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Run npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/self-extracting-script in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

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Is Self Extracting Script free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Self Extracting Script?

tomevault-io (@tomevault-io) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Self Extracting Script by tomevault-io

Name: Self Extracting Script
Author: tomevault-io

Self Extracting Script

Create self-extracting Bash scripts that embed any payload (archives, executables, configs) using base64 encoding. Use when creating portable single-file installers, deployment packages, or distributing files without external dependencies. Use when this capability is needed.

tomevault-io 82ac349 2 files · 3.4 KB Updated Sep 17, 2026

File contents

Self-Extracting Script Skill

Generate self-extracting Bash scripts from any payload file. The generated scripts embed the payload as base64 and extract it when executed.

Quick Start

# Basic extraction script
python scripts/create_self_extractor.py payload.tar.gz output.sh

# Auto-execute after extraction
python scripts/create_self_extractor.py setup.sh installer.sh --execute

# Custom output filename
python scripts/create_self_extractor.py config.json deploy.sh --output prod_config.json

Features

Embeds any file type (binary or text) using base64 encoding
Optional auto-execution of extracted content
Custom output filenames
Descriptive headers in generated scripts
Portable - requires only bash and base64

Usage

python scripts/create_self_extractor.py <payload> <output_script> [options]

Arguments

Argument	Description
`payload`	Path to the file to embed
`output_script`	Path for the generated self-extracting script

Options

Option	Description
`--execute`, `-e`	Run extracted file after extraction (for scripts)
`--output`, `-o`	Custom filename for extracted content
`--description`, `-d`	Description to include in script header

Examples

Software Deployment

python scripts/create_self_extractor.py myapp.tar.gz deploy_myapp.sh \
    --description "MyApp v1.2.3 deployment package"

Auto-Running Installer

python scripts/create_self_extractor.py install.sh installer.sh --execute

Configuration Distribution

python scripts/create_self_extractor.py config.yaml setup.sh \
    --output /etc/myapp/config.yaml

How It Works

Reads the payload file (binary or text)
Base64-encodes the content
Generates a Bash script with embedded payload
Script uses heredoc to safely store encoded data
On execution: decodes payload → writes to file → optionally executes

Size Considerations

Base64 encoding increases size by ~33%:

1 MB → ~1.33 MB
10 MB → ~13.3 MB

For payloads >50MB, consider alternative distribution methods.

Dependencies

Generation: Python 3.6+ Execution: bash, base64 (standard on most Unix systems)

Converted and distributed by TomeVault — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.

---name: self-extracting-scriptdescription: Create self-extracting Bash scripts that embed any payload (archives, executables, configs) using base64 encoding. Use when creating portable single-file installers, deployment packages, or distributing files without external dependencies. Use when this capability is needed.---# Self-Extracting Script SkillGenerate self-extracting Bash scripts from any payload file. The generated scripts embed the payload as base64 and extract it when executed.## Quick Start```bash# Basic extraction scriptpython scripts/create_self_extractor.py payload.tar.gz output.sh# Auto-execute after extractionpython scripts/create_self_extractor.py setup.sh installer.sh --execute# Custom output filenamepython scripts/create_self_extractor.py config.json deploy.sh --output prod_config.json```## Features- Embeds any file type (binary or text) using base64 encoding- Optional auto-execution of extracted content- Custom output filenames- Descriptive headers in generated scripts- Portable - requires only bash and base64## Usage```bashpython scripts/create_self_extractor.py <payload> <output_script> [options]```### Arguments| Argument | Description ||----------|-------------|| `payload` | Path to the file to embed || `output_script` | Path for the generated self-extracting script |### Options| Option | Description ||--------|-------------|| `--execute`, `-e` | Run extracted file after extraction (for scripts) || `--output`, `-o` | Custom filename for extracted content || `--description`, `-d` | Description to include in script header |## Examples### Software Deployment```bashpython scripts/create_self_extractor.py myapp.tar.gz deploy_myapp.sh \ --description "MyApp v1.2.3 deployment package"```### Auto-Running Installer```bashpython scripts/create_self_extractor.py install.sh installer.sh --execute```### Configuration Distribution```bashpython scripts/create_self_extractor.py config.yaml setup.sh \ --output /etc/myapp/config.yaml```## How It Works1. Reads the payload file (binary or text)2. Base64-encodes the content3. Generates a Bash script with embedded payload4. Script uses heredoc to safely store encoded data5. On execution: decodes payload → writes to file → optionally executes## Size ConsiderationsBase64 encoding increases size by ~33%:- 1 MB → ~1.33 MB- 10 MB → ~13.3 MBFor payloads >50MB, consider alternative distribution methods.## Dependencies**Generation:** Python 3.6+**Execution:** bash, base64 (standard on most Unix systems)---> Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/apanoia) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.

Frequently asked questions