Runtime Extraction & Cache

When a Kiln binary executes, it unpacks embedded server files into an extraction directory.

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Default Behavior

By default, files are extracted to the directory containing the binary (path.dirname(process.execPath)).

/app/
├── app          # Executable binary
├── .kiln-extracted # Build stamp hash
├── .next/       # Extracted runtime chunks
└── node_modules/# Extracted dependencies

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Customizing Extraction Directory (KILN_RUNTIME_DIR)

If you prefer keeping your application directory clean and extracting files to a system temp folder or RAM-backed tmpfs:

On Linux / Docker:

KILN_RUNTIME_DIR=/tmp/app-runtime ./bin/app

On Windows PowerShell:

$env:KILN_RUNTIME_DIR = "$env:TEMP\app-runtime"
.\bin\app.exe

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Instant Warm Restarts

Kiln writes a .kiln-extracted file containing the deterministic SHA-256 build hash. On subsequent runs:

1. It reads .kiln-extracted.
2. Matches the hash with the binary’s embedded build stamp.
3. Skips extraction entirely and boots immediately.