Package Error ‐ Running PyInstaller

NeXroll Installer - Error Resolution Guide

Error Message

Package error: required build artifact '.\build\dist\NeXroll.exe' not found.
Run Pyinstaller to produce build\dist\NeXroll.exe before creating the installer.

Why This Happens

This error occurs when you try to build the installer without first:

1. Building the frontend React application
2. Running PyInstaller to create the executables

The installer is just a wrapper. It needs the actual .exe files to package. If those files don't exist, the installer can't be created.

Solution

Follow these steps in exact order:

Step 1: Build the Frontend (Required!)

cd NeXroll
cd frontend
npm install --legacy-peer-deps
npm run build
cd ..

Wait for this to complete. You should see "Compiled successfully" or similar.

Check: Verify NeXroll/frontend/build/ directory exists with files in it.

Step 2: Build the Executables with PyInstaller (Required!)

cd build
pyinstaller --clean neXroll.spec
pyinstaller --clean NeXrollService.spec
pyinstaller --clean NeXrollTray.spec
pyinstaller --clean setup_plex_token.spec
cd ..

Each build takes 2-5 minutes. Wait for all four to complete.

Check: Verify NeXroll/build/dist/ directory exists with these files:

• NeXroll.exe (≈22 MB)
• NeXrollService.exe (≈27 MB)
• NeXrollTray.exe (≈25 MB)
• setup_plex_token.exe (≈18 MB)

Step 3: Build the Installer

IMPORTANT: You must be in the NeXroll/ directory (same directory as installer.nsi)

# Make sure you're in the right directory!
cd C:\path\to\NeXroll  # ← Adjust this path to your location

# Then run NSIS
& "C:\Program Files (x86)\NSIS\makensis.exe" installer.nsi

You should see output like:

Processing script file: "installer.nsi"
...
Total size: 96128778 / 99554196 bytes (96.5%)

Output: NeXroll_Installer_1.5.12.exe will be created in the NeXroll/ directory.

Common Issues & Fixes

Issue: "makensis.exe: command not found"

Solution: NSIS is not installed or not in PATH.

Fix:

1. Download NSIS 3+ from https://nsis.sourceforge.io/
2. Install to default location (C:\Program Files (x86)\NSIS\)
3. Restart terminal/PowerShell after installation

Issue: "Frontend build not found" (PyInstaller error)

Solution: You skipped or the npm run build failed.

Fix:

cd NeXroll/frontend
rm -r build -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
npm run build

Issue: Still getting "build\dist\NeXroll.exe not found"

Solution: You're not in the NeXroll/ directory when running NSIS.

Fix:

# Verify your current directory
pwd

# Output should end with: ...NeXroll
# If not, change to the right directory:
cd C:\path\to\NeXroll

# Then try again:
& "C:\Program Files (x86)\NSIS\makensis.exe" installer.nsi

Issue: PyInstaller fails or takes forever

Solution: Antivirus or insufficient resources.

Fix:

1. Add NeXroll\build to antivirus exclusions
2. Ensure you have 5+ GB free disk space
3. Close other applications
4. Try again with fresh builds:

   cd build
   rm -r dist -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
   pyinstaller --clean neXroll.spec

Full Build Script (Copy & Paste)

If you want to build everything in one go, save this as build-all.ps1:

# Build All NeXroll Installers (PowerShell)

# Configuration
$NeXrollPath = "C:\path\to\NeXroll"  # ← ADJUST THIS PATH!

# Navigate to project
Set-Location $NeXrollPath

Write-Host "Step 1: Building Frontend..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
Set-Location frontend
npm install --legacy-peer-deps
npm run build
Set-Location ..

Write-Host "Step 2: Building Executables..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
Set-Location build
pyinstaller --clean neXroll.spec
pyinstaller --clean NeXrollService.spec
pyinstaller --clean NeXrollTray.spec
pyinstaller --clean setup_plex_token.spec
Set-Location ..

Write-Host "Step 3: Building Installer..." -ForegroundColor Cyan
& "C:\Program Files (x86)\NSIS\makensis.exe" installer.nsi

Write-Host "Build complete!" -ForegroundColor Green
Write-Host "Installer created: NeXroll_Installer_1.5.12.exe" -ForegroundColor Green

Run with:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File build-all.ps1

Need More Help?

See: BUILD_INSTRUCTIONS.md in the NeXroll repository for detailed information.

Or open an issue on GitHub: https://github.com/JFLXCLOUD/NeXroll/issues