diff --git a/main.js b/main.js
index 4cbdf92..acd4297 100755
--- a/main.js
+++ b/main.js
@@ -1,31 +1,10 @@
-// Inspired by https://github.com/pbarbiero/basic-electron-react-boilerplate
-// TODO: Look into https://github.com/electron-userland/electron-builder
 'use strict';
 
-// Import parts of electron to use
-const { app, BrowserWindow, Menu, Tray, clipboard } = require('electron');
-
-var shouldQuit = app.makeSingleInstance(function(commandLine, workingDirectory) {
-  server.passArgs(commandLine)
-})
-
-if (shouldQuit) {
-  app.quit()
-  return
-}
-
 const path = require('path');
 const url = require('url');
 const process = require('process');
-const MenuBuilder = require('./menu');
 const getPort = require('get-port')
 
-const AutoLaunch = require('auto-launch');
-
-const autoLauncher = new AutoLaunch({
-  name: 'Powder Web'
-})
-
 const server = require('./server')
 const streams = require('./server/streams')
 const acestream = require('./server/acestream')
@@ -37,26 +16,11 @@ const events = require('./server/utils/events')
 
 const qrCode = require('./server/utils/qrcode')
 
-const opn = require('opn')
-
-if (app && app.commandLine && app.commandLine.appendSwitch)
-  app.commandLine.appendSwitch("ignore-certificate-errors")
-
-// Keep a global reference of the window object, if you don't, the window will
-// be closed automatically when the JavaScript object is garbage collected.
-let mainWindow;
+const opn = require('open')
 
-if (app.dock)
-  app.dock.hide()
-
-// Keep a reference for dev mode
-let dev = false;
-if (process.env.NODE_ENV === 'development') {
-  dev = true;
-  require('dotenv').config({ silent: true });
-}
+const haveElectron = require('./server/utils/haveElectron')
 
-function createServer() {
+function createServer(cb) {
 
   let frontPort
   let backPort
@@ -90,266 +54,308 @@ function createServer() {
 
       server.init(frontPort, backPort)
 
-      setTimeout(createWindow)
+      if (cb)
+        setTimeout(cb)
 
     })
   })
 }
 
-const quit = () => {
+if (!haveElectron()) {
+  // headless mode
+  createServer()
+} else {
+  // run electron
 
-//  if (mainWindow)
-//    mainWindow.destroy()
+  const AutoLaunch = require('auto-launch');
 
-  if (mainWindow.isVisible())
-    mainWindow.hide()
+  const autoLauncher = new AutoLaunch({
+    name: 'Powder Web'
+  })
 
-  tray.destroy()
+  const MenuBuilder = require('./menu');
+  const { app, BrowserWindow, Menu, Tray, clipboard } = require('electron');
 
-  var ticks = 3
+  var shouldQuit = app.makeSingleInstance(function(commandLine, workingDirectory) {
+    server.passArgs(commandLine)
+  })
 
-  const tick = () => {
-    ticks--
-    if (!ticks) {
-      app.quit()
-    }
+  if (shouldQuit) {
+    app.quit()
+    return
   }
 
-  sop.unhackSopPlayer(() => {
-    sop.kill(tick, tick)
-  })
+  if (app && app.commandLine && app.commandLine.appendSwitch)
+    app.commandLine.appendSwitch("ignore-certificate-errors")
 
-  streams.closeAll(tick)
+  // Keep a global reference of the window object, if you don't, the window will
+  // be closed automatically when the JavaScript object is garbage collected.
+  let mainWindow;
 
-  acestream.binary.kill(tick, tick)
+  if (app.dock)
+    app.dock.hide()
 
-}
+  // Keep a reference for dev mode
+  let dev = false;
+  if (process.env.NODE_ENV === 'development') {
+    dev = true;
+    require('dotenv').config({ silent: true });
+  }
 
-function createWindow() {
-  // Create the browser window.
-  mainWindow = new BrowserWindow({
-    width: 1268,
-    height: 768,
-    show: false,
-    webPreferences: {
-      nodeIntegration: false,
-      allowpopups: true,
-      webSecurity: false,
-      nativeWindowOpen: true,
-    },
-    resizable: true,
-    title: 'Powder Web',
-    center: true,
-    frame: false
-  });
+  const quit = () => {
 
-  // Disable top menu bar on Windows/Linux
-  mainWindow.setMenu(null);
+  //  if (mainWindow)
+  //    mainWindow.destroy()
 
-  // and load the index.html of the app.
-  let indexPath;
+    if (mainWindow.isVisible())
+      mainWindow.hide()
 
-  mainWindow.on('close', (e) => {
-    console.log('window-close')
+    tray.destroy()
 
-//    if (process.platform == 'linux') {
-//      quit()
-//      return
-//    }
+    var ticks = 3
 
-    e.preventDefault()
-    mainWindow.hide()
-    if (app.dock)
-      app.dock.hide()
-  });
+    const tick = () => {
+      ticks--
+      if (!ticks) {
+        app.quit()
+      }
+    }
 
-  server.setMainWindow(mainWindow)
+    sop.unhackSopPlayer(() => {
+      sop.kill(tick, tick)
+    })
 
-  // Build app menu
-  const menuBuilder = new MenuBuilder(mainWindow);
-  menuBuilder.buildMenu();
-}
+    streams.closeAll(tick)
+
+    acestream.binary.kill(tick, tick)
 
-// This method will be called when Electron has finished
-// initialization and is ready to create browser windows.
-// Some APIs can only be used after this event occurs.
-let tray = false
-app.on('ready', () => {
-  // Allow electron to serve static files
-  if (!dev) {
-    require('electron').protocol.interceptFileProtocol('file', (request, callback) => {
-      const url = request.url.substr(7)    /* all urls start with 'file://' */
-      callback({ path: path.normalize(`${__dirname}/dist/${url}`)})
-    }, (err) => {
-      if (err) console.error('Failed to register protocol')
-    })
   }
 
