Tauri 2.0, the Rust-based framework for building cross-platform desktop and mobile applications, has reached the release candidate stage. This major update shifts most of the core functionality from Tauri 1.x into plugins, allowing for greater modularity and flexibility. By decoupling these features from the core, Tauri developers can iterate on them independently, making it easier for new contributors to participate in feature development. Some essential functions remain within Tauri as pseudo plugins to ensure seamless integration.
Under the new architecture, plugins must implement the Plugin Trait to qualify as official Tauri extensions. Any plugin prefixed with core: or named core is designated as a core pseudo plugin, meaning it will only be initialized if it exists within the Tauri codebase. This approach ensures that fundamental features remain well-maintained while enabling developers to extend the framework without modifying its core structure.
The release candidate, announced on August 1, follows an extensive development process, including over a year and a half of beta versions and a prolonged alpha phase. The extended timeline resulted partly from initial overpromises regarding Tauri 2.0’s mobile support. While the project initially aimed to make mobile a “first-class citizen,” the developers realized that building a solid mobile foundation required collaboration with the community. As a result, Tauri’s official repository still includes mobile plugins, and developers have successfully created Android and iOS apps using the framework.
Tauri distinguishes itself by offering a lightweight alternative to Electron for desktop app development. By leveraging Rust for performance and security, it enables developers to build applications with a significantly smaller footprint. Tauri supports front-end frameworks that compile to HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, while back-end logic can be written in Rust, Kotlin, or Swift, making it a versatile choice for modern app development.