Status Code 404 Error (Cannot Resolve) When Compiling App with Electron-Builder Using Electron-Prebuilt-Compile

[AlmondBro]

• Electron-Builder Version: 20.38.5

• Electron-Updater Version: 4.0.6

• Target: Windows

Hi everyone,

When compiling my React + ElectronJS application using Electron-Builder, I get the following error when "electronVersion": "electron-prebuilt-compile" is included in the electron-builder build configuration of package.json:

cannot resolve https://github.com/electron/electron/releases/download/velectron-prebuilt-compile/electron-velectron-prebuilt-compile-win32-x64.zip: status code 404

Here is a screenshot of my output:

I thought initially that this was an issue with my wi-fi connection, but I am able to replicate this issue on two different computers connected to different networks, so i doubt it is an internet connectivity problem.

I initially posted this as an issue https://github.com/electron-userland/electron-prebuilt-compile/issues/78 on the electron-prebuilt-compile github; i am posting here as well as it is also related to electron-builder.

Here is my application's package.json:

{
  "name": "CVUHSD-Waypoint",
  "description": "CVUHSD WayPoint is a desktop application where teachers can quickly access functions such as submitting a helpdesk ticket, calling the helpdesk, accessing the troubleshootign tutorials, or viewing announcements.",
  "version": "0.4.4-alpha",
  "private": false,
  "main": "src/electron-starter.js",
  "repository": {
    "type": "git",
    "url": "https://github.com/JuanDavidLopez95/CVUHSD-WayPoint.git",
    "private": false
  },
  "dependencies": {
    "cors-anywhere": "^0.4.1",
    "dotenv": "^6.2.0",
    "electron-is-dev": "^1.0.1",
    "electron-updater": "^4.0.6",
    "fullname": "^3.3.0",
    "macaddress": "^0.2.9",
    "node-notifier": "^5.4.0",
    "node-run-cmd": "^1.0.1",
    "prop-types": "^15.7.2",
    "react": "^16.8.4",
    "react-dom": "^16.8.4",
    "react-pure-lifecycle": "^3.0.0",
    "react-router": "^4.2.0",
    "react-router-dom": "^4.2.2",
    "react-scripts": "^2.1.8",
    "sendmail": "^1.4.1",
    "typescript": "^3.3.3333",
    "undefsafe": "^2.0.2",
    "windows-shortcuts": "^0.1.6"
  },
  "scripts": {
    "start": "set BROWSER=nul && react-scripts start",
    "server": "node src/server.js",
    "build": "react-scripts build",
    "test": "react-scripts test --env=jsdom",
    "eject": "react-scripts eject",
    "electron": "electron .",
    "dev": "concurrently \"npm run start\" \"wait-on http://localhost:3000/ && electron .\"",
    "pack": "electron-builder --dir",
    "dist": "electron-builder",
    "build-pack": "npm run build && npm run pack",
    "build-dist": "npm run build && npm run dist",
    "electron-pack": "build --em.main=build/electron.js",
    "preelectron-pack": "npm build",
    "publish": "build --win -p always",
    "release": "build",
    "upload": "npm run build && npm run release"
  },
  "devDependencies": {
    "concurrently": "^4.1.0",
    "devtron": "^1.4.0",
    "electron": "^4.0.8",
    "electron-builder": "^20.38.5",
    "electron-prebuilt-compile": "^4.0.0",
    "electron-react-devtools": "^0.5.3",
    "eslint-plugin-react": "^7.12.4",
    "wait-on": "^3.2.0",
    "why-did-you-update": "^1.0.6"
  },
  "keywords": [],
  "author": "CVUHSD",
  "homepage": "./",
  "build": {
    "electronVersion": "electron-prebuilt-compile",
    "publish": {
      "provider": "github",
      "repo": "CVUHSD-WayPoint",
      "owner": "JuanDavidLopez95",
      "private": true,
      "releaseType": "draft",
      "publishAutoUpdate": true
    },
    "asar": true,
    "extends": null,
    "productName": "WayPoint",
    "appId": "WayPoint",
    "compression": "store",
    "copyright": "Copyright © year `${author}`",
    "extraFiles": "./build/addFFCert",
    "files": [
      "build/**/*",
      "src/*"
    ],
    "directories": {
      "buildResources": "./build"
    },
    "win": {
      "target": [
        {
          "target": "nsis",
          "arch": [
            "x64",
            "ia32"
          ]
        }
      ],
      "icon": "./build/img/wp-icon-grey-256x256.ico",
      "publisherName": "Centinela Valley Union High School District"
    },
    "nsis": {
      "oneClick": false,
      "perMachine": true,
      "allowToChangeInstallationDirectory": true,
      "installerIcon": "./build/img/wp-icon-grey.ico",
      "runAfterFinish": true,
      "menuCategory": true,
      "createDesktopShortcut": true
    }
  },
  "browserslist": [
    ">0.2%",
    "not dead",
    "not ie <= 11",
    "not op_mini all"
  ]
}