-  // Create the Browser window
-  if (dev) {
-    const {
-      default: installExtension,
-      REACT_DEVELOPER_TOOLS,
-      REDUX_DEVTOOLS
-    } = require('electron-devtools-installer');
-    installExtension(REACT_DEVELOPER_TOOLS)
-      .then(() => installExtension(REDUX_DEVTOOLS))
-      .then(() => createWindow());
-  } else {
-    createServer();
+  function createWindow() {
+    // Create the browser window.
+    mainWindow = new BrowserWindow({
+      width: 1268,
+      height: 768,
+      show: false,
+      webPreferences: {
+        nodeIntegration: false,
+        allowpopups: true,
+        webSecurity: false,
+        nativeWindowOpen: true,
+      },
+      resizable: true,
+      title: 'Powder Web',
+      center: true,
+      frame: false
+    });
+
+    // Disable top menu bar on Windows/Linux
+    mainWindow.setMenu(null);
+
+    // and load the index.html of the app.
+    let indexPath;
+
+    mainWindow.on('close', (e) => {
+      console.log('window-close')
+
+  //    if (process.platform == 'linux') {
+  //      quit()
+  //      return
+  //    }
+
+      e.preventDefault()
+      mainWindow.hide()
+      if (app.dock)
+        app.dock.hide()
+    });
+
+    server.setMainWindow(mainWindow)
+
+    // Build app menu
+    const menuBuilder = new MenuBuilder(mainWindow);
+    menuBuilder.buildMenu();
   }
 
-if (process.platform == 'darwin' || process.platform == 'win32') {
-  tray = new Tray(path.join(__dirname, 'packaging', 'osx_tray.png'))
-} else {
-  tray = new Tray(path.join(__dirname, 'packaging', 'icons', 'powder-square-border.png'))
-}
-  const showApp = () => {
-    if (!mainWindow.isVisible()) {
-      mainWindow.loadURL( 'http' + (server.isSSL ? 's': '') + '://127.0.0.1:' + server.port() + '/auth?token=' + server.masterKey );
-      mainWindow.show()
-      mainWindow.focus()
-      if (app.dock && !app.dock.isVisible())
-        app.dock.show()
-      if (dev) {
-        mainWindow.webContents.openDevTools()
-      }
+  // This method will be called when Electron has finished
+  // initialization and is ready to create browser windows.
+  // Some APIs can only be used after this event occurs.
+  let tray = false
+  app.on('ready', () => {
+    // Allow electron to serve static files
+    if (!dev) {
+      require('electron').protocol.interceptFileProtocol('file', (request, callback) => {
+        const url = request.url.substr(7)    /* all urls start with 'file://' */
+        callback({ path: path.normalize(`${__dirname}/dist/${url}`)})
+      }, (err) => {
+        if (err) console.error('Failed to register protocol')
+      })
+    }
+
+    // Create the Browser window
+    if (dev) {
+      const {
+        default: installExtension,
+        REACT_DEVELOPER_TOOLS,
+        REDUX_DEVTOOLS
+      } = require('electron-devtools-installer');
+      installExtension(REACT_DEVELOPER_TOOLS)
+        .then(() => installExtension(REDUX_DEVTOOLS))
+        .then(() => createWindow());
     } else {
-      mainWindow.focus()
+      createServer(createWindow);
     }
+
+  if (process.platform == 'darwin' || process.platform == 'win32') {
+    tray = new Tray(path.join(__dirname, 'packaging', 'osx_tray.png'))
+  } else {
+    tray = new Tray(path.join(__dirname, 'packaging', 'icons', 'powder-square-border.png'))
   }
-  const copyEmbedKey = () => {
-    const servUrl = 'http' + (server.isSSL ? 's': '') + '://127.0.0.1:' + server.port() + '/'
-    const embedKey = server.embedKey
-    clipboard.writeText(embedKey + '-' + btoa(servUrl));
-  }
-  const copyLink = (qrType) => {
+    const showApp = () => {
+      if (!mainWindow.isVisible()) {
+        mainWindow.loadURL( 'http' + (server.isSSL ? 's': '') + '://127.0.0.1:' + server.port() + '/auth?token=' + server.masterKey );
+        mainWindow.show()
+        mainWindow.focus()
+        if (app.dock && !app.dock.isVisible())
+          app.dock.show()
+        if (dev) {
+          mainWindow.webContents.openDevTools()
+        }
+      } else {
+        mainWindow.focus()
+      }
+    }
+    const copyEmbedKey = () => {
+      const servUrl = 'http' + (server.isSSL ? 's': '') + '://127.0.0.1:' + server.port() + '/'
+      const embedKey = server.embedKey
+      clipboard.writeText(embedKey + '-' + btoa(servUrl));
+    }
+    const copyLink = (qrType) => {
 
-    qrCode(qrType, server.argsKey, server.port(), (resp) => {
-      if (resp && resp.url)
-        clipboard.writeText(resp.url);
-    }, (err) => {
+      qrCode(qrType, server.argsKey, server.port(), (resp) => {
+        if (resp && resp.url)
+          clipboard.writeText(resp.url);
+      }, (err) => {
 
-    })
-  }
-  const copyLanLink = () => { copyLink('local') }
-  const copyInternetLink = () => { copyLink('internet') }
-  const showBrowser = () => {
-    opn('http' + (server.isSSL ? 's': '') + '://127.0.0.1:' + server.port() + '/auth?token=' + server.masterKey)
-  }
+      })
+    }
+    const copyLanLink = () => { copyLink('local') }
+    const copyInternetLink = () => { copyLink('internet') }
+    const showBrowser = () => {
+      opn('http' + (server.isSSL ? 's': '') + '://127.0.0.1:' + server.port() + '/auth?token=' + server.masterKey)
+    }
 
-  const toggleStartUp = () => {
+    const toggleStartUp = () => {
 
-     autoLauncher.isEnabled()
-    .then(function(isEnabled){
-      if(isEnabled){
-        autoLauncher.disable()
-      } else {
-        autoLauncher.enable()
-      }
-    })
-    .catch(function(err){ })
+       autoLauncher.isEnabled()
+      .then(function(isEnabled){
+        if(isEnabled){
+          autoLauncher.disable()
+        } else {
+          autoLauncher.enable()
+        }
+      })
+      .catch(function(err){ })
 
