Yes, you can use Nativefier and Homebrew to turn your Webflow site into a basic Mac desktop app, but there are important limitations to consider.
1. What Nativefier Does
- Nativefier wraps any web page into a desktop app using Electron.
- It’s a command-line tool ideal for creating quick, single-site apps (SSBs).
- The resulting app will run the Webflow site in a self-contained Electron browser window.
2. How to Install Nativefier via Homebrew
- Install Node.js (required by Nativefier):
Run: brew install node
- Install Nativefier globally:
Run: npm install -g nativefier
- Once installed, you can package Webflow projects into
.app
files.
3. Packaging Your Webflow Site
- Make sure your Webflow project is published and accessible via a public URL.
- Run Nativefier in your terminal, like:
nativefier "https://your-site.webflow.io" --name "My Webflow App"
- This will create a standalone Mac
.app
file in a new folder.
4. Limitations of Using Nativefier with Webflow
- Offline support is minimal — your Webflow site must be online.
- No native macOS features like menu bar integration, notifications, or sandboxing.
- This approach does not bundle your site’s code; it simply loads the live URL.
- Performance depends on Electron overhead — it’s not a lightweight solution.
5. Alternatives if You Need More Native-Like Behavior
- Consider PWA (Progressive Web App) setup inside Webflow with a service worker — though it’s limited without custom code hosting.
- For full control, exporting your Webflow code (paid plan required) and building inside a custom Electron app might be better.
Summary
You can use Nativefier via Homebrew to easily convert a live Webflow site into a working Mac app, but it’s limited to a browser-wrapper experience. Ideal for quick demos or simplified desktop access, but not for fully featured apps.