Discussion: Cross-Platform Support for Windows

[SultanBYN]

Hi @anil-e, I'm interested in contributing to Codd!

Proposal: Add Windows support to Codd using [Tauri/GTK on Windows/other approach]

Context:

• Currently GNOME-native, limited to Linux
• Windows support would expand user base
• Shared Rust backend could work across platforms

Questions for you:

1. Is cross-platform support aligned with your vision?
2. Would you prefer a full rewrite, platform-specific UIs, or Web-based (Tauri)?
3. Are there specific platform priorities?
4. Would you accept this as a contribution?

My plan:

• Start with Windows support via [chosen approach]
• Maintain Linux/GNOME version as primary
• Keep shared database layer

OR you prefer for Mac first?

Looking forward to discussing this!

[anil-e]

Hi @SultanBYN,

thanks for your interest in Codd and for considering contributing this 🙂

My preference would be to keep Codd focused as a GNOME-native application, so I'm not really interested in a full rewrite, a Tauri/web-based version, or maintaining separate platform-specific UIs.

If you'd like to explore getting the existing GTK application running on Windows or Mac, I'd be open to that, provided it can be achieved with relatively small changes to the current codebase. However, I'd prefer to avoid major architectural changes or anything that would significantly increase the maintenance burden of the project.

[SultanBYN]

Hi @anil-e,

Thanks for your response and openness to Windows support through the existing GTK codebase.

I'm a mid-level developer, still learning Rust and practices. I plan to use LLM-based AI agents to help with areas I'm unfamiliar with, and I'll ask for your help if I get stuck.

My goal is minimal changes—no architecture rewrite, just light platform-specific fixes (like GSettings, Keyring, file paths), keeping everything behind cfg(target_os = "windows") gates.

How would you like me to start: small, incremental PRs or a draft branch? Is it fine to ask for your guidance on tricky parts as I go?

Appreciate your support and advice!

Thanks,
Sultan

[anil-e]

That approach sounds good to me 👍🏼

I'd prefer small, incremental PRs over a large draft branch. That makes it easier to review changes and catch potential problems early.

And yes, feel free to ask questions or discuss tricky parts as you go. I'm not a Windows user myself, but I'm happy to help where I can and provide context about the existing codebase when needed.

Looking forward to it