The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/web/20200417015931/https://snapcraft.io/

Snapcraft

The app store for Linux

Publish your app for Linux users —
for desktop, cloud, and Internet of Things.

Package & publish your app

Official snaps from major publishers

Learn how to snap an app
in 30 minutes

What language or framework does your app use?

Why are snaps good for C/C++ projects?

Snaps are easy to discover and install. Millions of users can browse and install snaps graphically in the Snap Store or from the command-line.
Snaps install and run the same across Linux. They bundle the exact versions of your app’s dependencies.
Snaps automatically update to the latest version. Four times a day, users’ systems will check for new versions and upgrade in the background.
Upgrades are not disruptive. Because upgrades are not in-place, users can keep your app open as it’s upgraded in the background.
Upgrades are safe. If your app fails to upgrade, users automatically roll back to the previous revision.

In just a few steps, you’ll have an example C/C++ app in the Snap Store.

Continue ›

Here's how dosbox defines snapcraft.yaml:

name: dosbox
version: "0.74-svn"
summary: DOS emulator
description: |
    DOSBox is a x86 emulator with Tandy/Hercules/[…]

confinement: devmode
base: core18

parts:
  dosbox:
    plugin: autotools
    source-type: tar
    source: http://source.dosbox.com/dosboxsvn.tgz
    build-packages:
    - g++
    - make
    - libsdl1.2-dev
    […]
    - libasound2-dev
    stage-packages:
    - libsdl-sound1.2
    - libsdl-net1.2
    - libxcursor1
    […]
    - zlib1g

 apps:
   dosbox:
      command: dosbox
      environment:
        "LD_LIBRARY_PATH": "$SNAP/usr/lib/
        $SNAPCRAFT_ARCH_TRIPLET/pulseaudio"
        "DISABLE_WAYLAND": "1"

Why are snaps good for Electron projects?

Snaps are easy to discover and install. Millions of users can browse and install snaps graphically in the Snap Store or from the command-line.
Snaps install and run the same across Linux. They bundle Electron and all of your app’s dependencies, be they Node modules or system libraries.
Snaps automatically update to the latest version. Four times a day, users’ systems will check for new versions and upgrade in the background.
Upgrades are not disruptive. Because upgrades are not in-place, users can keep your app open as it’s upgraded in the background.
Upgrades are safe. If your app fails to upgrade, users automatically roll back to the previous revision.

In just a few steps, you’ll have an example Electron app in the Snap Store.

Continue ›

Here's how to use it with electron-quick-start:

{
  "name": "electron-quick-start",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "description": "A minimal Electron application",
  "main": "main.js",
  "scripts": {
    "start": "electron .",
    "dist": "build --linux snap"
  },
  "repository": "https://github.com/electron/electron-quick-start",
  "keywords": [
    "Electron",
    "quick",
    "start",
    "tutorial",
    "demo"
  ],
  "author": "GitHub",
  "license": "CC0-1.0",
  "devDependencies": {
    "electron": "^2.0.0",
    "electron-builder": "^20.27.1"
  }
}

Why are snaps good for Go projects?

Easy to discover and install by millions using the Snap Store or command-line every day
Automatically updated to the latest stable version of your app
Revert to the previous version if an update fails, preserving data

Programming in Go makes it easy to create a zip of your app that runs across Linux, without dependencies. However, end user discovery and update management remain a challenge. Snaps fill this gap, letting you distribute a Go app in an app store experience for end users.

In just a few steps, you’ll have an example Go app in the Snap Store.

Continue ›

Here’s how httplab defines snapcraft.yaml:

name: httplab
version: '1.0'
summary: An interactive web server.
description: |
  HTTPLab let you inspect HTTP requests […]

confinement: devmode
base: core18

parts:
  httplab:
    plugin: go
    go-importpath: github.com/gchaincl/httplab
    source: https://github.com/gchaincl/httplab
    source-type: git
    build-packages:
      - gcc

apps:
  httplab:
    command: bin/httplab

Why are snaps good for Java projects?

