Update Docs on Mac Signing; Current Docs Are Old

[codekiln]

NWJS Version : latest is 0.27.1 as of right now
Operating System : Mac

Expected behavior

The docs should explain the current best practice on signing Mac apps made with nw.js.

Actual behavior

The docs on the Mac App Store are unclear and possibly invalid.

• where should users find build_mas.py? The only place I could find them was in a custom branch in the repo.
• there hasn't been a MAS build of nw.js for nearly a year. It's not clear whether these instructions are still valid. Perhaps we should put a "last updated as of version" comment at the top of the page.
• Instructions should be oriented toward signing to get past gatekeeper, with an additional section on the Mac App Store, since most users distributing applications for mac will need to get past gatekeeper, but only a small subset of those users will distribute through the mac app store.
• Instructions should include a section about how to sign if you need a native messaging application included.

Related Tickets

• #6037
• #5874
• #5978
• #5996
• #3258

[rogerwang]

The MAS build is still on 0.19, and yes it's in a different branch, should be 'nw19-mas'. @sunlin-link is working on an update for the latest NW stable version.

[codekiln]

I've heard in the nwjs google group that one doesn't necessarily need the MAS build to successfully sign a nw.js app. Is there any reason why this wouldn't be true? I have an application working in a later version of nw.js, and I'd rather not port it back to 19 and re-QA it just to sign it.

[rogerwang]

The link is in the official doc you referred to: http://dl.nwjs.io/v0.19.5-mas-beta/

…

On Dec 13, 2017 12:16 AM, "Myer Nore" ***@***.***> wrote: @rogerwang <https://github.com/rogerwang> where can the MAS build be acquired? I don't see it listed here: https://dl.nwjs.io/ — You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#6325 (comment)>, or mute the thread <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAKGGQfhs6nXoa0DDpqKV7pjX6-4W6UQks5s_qbOgaJpZM4Q_JCR> .

[rogerwang]

That may be right. The MAS build is only required when you want to submitted it to the store.

…

On Dec 13, 2017 12:20 AM, "Myer Nore" ***@***.***> wrote: I've heard in the nwjs google group <https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/nwjs-general/rlhIaKLTEWw> that one doesn't necessarily need the MAS build to successfully sign a nw.js app. Is there any reason why this wouldn't be true? This is perhaps the most confusing part. I have an application working in a later version of nw.js, and I'd rather not port it back to 19 and re-QA it just to sign it. — You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#6325 (comment)>, or mute the thread <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAKGGeq-SCZC3qBKg38CWmTUGHucoHkbks5s_qfggaJpZM4Q_JCR> .

[codekiln]

Thank you, this helps a lot.

[ncnlinh]

Is there any update on nwjs of older version with MAS build?

[gpetrov]

@sunlin-link and @rogerwang any progress on updating the MAS build? It is running way behind now and we can really use the latest ...

[codekiln]

FYI - while the type of signing might not be suitable for the mac app store (untested), I have a PR up for nwjs-builder-phoenix that adds regular signing to mac and windows.