Electron client starts automatically

Comparative analysis with auto-launch

1. Stability comparison

1.

• advantage: As the official Electron API, it has official maintenance and support
• shortcoming：
  • There are known issues on certain Windows versions
  • Some Windows 10/11 updates may fail
  • Additional authorization may be required on versions with stricter macOS permissions
  • Not supported on Linux

2. auto-launch

• advantage：
  • Special adaptations have been made for each platform (registry for Windows, Launch Services for macOS, and .desktop file for Linux)
  • Better handling and feedback on system permission issues
  • After years of practical verification, it is more stable in various system environments
• shortcoming：
  • Relying on third-party libraries, there are theoretical risks of maintenance (but this library is very active)

2. Comparison of ease of use

1.

// Set up self-start
 ({
   openAtLogin: true,
   openAsHidden: false
 })

 // Check status - No Promise support
 const status = ()
 ('Whether it is self-start:', )

2. auto-launch

// Create an instance
 const autoLauncher = new AutoLaunch({
   name: (),
   path: ('exe')
 })

 // Check status - Support Promise
 const isEnabled = await ()

 // Enable/Disable - Chain call friendly
 ()
   .then(isEnabled => {
     if (!isEnabled) return ()
   })
   .then(() => ('Self-start enabled'))
   .catch(err => ('Operation failed', err))

3. Function comparison

Function		auto-launch
Windows Support	✅	✅
macOS support	✅	✅
Linux Support	❌	✅
Promise support	❌	✅
Error handling	limited	Complete
Status check	Simple	Complete
Hide startup	✅ (macOS is deprecated)	✅
Maintenance status	Official maintenance	Community active

4. Actual use

1. Documents

pnpm install auto-launch

import AutoLaunch from 'auto-launch'
 import { app } from 'electron'
 import log from 'electron-log/main'

 /**
  * Set the application to start automatically
  * @param enable Whether to enable self-start, default is true
  */
 export function setupAutoLaunch(enable: boolean = true): void {
   const autoLauncher = new AutoLaunch({
     name: (),
     path: ,
   })

   if (enable) {
     ()
       .then((isEnabled) => {
         if (!isEnabled) {
           ()
             .then(() => ('Self-start enabled'))
             .catch(err => ('Enable self-start failed:', err))
         }
         else {
           ('Self-start is enabled')
         }
       })
       .catch(err => ('Check autostart status failed:', err))
   }
   else {
     ()
       .then((isEnabled) => {
         if (isEnabled) {
           ()
             .then(() => ('Self-start disabled'))
             .catch(err => ('Disable self-start failed:', err))
         }
         else {
           ('Self-start has been disabled')
         }
       })
       .catch(err => ('Check autostart status failed:', err))
   }
 }

2. Use in main/ file

import { setupAutoLaunch } from './utils/auto-launch'

 async function electronAppInit() {
   ('Main process started')
  
   // Set the application to start automatically
   setupAutoLaunch(true)

   ('window-all-closed', () => {
     if ( !== ) {
       ('Main process is closed')
       ()
     }
   })
 }

3. Experience

In actual development,auto-launchProvides a more consistent development experience:

1. Error handling is clearer: When encountering permission problems,auto-launchProvide clear error information, andMay fail silently
2. Windows compatibility is better: Windows system updates frequently.auto-launchProvides more stable behavior by directly operating the registry
3. Cross-platform consistency: If your application needs to support Linux, you can only chooseauto-launch
4. The code organization is clearer: Promise supports making asynchronous operation processing more elegant

V. Conclusion

Comprehensive stability and ease of use,Recommended use of auto-launch,in particular:

1. If your application needs to support Linux
2. If you value better error handling and user feedback
3. If your application has more users on the Windows platform (Windows updates may affect native API)

More suitable for simple scenarios, or if you pay special attention to reducing dependencies. But overall,auto-launchProvides a more reliable and consistent development experience.