Add executable output type

[zZHorizonZz]

Goals

1. This feature aims to simplify the deployment of applications that are not hosted inside Docker or on Vercel/cloud platforms.
   In general, this API would serve as a wrapper for interacting with runtimes like Node.js, which are beginning to add support for creating standalone executables. I imagine this would add new type of output type executable.

Resources:

• Node: https://nodejs.org/api/single-executable-applications.html#single-executable-applications
• Deno: https://docs.deno.com/runtime/reference/cli/compile/

Non-Goals

No response

Background

As not every company is using cloud solutions, whether due to principles, application architecture, or other reasons, there is a need for a simple way to provide executable applications. For example, a company creating a self-hostable product can obviously provide a Docker image, but that's not feasible in every situation. One example is when the user who wants to use the app is using Windows Server. Because of limited Node.js support on Windows Containers, it's much harder to run a Next.js app in a container on Windows Server (not impossible, just annoyingly difficult).

On other hand, you can provide build files directly with documentation on how to launch the application, but that requires users to install Node.js and launch it through command line, etc. Additionally, some IT administrators don't want to install dependencies like Node.js, whether due to policies, lengthy audits, or other restrictions. This is based on my experience with enterprise clients in the company where I'm currently working. So ability to create simple executable would really simplify work for lot of people in my opinion.

Proposal

I think there is currently support for creating executables in runtimes such as Deno and Node.js (I don't know about Bun). This feature would add a new output: "executable" type which would abstract away the need to interact with Node.js through commands or other means.

[samsamurai301]

I think nodejs based exe is currently in active development (Not stable) but I would love to see this feature as an experimental setup with nextjs.

I tried it bundling with nodejs commands but it was not successful if anyone got success guide me.