--- description: Build lean, secure desktop apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux with Tauri using the same Capacitor workflow as on iOS and Android. title: Capacitor Tauri Platform for Desktop Apps - Capawesome image: https://capawesome.io/docs/assets/images/social/sdks/capacitor/tauri.png --- [Skip to content ](#capacitor-tauri-platform) [🖥️ Introducing the **Capacitor Electron Platform** — build desktop apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Free & open source. ](/blog/announcing-the-capacitor-electron-platform/) * [ SDKs ](/docs/sdks/) * [ Formbricks ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/formbricks/) * [ Geocoder ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/geocoder/) * [ Google Sign-In ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/google-sign-in/) * [ Grafana Faro ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/grafana-faro/) * [ Gyroscope ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/gyroscope/) * [ Haptics ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/haptics/) * [ Home Indicator ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/home-indicator/) * [ In-App Browser ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/in-app-browser/) * [ Install Referrer ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/install-referrer/) * [ Intercom ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/intercom/) * [ Intune ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/intune/) * [ Keep Awake ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/keep-awake/) * [ libSQL ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/libsql/) * [ Light Sensor ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/light-sensor/) * [ Live Update ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/live-update/) * [ Localization ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/localization/) * [ Mail Composer ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/mail-composer/) * [ Managed Configurations ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/managed-configurations/) * [ Maps Launcher ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/maps-launcher/) * [ Media Session ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/media-session/) * [ ML Kit ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/mlkit/) * [ Navigation Bar ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/navigation-bar/) * [ Network ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/network/) * [ NFC ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/nfc/) * [ Node.js ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/nodejs/) * [ OAuth ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/oauth/) * [ Passkeys ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/passkeys/) * [ Password Autofill ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/password-autofill/) * [ PDF Generator ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/pdf-generator/) * [ PDF Viewer ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/pdf-viewer/) * [ Pedometer ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/pedometer/) * [ Permissions ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/permissions/) * [ Phone Dialer ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/phone-dialer/) * [ Photo Editor ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/photo-editor/) * [ Photo Manipulator ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/photo-manipulator/) * [ PixLive ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/pixlive/) * [ PostHog ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/posthog/) * [ Printer ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/printer/) * [ Privacy Screen ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/privacy-screen/) * [ Proximity Sensor ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/proximity-sensor/) * [ Purchases ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/purchases/) * [ RealtimeKit ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/realtimekit/) * [ Root Detection ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/root-detection/) * [ Screen Brightness ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/screen-brightness/) * [ Screen Orientation ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/screen-orientation/) * [ Screen Reader ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/screen-reader/) * [ Screenshot ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/screenshot/) * [ Secure Preferences ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/secure-preferences/) * [ Settings Launcher ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/settings-launcher/) * [ Shake ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/shake/) * [ Silent Mode ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/silent-mode/) * [ SIM ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/sim/) * [ SMS Composer ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/sms-composer/) * [ Speech Recognition ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/speech-recognition/) * [ Speech Synthesis ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/speech-synthesis/) * [ Share Target ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/share-target/) * [ Square Mobile Payments ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/square-mobile-payments/) * [ SQLite ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/sqlite/) * [ Superwall ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/superwall/) * [ System WebView ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/system-webview/) * Tauri [ Tauri ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/tauri/) * [ Packaging ](#packaging) * [ Honest Limitations ](#honest-limitations) * [ FAQ ](#faq) * [ Related ](#related) * [ Newsletter ](#newsletter) * [ Changelog ](#changelog) * [ License ](#license) * [ Text Interaction ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/text-interaction/) * [ Text Zoom ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/text-zoom/) * [ Thermal State ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/thermal-state/) * [ Toast ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/toast/) * [ Torch ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/torch/) * [ Vault ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/vault/) * [ Volume ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/volume/) * [ Wallet ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/wallet/) * [ Wifi ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/wifi/) * [ YouTube Player ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/youtube-player/) * [ Zip ](/docs/sdks/capacitor/zip/) * [ Cordova ](/docs/sdks/cordova/) * [ Cloud ](/docs/cloud/) * [ Integrations ](/docs/cloud/live-updates/integrations/) * Concepts * Reference * [ Troubleshooting ](/docs/cloud/live-updates/troubleshooting/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/cloud/live-updates/faq/) * [ Native Builds ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/) * [ Set Up Environments ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/environments/) * [ Overwrite Native Configurations ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/native-configurations/) * [ Auto-Increment Build Numbers ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/auto-incrementing-build-numbers/) * [ Configure the Web Build Script ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/web-build-script/) * [ Build from a Monorepo ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/monorepo/) * [ Use pnpm, Yarn, or bun ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/package-managers/) * [ Install Private npm Packages ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/npm-private-registry/) * [ Override the Java Version ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/override-java-version/) * [ Custom iOS Provisioning Profiles ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/custom-ios-provisioning-profiles/) * [ Build without Git ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/build-without-git/) * [ Access Git Behind a Firewall ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/firewall-access/) * [ Integrations ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/integrations/) * Reference * [ Troubleshooting ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/troubleshooting/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/cloud/native-builds/faq/) * [ App Store Publishing ](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/) * [ Submit a Build ](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/submit-a-build/) * [ Submit Automatically After a Build ](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/submit-automatically/) * [ Troubleshooting ](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/troubleshooting/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/cloud/app-store-publishing/faq/) * [ Automations ](/docs/cloud/automations/) * [ Reference ](/docs/cloud/automations/reference/) * [ Troubleshooting ](/docs/cloud/automations/troubleshooting/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/cloud/automations/faq/) * [ Assist ](/docs/cloud/assist/) * [ CLI ](/docs/cloud/cli/) * APIs and SDKs * [ Webhooks ](/docs/cloud/webhooks/) * [ Integrations ](/docs/cloud/integrations/) * Account * [ Organization ](/docs/cloud/organizations/) * [ Two-Factor Enforcement ](/docs/cloud/organizations/two-factor-authentication/) * [ Audit Logs ](/docs/cloud/organizations/audit-logs/) * [ Billing ](/docs/cloud/organizations/billing/) * [ License Keys ](/docs/cloud/license-keys/) * [ AI ](/docs/ai/) * [ Insiders ](/docs/insiders/) * [ Billing & Plans ](/docs/insiders/billing-and-plans/) * [ FAQ ](/docs/insiders/faq/) * [ License ](https://capawesome.io/legal/eula/) * [ Support ](/docs/support/) * [ Contributing ](/docs/contributing/) * Contributing code * [ Code of Conduct ](/docs/contributing/code-of-conduct/) * [ Questions ](https://docs.github.com/en/discussions/collaborating-with-your-community-using-discussions/participating-in-a-discussion#creating-a-discussion) * [ Blog ](/blog/) * Categories * [ Packaging ](#packaging) * [ Honest Limitations ](#honest-limitations) * [ FAQ ](#faq) * [ Related ](#related) * [ Newsletter ](#newsletter) * [ Changelog ](#changelog) * [ License ](#license) # Capacitor Tauri Platform[¶](#capacitor-tauri-platform "Permanent link") Capacitor platform to build, run, and package lean, secure desktop apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux with Tauri.