-  }
+    }
 
-  const relaunch = () => {
-//    mainWindow.destroy()
-//    streams.closeAll(() => {
-      app.relaunch()
-      quit()
-//    })
-  }
+    const relaunch = () => {
+  //    mainWindow.destroy()
+  //    streams.closeAll(() => {
+        app.relaunch()
+        quit()
+  //    })
+    }
 
-  events.on('appQuit', quit)
-  events.on('appRelaunch', relaunch)
-  events.on('appShow', showApp)
-  events.on('appShowBrowser', showBrowser)
-
-  const buildContextMenu = (startUp) => {
-    const contextMenu = Menu.buildFromTemplate([
-      {
-        label: 'Show App',
-        type: 'normal',
-        click: showApp
-      },
-      {
-        label: 'Show in Browser',
-        type: 'normal',
-        click: showBrowser
-      },
-      { type: 'separator' },
-      {
-        label: 'Copy LAN Link',
-        type: 'normal',
-        click: copyLanLink
-      },
-      {
-        label: 'Copy Internet Link',
-        type: 'normal',
-        click: copyInternetLink
-      },
-      { type: 'separator' },
-      {
-        label: 'Copy Embed Key',
-        type: 'normal',
-        click: copyEmbedKey
-      },
-      { type: 'separator' },
-      {
-        label: 'Run on Start-Up',
-        type: 'checkbox',
-        checked: startUp,
-        click: toggleStartUp
-      },
-      { type: 'separator' },
-      {
-        label: 'Restart',
-        type: 'normal',
-        click: relaunch
-      },
-      {
-        label: 'Quit',
-        type: 'normal',
-        click: quit
-      }
-    ])
-    tray.setContextMenu(contextMenu)
-  }
+    events.on('appQuit', quit)
+    events.on('appRelaunch', relaunch)
+    events.on('appShow', showApp)
+    events.on('appShowBrowser', showBrowser)
+
+    const buildContextMenu = (startUp) => {
+      const contextMenu = Menu.buildFromTemplate([
+        {
+          label: 'Show App',
+          type: 'normal',
+          click: showApp
+        },
+        {
+          label: 'Show in Browser',
+          type: 'normal',
+          click: showBrowser
+        },
+        { type: 'separator' },
+        {
+          label: 'Copy LAN Link',
+          type: 'normal',
+          click: copyLanLink
+        },
+        {
+          label: 'Copy Internet Link',
+          type: 'normal',
+          click: copyInternetLink
+        },
+        { type: 'separator' },
+        {
+          label: 'Copy Embed Key',
+          type: 'normal',
+          click: copyEmbedKey
+        },
+        { type: 'separator' },
+        {
+          label: 'Run on Start-Up',
+          type: 'checkbox',
+          checked: startUp,
+          click: toggleStartUp
+        },
+        { type: 'separator' },
+        {
+          label: 'Restart',
+          type: 'normal',
+          click: relaunch
+        },
+        {
+          label: 'Quit',
+          type: 'normal',
+          click: quit
+        }
+      ])
+      tray.setContextMenu(contextMenu)
+    }
 
-  tray.on('click', showApp)
+    tray.on('click', showApp)
 
-  tray.setToolTip('Powder Web')
+    tray.setToolTip('Powder Web')
 
-   autoLauncher.isEnabled()
-  .then(function(isEnabled){
-    buildContextMenu(isEnabled)
-  }).catch(function(err){
-    buildContextMenu(false)
-  })
-});
-
-//Quit when all windows are closed.
-// app.on('window-all-closed', () => {
-//  // On macOS it is common for applications and their menu bar
-//  // to stay active until the user quits explicitly with Cmd + Q
-//  if (process.platform !== 'darwin') {
-//    app.quit();
-//  }
-// });
-
-app.on('window-all-closed', app.quit);
-
-app.on('activate', () => {
-  // On macOS it's common to re-create a window in the app when the
-  // dock icon is clicked and there are no other windows open.
-  if (mainWindow === null) {
-    createWindow();
-  }
-});
+     autoLauncher.isEnabled()
+    .then(function(isEnabled){
+      buildContextMenu(isEnabled)
+    }).catch(function(err){
+      buildContextMenu(false)
+    })
+  });
 
-app.on('before-quit', () => {
-    if (!mainWindow) return
-    mainWindow.removeAllListeners('close');
-    mainWindow.destroy();
-});
+  //Quit when all windows are closed.
+  // app.on('window-all-closed', () => {
+  //  // On macOS it is common for applications and their menu bar
+  //  // to stay active until the user quits explicitly with Cmd + Q
+  //  if (process.platform !== 'darwin') {
+  //    app.quit();
+  //  }
+  // });
+
+  app.on('window-all-closed', app.quit);
+
+  app.on('activate', () => {
+    // On macOS it's common to re-create a window in the app when the
+    // dock icon is clicked and there are no other windows open.
+    if (mainWindow === null) {
+      createWindow();
+    }
+  });
 
