What is Electron?
Understand the Electron framework, its architecture, and how it enables building desktop apps with web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
What is Electron? is a free Electron Desktop App Development lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 1 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Electron Desktop App Development learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Welcome to Electron!
Electron lets you build native desktop apps with your web skills. Think of it as bringing the browser engine straight to the desktop.
Web Tech Powers Desktop
You build Electron apps with the web stack you already know — HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. If you do web dev, you are halfway there.
Build for Any OS
Electron is cross-platform: write your code once and ship it to Windows, macOS, and Linux — no separate native builds.
Powered by Chromium
Electron renders your UI with Chromium, the engine behind Chrome. You get modern web features and Chrome's dev tools for free.
Powered by Node.js
Electron also embeds Node.js, so your JavaScript can reach the file system, network, and OS — well beyond the browser sandbox.
The Best of Both Worlds
Electron pairs two engines: Chromium renders the UI, while Node.js handles OS-level work. Rich web UIs plus real system access, in one app.
Electron's Basic Structure
Every Electron app splits into two process types: the main process (lifecycle, native OS) and renderer processes (the UI). More on this soon.
Apps You Might Know
You likely use Electron daily — VS Code, Slack, and Discord all run on it. Real proof of how versatile the framework is.
A Simple Analogy
Picture Electron as a box for your site: a mini Chromium browser inside shows your UI, and Node.js lets it talk to the computer. Ships as a real app.
Understanding Electron
Let's check your understanding of Electron's core components.
What We've Learned
Electron builds cross-platform desktop apps with web tech, combining Chromium for UI and Node.js for OS access. Next, let's set up your tools.
Frequently asked questions
Is the “What is Electron?” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “What is Electron?” is free to read here on the web, and the Electron Desktop App Development course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Electron Desktop App Development course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “What is Electron?”?
Understand the Electron framework, its architecture, and how it enables building desktop apps with web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You practise Electron Desktop App Development with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Electron Desktop App Development?
No prior experience is required. Electron Desktop App Development on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 1 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “What is Electron?” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Electron Desktop App Development lesson?
Yes. Every Electron Desktop App Development lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.