[feature]: Hoppscotch Desktop Application

[scolastico]

Is there an existing issue for this?

• I have searched the existing issues

Summary

I propose considering the development of an Electron version of Hoppscotch. Although the current web-based version and browser extensions offer great functionality, an Electron app can provide additional benefits. This would enable a more streamlined local development experience and improve project loading by providing easy access to local files. As mentioned in Issue #872, the Electron framework could provide an ideal way to package Hoppscotch for desktop use.

Why should this be worked on?

There are a few compelling reasons for working on this proposal:

1. Local Development Experience: With the current web app, developers need to rely on browser extensions for local development, which can feel less integrated and robust than a dedicated desktop application.

2. Easy Access to Local Files: As an Electron app, Hoppscotch would have direct and easy access to local files, enabling more efficient loading, handling, and management of projects. This would not only improve the user experience but also support use-cases like including project files in Git repositories.

3. Expanded User Base: Providing Hoppscotch as an Electron app could attract users who prefer or require desktop applications, expanding the user base and use-cases for the tool.

4. Greater Consistency across Platforms: Electron apps run on multiple platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux) with consistent behavior, which can lead to a more uniform user experience and potentially simpler troubleshooting.

By offering Hoppscotch as an Electron application, we could retain all the benefits of the existing web app while adding new capabilities and convenience for users.

[webysther]

Working as PWA integrated to browser maybe a half-way. Need test to see the chrome_proxy to send file will work well.

[scolastico]

Thank you for your prompt response. I appreciate the current functionality that Hoppscotch PWA offers. It indeed provides a great degree of accessibility and usability across various platforms.

However, I believe that wrapping Hoppscotch into an Electron application can offer additional advantages and could enhance the user experience in several ways:

1. Improved File System Access: While PWAs have some ability to interact with the local file system, it's not as comprehensive or seamless as what's possible with Electron. This is especially important for users who deal with larger projects or more complex file hierarchies, and want to include their API tests in version-controlled repositories.

2. Deeper Integration with Desktop Environment: Electron apps can more effectively utilize native OS features, such as notifications, background processes, and custom menu options. This can lead to a more coherent and integrated user experience, making Hoppscotch feel less like a web page and more like a part of the user's operating system.

3. Consistency across Platforms: While PWAs are designed to work across different platforms, variations in behavior can still occur due to differences in how browsers implement PWA standards. Electron applications, on the other hand, offer a consistent environment across all platforms, since they are based on Chromium.

4. User Preference and Perception: Despite the advances in PWA technology, some users still prefer desktop applications. These can often be easier to manage (as they don't require a specific browser), are typically perceived as more professional, and can feel more secure as they run outside the context of a web browser.

5. Offline Functionality: Although PWAs can work offline, Electron apps are inherently more reliable in environments with spotty or unstable internet connections.

While the PWA version of Hoppscotch certainly offers a great user experience, I believe the addition of an Electron version could expand and enhance the tool's capabilities and appeal to an even wider user base.

I hope this clarifies my proposal. Thank you for considering this enhancement.

[scolastico]

Another reason why PWA's may not be as advantageous is this #1752 issue I encountered with the Hoppscotch PWA. This problem ultimately led me to uninstall it.

[BojanOro]

Ideally this would avoid the need for a browser extension to be installed as well? Generally it's easier to get a desktop app approved in a corporate environment than a browser extension that requires read access to all web pages.

[liyasthomas]

We're working on a native Hoppscotch client, stay tuned for product updates.

[PhillipMwaniki]

I'm willing to test it with my work when ready. 💪🏽

[danielniccoli]

Would be great if I could save workspaces on the local computer, without having to sign in anywhere.

[scolastico]

Would be great if I could save workspaces on the local computer, without having to sign in anywhere.

I hope it supports normal files so I can include my workspaces in my git repositories.

[cpuccino]

Yes please!

[govind84k]

@liyasthomas do you have a timeline on when the client will be released ? Our company is using Postman now and since they are deprecating the UI, we are evaluating different tools. Currently our company gateway dont allow browser extension and due to which we are not able to use the hoppscotch. A native client will help us here and timeline on this will be helpful for us.