[1](#fn:1) [ ![Deliver Live Updates to your Capacitor app with Capawesome Cloud](https://capawesome.io/assets/banners/cloud-build-and-deploy-capacitor-apps.png?t=1) ](https://capawesome.io/) ## Features[¶](#features "Permanent link") The Capacitor Tauri platform brings your web app to the desktop with tiny binaries and a security-first Rust core. Here are some of the key features: * 🪶 **Tiny binaries**: System-webview apps are a few megabytes instead of the \~100 MB an embedded browser needs. * 🔒 **Security-first**: A Rust core with deny-by-default permissions; capabilities are generated with the minimum grants your plugins need. * ⚡ **Familiar workflow**: `cap add`, `cap sync`, `cap run` — the same commands as iOS and Android. * 🧩 **Curated plugins**: Ready-made implementations of core Capacitor plugins on top of official `tauri-plugin-*` crates. * 🕸️ **Web plugins run free**: Any Capacitor plugin with a web implementation works via automatic fallback. * 🔗 **Deep links**: Custom URL schemes delivered through the standard `@capacitor/app` `appUrlOpen` event. * 📱 **App lifecycle**: `appStateChange`, `pause`, and `resume` events, exactly like on mobile. * ♻️ **Live reload**: Develop against your web dev server with full HMR. * 📦 **Packaging**: Native installers (`.dmg`, `.msi`/`.exe`, `.deb`/`.AppImage`) via Tauri's bundler. * 🧩 **Minimal scaffold**: You own a thin `src-tauri/`; all runtime logic ships in the crate and updates via `cargo update`. * 🔁 **Up-to-date**: Always supports the latest Capacitor and Tauri versions. * ⭐️ **Support**: Priority support from the Capawesome Team. * ✨ **Handcrafted**: Built from the ground up with care and expertise, not forked or AI-generated. Missing a feature? Just [open an issue](https://github.com/capawesome-team/capacitor-tauri/issues) and we'll take a look! ## Electron or Tauri?[¶](#electron-or-tauri "Permanent link") This platform is a **complement** to the [Capacitor Electron platform](https://capawesome.io/docs/sdks/capacitor/electron/), not a replacement. Pick based on your priorities: | | **Tauri** (this platform) | **Electron** | | -------------- | ----------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | | Binary size | \~3–10 MB | \~80–150 MB | | Webview | System (WKWebView / WebView2 / WebKitGTK) | Bundled Chromium | | Plugin story | Web impls + curated shims + bespoke Rust | The full Capacitor plugin ecosystem (any electron impl) | | Web-bundle OTA | Not available | Available | Choose **Tauri** for lean, secure, kiosk-style and consumer apps. Choose **Electron** for plugin-heavy or OTA-dependent apps. ## Use Cases[¶](#use-cases "Permanent link") The Tauri platform is typically used to bring an existing Capacitor app to the desktop with a minimal footprint, for example: * **Lean consumer desktop apps**: Ship a few-megabyte installer instead of a hundred-megabyte one. * **Security-sensitive tools**: Rely on a Rust core with deny-by-default, per-plugin permissions. * **Kiosk and point-of-sale apps**: Run your web app full screen on dedicated hardware. * **Internal business tools**: Distribute directly to your team without app stores. ## Compatibility[¶](#compatibility "Permanent link") | Platform Version | Capacitor Version | Tauri Version | Status | | ---------------- | ----------------- | ------------- | -------------- | | 0.x | \>=8.x.x | \>=2.x.x | Active support | ## Guides[¶](#guides "Permanent link") * [Capacitor Tauri Platform: Lean Desktop Apps](https://capawesome.io/blog/announcing-the-capacitor-tauri-platform/) ## Supported Plugins[¶](#supported-plugins "Permanent link") The plugin story has three tiers (see [Honest Limitations](#honest-limitations)): | Plugin | Tier | Backed by | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------ | ------------------------------------- | | [@capacitor/app](https://capacitorjs.com/docs/apis/app) | Built-in | The platform crate + deep-link plugin | | [@capacitor/filesystem](https://capacitorjs.com/docs/apis/filesystem) | Curated | tauri-plugin-fs | | [@capacitor/preferences](https://capacitorjs.com/docs/apis/preferences) | Curated | tauri-plugin-store | | [@capacitor/dialog](https://capacitorjs.com/docs/apis/dialog) | Curated | tauri-plugin-dialog | | [@capacitor/local-notifications](https://capacitorjs.com/docs/apis/local-notifications) | Curated | tauri-plugin-notification | | Plugins with a web implementation | Web fallback | The plugin's own web implementation | Plugins that require native functionality beyond the curated set need a bespoke Rust implementation. Want your favorite plugin curated? Just [open an issue](https://github.com/capawesome-team/capacitor-tauri/issues). ## Prerequisites[¶](#prerequisites "Permanent link") Tauri requires the **Rust toolchain** and your platform's system dependencies. Follow the [Tauri