Simplify installation instructions, regardless of distribution, to snap install myjavaapp.
Directly control the delivery of automatic application updates.

Distributing a Java application for Linux and reaching the widest possible audience is complicated. Typically, the user has to make sure the JRE/SDK version and their environment are configured correctly. When a Linux distribution changes the delivered JRE, this can be problematic for applications. Snapcraft ensures the correct JRE is shipped alongside the application at all times.

In just a few steps, you’ll have an example Java app in the Snap Store.

Continue ›

Here's how freeplane defines snapcraft.yaml:

name: freeplane
version: '1.8.1'
summary: Application for Mind Mapping […]
description: |
  Freeplane is a free and open source software […]

confinement: devmode
base: core18

parts:
  freeplane:
    plugin: gradle
    source: https://github.com/freeplane/freeplane.git
    source-tag: release-$SNAPCRAFT_PROJECT_VERSION
    gradle-version: '5.1.1'
    gradle-output-dir: BIN
    gradle-options: [binZip, -xtest, -xcreateGitTag]
    override-build: |
      snapcraftctl build
      unzip -o DIST/freeplane_bin-*.zip -d $SNAPCRAFT_PART_INSTALL/
    build-packages:
      - unzip

apps:
  freeplane:
    extensions:
      - gnome-3-28
    command: freeplane-$SNAPCRAFT_PROJECT_VERSION/freeplane.sh
    environment:
      JAVA_HOME: $SNAP/usr/lib/jvm/java-11-openjdk-amd64
      PATH: $JAVA_HOME/jre/bin:$PATH
    plugs:
      - home
      - network
      - cups-control

Why are snaps good for MOOS projects?

Bundle all the runtime requirements, including the exact version of MOOS/MOOS-IvP and system libraries you need.
Directly and reliably control the delivery of application updates using existing infrastructure.
Upgrades are safe. If your app fails to upgrade, users automatically roll back to the previous revision.
Extremely simple creation of daemons.

In just a few steps, you’ll have an example MOOS app in the Snap Store.

Continue ›

Here's an example snapcraft.yaml that uses MOOS:

name: moos
version: '0.1'
summary: MOOS Example
description: |
  This example includes MOOSDB, the main […]

confinement: devmode
base: core18

parts:
  moos:
    source: https://github.com/themoos/core-moos/archive/v10.4.0.tar.gz
    plugin: cmake
    build-packages: [g++]

apps:
  MOOSDB:
    command: bin/MOOSDB

Why are snaps good for Node.js projects?

Easy to discover and install by millions using the Snap Store or command-line every day.
Automatically updated to the latest stable version of your app.
Revert to the previous version if an update fails, preserving data.

With npm you can distribute apps to other developers, but it’s not tailored to end users. Snaps let you distribute your Node app in an app store experience.

In just a few steps, you’ll have an example Node.js app in the Snap Store.

Continue ›

Here's how wethr defines snapcraft.yaml:

name: wethr
version: '1.0'
summary: Command line weather tool.
description: |
  Get current weather […]

confinement: devmode
base: core18

parts:
  wethr:
    plugin: nodejs
    source: https://github.com/twobucks/wethr.git

apps:
  wethr:
    command: wethr

Why are snaps good for pre-built apps?

Easy to discover and install by millions using the Snap Store or command-line every day
Automatically updated to the latest stable version of your app
Revert to the previous version if an update fails, preserving data
Isolation ensures no conflicts between applications
Identical behaviour across Linux distributions, even with library dependencies

Distributing the Linux build of your app as a zip lets you provide one download and set of instructions for all of Linux. However, end user discovery and update management remain a challenge. Snaps fill this gap, letting you wrap your existing Linux build in an app store experience for end users.

In just a few steps, you’ll have an example pre-built app in the Snap Store.

Continue ›

How geekbench4 defines snapcraft.yaml

name: geekbench4
version: 4.2.0
summary: Cross-Platform Benchmark
description: |
  Geekbench 4 measures your system's power […]

confinement: devmode
base: core18

parts:
  geekbench4:
    plugin: dump
    source: http://cdn.geekbench.com/Geekbench-$SNAPCRAFT_PROJECT_VERSION-Linux.tar.gz

apps:
  geekbench4:
    command: geekbench4

Why are snaps good for Python projects?

