Windows Installer and Desktop Manager

NovaDev for Windows

Install the language, terminal commands, package manager, file icon, VS Code support, desktop Manager, and a protected source workspace in one setup.

Download NovaDevSetup.exe Portable Python installer

Setup Flow

Install once, then use NovaDev from a new terminal.

Run setup

Open NovaDevSetup.exe. It installs per-user under %LOCALAPPDATA%\NovaDev and does not require administrator privileges.

Confirm Python

The current installer uses an existing Python 3 installation with Tkinter. The launcher tests Python before opening Manager.

Open a new PowerShell

Setup adds %LOCALAPPDATA%\NovaDev\bin to the user PATH. Already-open terminals must be closed and reopened.

Create source

nova new MyProject creates Downloads\Nova source code\MyProject, where Manager can find and manage it.

Terminal Commands

The repaired launchers use the detected Python executable.

nova, nova-shell, and novapm now use the same detection result as NovaDev Manager. Commands support paths containing spaces.

PowerShell

nova --version
nova new SchoolPortal
nova shell
novapm doctor
novadev-manager

# Created project:
# $HOME\Downloads\Nova source code\SchoolPortal

NovaDev Manager

Manage projects and the installed runtime without typing every command.

01Create projects

Choose Vue, HTML, VueVite, Express, or Express and create the project in the Nova source workspace.

02Find source

Search projects and .nova files recursively, reveal them in Explorer, and open their location.

03Run and build

Run selected source, build UI files, or generate a full-stack project without freezing the Manager window.

04Delete safely

Delete a selected project or source file only after confirmation. Manager rejects deletion outside Nova source code.

Windows locations

%LOCALAPPDATA%\NovaDev\
  language\
  bin\
  packages\
  logs\manager.log
  unins000.exe

%USERPROFILE%\Downloads\Nova source code\
  MyProject\
    app.nova
    Nova.toml

Your Source Is Separate

Updating or uninstalling NovaDev does not remove projects.

The installed runtime lives under Local AppData. Developer-created source lives under Downloads. The uninstaller removes runtime files, launchers, packages, PATH registration, the VS Code extension, and the .nova association while preserving source.

Uninstall

Remove NovaDev through Manager or Windows Settings.

Manager

Open the System tab, select Uninstall NovaDev, confirm, and allow the Inno uninstaller to finish.

Windows Settings

Open Installed apps, locate NovaDev, and choose Uninstall. A Start Menu uninstall shortcut is also installed.

Portable install

Run uninstall-novadev. The portable uninstaller removes ~/.novadev integrations and keeps source projects.

Troubleshooting

If Manager does not appear, inspect its launch log.

Manager runs without a visible terminal. Startup details are written before Python launches, so missing Python, Tkinter, or Manager files produce a useful error instead of a disappearing PowerShell window.

Diagnostic locations

Get-Content "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\NovaDev\logs\manager.log"

& "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\NovaDev\bin\novadev-manager.cmd"

nova --version
novapm doctor