Getting started with shinylaunchR

shinylaunchR is a cross-platform desktop launchpad for R/Shiny apps. It shows a grid of app tiles; click to select, then double-click or press Enter to open an app while R runs headless in the background. shinylaunchR is not an R package — it is an Electron application that manages R as a subprocess.

0.2.0-rc.1 is an unpublished candidate. Check the repository qualification record for each platform.

Install

Download the installer for your platform from the Releases page and run it. The app ships unsigned by default, so your OS may show a warning on first launch — see the Why the security warning? note below.

The three app families

Each section ends in its own + tile that opens the Add dialog pre-set to that family.

Packages — a Shiny app shipped as an R package (CRAN or a GitHub package repo). You provide the source, the package name, and the launcher function (e.g. mp_run_app), which is called as pkg::fun(). Tiles use the package's real hex logo when it has one, otherwise a colored hex.
Shiny apps — non-package Shiny files: an uploaded .zip, a local folder, a zip URL, a gist, or a GitHub source repo (app.R, or ui.R + server.R). Files are staged into a private directory and run with shiny::runApp().
Hosted URLs — a Shiny app already running somewhere (shinyapps.io, Connect, …). Paste the https:// address; nothing is installed.

Add and launch an app

Click + Add app (or the + tile in a section).
Pick a source and fill in the required fields for that family.
For packages and Shiny-file apps, shinylaunchR installs dependencies into its private managed library and shows live progress in the log console.
When the tile is ready, click to select it, then double-click or press Enter to launch. The app opens in a dedicated window with its own taskbar entry; R runs headless behind it.
Close the window to stop that app's R process.

Only install trusted R packages and source apps: code runs with your account’s permissions. Hosted sites can transmit entered data and use temporary sessions. Apps share a library scoped to R version and architecture. Reinstall replaces staged files, including app-written files there; keep durable data outside staging. Frameless windows are not offered.

R runtime

Install R ≥ 4.2 separately for local package and source apps. shinylaunchR detects R on your system; use R Runtime → Point to existing R if discovery does not find it. Managed R downloads are not offered. Hosted URLs need no local R.

Why the security warning?

Releases ship unsigned by default, so Windows SmartScreen or macOS Gatekeeper may warn on first launch. Unsigned status is not evidence of safety. Review the source and release qualification on GitHub. The launcher has no application telemetry, but installed R code and hosted sites can transmit data.