restore the state from the previous session. This indicates that the app should restore the windows that were open the last time the app was closed. This setting is not available on [MAS builds][mas-builds]. ### `app.setLoginItemSettings(settings)` _macOS_ _Windows_ * `settings` Object * `openAtLogin` Boolean (optional) - `true` to open the app at login, `false` to remove the app as a login item. Defaults to `false`. * `openAsHidden` Boolean (optional) _macOS_ - `true` to open the app as hidden. Defaults to `false`. The user can edit this setting from the System Preferences so `app.getLoginItemStatus().wasOpenedAsHidden` should be checked when the app is opened to know the current value. This setting is not available on [MAS builds][mas-builds]. * `path` String (optional) _Windows_ - The executable to launch at login. Defaults to `process.execPath`. * `args` String[] (optional) _Windows_ - The command-line arguments to pass to the executable. Defaults to an empty array. Take care to wrap paths in quotes. Set the app's login item settings. To work with Electron's `autoUpdater` on Windows, which uses [Squirrel][Squirrel-Windows], you'll want to set the launch path to Update.exe, and pass arguments that specify your application name. For example: ``` javascript const appFolder = path.dirname(process.execPath) const updateExe = path.resolve(appFolder, '..', 'Update.exe') const exeName = path.basename(process.execPath) app.setLoginItemSettings({ openAtLogin: true, path: updateExe, args: [ '--processStart', `"${exeName}"`, '--process-start-args', `"--hidden"` ] }) ``` ### `app.isAccessibilitySupportEnabled()` _macOS_ _Windows_ Returns `Boolean` - `true` if Chrome's accessibility support is enabled, `false` otherwise. This API will return `true` if the use of assistive technologies, such as screen readers, has been detected. See https://www.chromium.org/developers/design-documents/accessibility for more details. ### `app.setAccessibilitySupportEnabled(enabled)` _macOS_ _Windows_ * `enabled` Boolean - Enable or disable [accessibility tree](https://developers.google.com/web/fundamentals/accessibility/semantics-builtin/the-accessibility-tree) rendering Manually enables Chrome's accessibility support, allowing to expose accessibility switch to users in application settings. https://www.chromium.org/developers/design-documents/accessibility for more details. Disabled by default. **Note:** Rendering accessibility tree can significantly affect the performance of your app. It should not be enabled by default. ### `app.setAboutPanelOptions(options)` _macOS_ * `options` Object * `applicationName` String (optional) - The app's name. * `applicationVersion` String (optional) - The app's version. * `copyright` String (optional) - Copyright information. * `credits` String (optional) - Credit information. * `version` String (optional) - The app's build version number. Set the about panel options. This will override the values defined in the app's `.plist` file. See the [Apple docs][about-panel-options] for more details. ### `app.startAccessingSecurityScopedResource(bookmarkData)` _macOS (mas)_ * `bookmarkData` String - The base64 encoded security scoped bookmark data returned by the `dialog.showOpenDialog` or `dialog.showSaveDialog` methods. Returns `Function` - This function **must** be called once you have finished accessing the security scoped file. If you do not remember to stop accessing the bookmark, [kernel resources will be leaked](https://developer.apple.com/reference/foundation/nsurl/1417051-startaccessingsecurityscopedreso?language=objc) and your app will lose its ability to reach outside the sandbox completely, until your app is restarted. ```js // Start accessing the file. const stopAccessingSecurityScopedResource = app.startAccessingSecurityScopedResource(data) // You can now access the file outside of the sandbox 🎉 // Remember to stop accessing the file once you've finished with it. stopAccessingSecurityScopedResource() ``` Start accessing a security scoped resource. With this method Electron applications that are packaged for the Mac App Store may reach outside their sandbox to access files chosen by the user. See [Apple's documentation](https://developer.apple.com/library/content/documentation/Security/Conceptual/AppSandboxDesignGuide/AppSandboxInDepth/AppSandboxInDepth.