Installing custom Apps on Cloudron

[Lanhild]

@timconsidine My point was mainly about the would be final implementation in Cloudron. If such a feature were to be added to Cloudron, I believe that private and public custom apps should both be prioritized for it. Cloudron is very facilitating on the infrastructure part of deploying code apps, thus why I think this. Your POC demonstrates this aspect clearly.

[timconsidine]

Understood

You got me thinking about how private repos could be supported.
I guess it’s just another login.
But not sure about the pre-built docker image.

[timconsidine]

For those not wanting to spend time on installing or using deployed instance, here's a 2min video showing the process.
https://ccai-demo.appx.uk

[girish]

@timconsidine very nice! Thanks fo posting notes/progress here. I will comment on this a bit later after our current release, I am all too consumed by it ... I am sure we can steal some of your ideas and maybe even integrate this into Cloudron itself.

[timconsidine]

@girish
I haven't made it into a App Wishlist because it started as proof of concept.

But latest version 4.0.9 has been polished and some edge cases (Gitea support, detecting main/master, etc.) have been addressed.

Now it also has a simple catalogue (not in video - I will update it).
Not quite 1-click install, but close.
So it could become an App Wishlist item.

You should even be able to use the hosted ccai.appx.uk to install CCAI on to another Cloudron for private deployments !

Yep, stay focussed on your release - much more important.
When you're ready, I think there is mileage in this approach, even if it is re-written from scratch on similar approach.

Features not yet addressed :

• support private repos
• discovery of custom apps

[timconsidine]

I've been wrestling with an internal dialogue about strategy or positioning from Cloudron's perspective.

Official apps in the official App Store carry maintenance burdens for cloudron staff, and a significant support burden, so I totally get that Cloudron might want to take/continue a black/white stance on custom apps.
Not supported, not maintained, you're on your own.

And by extension Cloudron might want nothing to do with CCAI or something like it, because it facilitates users going in a direction which is not endorsed.
Even though it actually does nothing that a user can't do manually by themselves.

But there are some good custom apps from good developers, and an installer might take the pressure off cloudron staff to consider some App Wishlist requests.
"You're still on your own, but we have made it a bit easier for you to try it out if you want to."

As I said, potential dilemma, but an interesting one, no doubt with different opinions.

[girish]

@timconsidine this is just my personal view and I haven't discussed with the team yet... I think it's a good idea to have a mechanism to add custom appstores/repos. Say, one can add TimsRepo to Cloudron. You (as a 3rd party) can then offer whatever apps you want there to others. This way Cloudron team is also not burdened with all sorts of specialized apps. I think this is an interesting concept to be explored because it allows service providers to provide custom and private apps.

For example, say Agate/Renato which you have packaged to some extent. You could provide this to others. Maybe even some monetization mechanism for your effort. Atleast, I am quite open to exploring if this model would work