How to create native looking UI components for Electron application with JavaScript?

Creating native-looking UI components for an Electron application involves using a combination of HTML, CSS, and possibly JavaScript to mimic the appearance and behavior of native desktop applications.

We can try the following

1. Use CSS Frameworks

Utilize CSS frameworks like Bootstrap, Materialize CSS, or Semantic UI to style your UI components. These frameworks provide pre-designed components that mimic native UI elements.

2. Electron APIs:

Electron provides APIs that allow you to create native-like windows, menus, dialogs, and notifications. For example, you can use BrowserWindow to create custom windows, Menu to create custom menus, and dialog to create native-looking dialogs.

3. Custom Styling:

Customize the styling of your HTML elements using CSS to match the design language of the target operating system. You can use platform-specific CSS classes or media queries to apply different styles based on the operating system.

4. Native Themes:

Electron applications can adopt system themes to provide a more native feel. You can use libraries like electron-theme to dynamically switch between light and dark themes based on the system settings.

5. Design Consistency:

Ensure that your UI components are consistent across different platforms to provide a cohesive user experience. Pay attention to details such as typography, spacing, and color schemes.

Example:

Here’s a simple example of creating a native-looking window using Electron’s BrowserWindow:

const { app, BrowserWindow } = require('electron');

app.on('ready', () => {
    const mainWindow = new BrowserWindow({
        width: 800,
        height: 600,
        titleBarStyle: 'hiddenInset', // macOS style window title bar
        frame: false, // Hide the default window frame
        backgroundColor: '#f0f0f0' // Match the background color with the OS theme
    });

    mainWindow.loadFile('index.html');
});

In this example, we create a custom window with specific properties to mimic native window behavior. You can further customize the appearance and behavior of your Electron application by utilizing additional Electron APIs and CSS styling.

Remember to test your application on different operating systems to ensure a consistent and native-like user experience across platforms.