Easy to discover and install by millions using the Snap Store or command-line every day
Automatically updated to the latest stable version of your app
Revert to the previous version if an update fails, preserving data
Isolation ensures no conflicts between applications
Identical behaviour across Linux distributions, even with library dependencies

With PyPI you can distribute apps to other developers, but it’s not tailored to end users. Virtualenv lets you install an app’s dependencies in isolation, but it’s not automatically used for installs from PyPI. Snaps let you distribute a dependency-isolated Python app in an app store experience for end users.

In just a few steps, you’ll have an example Python app in the Snap Store.

Continue ›

Here's how offlineimap defines snapcraft.yaml:

name: offlineimap
version: '1.0'
summary: OfflineIMAP
description: |
  OfflineIMAP is software that downloads […]

confinement: devmode
base: core18

parts:
  offlineimap:
    plugin: python
    python-version: python2
    source: https://github.com/snapcraft-docs/offlineimap.git
    stage-packages:
      - python-six

apps:
  offlineimap:
    command: bin/offlineimap

Why are snaps good for ROS projects?

Bundle all the runtime requirements, including the exact version of ROS and system libraries you need.
Expand the distributions supported beyond just Ubuntu.
Directly and reliably control the delivery of application updates using existing infrastructure.
Extremely simple creation of daemons.

In just a few steps, you’ll have an example ROS app in the Snap Store.

Continue ›

Here's an example snapcraft.yaml that uses ROS:

name: ros-talker-listener
version: '0.1'
summary: ROS Talker/Listener Example
description: |
  This example launches a ROS talker and listener.

confinement: devmode
base: core18

parts:
  ros-tutorials:
    plugin: catkin
    source: https://github.com/ros/ros_tutorials.git
    source-branch: melodic-devel
    source-space: roscpp_tutorials/

apps:
  ros-talker-listener:
    command: roslaunch roscpp_tutorials talker_listener.launch

Why are snaps good for ROS2 projects?

Bundle all the runtime requirements, including the exact version of ROS and system libraries you need.
Expand the distributions supported beyond just Ubuntu.
Directly and reliably control the delivery of application updates using existing infrastructure.
Extremely simple creation of daemons.

In just a few steps, you’ll have an example ROS2 app in the Snap Store.

Continue ›

Here's an example snapcraft.yaml that uses ROS2:

name: ros2-talker-listener
version: '0.1'
summary: ROS2 Talker/Listener Example
description: |
  This example launches a ROS2 talker and listener.

confinement: devmode
base: core18

parts:
  ros-demos:
    plugin: colcon
    source: https://github.com/ros2/demos.git
    source-branch: crystal
    colcon-rosdistro: crystal
    colcon-source-space: demo_nodes_cpp
    build-packages: [make, gcc, g++]
    stage-packages: [ros-crystal-ros2launch]

apps:
  ros2-talker-listener:
    command: opt/ros/crystal/bin/ros2 launch demo_nodes_cpp talker_listener.launch.py

Why are snaps good for Ruby projects?

Bundle all the runtime requirements.
Simplify installation instructions, regardless of distribution, to snap install myrubyapp.
Directly control the delivery of automatic application updates.
Extremely simple creation of services.

Linux install instructions for Ruby applications often get complicated. To prevent modules from different Ruby applications clashing with each other, developer tools like rvm or rbenv must be used. With snapcraft, it’s one command to produce a bundle that works anywhere.

In just a few steps, you’ll have an example Ruby app in the Snap Store.

Continue ›

Here’s how mdl uses it:

name: mdl
version: "0.5.0"
summary: Markdown lint tool
description: |
  Style checker/lint tool for markdown files

confinement: devmode
base: core18

parts:
  mdl:
    source: https://github.com/snapcraft-docs/mdl.git
    plugin: ruby
    gems:
      - rake
      - bundler
     override-build: |
       snapcraftctl build
       rake install
     build-packages:
       - git

apps:
  mdl:
    command: bin/mdl

Why are snaps good for Rust projects?

