EXT – an easy way to build cross-platform desktop software
Hi HN! If you've ever tried to build a desktop app, you probably understand our frustrations with how challenging it is to build one and make it available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Even with Electron, you still have to set up your own build pipelines, updating mechanisms, code-signing, deployments, and deal with cross-platform compatibility issues. We built EXT to make building cross-platform desktop software easier! Dog-fooding our own APIs, we ported 36 initial games and utilities to the EXT store (all free), and we've open-sourced all of them: https://github.com/extpkg If…
In plain words
EXT is a platform for building and distributing cross-platform desktop applications across Mac, Windows, and Linux. It handles build pipelines, updates, code-signing, and deployment automatically, eliminating manual setup required by traditional frameworks like Electron. The platform includes an app store featuring 36 free games and utilities, all open-source, with offline functionality built-in. EXT targets developers frustrated by cross-platform compatibility challenges.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
In the maker’s words, at launch
Hi HN! If you've ever tried to build a desktop app, you probably understand our frustrations with how challenging it is to build one and make it available on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Even with Electron, you still have to set up your own build pipelines, updating mechanisms, code-signing, deployments, and deal with cross-platform compatibility issues. We built EXT to make building cross-platform desktop software easier! Dog-fooding our own APIs, we ported 36 initial games and utilities to the EXT store (all free), and we've open-sourced all of them: https://github.com/extpkg If you're into casual web games or want to check out some fun and useful utilities like JS Paint (inspired by '95 MS Paint), you can check it out here: https://ext.store -- Features of EXT -- - All extensions work offline (we call apps on the platform "EXTensions" :drum_with_drumsticks:). - Once installed, extensions load instantly. - All extensions are available on Mac, Windows and Linux. - There are a variety of games including platformers, strategy games, puzzle games, and more… - All the extensions currently available are free! -- What's Currently Available on EXT? -- Utilities - JS Paint - Inspired by 95 MS Paint - Excalidraw - whiteboarding tool - EXTDraw - whiteboarding tool Games - 2001: a Space Opera - Backcountry - Bounce Back - Break Lock - CHOCH - Diver Down - Evil Glitch - Fire & Fondness 2 - Gods Gambit - Klondike Solitaire - Little Spy - Memory Override - Null Dagger - Only - Planet Waves - Planetfall - Radius Raid - Resistor - Retrohaunt - ROTA - Shifty Dungeon - Space Garden - Space Huggers - SpacePi - Starcatcher - Techmaniac - The Adventures of Captain Callisto - The Chroma Incident - The March of the White King - Tiny Crate - Totem Storm - Triangle: Back to Home - Vapor Trails -- Interested in building your own extension? -- Our API docs can be found here - https://docs.ext.store/ Open-source example apps (all the extensions above) can be found here - https://github.com/extpkg - Thanks for checking out EXT! - We're grateful that you decided to check out EXT! If you're looking for a few games to get started, we personally love Vapor Trails, ROTA, Techmaniac, and Breaklock. Let us know what you think!
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