# Launcher Builds

## What "Deploy the Launcher" means?

Deploying your Launcher means that it will be processed in the server to create your launcher executable and installer.\
Usually, a deploy is needed when Game Launcher Cloud releases a new launcher version or when you changed something critical about the Launcher (e.g. Launcher Icon, Splash Screen image).\
\
You decide when you want to update your launcher. However very old launchers will not be able to be used by your users. It's highly recommended to be up to date.

<figure><img src="https://4241524842-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnNH3XbUy7pSptjMVADb2%2Fuploads%2FvgW3WhzJmVBR0Kjgw52q%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=04b3f1ba-f11c-4073-a2c0-0762a80d17fd" alt=""><figcaption><p>Launcher Deploy Warning</p></figcaption></figure>

***

### Build Configuration

| Platform    | Format           | Size   | Build Time |
| ----------- | ---------------- | ------ | ---------- |
| **Windows** | `.exe` installer | \~50MB | 3 min      |
| **macOS**   | `.dmg` / `.pkg`  | \~60MB | 5 min      |
| **Linux**   | `.AppImage`      | \~55MB | 6 min      |

***

## Managing Builds

### Launcher Active Build Selection

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Select your **Launcher** in the sidebar

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://4241524842-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnNH3XbUy7pSptjMVADb2%2Fuploads%2FoB5hmrkSkZ1IRnDwepVI%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=88a1729e-7b2a-4478-ac27-b809dc986253" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Deploy your launcher build**

<figure><img src="https://4241524842-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnNH3XbUy7pSptjMVADb2%2Fuploads%2FjC5aI1z0TCwKAEaUoWKt%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7b84d244-f2de-4bee-ba79-b479f6f6d3a0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Deploy your launcher build by clicking in this button

<figure><img src="https://4241524842-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnNH3XbUy7pSptjMVADb2%2Fuploads%2F14gB5VK10xBVd85OtPvU%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=12acb5ed-1570-4d15-aff8-b4cba1aae01c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Navigate to **Launcher Builds**

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://4241524842-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnNH3XbUy7pSptjMVADb2%2Fuploads%2Fs8nO0Rkta0TqG9btUsOD%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=63b30be1-165f-47c4-9342-8fffd7118d50" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
In the **Launcher Active Build** section

Click **Change Active Build** button

<figure><img src="https://4241524842-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnNH3XbUy7pSptjMVADb2%2Fuploads%2FRSW88j0N4Fx6xOECEulS%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8f2d0097-cdc3-4ceb-8e08-e9ba6d00aaae" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Select the **latest deployed build** and click **Set as Active** button

<figure><img src="https://4241524842-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnNH3XbUy7pSptjMVADb2%2Fuploads%2Fvl94MAh1fHv9hviJgkdW%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f16a6320-9de2-4e4f-a878-15aecc6f0137" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Test & Distribute to Players**

For existing launchers:\
Now in your Launcher just click the refresh button and you will see the \
**Download Launcher Update** button\
![](https://4241524842-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnNH3XbUy7pSptjMVADb2%2Fuploads%2FbcPu1QKMAXBBpPpIztIg%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=ac410f7e-58f9-4a89-a84b-f00498721095)\
\
For new users:\
Copy and share your <i class="fa-link">:link:</i> **permanent links** to your users\
(Automatically updated each time you deploy a new launcher update).

**Installer Wizard**

Installs the launcher on the user's system with a setup wizard. Includes automatic shortcuts and uninstaller.

<figure><img src="https://4241524842-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnNH3XbUy7pSptjMVADb2%2Fuploads%2FwOk29AynqJrhVyuWiMlr%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=2e309959-d7fa-4cd6-99a2-5f4b8fd2a3da" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Portable ZIP**

A standalone version that runs without installation. Just extract and run — no admin rights needed.

<div align="center"><figure><img src="https://4241524842-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnNH3XbUy7pSptjMVADb2%2Fuploads%2F9RnWz12EmN3CNwfDUzE8%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1d82097f-797f-4720-acc7-9f464d50630f" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Download Formats

Each build provides two download formats:

<div data-full-width="true"><figure><img src="https://4241524842-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnNH3XbUy7pSptjMVADb2%2Fuploads%2FlvbRJvcMw4T1NITBqYcY%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=5e7a1e1c-364a-43fc-ae33-19e9381fd9d2" alt=""><figcaption><p>Launcher Builds</p></figcaption></figure></div>

| Format                       | Description               | Use Case                     |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| **Windows Installer (.exe)** | Full installation package | Recommended for distribution |
| **Portable ZIP**             | Compressed executable     | Quick testing, portable use  |

### Persistent Download URLs

## Distribution

The active build is automatically available at a persistent URL:

```
https://cdn.gamelauncher.cloud/Launchers/{LauncherID}/Builds/Latest/{LauncherName}_Executable_Windows_x64.zip
https://cdn.gamelauncher.cloud/Launchers/{LauncherID}/Builds/Latest/{LauncherName}_Installer_Windows_x64.exe
```

**How It Works:**

1. You activate a new build (e.g., Build 42)
2. Files automatically copied to `/Latest/` folder
3. Download URLs remain the same
4. Users always get the active build

**Benefits:**

* ✅ **Single Download Link** - Share one permanent URL
* ✅ **Always Current** - Users download the active version automatically
* ✅ **Easy Sharing** - Copy button makes distribution simple
* ✅ **CDN Powered** - Fast global downloads via Cloudflare CDN

### Copy to Clipboard

Use the **Copy to Clipboard** button for instant link sharing:

* One-click copy for both Installer and ZIP links
* Share links on your website, Discord, or social media
* No need to manually construct URLs

***

## Self-Update System

{% hint style="info" %}
**Learn More**: Check out [How the Launcher Self-Updates](https://gamelauncher.cloud/help/launchers/how-updates-work) for a detailed explanation of configuration updates vs. launcher deploys.
{% endhint %}

***

## Best Practices

**✅ Test Before Set as the active build**

Always test your launcher builds before placing it as the new launcher active build

**✅ Version Numbers**

Follow semantic versioning consistently