Easy to discover and install by millions using the Snap Store or command-line every day.
Automatically updated to the latest stable version of your app.
Revert to the previous version if an update fails, preserving data.

You can distribute your apps across Linux using a musl-enabled version of Rust, with all the dependencies satisfied. However, end user discovery and update management remain a challenge. Snaps fill this gap, letting you distribute a Rust app in an app store experience for end users.

In just a few steps, you’ll have an example Rust app in the Snap Store.

Continue ›

Here's how xsv defines snapcraft.yaml:

name: xsv
version: '1.0'
summary: A fast CSV command line toolkit written in Rust
description: |
  xsv is a command line program for indexing […]

confinement: devmode
base: core18

parts:
  xsv:
    plugin: rust
    source: https://github.com/snapcraft-docs/xsv.git

apps:
  xsv:
    command: bin/xsv

“The auto-updating feature is huge”

Due to the nature of our platform, we release updates more than daily which admittedly can be annoying for our users to constantly update.

Therefore, having them done seamlessly in the background makes life for our users so much easier. It’s great to see snaps as the first serious attempt to try and unify the community.
Jeff Dickey
CLI engineer, Heroku

“Starting with snaps is easy”

We definitely find Snapcraft easier as it is yaml based and provides details of what artifacts are needed. Debian packaging has things that need to be followed which can be distribution specific, which creates complication.
The modular containment is what appealed about snaps and [we] can see it will be a lot more flexible. Starting with snaps is easy and the resources that are provided are clean and structured which aids adoption.
Lee Coward and Rakesh Singh
.NET (Microsoft)

“A major software discovery tool”

The Snap store provides additional exposure to our tools for many of our existing and potential users. The decision to use it came quite naturally. We believe the store will be a major software discovery tool on Linux, so the more people find out about our tools naturally and install them more easily, the better for everyone.
Aleksey Rostovskiy
Engineer, JetBrains

One build
for all Linux and IoT

Snaps work across Linux on any distribution or version. Bundle your dependencies and assets, simplifying installs to a single standard command.

See all supported distributions

Showcase to millions

Reach beyond your existing audience with a listing on the Snap Store, the front page for app discovery on Ubuntu and other popular distros.

Browse the Snap Store

Measure user growth

Make data-driven decisions with active install metrics. Watch as automatic updates migrate users to your latest release. Understand your audience with geographic and version breakdowns.

Mar	APR	May
	17
2019	2020	2021

Snapcraft

The app store for Linux

Official snaps from major publishers

Learn how to snap an app in 30 minutes

Why are snaps good for C/C++ projects?

Here's how dosbox defines snapcraft.yaml:

Why are snaps good for Electron projects?

Here's how to use it with electron-quick-start:

Why are snaps good for Go projects?

Here’s how httplab defines snapcraft.yaml:

Why are snaps good for Java projects?

Here's how freeplane defines snapcraft.yaml:

Why are snaps good for MOOS projects?

Here's an example snapcraft.yaml that uses MOOS:

Why are snaps good for Node.js projects?

Here's how wethr defines snapcraft.yaml:

Why are snaps good for pre-built apps?

How geekbench4 defines snapcraft.yaml

Why are snaps good for Python projects?

Here's how offlineimap defines snapcraft.yaml:

Why are snaps good for ROS projects?

Here's an example snapcraft.yaml that uses ROS:

Why are snaps good for ROS2 projects?

Here's an example snapcraft.yaml that uses ROS2:

Why are snaps good for Ruby projects?

Here’s how mdl uses it:

Why are snaps good for Rust projects?

Here's how xsv defines snapcraft.yaml:

“The auto-updating feature is huge”

“Starting with snaps is easy”

“A major software discovery tool”

One build for all Linux and IoT

Showcase to millions

Measure user growth

Learn how to snap an app
in 30 minutes

One build
for all Linux and IoT