14 KiB
Code-Signing Playbook — Pilot + Public Day 0
Decision (2026-05-07): Self-sign for pilot (Wave-1 Egzakta-internal, T+10 = 2026-05-16). Procure real certs in parallel for public Day 0 (T+30 = 2026-06-05).
Why split: Real Authenticode + Apple Developer ID have 5-15 business-day lead times. Self-signing unblocks the pilot ship date without paying for certs that aren't usable until a vetting check completes.
1. Pilot phase — self-sign (T+0 → T+10, Wave-1 only)
1.1 Windows self-sign
Automated path (LAUNCH-06). Three npm scripts wrap the cert generation + config wiring + signtool steps. Run from app/:
# 1. Generate self-signed cert (idempotent — reuses existing cert by subject
# if one is still valid). Writes thumbprint to app/src-tauri/.thumbprint.txt
# (gitignored). PFX exports to %USERPROFILE%\waggle-pilot-codesign.pfx.
$env:WAGGLE_PILOT_PFX_PASSWORD = "your-strong-pw"
npm run tauri:sign:pilot:win:setup
# 2. Apply the captured thumbprint to tauri.build-override.conf.json
# (touches bundle.windows.{certificateThumbprint,digestAlgorithm,timestampUrl}
# only — preserves all other fields).
npm run tauri:sign:pilot:win:apply
# 3. Build — Tauri's MSI/NSIS bundlers pick up the thumbprint from the
# override config and sign automatically.
npm run tauri:build:win
# 4. (Optional, redundant safety) Re-sign the produced MSI explicitly
# via signtool. Useful if you want to apply timestamp at a different time
# than build.
npm run tauri:sign:pilot:win:sign -- src-tauri/target/release/bundle/msi/Waggle_*.msi
What the scripts wrap (reference, in case you need to step outside the npm wrappers):
app/scripts/sign-windows-pilot.ps1—-Mode SetuprunsNew-SelfSignedCertificatewithSubject="CN=Egzakta Internal Pilot, O=Egzakta Group, C=RS", 2-yearNotAfter,Cert:\CurrentUser\Mystore, thenExport-PfxCertificate.-Mode Sign -ArtifactPath <path>wrapssigntool.exe sign /f <pfx> /tr http://timestamp.digicert.com /td sha256 /fd sha256plus asigntool verify /pa /vround-trip.app/scripts/apply-signing-config.mjs— pure JSON merge: reads.thumbprint.txt, parses + uppercases + validates 40-hex format via the canonical helpers insigning-config.ts, writes the three fields back totauri.build-override.conf.json. Idempotent.app/scripts/signing-config.ts— pure utility module (parse + merge) with 19-test vitest suite (signing-config.test.ts). Authoritative for thumbprint validation rules + idempotency invariants.
What pilot users see on first install:
- Windows SmartScreen: "Windows protected your PC" → "More info" → "Run anyway"
- Frame this in the pilot installer email: "Internal Egzakta build — SmartScreen will warn. Click 'More info' then 'Run anyway' the first time. Subsequent launches are silent."
1.2 macOS self-sign (ad-hoc)
Already wired (LAUNCH-06). app/src-tauri/tauri.build-override.conf.json ships with bundle.macOS.signingIdentity = "-", so every npm run tauri:build:mac produces an ad-hoc-signed .app automatically — no operator step required.
Re-sign + verify wrapper. For nested helpers (sidecar, native deps) Tauri's bundler may miss, run:
npm run tauri:sign:pilot:mac:adhoc -- /path/to/Waggle.app
# Wraps: codesign --force --deep --sign - + codesign --verify --deep --strict
# Source: app/scripts/sign-macos-adhoc.sh
Distribution: Wrap Waggle.app in .zip (NOT .dmg — Gatekeeper enforces notarization on disk images more aggressively than zips since macOS 10.15):
ditto -c -k --keepParent /path/to/Waggle.app /path/to/Waggle.zip
What pilot users see on first install:
- Gatekeeper: "Waggle.app cannot be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software"
- Workaround: Right-click → Open → Open (one-time per user/machine)
- Or: System Settings → Privacy & Security → "Open Anyway" button after the first blocked attempt
- Frame this in the pilot installer email: "Right-click → Open the first time. Apple notarization is in progress; this is an internal build."
1.3 Pilot user comms template
Subject: Welcome to Waggle Wave-1 — install + first-run notes
Hi [name],
You're in the first pilot wave. The build is signed with our internal Egzakta certificate, which means your OS will warn you the first time you run it. This is expected — it's the same warning you'd get installing any new internal tool.
Windows: download → run installer → on the SmartScreen warning, click "More info" then "Run anyway." Mac: download
.zip→ unzip → right-clickWaggle.app→ Open → Open. (Yes, twice "Open." That's the one-time Gatekeeper handshake.)Your
.mind/data stays local — see attached one-pager on pilot data handling.Reply with your first task you'd like to do in Waggle. I'll watch the trace.