prerequisites guide](https://v2.tauri.app/start/prerequisites/) before installing. ## Installation[¶](#installation "Permanent link") You can use our **AI-Assisted Setup** to add the platform. Add the [Capawesome Skills](https://github.com/capawesome-team/skills) to your AI tool using the following command: `[](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-0-1)npx skills add capawesome-team/skills --skill capacitor-platforms ` Then use the following prompt: `` [](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-1-1)Use the `capacitor-platforms` skill from `capawesome-team/skills` to add the `@capawesome/capacitor-tauri` platform to my project. `` If you prefer **Manual Setup**, add the platform by running the following commands: `[](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-2-1)npm install @capawesome/capacitor-tauri [](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-2-2)npx cap add @capawesome/capacitor-tauri ` > \[!NOTE\] Always use the full package name with Capacitor CLI commands (e.g. `npx cap sync @capawesome/capacitor-tauri`). A bare `npx cap sync tauri` does nothing. The scaffolded `src-tauri/` project contains only files you own: | File | Purpose | | --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- | | src/main.rs | \~3 lines: starts the app via the platform crate | | tauri.conf.json | App configuration (window, CSP, deep links, bundle) | | capabilities/ | Permission grants (regenerated at sync) | | Cargo.toml | Crate dependencies (curated plugin crates added at sync) | | icons/ | App icons | Everything with logic lives in the `capacitor-tauri` crate and updates via `cargo update` — your `src-tauri/` never rots. ## Usage[¶](#usage "Permanent link") `[](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-3-1)# Copy web assets + generate capabilities and plugin registrations [](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-3-2)npx cap sync @capawesome/capacitor-tauri [](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-3-3) [](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-3-4)# Run the app (uses server.url for live reload when configured) [](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-3-5)npx cap run @capawesome/capacitor-tauri ` At sync time the platform scans your Capacitor plugin dependencies, generates a deny-by-default capability file with only the permissions the enabled curated plugins need, and wires the matching `tauri-plugin-*` crates into your project. ### Live Reload[¶](#live-reload "Permanent link") Set `server.url` in your Capacitor config to your dev server, then run `npx cap run @capawesome/capacitor-tauri` — it launches `tauri dev` pointing at your dev server with full HMR. ### Deep Links[¶](#deep-links "Permanent link") Declare the scheme in `src-tauri/tauri.conf.json` (`plugins.deep-link.desktop.schemes`) and listen with the standard `@capacitor/app` plugin: `[](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-4-1)import { App } from '@capacitor/app'; [](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-4-2) [](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-4-3)await App.addListener('appUrlOpen', ({ url }) => { [](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-4-4) console.log('App opened with URL:', url); [](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-4-5)}); ` ## Packaging[¶](#packaging "Permanent link") Sync first, then run Tauri's bundler from your project root: `[](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-5-1)npx cap sync @capawesome/capacitor-tauri [](#%5F%5Fcodelineno-5-2)npx tauri build ` Tauri's bundler produces native installers for the current OS (`.dmg`/`.app`, `.msi`/`.exe`, `.deb`/`.AppImage`). Signing, updater, and target configuration live in `src-tauri/tauri.conf.json` — see the [Tauri distribution guide](https://v2.tauri.app/distribute/). ## Honest Limitations[¶](#honest-limitations "Permanent link") Read this before choosing Tauri — these are inherent trade-offs, not bugs: 1. **No plugin-ecosystem reuse.** Tauri's core is Rust; there is no Node.js runtime. Only Tier-1 web implementations, the curated Tier-2 shims, and bespoke Tier-3 Rust plugins work. Arbitrary Capacitor native plugins do **not** run. This is the main reason to choose the [Electron platform](https://capawesome.io/docs/sdks/capacitor/electron/) instead. 2. **Three webview engines.** WKWebView (macOS), WebView2 (Windows), and WebKitGTK (Linux) behave differently — a real cross-engine testing burden, worst on Linux. Electron's single bundled Chromium is more predictable. 3. **No web-bundle OTA.** Web assets are compiled into the binary; there is no Live Update / over-the-air web-bundle mechanism. Only full signed binary updates (via `tauri-plugin-updater`) are possible. 4. **Rust toolchain required.** Developers and CI need Rust and platform system dependencies installed, with longer first builds and large `target/` directories. ## FAQ[¶](#faq "Permanent link") ### Can I use any Capacitor plugin?