Tauri Agents Project Scaffolder

tauri-agents-project-scaffolder

Scaffolding Workflow

Execute these steps in order when creating a new Tauri 2 project:

1. Gather requirements (app type, plugins, frontend framework)
2. Generate project structure
3. Configure Cargo.toml with dependencies
4. Configure tauri.conf.json
5. Create lib.rs with commands and plugin registration
6. Create main.rs (desktop entry point)
7. Create capability files
8. Create custom command permissions
9. Create frontend invoke wrappers
10. Create .gitignore
11. Verify completeness

Step 1: Requirements Gathering

ALWAYS determine these before generating files:

[ ] App type: basic | multi-window | tray-app | mobile-ready
[ ] Frontend framework: vanilla | React | Vue | Svelte | SolidJS
[ ] Bundler: Vite (default) | Webpack | other
[ ] Plugins needed: fs | dialog | store | shell | http | notification | others
[ ] Target platforms: desktop-only | desktop+mobile | all
[ ] Feature requirements: auto-updater | tray icon | custom protocol | menus

Step 2: Project Structure Template

Basic App

my-tauri-app/
├── src/                           # Frontend
│   ├── index.html
│   ├── main.ts
│   ├── styles.css
│   └── lib/
│       └── tauri.ts               # Invoke wrappers
├── src-tauri/
│   ├── src/
│   │   ├── lib.rs                 # App logic + command registration
│   │   ├── main.rs                # Desktop entry point
│   │   ├── commands.rs            # Command implementations
│   │   └── error.rs               # Error types
│   ├── capabilities/
│   │   └── default.json           # Permission grants
│   ├── permissions/
│   │   └── commands.toml          # Custom command permissions
│   ├── icons/                     # App icons (all sizes)
│   ├── Cargo.toml
│   ├── Cargo.lock
│   ├── build.rs
│   └── tauri.conf.json
├── package.json
├── tsconfig.json
├── vite.config.ts
└── .gitignore

Multi-Window App

Adds to basic structure:

src-tauri/
├── capabilities/
│   ├── main-window.json           # Main window permissions
│   └── settings-window.json       # Settings window permissions

Tray App

Adds to basic structure:

src-tauri/src/
├── tray.rs                        # Tray icon setup + menu

Step 3: Cargo.toml Template

[package]
name = "app"
version = "0.1.0"
description = "A Tauri 2 application"
edition = "2021"

[lib]
name = "app_lib"
crate-type = ["staticlib", "cdylib", "rlib"]

[build-dependencies]
tauri-build = { version = "2", features = [] }

[dependencies]
tauri = { version = "2", features = [] }
serde = { version = "1", features = ["derive"] }
serde_json = "1"
thiserror = "2"
tokio = { version = "1", features = ["full"] }

# Plugins -- uncomment as needed:
# tauri-plugin-opener = "2"
# tauri-plugin-fs = "2"
# tauri-plugin-dialog = "2"
# tauri-plugin-store = "2"
# tauri-plugin-shell = "2"
# tauri-plugin-http = "2"
# tauri-plugin-notification = "2"
# tauri-plugin-clipboard-manager = "2"
# tauri-plugin-os = "2"
# tauri-plugin-process = "2"
# tauri-plugin-updater = "2"
# tauri-plugin-global-shortcut = "2"
# tauri-plugin-window-state = "2"

Rules:

• ALWAYS include serde, serde_json, thiserror
• ALWAYS include tokio with full features for async commands
• ALWAYS include crate-type with all three types for mobile compatibility
• NEVER forget tauri-build in build-dependencies

Step 4: tauri.conf.json Template

{
  "$schema": "./gen/schemas/desktop-schema.json",
  "productName": "My App",
  "version": "0.1.0",
  "identifier": "com.yourcompany.myapp",
  "build": {
    "devUrl": "http://localhost:5173",
    "frontendDist": "../dist",
    "beforeDevCommand": "npm run dev",
    "beforeBuildCommand": "npm run build"
  },
  "app": {
    "windows": [
      {
        "label": "main",
        "title": "My App",
        "url": "/",
        "width": 800,
        "height": 600,
        "minWidth": 400,
        "minHeight": 300,
        "resizable": true,
        "center": true
      }
    ],
    "security": {
      "csp": "default-src 'self'; script-src 'self'; style-src 'self' 'unsafe-inline'; img-src 'self' asset: https://asset.localhost data:; connect-src ipc: http://ipc.localhost",
      "freezePrototype": true
    }
  },
  "bundle": {
    "active": true,
    "targets": "all",
    "icon": [
      "icons/32x32.png",
      "icons/128x128.png",
      "icons/128x128@2x.png",
      "icons/icon.icns",
      "icons/icon.ico"
    ]
  },
  "plugins": {}
}

Rules:

• ALWAYS set a unique identifier
• ALWAYS set csp (never null)
• ALWAYS set freezePrototype: true
• ALWAYS include beforeBuildCommand and beforeDevCommand

Step 5: lib.rs Template

mod commands;
mod error;

use tauri::Manager;

