# How to package node-red project into an executable file? \[SOLVED\]

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-package-node-red-project-into-an-executable-file-solved/11217>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [16 May 2019 15:57 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-package-node-red-project-into-an-executable-file-solved/11217 "2019-05-16T15:57:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 11\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sajidb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/sajidb/32/8812_2.png) [@sajidb](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/sajidb)\
**Post date:** [16 May 2019 15:57 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-package-node-red-project-into-an-executable-file-solved/11217/1 "2019-05-16T15:57:39Z")

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I want to package my Node-RED flow deployment into an executable file so whenever the executable file is run then the flow should be deployed. How can this be achieved?

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**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [17 May 2019 23:06 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-package-node-red-project-into-an-executable-file-solved/11217/2 "2019-05-17T23:06:25Z")

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It isn't clear exactly what you want to do.

Do you want the whole of Node-RED and your settings and flow deployed when you run the executable? Or do you want to simply deploy the flow to an existing installation?

Either is possible via a self-extracting archive. Or you could create an npm package that would be installable via npm if you knew that Node.JS was already installed on your target device.

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**Author:** ![sajidb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/sajidb/32/8812_2.png) [@sajidb](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/sajidb)\
**Post date:** [20 May 2019 09:15 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-package-node-red-project-into-an-executable-file-solved/11217/3 "2019-05-20T09:15:50Z")

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The first one. I want just one single executable file and if I give that file to anyone (windows user) then they should be able to run the executable file and in result they should be getting the ui dashboard result. so in the backend, the executable file will install teh Node-RED and the settings and deploy the defined flow.  
Do you know how this can be achieved?

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**Author:** ![sajidb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/sajidb/32/8812_2.png) [@sajidb](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/sajidb)\
**Post date:** [20 May 2019 10:59 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-package-node-red-project-into-an-executable-file-solved/11217/4 "2019-05-20T10:59:02Z")

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I have found the solution.  
Electron-node-red is the solution

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**Author:** ![RenatoGomes-BR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/renatogomes-br/32/21509_2.png) [@RenatoGomes-BR](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/RenatoGomes-BR)\
**Post date:** [8 May 2020 21:16 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-package-node-red-project-into-an-executable-file-solved/11217/5 "2020-05-08T21:16:02Z")

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Hi, I did the same thing, It works but I get a folder with many files inside, and, then when I run the .exe, it creates a folder in "C:.node-red\electronflow", there anyone can access the flows.

I'd like to create a single .exe file and do not let my flows saved on the user's computer.

Do you know how can I do that?

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**Author:** ![kevinksdroid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@kevinksdroid](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/kevinksdroid)\
**Post date:** [12 November 2020 05:48 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-package-node-red-project-into-an-executable-file-solved/11217/6 "2020-11-12T05:48:20Z")

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Hi, electron-node-red is a good solution but what if I do not want a window popping up? Electron node red allows us to build a nice package for distribution and it kind of works well. But how to run our custom node-red application as a windows service or background process?

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**Author:** ![Steve-Mcl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/steve-mcl/32/4826_2.png) [@Steve-Mcl](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Steve-Mcl)\
**Post date:** [12 November 2020 08:07 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-package-node-red-project-into-an-executable-file-solved/11217/7 "2020-11-12T08:07:00Z")

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> [@kevinksdroid](#):
>
> But how to run our custom node-red application as a windows service or background process?

you can use NSSM - [info from a forum search](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/run-on-windows-as-service/13569/2)

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**Author:** ![dceejay](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/dceejay/32/38_2.png) [@dceejay](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dceejay)\
**Post date:** [12 November 2020 08:25 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-package-node-red-project-into-an-executable-file-solved/11217/8 "2020-11-12T08:25:11Z")

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More nssm info here [https://www.helpmegeek.com/run-nodejs-application-as-windows-service/](https://www.helpmegeek.com/run-nodejs-application-as-windows-service/)  
(Not tried it)

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**Author:** ![Henjoe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/henjoe/32/52335_2.png) [@Henjoe](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Henjoe)\
**Post date:** [8 January 2022 02:11 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-package-node-red-project-into-an-executable-file-solved/11217/9 "2022-01-08T02:11:33Z")

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Hi @dceejay ,  
I know this is too old topic. But I came across here while searching for the solution.  
Is it possible to package in executable file a node-red project which was created using a node-red-offline installer by @TotallyInformation  
[GitHub - TotallyInformation/alternate-node-red-installer: An alternative installer for Node-RED. Avoids global installs, no admin rights required.](https://github.com/TotallyInformation/alternate-node-red-installer),

I actually posted a similar question here:

> [@Can I package whole nodered project using pkg node?](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/can-i-package-whole-nodered-project-using-pkg-node/56271):
>
> Hi nodered experts, I successfully created a project on nodered using an offline installer by TotallyInformation. It means I can run nodered projects independently. Now I want those "nodereds" to run on a single executable file (each nodered project have their own .exe file) without installing node.js on a the target computer. I found this node-pkg But I am not just sure how am I going to implement this in my nodered project folder. I want to retain all my user interface to be in the brows…

Thanks and Regards!  
Henjoe

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dceejay](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/dceejay/32/38_2.png) [@dceejay](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dceejay)\
**Post date:** [8 January 2022 10:50 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-package-node-red-project-into-an-executable-file-solved/11217/10 "2022-01-08T10:50:22Z")

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Replied on other thread

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dceejay](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/dceejay/32/38_2.png) [@dceejay](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/dceejay)\
**Post date:** [8 January 2022 10:50 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/how-to-package-node-red-project-into-an-executable-file-solved/11217/11 "2022-01-08T10:50:26Z")

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