[¶](#can-i-use-any-capacitor-plugin "Permanent link") Only plugins with a web implementation, a curated Tier-2 shim, or a bespoke Tauri implementation (see [Supported Plugins](#supported-plugins)). If you need the full plugin ecosystem, use the [Electron platform](https://capawesome.io/docs/sdks/capacitor/electron/). ### Does `Capacitor.getPlatform()` return `tauri`?[¶](#does-capacitorgetplatform-return-tauri "Permanent link") Yes. `Capacitor.getPlatform()` returns `'tauri'` and `Capacitor.isNativePlatform()` returns `true`. ### Does this support over-the-air updates?[¶](#does-this-support-over-the-air-updates "Permanent link") Not for web bundles. Tauri compiles the web assets into the binary; only full signed binary updates are supported. ## Related[¶](#related "Permanent link") * [Capacitor Electron platform](https://capawesome.io/docs/sdks/capacitor/electron/) — maximum compatibility and web-bundle OTA, with larger binaries. ## Newsletter[¶](#newsletter "Permanent link") Stay up to date with the latest news and updates about the Capawesome, Capacitor, and Ionic ecosystem by subscribing to our [Capawesome Newsletter](https://capawesome.io/newsletter/). ## Changelog[¶](#changelog "Permanent link") See [CHANGELOG.md](https://github.com/capawesome-team/capacitor-tauri/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md). ## License[¶](#license "Permanent link") See [LICENSE](https://github.com/capawesome-team/capacitor-tauri/blob/main/LICENSE). --- 1. This project is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or approved by the Tauri Programme within the Commons Conservancy. `Tauri` is a trademark of the Tauri Programme within the Commons Conservancy. [↩](#fnref:1 "Jump back to footnote 1 in the text") July 13, 2026 Back to top ```json {"@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [{"@type": "TechArticle", "@id": "https://capawesome.io/docs/sdks/capacitor/tauri/#article", "headline": "Capacitor Tauri Platform for Desktop Apps", "name": "Capacitor Tauri Platform for Desktop Apps", "description": "Build lean, secure desktop apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux with Tauri using the same Capacitor workflow as on iOS and Android.", "inLanguage": "en", "url": "https://capawesome.io/docs/sdks/capacitor/tauri/", "mainEntityOfPage": "https://capawesome.io/docs/sdks/capacitor/tauri/", "author": {"@type": "Organization", "name": "Capawesome", "url": "https://capawesome.io", "logo": {"@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://capawesome.io/assets/images/logo.svg"}}, "publisher": {"@type": "Organization", "name": "Capawesome", "url": "https://capawesome.io", "logo": {"@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://capawesome.io/assets/images/logo.svg"}}, "about": {"@id": "https://capawesome.io/docs/sdks/capacitor/tauri/#software"}}, {"@type": "SoftwareSourceCode", "@id": "https://capawesome.io/docs/sdks/capacitor/tauri/#software", "name": "Capacitor Tauri Platform for Desktop Apps", "description": "Build lean, secure desktop apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux with Tauri using the same Capacitor workflow as on iOS and Android.", "url": "https://capawesome.io/docs/sdks/capacitor/tauri/", "programmingLanguage": "TypeScript", "runtimePlatform": "Capacitor", "codeRepository": "https://github.com/capawesome-team", "author": {"@type": "Organization", "name": "Capawesome", "url": "https://capawesome.io", "logo": {"@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://capawesome.io/assets/images/logo.svg"}}, "publisher": {"@type": "Organization", "name": "Capawesome", "url": "https://capawesome.io", "logo": {"@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://capawesome.io/assets/images/logo.svg"}}}]} {"@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [{"@type": "Question", "name": "Electron or Tauri?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "This platform is a complement to the Capacitor Electron platform, not a replacement. Pick based on your priorities: Tauri (this platform) Electron Binary size ~3–10 MB ~80–150 MB Webview System (WKWebView / WebView2 / WebKitGTK) Bundled Chromium Plugin story Web impls + curated shims + bespoke Rust The full Capacitor plugin ecosystem (any electron impl) Web-bundle OTA Not available Available Choose Tauri for lean, secure, kiosk-style and consumer apps. Choose Electron for plugin-heavy or OTA-dependent apps."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Can I use any Capacitor plugin?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Only plugins with a web implementation, a curated Tier-2 shim, or a bespoke Tauri implementation (see Supported Plugins). If you need the full plugin ecosystem, use the Electron platform."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Does Capacitor.getPlatform() return tauri?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Capacitor.getPlatform() returns 'tauri' and Capacitor.isNativePlatform() returns true."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Does this support over-the-air updates?", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Not for web bundles. Tauri compiles the web assets into the binary; only full signed binary updates are supported."}}], "url": "https://capawesome.io/docs/sdks/capacitor/tauri/"} ```