To start developing for SailfishOS, install the Sailfish SDK, choose an emulator or device build target, create a project, and build its interface with QML and Sailfish Silica. Use C++ where needed for the application launcher and integration. The official command-line workflow uses sfdk to build, deploy, run, and package applications.
What you need to know before building a Sailfish app
Sailfish applications combine QML and C++. QML defines the user interface using components from Sailfish Silica and QtQuick; a C++ application launches the main QML file, commonly through a QQuickView. Silica supplies the platform-specific UI components and interaction conventions, while QtQuick provides general-purpose UI building blocks. Sailfish Silica API documentation describes Silica as the essential component set for building Sailfish interfaces.
For a first app, focus on Silica components rather than treating the project as a generic Qt Quick application. Learn the page stack, pulley menus, covers, and application lifecycle alongside QML basics. Use the Sailfish Theme object for scalable spacing, typography, and colors instead of hard-coding values that should follow the platform’s visual system.
Install the SDK and choose a workflow
The Sailfish SDK provides the development environment, build tools, targets, emulator and device deployment workflow, and packaging support. The original SitePoint tutorial, first published April 24, 2015 and updated November 6, 2024, presents a Qt Creator-based setup with Mer cross-compilation and an emulator. Its operating-system support description reflects the tutorial’s historical context; check the current SDK installation documentation for supported host platforms and setup requirements.
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- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Current official packaging guidance also documents command-line development with sfdk. You can use the IDE workflow where available or run the build and deployment steps from a terminal. The example target names below are from documentation and illustrate architecture choices; the version shown is not a claim about the latest SailfishOS release. Official application packaging guidance covers target selection and the build workflow.
Choose a build target for its purpose
| Target architecture | Typical use in the documented workflow |
|---|---|
i486 |
Emulator work |
aarch64 |
Device builds for the documented architecture |
armv7hl |
Device builds for the documented architecture |
Target availability depends on the SDK and SailfishOS release you install. Check the targets on your own system rather than copying an example version string.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Create a minimal QML application
A Sailfish app’s top-level QML type is ApplicationWindow. It owns the page stack, and its initialPage property identifies the first screen. A minimal starting point imports QtQuick and Sailfish Silica, then creates a Page containing a Label:
import QtQuick 2.6
import Sailfish.Silica 1.0
ApplicationWindow {
initialPage: Page {
Label {
text: "Hello Sailfish"
anchors.centerIn: parent
}
}
}The import versions in this minimal example come from the documented sample; use versions appropriate to the SDK and target release you are building for. As the app grows, use Silica types such as PageHeader and SilicaFlickable to follow Sailfish layout and scrolling conventions.
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Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Build, deploy, and run the app
With the SDK installed and a project available, the documented command-line path is to inspect the available tools and targets, select a target, build, deploy, and run the application on the connected emulator or device. The official guide’s examples include commands such as:
sfdk tools list— list installed tools and available build targets.- Select the i486 target for emulator work, or the relevant device architecture target for a device build.
sfdk build— compile the project for the selected target.sfdk deploy— deploy the built application to the configured emulator or device.sfdk device exec— execute a command on the connected target; use the application’s documented launch command for your project.
These commands form the workflow, but exact arguments and launch commands depend on the project and SDK configuration. If a build succeeds but deployment fails, check that the selected target matches the destination and that the emulator or device is configured and reachable.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Build-system and packaging choices
The official Sailfish guidance covers both qmake and CMake projects, along with GNU Automake libraries, shadow builds, compilation databases, and RPM packaging. Use the build system that fits the project’s structure and dependencies; regardless of that choice, the package must declare the appropriate dependencies and be built for the intended architecture.
For RPM packaging, inspect the project’s SPEC file and verify dependency declarations for the SailfishOS release you target. The documented examples include sailfishsilica-qt5 and libsailfishapp-launcher; do not assume a dependency name or package metadata is unchanged across releases. Check the SDK’s packaging guidance and target configuration before distributing a package.
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- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Plan the interface around Sailfish interaction
Use the page stack for navigation
ApplicationWindow owns the app’s page stack. Set initialPage for the starting screen, call PageStack.push() to navigate to another page, and call PageStack.pop() to return to the previous one. This gives users a consistent back-navigation model rather than requiring each screen to invent its own navigation behavior. The official Sailfish application API reference documents the application window and page-stack model.
Learn the platform’s components and behaviors
Use Silica’s components for platform-native patterns such as headers, flickable content, and pulley menus. A pulley menu exposes actions through Sailfish’s characteristic pull interaction; it should be designed as part of the page experience, not added as an arbitrary substitute for every button. Covers and lifecycle behavior are also important parts of a complete Sailfish application, especially when the app is not currently in the foreground.
Once the basic page is working, build a small multi-page app and test how navigation, menus, and lifecycle changes behave on the emulator and, where possible, the target device. Keep architecture-specific builds and package dependencies aligned with the SailfishOS release you intend to support.
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