+  app.on('before-quit', () => {
+      if (!mainWindow) return
+      mainWindow.removeAllListeners('close');
+      mainWindow.destroy();
+  });
+}
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 778f42a..c907508 100755
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
     "clean:packages:": "rimraf ./packages",
     "lint": "eslint ./src ./tools ./webpackConfig \"./*.js\"",
     "start-back": "cross-env NODE_ENV=development electron .",
+    "start-headless": "node main.js",
     "electron-production": "cross-env NODE_ENV=production electron .",
     "prepackage": "run-s clean:packages",
     "build-back": "electron-packager ./ --out=./packages --icon=./packaging/icons/powder --ignore=\"tools|docs|webpackConfig|lock|public/\"",
@@ -33,7 +34,6 @@
     "decompress-zip": "https://github.com/jaruba/decompress-zip/tarball/master",
     "duti-prebuilt": "https://github.com/jaruba/duti-prebuilt/tarball/master",
     "easy-ffmpeg": "https://github.com/jaruba/easy-ffmpeg/tarball/master",
-    "electron-settings": "https://github.com/jaruba/electron-settings/tarball/master",
     "formidable": "^1.2.1",
     "frisbee": "^1.6.0",
     "get-port": "^3.2.0",
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
     "node-notifier": "^5.2.1",
     "npm-run-all": "^4.1.3",
     "opensubtitles-api": "https://github.com/jaruba/opensubtitles-api/tarball/master",
-    "opn": "^5.3.0",
+    "open": "^7.0.0",
     "parse-torrent": "^6.0.0",
     "prop-types": "^15.6.0",
     "pump": "^3.0.0",
@@ -96,9 +96,6 @@
     "babel-preset-env": "^1.7.0",
     "cross-env": "^5.0.0",
     "dotenv": "^4.0.0",
-    "electron": "^1.6.7",
-    "electron-devtools-installer": "^2.2.0",
-    "electron-packager": "^12.1.0",
     "eslint-config-react-tools": "^1.0.6",
     "eslint-plugin-class-property": "^1.0.6",
     "eslint-plugin-import": "^2.7.0",
@@ -107,9 +104,6 @@
     "npm-run-all": "^4.1.3",
     "nwb": "^0.19.1"
   },
-  "optionalDependencies": {
-    "electron-installer-debian": "^0.8.1"
-  },
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
     "url": "https://github.com/jaruba/PowderWeb.git"
diff --git a/server/acestream.js b/server/acestream.js
index fba692a..ea3fc00 100755
--- a/server/acestream.js
+++ b/server/acestream.js
@@ -367,16 +367,18 @@ const connect = async (torrentHash, serverPort, peerflixProxy, reqToken, playlis
 
 let aceVersion
 
-const { app } = require('electron')
-const os = require('os')
-const TMP = os.tmpDir()
+const app = require('./utils/electronShim')
+
+const TMP = app.getPath('temp')
 
 const child = require('child_process')
 
 const exec = child.exec
 const spawn = child.spawn
 
-const downloadLoc = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb')
+const rootDir = app.getPath('appData')
+
+const downloadLoc = app.getPath('userData')
 
 const ace = {
 	rename: (pid, name) => {
@@ -401,7 +403,7 @@ const ace = {
 						let cacheLoc
 
 						if (process.platform == 'darwin') {
-							cacheLoc = path.join(app.getPath("appData"), "PowderWeb", "acestream", "Contents/Resources/wineprefix/drive_c/_acestream_cache_")
+							cacheLoc = path.join(downloadLoc, "acestream", "Contents/Resources/wineprefix/drive_c/_acestream_cache_")
 						} else if (process.platform = 'win32') {
 							cacheLoc = path.join((downloadLoc.split('\\')[0] || 'C:'), '_acestream_cache_')
 						}
@@ -462,7 +464,7 @@ const ace = {
 		let cacheLoc
 
 		if (process.platform == 'darwin') {
-			cacheLoc = path.join(app.getPath("appData"), "PowderWeb", "acestream", "Contents/Resources/wineprefix/drive_c/_acestream_cache_")
+			cacheLoc = path.join(downloadLoc, "acestream", "Contents/Resources/wineprefix/drive_c/_acestream_cache_")
 		} else if (process.platform = 'win32') {
 			cacheLoc = path.join((downloadLoc.split('\\')[0] || 'C:'), '_acestream_cache_')
 		}
@@ -522,9 +524,9 @@ const ace = {
 			const isDirectory = source => fs.lstatSync(source).isDirectory()
 			const getDirectories = source => fs.readdirSync(source)
 
-			getDirectories(app.getPath('appData')).forEach((dirNm) => {
+			getDirectories(rootDir).forEach((dirNm) => {
 				if (dirNm.startsWith('com.aceengine.powder'))
-					portLocs.push(path.join(app.getPath('appData'), dirNm, locOnDrive))
+					portLocs.push(path.join(rootDir, dirNm, locOnDrive))
 			})
 		} else if (process.platform == 'win32') {
 			portLocs = [path.join(downloadLoc, 'acestream\\engine\\acestream.port')]
@@ -566,9 +568,9 @@ const ace = {
 			const isDirectory = source => fs.lstatSync(source).isDirectory()
 			const getDirectories = source => fs.readdirSync(source)
 
-			getDirectories(app.getPath('appData')).forEach((dirNm) => {
+			getDirectories(rootDir).forEach((dirNm) => {
 				if (dirNm.startsWith('com.aceengine.powder'))
-					portLocs.push(path.join(app.getPath('appData'), dirNm, locOnDrive))
+					portLocs.push(path.join(rootDir, dirNm, locOnDrive))
 			})
 		} else if (process.platform == 'win32') {
 			portLocs = [path.join(downloadLoc, 'acestream\\engine\\acestream.port')]
diff --git a/server/index.js b/server/index.js
index e97003b..1fbf5b7 100755
--- a/server/index.js
+++ b/server/index.js
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 
-const { app, shell, dialog } = require('electron');
 const fs = require('fs');
 const path = require('path');
 const ffmpeg = require('easy-ffmpeg')
-var dir = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb');
+
+const app = require('./utils/electronShim')
+
+var dir = app.getPath('userData');
 
 const openerDir = path.join(dir, 'openers')
 
@@ -58,12 +60,12 @@ const https = require('https')
 const url = require('url')
 const streams = require('./streams')
 const childProcess = require('child_process')
-const settings = require('electron-settings')
+const settings = app.settings()
 const config = require('./utils/config')
 const getPort = require('get-port')
 const _ = require('lodash')
 const os = require('os')
-const TMP = os.tmpDir()
+const TMP = app.getPath('temp')
 const platform = os.platform()
 const addresses = require('./utils/addressbook')
 const uniqueString = require('unique-string')
@@ -85,7 +87,7 @@ const hlsLink = require('./utils/live-trans')
 
 const srt2vtt = require('srt-to-vtt')
 
-const opn = require('opn')
+const opn = require('open')
 
 const helpers = require('./utils/misc')
 