2. Public Day 0 prep — real certificates (start by T+15 = 2026-05-21)
2.1 Windows Authenticode
Vendor options (price + lead time):
| Vendor | OV (1yr) | EV (1yr) | Lead | SmartScreen reputation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSL.com | ~$179 | ~$249 | 3-7 biz days | EV = instant; OV = builds over months |
| Sectigo / Comodo | ~$199 | ~$329 | 5-10 biz days | Same |
| DigiCert | ~$474 | ~$599 | 1-3 biz days | Same |
| GlobalSign | ~$259 | ~$439 | 5-10 biz days | Same |
Recommendation: SSL.com EV Authenticode (~$249/yr).
- EV gives instant SmartScreen trust (no warning on first install)
- SSL.com is fastest of the cheap-tier vendors
- EV requires a hardware token (USB HSM) shipped to you OR cloud-HSM for CI signing
- Tauri 2.0 supports Azure Key Vault for cloud-HSM signing — recommended for CI
Verification you'll need to provide:
- Egzakta Group business registration (APR)
- Egzakta Group D-U-N-S number (request free at dnb.com if not assigned)
- Phone verification call to a publicly listed Egzakta phone number
- Domain control proof for waggle-os.ai
After receipt:
- Replace
certificateThumbprintintauri.conf.jsonwith the real cert's thumbprint - Or use Azure Key Vault signing flow per Tauri docs
- Test sign + install on a fresh Win 11 VM; SmartScreen should pass without "More info" click
2.2 macOS — Apple Developer ID + Notarization
Step 1: Enroll in Apple Developer Program ($99/yr).
- Go to https://developer.apple.com/programs/enroll/
- Use Egzakta Group's Apple ID (create one tied to a generic ops@ address; do NOT use Marko's personal)
- Provide D-U-N-S number (same as Windows above)
- Lead time: 1-3 days for individual approval; 1-2 weeks for organization approval
Step 2: Generate Developer ID certificates.
- Xcode → Settings → Accounts → Manage Certificates → "+" → "Developer ID Application"
- Also create "Developer ID Installer" if you ship
.pkg
Step 3: App-specific password for notarytool.
- https://appleid.apple.com → Sign-in and Security → App-Specific Passwords → Generate
- Label:
notarytool-waggle-ci - Copy the password — it shows only once
Step 4: Sign + notarize.
# Sign
codesign --force --deep --options runtime \
--sign "Developer ID Application: Egzakta Group (TEAMID)" \
/path/to/Waggle.app
# Zip for notarization
ditto -c -k --keepParent Waggle.app Waggle.zip
# Submit for notarization
xcrun notarytool submit Waggle.zip \
--apple-id "ops@egzakta.com" \
--team-id "TEAMID" \
--password "APP_SPECIFIC_PASSWORD" \
--wait
# After approval (5-30 min typical):
xcrun stapler staple Waggle.app
Tauri config:
{
"bundle": {
"macOS": {
"signingIdentity": "Developer ID Application: Egzakta Group (TEAMID)",
"providerShortName": "TEAMID",
"entitlements": "./entitlements.plist"
}
}
}
entitlements.plist (allow JIT + outbound network for sidecar):
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>com.apple.security.cs.allow-jit</key><true/>
<key>com.apple.security.cs.allow-unsigned-executable-memory</key><true/>
<key>com.apple.security.network.client</key><true/>
<key>com.apple.security.network.server</key><true/>
<key>com.apple.security.files.user-selected.read-write</key><true/>
</dict>
</plist>
After notarization + stapling, Mac users see no warning on first launch — .dmg distribution becomes safe.
3. CI integration (post-pilot, before public Day 0)
Target state: every main-branch tag triggers signed builds for both platforms.
Windows (GitHub Actions sketch):
- name: Sign Windows artifacts
shell: pwsh
run: |
# Use Azure Key Vault for cloud-HSM signing (EV cert lives in Key Vault)
az login --service-principal -u $env:AZURE_CLIENT_ID -p $env:AZURE_CLIENT_SECRET --tenant $env:AZURE_TENANT_ID
AzureSignTool sign -kvu "$env:KEY_VAULT_URL" -kvc "$env:CERT_NAME" `
-kva "$env:AZURE_CLIENT_ID" -kvs "$env:AZURE_CLIENT_SECRET" -kvt "$env:AZURE_TENANT_ID" `
-tr "http://timestamp.digicert.com" -td sha256 `
"src-tauri/target/release/bundle/msi/Waggle_*.msi"
Secrets needed in GH Actions env: AZURE_CLIENT_ID, AZURE_CLIENT_SECRET, AZURE_TENANT_ID, KEY_VAULT_URL, CERT_NAME.
