We dive deep into how HolePunch is reimagining application distribution with their Pair system—essentially turning peer-to-peer into a first-class citizen for distributing full applications, not just files. No hosting, no servers — just apps shared directly, BitTorrent-style. And because packaging and distributing Node-based apps can be painfully complex, they took things a step further by building a new runtime: Bear.js.
Bear is refreshingly "bare": it strips away the heavy, opinionated APIs bundled into Node or Deno, leaving just the JavaScript core and a powerful module system. What’s revolutionary here is Bear's ability to run the same codebase across desktop, mobile, and even tiny embedded devices—swapping out engines like V8, JavaScriptCore, or JerryScript depending on the platform's needs. This allows Mathias' team to write backend logic once, share it across all platforms, and iterate at lightning speed.
Key takeaways:-Peer-to-peer can go far beyond media sharing — it's being used for full app distribution.
-Bear.js decouples JavaScript from specific platforms, creating a universal backend that just works anywhere.
-Modular design isn't just a philosophy — it's the secret to HolePunch’s rapid development pace.
-The combination of React Native for UI and Bear.js for backend creates an insanely productive development pipeline, fully cross-platform.
If you’re into JavaScript, peer-to-peer tech, or just love hearing about developers breaking the mold, this one’s for you.
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