@@ -118,6 +120,8 @@ let tokens = {
   [argsKey]: true
 }
 
+const haveElectron = require('./utils/haveElectron')
+
 const passArgs = function(e, args) {
   clArgs.process(Array.isArray(args) ? args : [args], argsKey);
 }
@@ -125,12 +129,17 @@ const passArgs = function(e, args) {
 if (process.platform !== 'darwin') {
   passArgs(null, process.argv)
 } else {
-  // these events are OSX only:
-  app.on('open-file', passArgs);
-  app.on('open-url', passArgs);
+  if (haveElectron()) {
+    // these events are OSX only:
+    const appUtil = require('electron').app
+    appUtil.on('open-file', passArgs);
+    appUtil.on('open-url', passArgs);
+  } else {
+    // should think of alternative for headless
+  }
 }
 
-if (process.env.NODE_ENV === 'development') {
+if (process.env.NODE_ENV === 'development' || !haveElectron()) {
   console.log('master key: '+ masterKey)
 }
 
@@ -409,12 +418,12 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
           // open with default player
 
           streams.createPlaylist(torrentId, organizedFiles, reqToken, false, playlist => {
-            const filePath = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb', 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
+            const filePath = path.join(dir, 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
             fs.writeFile(filePath, playlist, function(err) {
                 if (err) {
                     return console.log(err);
                 }
-                shell.openItem(filePath)
+                app.openItem(filePath)
             })
           }, reqUrl)
         }
@@ -451,12 +460,12 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
         const tryConnect = () => {
           sop.connect(urlParsed.query.pid, peerflixProxy, reqToken, (playlist) => {
             // playlist cb
-            const filePath = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb', 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
+            const filePath = path.join(dir, 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
             fs.writeFile(filePath, playlist, (err) => {
                 if (err) {
                     return console.log(err);
                 }
-                shell.openItem(filePath)
+                app.openItem(filePath)
             })
           }, reqUrl)
         }
@@ -499,7 +508,7 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
         }
       }
 
-      const filePath = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb', 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
+      const filePath = path.join(dir, 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
 
       fs.writeFile(filePath, newM3U, (err) => {
           if (err) {
@@ -508,7 +517,7 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
           if (config.get('extPlayer')) {
             helpers.openApp(config.get('extPlayer'), config.get('playerCmdArgs'), filePath)
           } else {
-            shell.openItem(filePath)
+            app.openItem(filePath)
           }
       })
     }
@@ -529,7 +538,7 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
         newM3U += os.EOL+"#EXTINF:0,"+ytdl.name+os.EOL+uri
       }
 
-      const filePath = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb', 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
+      const filePath = path.join(dir, 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
 
       fs.writeFile(filePath, newM3U, (err) => {
           if (err) {
@@ -538,7 +547,7 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
           if (config.get('extPlayer')) {
             helpers.openApp(config.get('extPlayer'), config.get('playerCmdArgs'), filePath)
           } else {
-            shell.openItem(filePath)
+            app.openItem(filePath)
           }
       })
     }
@@ -573,12 +582,12 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
                   } else {
                       acestream.connect(pid, servPort, peerflixProxy, reqToken, (playlist) => {
                         // playlist cb
-                        const filePath = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb', 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
+                        const filePath = path.join(dir, 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
                         fs.writeFile(filePath, playlist, function(err) {
                             if (err) {
                                 return console.log(err);
                             }
-                            shell.openItem(filePath)
+                            app.openItem(filePath)
                         })
                       }, reqUrl)
                   }
@@ -938,7 +947,7 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
                         notifier.on('click', (notifierObject, options) => {
                           streams.getPath(engine.infoHash, (folderPath) => {
                             if (folderPath) {
-                              shell.openItem(folderPath)
+                              app.openItem(folderPath)
                             }
                           })
                         })
@@ -1264,12 +1273,12 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
 
               streams.createPlaylist(torrentId, organizedFiles, reqToken, urlParsed.query.fileID || false, playlist => {
                 if (isMaster && urlParsed.query.openNow) {
-                  const filePath = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb', 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
+                  const filePath = path.join(dir, 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
                   fs.writeFile(filePath, playlist, function(err) {
                       if (err) {
                           return console.log(err);
                       }
-                      shell.openItem(filePath)
+                      app.openItem(filePath)
                   })
                   if (doneResp) return
                   respond({})
@@ -1596,19 +1605,19 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
   }
 
   if (method == 'jackettLink') {
-    shell.openExternal('https://github.com/jaruba/PowderWeb/wiki/Enable-Jackett')
+    app.openExternal('https://github.com/jaruba/PowderWeb/wiki/Enable-Jackett')
     respond({})
     return
   }
 
   if (method == 'donateLink') {
-    shell.openExternal('https://powder.media/donate')
+    app.openExternal('https://powder.media/donate')
     respond({})
     return
   }
 
   if (method == 'sopGuideLink') {
-    shell.openExternal('https://github.com/jaruba/PowderWeb/wiki/Enable-Sopcast')
+    app.openExternal('https://github.com/jaruba/PowderWeb/wiki/Enable-Sopcast')
     respond({})
     return
   }
@@ -1633,7 +1642,7 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
     }
 
     if (method == 'addLocal') {
-      const loc = dialog.showOpenDialog({filters: { name: 'media', extensions: supported.ext.allMedia.map(el => { return el.replace('.','') })}, properties: ['openFile', 'openDirectory', 'createDirectory']})
+      const loc = app.showOpenDialog({filters: { name: 'media', extensions: supported.ext.allMedia.map(el => { return el.replace('.','') })}, properties: ['openFile', 'openDirectory', 'createDirectory']})
       if (!loc || !loc.length) {
         respond({})
       } else {
@@ -1659,19 +1668,19 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
       // this is for subtitles, because we can't download files in electron
       // so we download the subtitle programmatically and open the temp download folder
       helpers.downloadFile(atob(urlParsed.query.file), (filePath, dirPath) => {
-        shell.showItemInFolder(filePath)
+        app.showItemInFolder(filePath)
         respond({})
       })
       return
     }
 
     if (method == 'selectFile') {
-      respond({ value: dialog.showOpenDialog({properties: ['openFile']}) })
+      respond({ value: app.showOpenDialog({properties: ['openFile']}) })
       return
     }
 
     if (method == 'selectFolder') {
-      respond({ value: dialog.showOpenDialog({properties: ['openDirectory', 'createDirectory']}) })
+      respond({ value: app.showOpenDialog({properties: ['openDirectory', 'createDirectory']}) })
       return
     }
 
