Windows build .exe doesn’t open after installation (runs only in background)

[restu-lomboe]

What were you trying to do?

I was trying to build and run my Laravel NativePHP app on Windows.
During development, the app runs perfectly using the dev server, but after building the .exe version, the application doesn’t start when opened.

What happened?

After building the app on Windows and installing it, the generated .exe file didn’t open.
When I double-click the file, nothing appears on screen — no window, no UI, no error message.
However, when I check Task Manager, the app is listed under Background processes and stays there indefinitely without actually launching.

How to reproduce the bug

Bug Report

Environment:
Laravel: 12
Livewire: 3
NativePHP: v2.0.2
OS: Windows 11

Description

During development, the app runs perfectly fine using the development server.
However, after building the app on Windows and installing it, the generated .exe file cannot be opened.

When I try to run the .exe, nothing happens on screen — the app doesn’t start or show any UI.
I waited for over an hour, but it never launched.

When I checked Task Manager, the app process was listed under Background processes, but it didn’t actually display any window or activity.

Steps to Reproduce
Create a NativePHP app using Laravel 12 + Livewire 3
Run native:build on Windows 11
Install and open the generated .exe
Observe that the app doesn’t start (stuck in background)

Expected Behavior
The built .exe should launch the app normally as it does during development.

Additional Info
No error logs appear in the console or log files.
Tried running as Administrator — still same result.
The issue only happens after build; development mode works fine.

Debug Output

NativePHP Debug Information

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Laravel Version: 12.x
Livewire Version: 3.x
NativePHP Version: v2.0.2

PHP Version: 8.3.x
Node Version: 20.x
NPM Version: 10.x

Environment Path: C:\Users<username>\Herd\laravel-app
Build Command Used: php artisan native:build win [all]
Build Result: Build completed successfully, installer generated without errors.

Issue:
After installing the generated .exe file, the application does not open.
When I try to launch it, nothing appears on the screen — but in Task Manager, the process is visible under Background processes and never shows the app window.

Which operating systems have you seen this occur on?

No response

Notes

No response

[zachran-recodex]

I have the same issue

[gwleuverink]

Do you see any errors in the log in your appdata directory?

If those are empty you might find relevant logs in the output stream when you start the app with your terminal.

Not sure if that works out of the box on windows though. But it should be possible. Can you check and dump the output here?

[restu-lomboe]

I checked the logs inside the AppData directory, but it’s empty.
However, I found an error log inside my Laravel project folder.
The error appears when I try to open the installed .exe app.

Here’s the log output:
[2025-11-02 14:49:31] local.ERROR: Command "native:config" is not defined.

Did you mean one of these?
make:config
native:build
native:db:wipe
native:debug
native:install
native:migrate
native:migrate:fresh
native:publish
native:reset
native:run
native:seed
native:serve {"exception":"[object] (Symfony\Component\Console\Exception\CommandNotFoundException(code: 0): Command "native:config" is not defined.

Did you mean one of these?
make:config
native:build
native:db:wipe
native:debug
native:install
native:migrate
native:migrate:fresh
native:publish
native:reset
native:run
native:seed
native:serve at C:\Users\restu\AppData\Local\Programs\laravel\resources\build\app\vendor\symfony\console\Application.php:740)
[stacktrace]
#0 C:\Users\restu\AppData\Local\Programs\laravel\resources\build\app\vendor\symfony\console\Application.php(298): Symfony\Component\Console\Application->find('native:config')
#1 C:\Users\restu\AppData\Local\Programs\laravel\resources\build\app\vendor\symfony\console\Application.php(195): Symfony\Component\Console\Application->doRun(Object(Symfony\Component\Console\Input\ArgvInput), Object(Symfony\Component\Console\Output\ConsoleOutput))
#2 C:\Users\restu\AppData\Local\Programs\laravel\resources\build\app\vendor\laravel\framework\src\Illuminate\Foundation\Console\Kernel.php(197): Symfony\Component\Console\Application->run(Object(Symfony\Component\Console\Input\ArgvInput), Object(Symfony\Component\Console\Output\ConsoleOutput))
#3 C:\Users\restu\AppData\Local\Programs\laravel\resources\build\app\vendor\laravel\framework\src\Illuminate\Foundation\Application.php(1235): Illuminate\Foundation\Console\Kernel->handle(Object(Symfony\Component\Console\Input\ArgvInput), Object(Symfony\Component\Console\Output\ConsoleOutput))
#4 C:\Users\restu\AppData\Local\Programs\laravel\resources\build\app\artisan(16): Illuminate\Foundation\Application->handleCommand(Object(Symfony\Component\Console\Input\ArgvInput))
#5 {main}
"}

[zachran-recodex]

my application still can open after installation, it's run in background

[gwleuverink]

Are you guys upgrading from v1 or installing v2 fresh?

[zachran-recodex]

I'm installing v2 fresh, i can't track any log and error because after installing the app, it's always runs in background

[restu-lomboe]

@gwleuverink I’ve tried upgrading from v1 to v2, and also tested a fresh installation of v2 — the issue happens in both cases.

[gwleuverink]

I've tried to reproduce on the upcoming 2.0.3 patch and it seems to be fixed. Or at least, both run and build worked for me on Windows 11.

I'll ping you here once that's released 👌🏻