SmallJS

SmallJS ( https://small-js.org )

SmallJS is a Smalltalk-to-JavaScript compiler. Here’s the official way to install it on Windows:
1. Install Prerequisites

    Git (needed for Git Bash)
    Download and install from:
    https://git-scm.com/downloads
    Visual Studio Code
    Download and install from:
    https://code.visualstudio.com/download
    Node.js (version 25.x or newer)
    Important: Install the latest Current version (not the LTS).
    Download from:
    https://nodejs.org/en/download
    TypeScript (global)
    Open a terminal (Command Prompt or PowerShell) and run:

    npm install -g typescript

2. Download SmallJS

    Go to: https://github.com/Small-JS/SmallJS
    Click the green Code button → Download ZIP
    Unzip the file to a folder (example: C:\SmallJS)

(Or clone it with Git if you prefer.)
3. Run the Install Script

    Open the folder where you unzipped SmallJS.
    Right-click on install.sh → Open with → choose Git Bash.
        (You can set Git Bash as the default for .sh files.)
    The script will:
        Check prerequisites
        Install the SmallJS VS Code extension
        Install required npm packages

4. Build SmallJS

Still in Git Bash (in the SmallJS folder), run:

./build.sh

This compiles the compiler and runs the core tests.
After Installation

    Open the project in Visual Studio Code.
    You should have Smalltalk syntax highlighting and debugging support.

Here are the best current options (as of 2026):

1. Official Node.js SEA (Single Executable Applications) – Recommended
Node.js has built-in support for creating single executables.

Pros: Official, no third-party tools needed (in recent versions), relatively small size.  
Cons: Still evolving; best with CommonJS (or bundled code).

Basic steps:
1. Bundle your app first (recommended)
npx ncc build index.js -o dist

2. Create config
echo '{"main":"dist/index.js","output":"myapp.exe"}' > sea-config.json

3. Build the executable (Node 20+)
node --experimental-sea-config sea-config.json

Newer Node versions (25+) have even simpler --build-sea support.

2. Bun (Easiest & Fastest)
bun build ./index.js --compile --outfile myapp.exe
Very simple and produces a real standalone executable.

3. Other Popular Tools

| Tool              | Type              | Ease | Notes                              | Best For          |
|-------------------|-------------------|------|------------------------------------|-------------------|
| Bun           | Runtime           | ★★★★★ | One command                        | Most projects     |
| Node.js SEA   | Official          | ★★★★  | Built into Node                    | Pure Node apps    |
| pkg (yao-pkg) | Packager          | ★★★★  | Mature, supports assets            | Complex apps      |
| nexe          | Packager          | ★★★   | Older but still works              | Simple scripts    |
| Electron      | Framework         | ★★★   | Full desktop app + GUI             | GUI applications  |
| NW.js         | Framework         | ★★★   | Similar to Electron                | GUI applications  |

Quick Recommendation

Simple script / CLI tool* → Use *Bun** (bun build --compile)
Pure Node.js app* → Use *Node.js SEA**
App with GUI* → Use *Electron** + electron-builder / electron-packager
Maximum compatibility* → Use *pkg**

Would you like a complete step-by-step guide for one of these methods (e.g. Bun or official Node SEA)?