PicoTS is an ultra-lightweight desktop application framework that allows developers to build sub-megabyte (< 700 KB), zero-dependency native desktop applications using 100% TypeScript from end to end.
It eliminates the 150MB+ bundle size and high memory bloat of Electron while eliminating the steep Rust learning curve of Tauri.
- ⚡ Sub-Megabyte Binaries: Compiles full React 19 + Tailwind apps into a single standalone executable (< 700 KB).
- 🔄 Drop-In Electron Replacement: Standard
BrowserWindow,app,ipcMain.handle(),ipcRenderer.invoke(),dialog,clipboard,shell,tray,Menu. - 🔒 Zero-HTTP In-Memory IPC: No open ports, no localhost network servers, no firewall prompts.
- 🚀 < 0.08ms Latency: Direct in-memory Windows COM / WebKit message passing.
- 🎨 100% TypeScript: Write standard TypeScript for both your desktop UI and native backend logic.
- 🖥️ Hardware-Accelerated WebView: Uses OS-native Microsoft Edge WebView2 on Windows and WebKit on macOS/Linux.
- 🪟 Full Native Desktop Suite: Built-in System Tray with Context Menus, File Picker Dialogs, Windows Toast Notifications, and Native Clipboard.
| Metric | Electron | Tauri | PicoTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backend Language | JavaScript / TypeScript | Rust (Steep Learning Curve) | 100% TypeScript |
| Backend Runtime | Node.js + V8 (~150MB) | Native Rust | Native Machine Code (ScriptC AOT) |
| UI Engine | Bundled Chromium (~120MB) | OS WebView | OS WebView (WebView2 / WebKit) |
| Binary Size | ~150 MB – 200 MB | ~5 MB – 15 MB | < 1 MB (440 KB – 670 KB) |
| Cold Startup | 2.0s – 4.0s | 0.3s – 0.5s | < 0.1s (Instant) |
| Network Stack | HTTP / Mojo Sockets | Custom URI (ipc://) |
Zero-HTTP / Direct COM Memory |
| IPC Latency | ~0.5 ms | ~0.3 ms | < 0.08 ms |
| Learning Curve | Low | High (Requires Rust) | Zero (Standard TypeScript) |
# React 19 + TailwindCSS Starter (Recommended)
bunx @picots/create my-app --template react
# or
npx @picots/create my-app --template react
# Vanilla TypeScript Starter
bunx @picots/create my-app --template vanillacd my-app
bun install
bun run devbun run build
# Outputs dist/my-app.exe (< 700 KB standalone executable)@picots/core: The developer-facing TypeScript Desktop Runtime SDK (BrowserWindow,ipcMain,ipcRenderer, etc.).@picots/cli: The master developer CLI (picots dev,picots build).@picots/create: Scaffolding starter tool (bunx @picots/create,npx @picots/create).@picots/vite-plugin: Official Vite HMR plugin for React, Vue, and Svelte.@picots/webview: Native cross-platform WebView host engine.examples/starter-app: Ready-to-run React 19 + Tailwind reference application.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ PicoTS Application │
│ (< 700 KB) │
│ │
│ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Native Frameless Window Host (HWND/Cocoa/GTK) │ │
│ │ │ │
│ │ ┌───────────────────────────┐ ┌───────────────────────┐ │ │
│ │ │ Renderer Process │ │ Main Process │ │ │
│ │ │ (React / Vue / Webview) │ │ (Compiled TypeScript)│ │ │
│ │ └─────────────┬─────────────┘ └───────────▲───────────┘ │ │
│ │ │ │ │ │
│ │ └─── Direct In-Memory COM ─────┘ │ │
│ │ IPC (< 0.08ms latency) │ │
│ │ Zero HTTP / Zero Ports │ │
│ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
docs/ELECTRON_COMPATIBILITY.md: Master Electron API compatibility scorecard, supported methods, and production matrix.docs/API_REFERENCE.md: Full API reference forBrowserWindow,ipcMain,ipcRenderer,app,dialog,tray,clipboard, andshell.docs/FRAMEWORK_INTEGRATION_GUIDE.md: Setup guides for React 19, Vue 3, Svelte 5, Next.js static exports, and TailwindCSS.docs/MIGRATING_FROM_ELECTRON.md: 5-minute migration guide for developers switching from Electron to PicoTS.docs/TROUBLESHOOTING_AND_FAQ.md: Frequently asked questions, toolchain setup, and common troubleshooting steps.docs/PICOTS_ROADMAP_AND_TRACKING.md: Master roadmap and scorecard to the 1.0.0 public release.docs/MAINTAINER_GUIDE.md: Release and publishing workflows for repository maintainers.docs/HOW_WE_BUILT_PICOTS_POC.md: Detailed engineering retrospective on how the POC was designed and compiled.docs/PICOTS_ARCHITECTURE_SPEC.md: Complete architectural specification for the@picots/*engine.
We welcome contributions! Please see our:
MIT © p2pdops