[jacobq]

...when "electronVersion": "electron-prebuilt-compile" is included in the electron-builder build configuration of package.json...

Ah, OK, I think that explains what you're seeing. That's not how that field is intended to be used. According to the docs:

electronVersion String - The version of electron you are packaging for. Defaults to version of electron, electron-prebuilt or electron-prebuilt-compile dependency.

So it should be a semver string (usually a 3-tuple) like "4.0.0".
I would suggest omitting it (to use the default) and then making sure electron-prebuilt-compile is in your dependencies and is pinned to the version you want to use (e.g. npm install --save electron-prebuilt-compile).

[AlmondBro]

...when "electronVersion": "electron-prebuilt-compile" is included in the electron-builder build configuration of package.json...

Ah, OK, I think that explains what you're seeing. That's not how that field is intended to be used. According to the docs:

electronVersion String - The version of electron you are packaging for. Defaults to version of electron, electron-prebuilt or electron-prebuilt-compile dependency.

So it should be a semver string (usually a 3-tuple) like "4.0.0".
I would suggest omitting it (to use the default) and then making sure electron-prebuilt-compile is in your dependencies and is pinned to the version you want to use (e.g. npm install --save electron-prebuilt-compile).

I attempted to do just that, but in my compiled production build I get a javascript error pointing to the "import" keyword. This denotes that the app is not yet working with electron-prebuilt-compile in production.

What specific configuration, if any, would one use in electron-builder for working with electron-prebuilt-compile? I assume that one would not use the build folder generated by create-react-app; this would defeat the purpose of electron-prebuilt-compile. I tried to do just this (but to no success) and instead use the "public" folder where my index.html page is located -- Electron loads this index.html page. For fields such as buildResources in the electron-builder config, would I use the folder where all my React components are located?

[jacobq]

@JuanDavidLopez95 sorry I can't offer more help. I'm not actually familiar with electron-builder, but it sounds like you're going down a logical troubleshooting path. You might want to edit the title to reflect the current problem (or open a new issue, link to it, and close this one) to make it clear where you're hitting trouble. Another thing you might try is making a minimal "dummy app" that demonstrates the problem, pushing it up to GitHub, and sharing the info with the issue as well.

[AlmondBro]

@JuanDavidLopez95 sorry I can't offer more help. I'm not actually familiar with electron-builder, but it sounds like you're going down a logical troubleshooting path. You might want to edit the title to reflect the current problem (or open a new issue, link to it, and close this one) to make it clear where you're hitting trouble. Another thing you might try is making a minimal "dummy app" that demonstrates the problem, pushing it up to GitHub, and sharing the info with the issue as well.

Thank you @jacobq for all the help so far! I will go ahead and close this issue as its original premise has been solved. I will go open a new issue with the import keyword error in the main process