Cross-platform (xplat) tools for Nx workspaces

xplat is an added value pack for Nx which provides additional app generators and optional supporting architecture for different platform/framework combinations.

Currently supported platforms

Electron

Build cross platform desktop apps with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.
Ionic

Build amazing apps in one codebase, for any platform, with the web.
NativeScript

Build rich iOS and Android apps with direct access to native api's from JavaScript directly.

Quickstart

npx create-nx-workspace@latest

✔ Where would you like to create your workspace? · {your-workspace-name}

# Choose "None"

? Which stack do you want to use? … 
None:          Configures a minimal structure without specific frameworks or technologies.

# Choose "Integrated"

? Package-based or integrated? … 
Integrated:    Nx creates a workspace structure most suitable for building apps.

Init workspace

Install the @nx/js plugin.

npm install @nx/js -D

Now initialize -- This will ensure a tsconfig.base.json is created to begin building your workspace.

npx nx g @nx/js:init

Install the tools:

npm install @nstudio/xplat -D

You are now ready to create apps:

npx nx g @nstudio/xplat:app

Potential schematics error: If you encounter a SchematicNameCollisionException issue, you can see this gist to apply a patch: https://gist.github.com/NathanWalker/a8554c1e0bba700affeb0c4672d26b0e

App generation examples

The additional app generators can be used as follows:

Electron

Electron app generator can use any web app in the workspace as it's target.

If you don't have a web app yet, create one first:

npx nx g @nstudio/xplat:app sample

choose web

You can now use the web app as the Electron target:

npx nx g @nstudio/xplat:app desktop --target=web-sample

choose electron

Develop with:

npm run start.electron.desktop

Ionic

npx nx g @nstudio/xplat:app sample

choose ionic

Develop in browser with:

npx nx serve ionic-sample

Build Ionic app:

npx nx build ionic-sample

A. Capacitor iOS - Prepare for development

npm run prepare.ionic.sample.ios

You can now open in Xcode for further development:

npm run open.ionic.sample.ios

B. Capacitor Android - Prepare for development

npm run prepare.ionic.sample.android

You can now open in Android Studio for further development:

npm run open.ionic.sample.android

NativeScript

nx g @nstudio/xplat:app mobile

choose nativescript

A. iOS

npx nx run nativescript-mobile:ios

B. Android

npx nx run nativescript-mobile:android

Documentation

Talks

Recommended extra tooling

Example repos for different scenarios

Ionic + Web: https://github.com/nstudio/xplat-sample-ionic-web
Electron + Web with routing: https://github.com/nstudio/xplat-sample-electron-routing

Context

Why it's Hard to Decide on Technologies by Adam Klein