Tauri Multi-Window Application Structure

Multiple windows with distinct contexts. Organized IPC, events, and window management.

#tauri #rust #desktop #multi-window #ipc

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Project Directory

my-tauri-app/

package.json

vite.config.js

src/

main.js

Main window entry

windows/

Window-specific code

main/

Primary window

index.html

App.vue

main.js

settings/

Settings dialog

index.html

Settings.vue

main.js

about/

About window

index.html

About.vue

main.js

shared/

Cross-window code

lib/

ipc.js

Event utilities

commands.js

windows.js

Window helpers

components/

TitleBar.vue

Custom titlebar

Button.vue

style.css

src-tauri/

Cargo.toml

tauri.conf.json

Multi-window config

build.rs

src/

main.rs

lib.rs

windows/

Window management

mod.rs

manager.rs

Create/destroy windows

config.rs

Window definitions

commands/

mod.rs

windows.rs

Window commands

app.rs

events/

Event handling

mod.rs

handlers.rs

payloads.rs

Event data types

state/

mod.rs

app_state.rs

icons/

capabilities/

main-window.json

settings-window.json

public/

Why This Structure?

Multi-window Tauri apps need clear organization: separate entry points per window, shared components, and structured IPC. Each window has its own HTML entry and can have different capabilities. The shared/ folder prevents code duplication.

Key Directories

src/windows/-Each window gets its own folder with entry point
src/shared/-Components and utilities used across windows
src-tauri/src/windows/-Rust window creation and management
src-tauri/src/events/-Inter-window communication handlers
capabilities/-Per-window permission sets

Window Creation

// src-tauri/src/windows/manager.rs
pub fn open_settings(app: &AppHandle) -> Result<()> {
    WebviewWindowBuilder::new(app, "settings",
        WebviewUrl::App("windows/settings/index.html".into()))
        .title("Settings")
        .inner_size(400.0, 300.0)
        .build()?;
    Ok(())
}

Getting Started

Start with minimal template
Add window folders under src/windows/
Configure tauri.conf.json for multiple windows
Create window manager in src-tauri/src/windows/
Set up per-window capabilities

When To Use This

Apps with separate settings or preferences window
Document-based apps with multiple editors
Dashboard apps with detachable panels
Apps needing different security contexts per window

Trade-offs

Build complexity-Multiple HTML entry points to configure
State sync-Must manage state consistency across windows
Bundle size-Shared code may duplicate if not configured

Best Practices

Use events for inter-window communication
Keep window state in Rust, sync to frontends
Create window configs in Rust, not just JSON
Use capability files to restrict window permissions
Share components via src/shared/