#[cfg_attr(mobile, tauri::mobile_entry_point)]
pub fn run() {
    tauri::Builder::default()
        // -- Plugins --
        .plugin(tauri_plugin_opener::init())
        // .plugin(tauri_plugin_fs::init())
        // .plugin(tauri_plugin_dialog::init())
        // .plugin(tauri_plugin_store::init())
        // -- State --
        // .manage(std::sync::Mutex::new(AppState::default()))
        // -- Commands --
        .invoke_handler(tauri::generate_handler![
            commands::greet,
        ])
        .setup(|app| {
            // Initialization that depends on App
            let _handle = app.handle().clone();
            Ok(())
        })
        .run(tauri::generate_context!())
        .expect("error while running tauri application");
}

Rules:

• ALWAYS use #[cfg_attr(mobile, tauri::mobile_entry_point)]
• ALWAYS use a single generate_handler![]
• ALWAYS put commands in a separate module
• NEVER mark command functions as pub in this file

Step 6: main.rs Template

// Prevents additional console window on Windows in release
#![cfg_attr(not(debug_assertions), windows_subsystem = "windows")]

fn main() {
    app_lib::run();
}

Step 7: Supporting Files

error.rs

use serde::Serialize;

#[derive(Debug, thiserror::Error)]
pub enum AppError {
    #[error(transparent)]
    Io(#[from] std::io::Error),
    #[error("{0}")]
    Custom(String),
}

impl Serialize for AppError {
    fn serialize<S>(&self, serializer: S) -> Result<S::Ok, S::Error>
    where S: serde::ser::Serializer {
        serializer.serialize_str(self.to_string().as_ref())
    }
}

pub type AppResult<T> = Result<T, AppError>;

commands.rs

use crate::error::AppResult;

#[tauri::command]
pub fn greet(name: String) -> String {
    format!("Hello, {}! You've been greeted from Rust!", name)
}

build.rs

fn main() {
    tauri_build::build();
}

Step 8: Capability File Template

capabilities/default.json

{
  "$schema": "../gen/schemas/desktop-schema.json",
  "identifier": "default",
  "description": "Default capabilities for the main window",
  "windows": ["main"],
  "permissions": [
    "core:default",
    "core:window:default",
    "core:app:default",
    "allow-greet"
  ]
}

Rules:

• ALWAYS include core:default
• ALWAYS target specific window labels
• ALWAYS add permissions for every registered plugin
• ALWAYS add permissions for every custom command

Step 9: Custom Command Permissions

permissions/commands.toml

[[permission]]
identifier = "allow-greet"
description = "Allow the greet command"
commands.allow = ["greet"]

Rules:

• ALWAYS create a permission for every custom command
• ALWAYS use TOML format for application permissions
• Name pattern: allow-<command-name>

Step 10: Frontend Invoke Wrappers

src/lib/tauri.ts

import { invoke } from '@tauri-apps/api/core';

export async function greet(name: string): Promise<string> {
    return invoke<string>('greet', { name });
}

Rules:

• ALWAYS create typed wrapper functions
• ALWAYS use camelCase for argument keys
• ALWAYS specify the generic return type on invoke
• ALWAYS export functions for use in components

Step 11: .gitignore Template

# Dependencies
node_modules/

# Build output
dist/
src-tauri/target/
src-tauri/gen/

# Environment
.env
.env.*

# IDE
.vscode/
.idea/
*.swp
*.swo

# OS
.DS_Store
Thumbs.db

# Do NOT ignore Cargo.lock -- it ensures deterministic builds

App Type Templates

Multi-Window App

• Add second window in app.windows[] with "visible": false, "create": true
• Create separate capability file per window with targeted permissions
• Add show_settings command using app.get_webview_window("label")
• See references/examples.md for complete code

Tray App

• Add trayIcon config in app section of tauri.conf.json
• Build tray menu in setup() using TrayIconBuilder and MenuBuilder
• Handle CloseRequested event to hide instead of close: api.prevent_close()
• See references/examples.md for complete code

Verification Checklist

After scaffolding, verify:

[ ] Cargo.toml: all needed plugins listed
[ ] lib.rs: all plugins initialized with .plugin()
[ ] lib.rs: all commands in generate_handler![]
[ ] lib.rs: state registered with manage() if needed
[ ] capabilities/: permissions for all plugins and commands
[ ] permissions/: TOML file for each custom command
[ ] Frontend: invoke wrapper for each Rust command
[ ] Frontend: @tauri-apps/api and plugin packages in package.json
[ ] tauri.conf.json: identifier is unique
[ ] tauri.conf.json: CSP is set
[ ] tauri.conf.json: build commands configured
[ ] .gitignore: target/ excluded, Cargo.lock NOT excluded
[ ] build.rs: calls tauri_build::build()

Reference Links

• references/methods.md -- Plugin installation commands, configuration keys
• references/examples.md -- Complete scaffolded project examples
• references/anti-patterns.md -- Scaffolding mistakes to avoid

Official Sources

• https://v2.tauri.app/start/create-project/
• https://v2.tauri.app/develop/
• https://v2.tauri.app/security/capabilities/