Overview
I compete in LD debate, so Flexcel is a tool I actually use. It tracks arguments in real time across LD, Policy, and PF formats — essentially a structured spreadsheet built for flowing rounds. The problem: the original app had no Linux build.
I forked it, diagnosed the platform-specific failures, and shipped a native Linux release. Every fix was made with the user in mind — because I am the user.
What I Did
- Ported the Electron app from macOS/Windows to Linux — resolved IPC, remote module, and renderer process compatibility issues
- Replaced deprecated
electron.remotewith@electron/remote - Fixed Promise-based dialog APIs for file save/load
- Guarded macOS-only lifecycle hooks behind platform checks
- Configured the build pipeline to produce AppImage and .deb distributables
- Maintained backwards compatibility with existing saved flow files
Tech Stack
Electron
JavaScript
jQuery
Handsontable
Node.js
Linux