[liyasthomas]

We're actively working on the Hoppscotch Desktop App. Internally testing the alpha release candidates as we speak.

[erazemk]

@liyasthomas Will the desktop app be based on Electron, Tauri or something else?

[jimifredjr]

Hey any update on this? The postman restriction implementation date is approaching and it would be good to know my company has an alternative to use before the restrictions start.

[liyasthomas]

Expect a public beta release as early as October last week.

[hamburml]

I am already very excited. I need good alternatives that don't want to force an online account.

[thelazyoxymoron]

With the recent user-hostile implosion of Insomnia forcing users to a cloud service and deleting all local configurations in the process, I'm anticipating lots of users are gonna be looking for a self-hosted alternative like Hoppscotch.

[driden]

I am one of the users mentioned by @thelazyoxymoron and very much interested in this project. Will it support importing insomnia collections ?

[baek-sang]

@liyasthomas Is it possible to do git sync with offline files like bruno, or are there any plans for this?

[thelazyoxymoron]

Off topic: it seems a bit disingenuous for the founder of this project to start censoring links to other projects (like the above comment) while keeping other off-topic links/discussions intact (including my own earlier comment).

[ewertonls]

I would pretty much appreciate a desktop app as well. Works and feels a lot nicer than a website or pwa

[choyiny]

A desktop app will be the final nail in the coffin for Postman, as they recently removed support for local collections with environments. One thing that Hoppscotch missed was it was hard to test websites with strict CORS headers without a proxy, so hopefully the desktop app will make that easy!

[muuvmuuv]

@liyasthomas Will the desktop app be based on Electron, Tauri or something else?

+1 for Tauri for better performance and use of native http libs maybe. They are also pretty stable RN and will provide mobile compatibility in the future.

[LanguageAgnostic]

Hey I just want to chime in as it doesn't seem to be mentioned in this particular issue: someone already took that challenge with Tauri - https://github.com/liudonghua123/hoppscotch-app

Originally shared here: #413 (comment)

[TicoM1]

At this point I'm not just waiting for the desktop app release, but ask myself, weather one week after that release there will be a shittification update forcing us all to create an account...

[scolastico]

At this point I'm not just waiting for the desktop app release, but ask myself, weather one week after that release there will be a shittification update forcing us all to create an account...

If this happens i will start a fork lol, just hope for the best...

[jimifredjr]

Would there be a ticket we can track or can we get an updated ETA? This is a HIGHLY sought feature for my company since the Postman and Insomnia account change.

[liyasthomas]

@jimifredjr subscribe to this ticket to get updates.

[jimifredjr]

@liyasthomas I am already subscribed. Seeing as the last real update was over a month ago, is the desktop solution still expected in the last week of October?

[fbradyirl]

I managed to get this fork running locally https://github.com/liudonghua123/hoppscotch-app and imported my Postman collections. However, there seems to be no support for importing Postman Environments which is a bummer.

[iMezouar]

Hello,
Are there any updates on this ?
Thanks

[jrnewton]

https://hoppscotch.com/blog/introducing-hoppscotch-desktop-application

[LoLo2207]

Thanks, installing right now 🎉🎉

Edit: for me it crashes as per #3524

[liudonghua123]

https://hoppscotch.com/blog/introducing-hoppscotch-desktop-application

Wonderful, it's build on tauri instead of electron.

Finally, the desktop version arrived. Maybe it's time to retire my project https://github.com/liudonghua123/hoppscotch-app.

And when tauri 2 released, mobile app is also availabe.

[liyasthomas]

Hi everyone, thanks for being patient while we built the initial alpha version of the Hoppscotch Desktop App.

Introducing Hoppscotch Desktop App

Hoppscotch Desktop App is a cross-platform desktop application built with Tauri and Hoppscotch Web Client. It is a standalone version of Hoppscotch that can be installed on your computer and used without a browser. Hoppscotch Desktop App is currently in alpha and is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux.

 
 Download Hoppscotch Desktop App ➜ 
 

Read blog | Read changelog

_{The Hoppscotch Desktop App is currently in alpha. This means that it is not yet feature-complete and may contain bugs. We are actively working on improving the app and adding new features. You may encounter bugs and issues while using the app. If you do, please report them on our GitHub repository.}