Craft Apps GuideInstalling and updating the Craft apps · Early alpha
ArtCraft Launcher: Install and Update the Craft Apps
Install, update and open the Craft apps without navigating a dozen separate release pages.
What is ArtCraft Launcher?
ArtCraft Launcher is the native installer and updater for the Craft App Suite. The official listing describes the apps as free, open source and built from scratch in Rust.
GitHub license metadata: Apache License 2.0 (Apache-2.0). The README documents a choice of MIT OR Apache-2.0; GitHub's single-license field does not show that full choice. Read the repository license and asset notices.
GitHub stars: 1,408 at the 2026-10-12 snapshot. Install, update and open the Craft apps from one place. Source: launcher README
Key features
Install the right build
The launcher chooses the official package for your operating system and processor, verifies its SHA-256 checksum and installs it. It also finds apps you installed yourself.
Keep apps current
Release checks and notifications tell you when updates are available. Updates retain the installed package format and do not replace a running app. The launcher can update and restart itself.
Open apps from one place
A catalog, system tray and menu-bar access let you open installed apps. The web build is a browser catalog with downloads, rather than a desktop installer.
File formats
| Package | Documented purpose |
|---|---|
| .dmg, .msi | macOS and Windows installation. |
| .AppImage, .deb, .rpm, .flatpak, .tar.gz | Linux package options, with platform-specific behavior. |
| portable.zip | Windows portable build with local settings. |
| Web .zip | Static browser catalog. |
Status and limits
ArtCraft Launcher is early alpha. On Linux, the README recommends AppImage, .deb or .rpm. The Flatpak build installs host Flatpaks when available; otherwise it unpacks apps in its own sandbox, where settings remain. On GNOME, the tray icon needs the AppIndicator extension.
The README specifies Windows 10/11, macOS 11 Big Sur or later, and Linux glibc requirements that vary for RISC-V. These are launcher requirements, not universal requirements for every Craft app.
Download and install ArtCraft Launcher
Start at ArtCraft Launcher on getartcraft.com or the official GitHub Releases page. You can also use ArtCraft Launcher to install the desktop apps.
The latest snapshotted release is v0.3.2, published . These are exact asset names from that release; download them on the official Releases page.
Windows
Match x64, arm64 or x86 to your computer. The MSI is an installer; the portable ZIP is the alternative for running an unpacked build. Follow the README for permissions and portable settings.
The launcher MSI installs for the current user without administrator rights. The portable build keeps settings in its folder. Its README specifies Windows 10 and 11.
Show 6 Windows release files
artcraft-launcher-0.3.2-windows-arm64-portable.zipartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-windows-arm64.msiartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-windows-x64-portable.zipartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-windows-x64.msiartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-windows-x86-portable.zipartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-windows-x86.msi
macOS
Drag ArtCraft Launcher from the DMG to Applications. The README specifies macOS 11 Big Sur or later.
The universal DMG is the desktop app for Apple silicon and Intel. The README labels it signed and notarized. A separate CLI ZIP, where listed, contains the command-line tool.
Show 1 macOS release files
artcraft-launcher-0.3.2-macos-universal.dmg
Linux
The README specifies glibc 2.35 or newer for x86_64/aarch64; its RISC-V packages need glibc 2.39 or newer. Make the AppImage executable and run it, or choose the package for your distribution. AppImage, DEB and RPM are its recommended Linux choices.
Choose the package for your architecture: AppImage, Debian/Ubuntu DEB, Fedora/RHEL/openSUSE RPM, sandboxed Flatpak or a tarball. RISC-V support and runtime requirements are package-specific. Read the README installation notes.
Show 15 Linux release files
artcraft-launcher-0.3.2-linux-aarch64.AppImageartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-linux-aarch64.AppImage.zsyncartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-linux-aarch64.debartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-linux-aarch64.flatpakartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-linux-aarch64.rpmartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-linux-aarch64.tar.gzartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-linux-riscv64.debartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-linux-riscv64.rpmartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-linux-riscv64.tar.gzartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-linux-x86_64.AppImageartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-linux-x86_64.AppImage.zsyncartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-linux-x86_64.debartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-linux-x86_64.flatpakartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-linux-x86_64.rpmartcraft-launcher-0.3.2-linux-x86_64.tar.gz
FreeBSD
The README provides tarball instructions and required runtime libraries. Read those before unpacking into system directories.
Show 1 FreeBSD release files
artcraft-launcher-0.3.2-freebsd-x86_64.tar.gz
Web (WebAssembly)
A web ZIP contains a static WebAssembly build to host on a static server. The launcher web build is a download catalog.
Show 1 Web (WebAssembly) release files
artcraft-launcher-web-0.3.2.zip
Verify your download against SHA256SUMS.txt from the same official release. Compare a locally calculated SHA-256 digest with the entry for the exact file you downloaded. See the checksum guide.
Build ArtCraft Launcher from source
The following first-run block is copied verbatim from the official README. Run it from the repository checkout; commands without a clone step assume you already have the code. Read the README for Rust toolchain requirements, operating-system dependencies and optional fonts.
git clone https://github.com/storytold/craft-launcher
cd craft-launcher
cargo run --release -p artcraft-launcher # the desktop app
cargo xtask ci # fmt, clippy, tests and the wasm checkAgent, CLI and MCP features
The README documents local-build synchronization and a local mirror for developer testing. It does not document an MCP server for the launcher itself. See its Installing your own builds section for scope and commands. Read the official automation documentation ↗
Frequently asked questions
Where can I download ArtCraft Launcher?
Use its official getartcraft.com page or the storytold GitHub Releases page. This guide links to official sources and does not distribute installers.
Is ArtCraft Launcher safe?
This guide has not audited the binaries. Use official releases, verify the published SHA-256 checksums and read the documented platform warnings. Early software can have bugs.
Which platforms does ArtCraft Launcher support?
The official listing and README documents macOS, Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Web. Check the download section for the packages in the latest research snapshot.
Does ArtCraft Launcher update the apps?
Yes. The README describes release checks, update notifications and updates using each installed app’s package format. A running app is never replaced.
Is ArtCraft Launcher free?
Yes. It is part of the free, open-source Craft apps. GitHub records Apache-2.0; the README offers MIT OR Apache-2.0.