[BUG] macOS x86_64 Desktop app stuck on loading spinner due to missing @img/sharp-darwin-x64 module

Platform

Desktop App - macOS

Server Installation Method

N/A

Version

2.7.1

CLI Installation Method

N/A

CLI Version

N/A

Troubleshooting

• I have examined logs and tried to find the issue
• I have reviewed opened and closed issues
• I have tried restarting the application
• I have checked open issues and ensured this is not a duplicate

The Problem

On macOS x86_64 (Intel Mac), launching Termix (installed via Mac App Store, version 2.7.1) results in an infinite spinning loading indicator. The UI never finishes loading. On Apple Silicon (arm64 / M-series Macs), the application launches and works normally.

Inspecting ~/Library/Containers/com.karmaa.termix/Data/Library/Application Support/termix/termix-main.log reveals that the embedded backend server crashes immediately upon initialization:

[backend:stderr] [ERROR] [🚀] Failed to initialize backend services [op:startup_failed]
[backend:stderr] Error: Could not load the "sharp" module using the darwin-x64 runtime
Possible solutions:
- Ensure optional dependencies can be installed:
    npm install --include=optional sharp
- Ensure your package manager supports multi-platform installation:
    See https://sharp.pixelplumbing.com/install#cross-platform
- Add platform-specific dependencies:
    npm install --os=darwin --cpu=x64 sharp
- Consult the installation documentation:
    See https://sharp.pixelplumbing.com/install
    at file:///Applications/Termix.app/Contents/Resources/app-x64.asar.unpacked/node_modules/sharp/dist/sharp.mjs:171:9
    at ModuleJob.run (node:internal/modules/esm/module_job:439:25)
    at async onImport.tracePromise.__proto__ (node:internal/modules/esm/loader:643:26)
    at async file:///Applications/Termix.app/Contents/Resources/app-x64.asar.unpacked/dist/backend/backend/starter.js:221:33
Backend process exited with code 1, signal null
startBackendServer result: false

Root Cause

In the macOS multi-arch package:
Inspecting /Applications/Termix.app/Contents/Resources/app-x64.asar.unpacked/node_modules/@img/:

• Only contains:
  • @img/colour
  • @img/sharp-darwin-arm64 (wrong architecture bundled inside x64 package)
  • @img/sharp-libvips-darwin-arm64 (wrong architecture bundled inside x64 package)
• The required x86_64 packages (@img/sharp-darwin-x64 and @img/sharp-libvips-darwin-x64) are missing.

Because database/routes/terminal.js imports sharp at top-level (import sharp from "sharp";), Node.js fails to initialize the module when importing database.js on x86_64, crashing the backend server. The Electron renderer window therefore never receives a connection on port 30001 and remains on the loading screen forever.

Manually installing @img/sharp-darwin-x64@0.35.3 and @img/sharp-libvips-darwin-x64@1.3.2 into app-x64.asar.unpacked/node_modules/@img/ completely resolves the issue and the app starts right up.

How to Reproduce

1. Install Termix 2.7.1 from the Mac App Store on an Intel (x86_64) Mac.
2. Launch Termix.
3. Observe the loading spinner rotating infinitely without the UI appearing.

Additional Context

Suggested improvements:

1. Build packaging: When building multi-arch packages (especially on an Apple Silicon host machine), ensure npm/electron-builder downloads @img/sharp-darwin-x64 and @img/sharp-libvips-darwin-x64 for the x64 bundle.
2. Defensive loading: In database/routes/terminal.js, consider lazily/dynamically importing sharp (or wrapping it in a try/catch), so an issue with image normalization does not prevent the entire terminal/SSH backend server from starting.

Start by inspecting the multi-arch packaging configuration and database/routes/terminal.js, focusing on how sharp and its platform-specific packages are included. Reproduce the launch on an Intel macOS build and verify that the x64 package contains the required @img modules and that backend startup is not blocked by image normalization. Done means the 2.7.1-equivalent x86_64 app reaches the UI instead of remaining on the loading spinner.