Can I use Bun.js to build Electron apps

Compatibility Issues

1. Node.js Dependency: Electron is tightly integrated with Node.js and relies on its APIs. Bun.js, while a modern JavaScript runtime, is not fully compatible with Node.js APIs, which can lead to problems when trying to run Electron applications that expect a Node.js environment[4][7].

2. Electron Forge and NPM: Users have reported difficulties using tools like Electron Forge with Bun. Specifically, there are issues related to npm dependencies that are required for Electron, which may not work correctly if you attempt to map npm commands to Bun[1]. The recommended approach is to install both Node.js and Bun without mapping the two, as this can lead to further complications[1].

3. Feature Limitations: As of now, Electron does not plan to support Bun as a runtime option due to its reliance on Node.js and the V8 engine. Bun uses the JavaScriptCore engine, which is fundamentally different from V8 and may not interoperate well with Chromium, the core of Electron[4].

Alternatives

While Bun can't directly replace Node.js in Electron applications, there are discussions around creating alternatives or new frameworks that could leverage Bun for desktop applications. Projects like "Electrobun" aim to combine Bun with webview technologies to create a lightweight desktop application framework, but these are still in early development stages[6].

Conclusion

In summary, while you can experiment with using Bun.js in conjunction with Electron, it is not straightforward due to compatibility issues and the foundational reliance of Electron on Node.js. For production applications, sticking with Node.js for Electron development is advisable until Bun achieves greater compatibility or a dedicated framework emerges.