@@ -1704,7 +1713,7 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
         if (!filePath) {
           page500('Path to file could not be found')
         } else {
-          shell.openItem(filePath)
+          app.openItem(filePath)
           respond({})
         }
       })
@@ -1716,7 +1725,7 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
         if (!filePath) {
           page500('Path to file could not be found')
         } else {
-          shell.showItemInFolder(filePath)
+          app.showItemInFolder(filePath)
           respond({})
         }
       })
@@ -1727,11 +1736,11 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
       const loc = local.get(urlParsed.query.pid)
       if (loc) {
         if (loc.location) {
-          shell.showItemInFolder(loc.location)
+          app.showItemInFolder(loc.location)
         } else if (loc.files && loc.files.length) {
           const fl = loc.files[urlParsed.query.flId || 0]
           if (fl && fl.location) {
-            shell.showItemInFolder(fl.location)
+            app.showItemInFolder(fl.location)
           } else {
             page500('Unknown Error Occurred')
          }
@@ -1747,7 +1756,7 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
     if (method == 'localDirLoc' && urlParsed.query.pid) {
       const loc = local.get(urlParsed.query.pid)
       if (loc && loc.location) {
-        shell.openItem(loc.location)
+        app.openItem(loc.location)
       }
       return
     }
@@ -1757,7 +1766,7 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
         if (!folderPath) {
           page500('Path to folder could not be found')
         } else {
-          shell.openItem(folderPath)
+          app.openItem(folderPath)
           respond({})
         }
       })
@@ -1766,9 +1775,9 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
 
     if (method == 'openDefaultFolder') {
       if (config.get('downloadFolder'))
-        shell.openItem(config.get('downloadFolder'))
+        app.openItem(config.get('downloadFolder'))
       else
-        shell.openItem(path.join(app.getPath('temp'), 'PowderWeb'))
+        app.openItem(path.join(TMP, 'PowderWeb'))
       respond({})
       return
     }
@@ -1886,7 +1895,13 @@ const mainServer = http.createServer(function(req, resp) {
 
   return page404()
 
-}).listen(port, () => { })
+}).listen(port, () => {
+  if (!haveElectron()) {
+    // headless mode, open browser
+    const isSSL = config.get('webServerSSL') || false
+    app.openExternal('http' + (isSSL ? 's': '') + '://localhost:' + serverPort + '/auth?token=' + masterKey)
+  }
+})
 
 mainServer.on('connection', function (socket) {
     socket.setTimeout(Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER)
@@ -2466,7 +2481,7 @@ var srv = http.createServer(function (req, res) {
 
   srv.on('listening',function() { })
 
-  if (process.env.NODE_ENV !== 'development') {
+  if (process.env.NODE_ENV !== 'development' || !haveElectron()) {
     // create web server
 
     var webProxy = require('http-proxy').createProxyServer({
diff --git a/server/presets/defaults.js b/server/presets/defaults.js
index 4c3354f..98429a6 100755
--- a/server/presets/defaults.js
+++ b/server/presets/defaults.js
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-const { app } = require('electron')
+const app = require('../utils/electronShim')
+const userData = app.getPath('userData')
 const _ = require('lodash')
 const mkdirp = require('mkdirp')
 const path = require('path')
@@ -11,10 +12,10 @@ const userDataFolders = [
 const fs = require('fs')
 
 userDataFolders.forEach(folder => {
-    mkdirp(path.join(app.getPath('userData'), folder), () => {})
+    mkdirp(path.join(userData, folder), () => {})
 })
 
-const settings = require('electron-settings')
+const settings = app.settings()
 
 // defaults
 const map = {
diff --git a/server/sopcast.js b/server/sopcast.js
index 3e49840..b3e9f28 100644
--- a/server/sopcast.js
+++ b/server/sopcast.js
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 
 const fs = require('fs')
 const path = require('path')
-const { app } = require('electron')
-const os = require('os')
-const TMP = os.tmpDir()
+const app = require('./utils/electronShim')
+
+const TMP = app.getPath('temp')
 
 const child = require('child_process')
 
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ const getPort = require('get-port')
 
 const downloader = require('./utils/downloadPackage')
 
-const downloadLoc = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb')
+const downloadLoc = app.getPath('userData')
 
 const net = require('net')
 
diff --git a/server/streams.js b/server/streams.js
index 37caf31..62a707b 100755
--- a/server/streams.js
+++ b/server/streams.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
-const { app } = require('electron')
+const app = require('./utils/electronShim')
 const createTorrent = require('./utils/torrent')
 const config = require('./utils/config')
 const parser = require('./utils/parser')
@@ -22,9 +22,11 @@ const isTorrentString = require('./utils/isTorrentString')
 const rimraf = require('rimraf')
 const checksum = require('checksum')
 
-const openerDir = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb', 'openers')
-const tempDir = path.join(os.tmpDir(), 'PowderWeb', 'torrent-stream')
-const fastResumeDir = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb', 'fastresume')
+const userData = app.getPath('userData')
+
+const openerDir = path.join(userData, 'openers')
+const tempDir = path.join(app.getPath('temp'), 'torrent-stream')
+const fastResumeDir = path.join(userData, 'fastresume')
 
 let loading = {}
 
diff --git a/server/utils/acebook.js b/server/utils/acebook.js
index 7b5ed1f..51e1201 100644
--- a/server/utils/acebook.js
+++ b/server/utils/acebook.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 const _ = require('lodash')
-const settings = require('electron-settings')
+const settings = require('./electronShim').settings()
 
 let addresses = settings.get('acebook')
 
diff --git a/server/utils/acenamebook.js b/server/utils/acenamebook.js
index a9ede03..9bcf26e 100644
--- a/server/utils/acenamebook.js
+++ b/server/utils/acenamebook.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 const _ = require('lodash')
-const settings = require('electron-settings')
+const settings = require('./electronShim').settings()
 
