packuifw

A tool for packing .uifw firmware from shell folders. Part of the Firmware Authority project.

What is .uifw

.uifw is a ZIP archive with the .uifw extension that contains a Windows shell:

my_shell.uifw
├── shell.json      metadata
├── launcher.exe    launches the shell
├── main.py         shell code
└── assets/         wallpapers, cursors, sounds

Installation

pip install packuifw

Usage

CLI

pack_uifw <path_to_folder>

Creates <folder_name>.uifw next to the folder.

Example:

pack_uifw C:\shellpacks\win98

Creates C:\shellpacks\win98.uifw.

GUI

Run pack_uifw without arguments to open the window:

pack_uifw

• Folder: shell folder (shell.json, main.py, assets/)
• Output: where to save .uifw (default — next to the folder)
• Pack: start packing

Shell folder structure

my_shell/
├── shell.json      required (metadata)
├── launcher.exe    required (launches the shell)
├── main.py         shell code (Python)
└── assets/         wallpapers, cursors, sounds
    ├── wallpaper.jpg
    └── startup.wav

shell.json

{
    "key": "win98",
    "name": "Windows 98",
    "version": "1.0.0",
    "author": "dteamcorporation",
    "description": "Classic Windows 98 interface",
    "launcher": "launcher.exe",
    "entry": "main.py"
}

Exclusions

The following are skipped during packing:

Files:

app.py, bot.py, server.py, emergency.py, pack_uifw.py, submit_app.py, unpack_uifw.py, shell_manager_app.py, launcher_standalone.py, launcher.pyw, firmware.db, requests.db, emergency.log, pack_uifw.exe, unpack_uifw.exe

Extensions:

.db, .log, .pyc

Directories:

cache, __pycache__, installed_shells, .git, .idea, .vscode

Development

git clone https://github.com/k4024963-lang/packuifw.git
cd packuifw
pip install -e .

License

MIT © fa_creepyr

Links

• Firmware Authority: firmware.authority.cloudpub.ru
• TikTok: @dteamcorporation