Microsoft Store Submission Guide

Package Formats

MSI vs MSIX vs PWA

Format	Use Case	Microsoft Store
MSI	Direct download from website	❌ No
NSIS EXE	Direct download from website	❌ No
MSIX	Microsoft Store distribution	✅ Yes
PWA	Web-based, works everywhere	✅ Yes

Option 1: PWA Submission (Recommended)

Why PWA for Warp 12?

• ✅ Multiplayer game with online backend
• ✅ Already works great in browser
• ✅ Automatic updates via web deployment
• ✅ Single codebase for all platforms
• ✅ Smaller app size
• ✅ Easier to maintain

Steps

1. Ensure PWA readiness
   • Manifest at apps/Warp12/public/manifest.json ✓
   • Service worker configured ✓
   • HTTPS enabled (warp.iwgf.org) ✓
2. Generate MSIX from PWA

   # Visit https://www.pwabuilder.com/
   # Enter: https://warp.iwgf.org
   # Click "Package for Stores" → Windows
   # Download generated MSIX
   

3. Submit to Store
   • Upload MSIX to Partner Center
   • Add screenshots and description
   • Submit for review

Option 2: Native Tauri MSIX

When to use

• Users want full offline support
• Need native OS integration
• Want maximum performance

Build MSIX

In Parallels Windows VM:

# Build with MSIX target
cd Z:\Volumes\Code\Warp12
yarn tauri build --bundles msix

# Output: apps/Warp12/src-tauri/target/release/bundle/msix/

Sign MSIX

# Get certificate from Partner Center or purchase one
# Sign the package
signtool sign /fd SHA256 /a /f cert.pfx /p $password `
  "apps/Warp12/src-tauri/target/release/bundle/msix/Warp 12_0.5.40_x64_en-US.msix"

Option 3: Convert MSI to MSIX

If Tauri’s MSIX build has issues:

1. Build MSI

   yarn tauri:build
   

2. Use MSIX Packaging Tool
   • Install from Microsoft Store (free)
   • Open tool → Application Package
   • Select your MSI: apps/Warp12/src-tauri/target/release/bundle/msi/*.msi
   • Configure package identity
   • Generate MSIX

Microsoft Partner Center Setup

1. Register

• URL: https://partner.microsoft.com/dashboard
• Cost: $19 individual / $99 company (one-time)

2. Reserve App Name

• Dashboard → Apps and games → New product
• Reserve “Warp 12”

3. Create Submission

Required Info:

• App name: Warp 12
• Category: Games → Card & board
• Age rating: Use questionnaire (likely E for Everyone or 12+)
• Privacy policy: https://warp.iwgf.org/privacy (if you have one)

Store Listing:

• Description (max 10,000 characters)
• Screenshots: 1280x720+ (PNG/JPEG)
• App icon: 300x300+
• Feature images (optional)

4. Upload Package

• Upload MSIX (max 2GB for games)
• Specify supported architectures (x64, ARM64)

5. Submit

• Review & submit
• Certification takes 1-3 days
• Automated + manual review

App Capabilities

For MSIX, declare required capabilities in the package:

<!-- These will be auto-generated by Tauri -->
<Capabilities>
  <Capability Name="internetClient" />
  <Capability Name="internetClientServer" />
  <!-- Add if you need local storage -->
  <uap:Capability Name="removableStorage" />
</Capabilities>

Testing Before Submission

Install MSIX locally

# Enable developer mode in Windows Settings
Add-AppxPackage Warp12.msix

Test Store listing

• Use Partner Center’s preview feature
• Verify screenshots and description render correctly

Post-Submission

Monitoring

• Partner Center dashboard shows:
  • Downloads
  • Ratings/reviews
  • Crashes (if any)

Updates

• Build new version with updated version number
• Upload new MSIX
• Users auto-update via Microsoft Store

Recommendation

Start with PWA for fastest time-to-market, then add native MSIX if users request it.

PWA advantages for Warp 12:

1. Already deployed and working
2. No build tools needed on Windows
3. Automatic updates when you deploy web app
4. Perfect for online multiplayer
5. Works on all platforms (Windows 10/11, Xbox)