macOS (GitHub Actions sketch):
- name: Import Apple cert
env:
DEV_CERT_P12_BASE64: ${{ secrets.APPLE_DEVID_P12_BASE64 }}
DEV_CERT_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.APPLE_DEVID_P12_PASSWORD }}
KEYCHAIN_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.MAC_KEYCHAIN_PASSWORD }}
run: |
echo "$DEV_CERT_P12_BASE64" | base64 -d > cert.p12
security create-keychain -p "$KEYCHAIN_PASSWORD" build.keychain
security default-keychain -s build.keychain
security unlock-keychain -p "$KEYCHAIN_PASSWORD" build.keychain
security import cert.p12 -P "$DEV_CERT_PASSWORD" -k build.keychain -T /usr/bin/codesign
security set-key-partition-list -S apple-tool:,apple: -s -k "$KEYCHAIN_PASSWORD" build.keychain
- name: Build, sign, notarize
env:
APPLE_ID: ${{ secrets.APPLE_ID }}
APPLE_TEAM_ID: ${{ secrets.APPLE_TEAM_ID }}
APPLE_APP_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.APPLE_APP_PASSWORD }}
run: |
npm run tauri build -- --target universal-apple-darwin
xcrun notarytool submit "src-tauri/target/universal-apple-darwin/release/bundle/macos/Waggle.app.zip" \
--apple-id "$APPLE_ID" --team-id "$APPLE_TEAM_ID" --password "$APPLE_APP_PASSWORD" --wait
xcrun stapler staple "src-tauri/target/universal-apple-darwin/release/bundle/macos/Waggle.app"
4. Timeline
| T+ | Date | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2026-05-07 | Decision locked: self-sign for pilot, real certs for public Day 0 |
| 5 | 2026-05-12 | Generate self-sign certs (Win + Mac), update tauri.build-override.conf.json (now scripted via LAUNCH-06 wrappers), build pilot binaries |
| 9 | 2026-05-16 | Pilot Wave-1 ship with self-signed binaries + comms template §1.3 |
| 14 | 2026-05-21 | Start cert procurement — SSL.com EV Authenticode + Apple Developer Program enrollment |
| 21 | 2026-05-28 | Real certs in hand (assumes 7-day worst case) — replace thumbprints, rebuild, smoke-test |
| 25 | 2026-06-01 | Final notarization + signed-build CI green |
| 28-30 | 2026-06-05 | Public Day 0 with fully-trusted signed binaries on both platforms |
5. Costs (year 1)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| SSL.com EV Authenticode (Win, 1yr) | ~$249 |
| SSL.com USB HSM token (one-time) | ~$50, OR Azure Key Vault HSM ~$1.50/key/month |
| Apple Developer Program (Mac, 1yr) | $99 |
| D-U-N-S number | $0 (free request) |
| Total Y1 minimum | ~$348-400 |
Renewals: ~$348/yr ongoing. Tauri auto-updater also expects signed binaries — same certs cover that.
6. Failure modes + mitigations
| Failure | Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Self-sign cert expired during pilot | Users get "certificate has expired" warning | Re-run npm run tauri:sign:pilot:win:setup (script reuses cert if still valid; generates a new one when NotAfter has passed); rerun apply + rebuild; redistribute installer |
| EV cert vendor demands more verification | Procurement slips past 2026-05-21 | Switch to OV ($179, faster) — accept slower SmartScreen reputation buildup |
| Notarization fails on a specific binary | Apple rejects with malware-pattern false positive | xcrun notarytool log for details; usually a sidecar binary needs --options runtime |
| Apple Developer Program enrollment delayed | Org approval takes 2 weeks | Enroll as individual under Marko's name first, transfer to org post-launch (allowed) |
| Win cert lost / HSM lost | Can't sign new builds | Re-purchase ($249); re-issue; old signed binaries remain valid until expiry |
7. References
- Tauri 2.0 signing docs: https://tauri.app/v1/guides/distribution/sign-windows + sign-macos
- Apple notarytool docs: https://developer.apple.com/documentation/security/customizing_the_notarization_workflow
- SSL.com Authenticode order page: https://www.ssl.com/certificates/code-signing/
- Microsoft signtool reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/seccrypto/signtool
- AzureSignTool (cloud HSM signing): https://github.com/vcsjones/AzureSignTool
Last updated: 2026-05-10 — LAUNCH-06 self-sign automation landed (Phase 2 Step 4). §1.1 now points to the npm-wrapped scripts (tauri:sign:pilot:win:setup / :apply / :sign) backed by app/scripts/sign-windows-pilot.ps1, apply-signing-config.mjs, and the tested signing-config.ts utility. §1.2 ships the macOS ad-hoc identity in the build-override config by default; tauri:sign:pilot:mac:adhoc re-signs nested helpers post-build.
Owner: Marko Marković (driving via CC); pilot self-sign actionable T+5; real cert procurement actionable T+14.