 let addresses = settings.get('acenamebook')
 
diff --git a/server/utils/addressbook.js b/server/utils/addressbook.js
index 01a1e82..907ccb1 100755
--- a/server/utils/addressbook.js
+++ b/server/utils/addressbook.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 const _ = require('lodash')
-const settings = require('electron-settings')
+const settings = require('./electronShim').settings()
 
 let addresses = settings.get('addressbook')
 
diff --git a/server/utils/backup.js b/server/utils/backup.js
index 1779d88..7633c31 100644
--- a/server/utils/backup.js
+++ b/server/utils/backup.js
@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 
+const app = require('./electronShim')
+
 const fs = require('fs'),
       path = require('path'),
-      { app } = require('electron')
-
-const appData = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb')
+      appData = app.getPath('userData')
 
 const paths = {
     settings: path.join(appData, 'Settings'),
diff --git a/server/utils/clArgs.js b/server/utils/clArgs.js
index a048cbe..ac828c1 100644
--- a/server/utils/clArgs.js
+++ b/server/utils/clArgs.js
@@ -5,10 +5,11 @@ const streams = require('../streams')
 const acestream = require('../acestream')
 const youtube = require('../ytdl')
 const sop = require('../sopcast')
-const { app, shell } = require('electron')
-const helpers = require('../utils/misc')
-const events = require('../utils/events')
-const isTorrentString = require('../utils/isTorrentString')
+const app = require('./electronShim')
+const userData = app.getPath('userData')
+const helpers = require('./misc')
+const events = require('./events')
+const isTorrentString = require('./isTorrentString')
 const fs = require('fs')
 
 const runPlaylist = (torrentId, organizedFiles, infoHash, reqToken, opts) => {
@@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ const runPlaylist = (torrentId, organizedFiles, infoHash, reqToken, opts) => {
 
       if (config.get('useWebPlayerAssoc') || (opts && opts.runWebPlayer)) {
         const webPlayerUrl = serverUrl + '/embed?opener=' + infoHash + '&token=' + reqToken
-        shell.openExternal(webPlayerUrl)
+        app.openExternal(webPlayerUrl)
       } else {
 
         if (config.get('extPlayer')) {
@@ -40,13 +41,13 @@ const runPlaylist = (torrentId, organizedFiles, infoHash, reqToken, opts) => {
           // open with default player
 
           streams.createPlaylist(torrentId, organizedFiles, reqToken, false, playlist => {
-            const filePath = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb', 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
+            const filePath = path.join(userData, 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
 
             fs.writeFile(filePath, playlist, function(err) {
                 if (err) {
                     return console.log(err);
                 }
-                shell.openItem(filePath)
+                app.openItem(filePath)
             })
           }, serverUrl)
         }
@@ -87,7 +88,7 @@ const runAcePlaylist = (pid, reqToken) => {
                 } else {
                     acestream.connect(pid, servPort, peerflixProxy, reqToken, (playlist) => {
                       // playlist cb
-                      const filePath = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb', 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
+                      const filePath = path.join(userData, 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
                       fs.writeFile(filePath, playlist, function(err) {
                           if (err) {
                               return console.log(err);
@@ -160,7 +161,7 @@ const runSopPlaylist = (pid, reqToken) => {
       const tryConnect = () => {
         sop.connect(urlParsed.query.pid, peerflixProxy, reqToken, (playlist) => {
           // playlist cb
-          const filePath = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb', 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
+          const filePath = path.join(userData, 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
           fs.writeFile(filePath, playlist, (err) => {
               if (err) {
                   return console.log(err);
@@ -280,7 +281,7 @@ const runTorrent = (torrentQuery, reqToken, noAction, opts) => {
             newM3U += os.EOL+"#EXTINF:0,"+ytdl.name+os.EOL+uri
           }
 
-          const filePath = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb', 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
+          const filePath = path.join(userData, 'playlist'+(Date.now())+'.m3u')
 
           fs.writeFile(filePath, newM3U, (err) => {
               if (err) {
diff --git a/server/utils/config.js b/server/utils/config.js
index 20ac25f..6175f2b 100644
--- a/server/utils/config.js
+++ b/server/utils/config.js
@@ -3,9 +3,13 @@ const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')
 const uniqueString = require('unique-string')
 const path = require('path')
 
-const { app } = require('electron')
+const app = require('./electronShim')
 
-const configPath = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb', 'config.json')
+const userData = app.getPath('userData')
+
+const configPath = path.join(userData, 'config.json')
+
+const haveElectron = require('./haveElectron')
 
 let map = {
 //    torrentContent: false,
@@ -25,7 +29,7 @@ let map = {
     forceDownload: false,
     peerID: 'PW0700',
     maxConcurrency: 2,
-    maxUsers: 0,
+    maxUsers: haveElectron() ? 0 : 1, // start from 1 user in headless mode
     webServerPort: 3000,
     webServerSSL: false,
     downloadFolder: '',
diff --git a/server/utils/downloadPackage.js b/server/utils/downloadPackage.js
index 3a498ee..5046cf3 100644
--- a/server/utils/downloadPackage.js
+++ b/server/utils/downloadPackage.js
@@ -4,9 +4,8 @@ const simpleGet = require('simple-get')
 const decopressZip = require('decompress-zip')
 const fs = require('fs')
 const path = require('path')
-const { app } = require('electron')
-
-const downloadLoc = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb')
+const app = require('./electronShim')
+const downloadLoc = app.getPath('userData')
 
