flatpak-builder is a command-line build tool that turns declarative manifests into complete application bundles. A manifest describes the sources, modules, build commands and metadata needed for an application, leaving the tool to retrieve and process those components in a repeatable sequence.
Projects can express their build in JSON or YAML rather than maintaining a collection of manual packaging commands. This makes flatpak-builder particularly useful for automated build infrastructure as well as developers who want builds to be reproducible across systems.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Reads declarative JSON and YAML manifests describing complete application builds.
- Automatically downloads and prepares source archives, files and source-control repositories.
- Builds projects module by module in the order specified by the manifest.
- Supports multiple build systems as well as custom shell command sequences.
- Applies patches and other source modifications as part of the automated build process.
- Provides controls for environment variables, build options and module-specific configuration.
- Supports separate application and SDK configuration within manifests.
- Can clean generated files and unwanted build artefacts before exporting the finished application.
- Provides a JSON Schema for validating manifests and assisting editors with completion.
- Supports conditional build behaviour for architecture and other environmental properties.
- Can cache build results, avoiding unnecessary rebuilding of unchanged modules.
- Handles application metadata and AppStream information as part of the build workflow.
- Includes detailed command-line and manifest reference documentation.
- Uses Meson for development builds of the tool itself.
Website: github.com/flatpak/flatpak-builder
Support:
Developer: Flatpak developers
License: GNU Lesser General Public License v2.1
flatpak-builder is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| Flatpak Tools | |
|---|---|
| Warehouse | Versatile GNOME-based toolbox for managing Flatpaks |
| Flatseal | Graphical utility to review and modify permissions |
| Flatpak KCM | Flatpak Permissions Management |
| malcontent | Implements parental controls support |
| Flatsweep | Flatpak leftover cleaner |
| Easy Flatpak | Manage flatpaks with a simple GUI |
| bauh | Graphical interface that lets you manage your software. |
| FlatSync | Synchronize flatpak applications between devices |
| Bazaar | App store for GNOME |
| jdFlatpakSnapshot | Create snapshot of a Flatpak’s data |
| Outlet | Application management client for Flatpak |
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