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40011183-CH3-SW16) for a description of how this system works. ### `app.commandLine.appendSwitch(switch[, value])` * `switch` String - A command-line switch * `value` String (optional) - A value for the given switch Append a switch (with optional `value`) to Chromium's command line. **Note:** This will not affect `process.argv`, and is mainly used by developers to control some low-level Chromium behaviors. ### `app.commandLine.appendArgument(value)` * `value` String - The argument to append to the command line Append an argument to Chromium's command line. The argument will be quoted correctly. **Note:** This will not affect `process.argv`. ### `app.enableMixedSandbox()` _Experimental_ _macOS_ _Windows_ Enables mixed sandbox mode on the app. This method can only be called before app is ready. ### `app.isInApplicationsFolder()` _macOS_ Returns `Boolean` - Whether the application is currently running from the systems Application folder. Use in combination with `app.moveToApplicationsFolder()` ### `app.moveToApplicationsFolder()` _macOS_ Returns `Boolean` - Whether the move was successful. Please note that if the move is successful your application will quit and relaunch. No confirmation dialog will be presented by default, if you wish to allow the user to confirm the operation you may do so using the [`dialog`](dialog.md) API. **NOTE:** This method throws errors if anything other than the user causes the move to fail. For instance if the user cancels the authorization dialog this method returns false. If we fail to perform the copy then this method will throw an error. The message in the error should be informative and tell you exactly what went wrong ### `app.dock.bounce([type])` _macOS_ * `type` String (optional) - Can be `critical` or `informational`. The default is `informational` When `critical` is passed, the dock icon will bounce until either the application becomes active or the request is canceled. When `informational` is passed, the dock icon will bounce for one second. However, the request remains active until either the application becomes active or the request is canceled. Returns `Integer` an ID representing the request. ### `app.dock.cancelBounce(id)` _macOS_ * `id` Integer Cancel the bounce of `id`. ### `app.dock.downloadFinished(filePath)` _macOS_ * `filePath` String Bounces the Downloads stack if the filePath is inside the Downloads folder. ### `app.dock.setBadge(text)` _macOS_ * `text` String Sets the string to be displayed in the dock’s badging area. ### `app.dock.getBadge()` _macOS_ Returns `String` - The badge string of the dock. ### `app.dock.hide()` _macOS_ Hides the dock icon. ### `app.dock.show()` _macOS_ Shows the dock icon. ### `app.dock.isVisible()` _macOS_ Returns `Boolean` - Whether the dock icon is visible. The `app.dock.show()` call is asynchronous so this method might not return true immediately after that call. ### `app.dock.setMenu(menu)` _macOS_ * `menu` [Menu](menu.md) Sets the application's [dock menu][dock-menu]. ### `app.dock.setIcon(image)` _macOS_ * `image` ([NativeImage](native-image.md) | String) Sets the `image` associated with this dock icon. ## Properties ### `app.isPackaged` A `Boolean` property that returns `true` if the app is packaged, `false` otherwise. For many apps, this property can be used to distinguish development and production environments. [dock-menu]:https://developer.apple.com/macos/human-interface-guidelines/menus/dock-menus/ [tasks]:https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd378460(v=vs.85).aspx#tasks [app-user-model-id]: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd378459(v=vs.85).aspx [CFBundleURLTypes]: https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/General/Reference/InfoPlistKeyReference/Articles/CoreFoundationKeys.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40009249-102207-TPXREF115 [LSCopyDefaultHandlerForURLScheme]: https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/documentation/Carbon/Reference/LaunchServicesReference/#//apple_ref/c/func/LSCopyDefaultHandlerForURLScheme [handoff]: https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/Handoff/HandoffFundamentals/HandoffFundamentals.html [activity-type]: https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/Foundation/Reference/NSUserActivity_Class/index.html#//apple_ref/occ/instp/NSUserActivity/activityType [unity-requirement]: ../tutorial/desktop-environment-integration.md#unity-launcher [mas-builds]: ../tutorial/mac-app-store-submission-guide.md [Squirrel-Windows]: https://github.com/Squirrel/Squirrel.Windows [JumpListBeginListMSDN]: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd378398(v=vs.85).aspx [about-panel-options]: https://developer.apple.com/reference/appkit/nsapplication/1428479-orderfrontstandardaboutpanelwith?language=objc