 const downloader = {
 
diff --git a/server/utils/electronShim.js b/server/utils/electronShim.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..477e439
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/utils/electronShim.js
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+// this project also supports a headless mode
+// so this file will try to reproduce electron
+// features with just nodejs
+
+const fs = require('fs')
+const path = require('path')
+const os = require('os')
+const opn = require('open')
+const haveElectron = require('./haveElectron.js')()
+
+const rootDir = process.env.APPDATA || (process.platform == 'darwin' ? process.env.HOME + '/Library/Preferences' : process.env.HOME + '/.local/share')
+
+let configDir
+
+const electronShim = {
+	getPath: data => {
+		if (haveElectron) {
+			const { app } = require('electron')
+			return app.getPath(data)
+		} else {
+			if (data == 'userData') {
+				if (configDir)
+					return configDir
+
+				configDir = path.join(rootDir, 'PowderWeb')
+
+				if (!fs.existsSync(configDir))
+					fs.mkdirSync(configDir)
+
+				return configDir
+			} else if (data == 'appData')
+				return rootDir
+			else if (data == 'temp')
+				return os.tmpdir()
+			return false
+		}
+	},
+	openItem: data => {
+		if (haveElectron) {
+			const { shell } = require('electron')
+			shell.openItem(data)
+		} else
+			opn(data)
+	},
+	openExternal: data => {
+		if (haveElectron) {
+			const { shell } = require('electron')
+			shell.openExternal(data)
+		} else
+			opn(data)
+	},
+	showItemInFolder: data => {
+		if (haveElectron) {
+			const { shell } = require('electron')
+			shell.showItemInFolder(data)
+		} else {
+
+			// there is no substitute for this that i know of
+			// using open folder instead
+
+			opn(path.dirname(data))
+
+		}
+
+		return false
+	},
+	showOpenDialog: data => {
+		if (haveElectron) {
+			const { dialog } = require('electron')
+			dialog.showOpenDialog(data)
+		}
+
+		// there is no substitute for this that i know of
+
+		return false
+	},
+	setAsDefaultProtocolClient: data => {
+		if (haveElectron) {
+			const { app } = require('electron')
+			app.setAsDefaultProtocolClient(data);
+		} else {
+
+			// only magnet link association will work
+			// in the headless version for now
+
+			if (data == 'magnet') {
+				const dataPath = electronShim.getPath('userData')
+				fs.writeFile(dataPath+'\\register-link.reg', 'REGEDIT4\r\n[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\\Magnet]\r\n@="URL:magnet Protocol"\r\n"Content Type"="application/x-magnet"\r\n"URL Protocol"=""\r\n\[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\\Magnet\\DefaultIcon]\r\n@="\\"'+process.execPath.split("\\").join("\\\\")+'\\"\r\n[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\\Magnet\\shell]\r\n[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\\Magnet\\shell\\open]\r\n[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\\Magnet\\shell\\open\\command]\r\n@="\\"'+process.execPath.split("\\").join("\\\\")+'\\" \\"%1\\""\r\n[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Classes\\Magnet]\r\n@="URL:magnet Protocol"\r\n"Content Type"="application/x-magnet"\r\n"URL Protocol"=""\r\n[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Classes\\Magnet\\DefaultIcon]\r\n@="\\"'+process.execPath.split("\\").join("\\\\")+'\\"\r\n[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Classes\\Magnet\\shell]\r\n[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Classes\\Magnet\\shell\\open]\r\n[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\Classes\\Magnet\\shell\\open\\command]\r\n@="\\"'+process.execPath.split("\\").join("\\\\")+'\\" \\"%1\\""', function (err) {
+					if (err) throw err;
+					opn(dataPath+'\\register-link.reg'); 
+				});
+			}
+		}
+	},
+	settings: () => {
+		return haveElectron ? require('electron-settings') : require('./settingsShim')
+	}
+}
+
+module.exports = electronShim
diff --git a/server/utils/fastresumebook.js b/server/utils/fastresumebook.js
index 5b35bde..c0c1edd 100644
--- a/server/utils/fastresumebook.js
+++ b/server/utils/fastresumebook.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 const _ = require('lodash')
-const settings = require('electron-settings')
+const settings = require('./electronShim').settings()
 
 let addresses = settings.get('fastresumebook')
 
diff --git a/server/utils/file_organizer.js b/server/utils/file_organizer.js
index 489ab62..146ea94 100755
--- a/server/utils/file_organizer.js
+++ b/server/utils/file_organizer.js
@@ -3,9 +3,11 @@ const config = require('./config')
 const parser = require('./parser')
 const sorter = require('./sort')
 const supported = require('./isSupported')
-const { app } = require('electron')
 const path = require('path')
-const temp = path.join(app.getPath('temp'), 'Powder-Player')
+
+const app = require('./electronShim')
+
+const temp = path.join(app.getPath('temp'), 'PowderWeb')
 
 module.exports = (engine) => {
     return new Promise((resolve) => {
diff --git a/server/utils/haveElectron.js b/server/utils/haveElectron.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8202d6e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/utils/haveElectron.js
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+
+function moduleAvailable(name) {
+    try {
+        require.resolve(name)
+        return true
+    } catch(e){}
+    return false
+}
+
+const haveElectron = moduleAvailable('electron')
+
+module.exports = () => {
+	return haveElectron
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/server/utils/live-trans.js b/server/utils/live-trans.js
index 7d2ad0b..4b9a2b3 100644
--- a/server/utils/live-trans.js
+++ b/server/utils/live-trans.js
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ const path = require('path')
 const pump = require('pump')
 const getPort = require('get-port')
 const rangeParser = require('range-parser')
-const os = require('os')
-const TMP = os.tmpDir()
+const app = require('./electronShim')
+const TMP = app.getPath('temp')
 const pUrl = require('url')
 const ffmpeg = require('easy-ffmpeg')
 const http = require('http')
diff --git a/server/utils/locbook.js b/server/utils/locbook.js
index e91cdc3..9f7b8eb 100644
--- a/server/utils/locbook.js
+++ b/server/utils/locbook.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 const _ = require('lodash')
-const settings = require('electron-settings')
+const settings = require('./electronShim').settings()
 
 let addresses = settings.get('locbook')
 
diff --git a/server/utils/misc.js b/server/utils/misc.js
index 487fefc..67fdb1d 100644
--- a/server/utils/misc.js
+++ b/server/utils/misc.js
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
+const app = require('./electronShim')
+const TMP = app.getPath('temp')
 const os = require('os')
-const TMP = os.tmpDir()
 const platform = os.platform()
 const childProcess = require('child_process')
 
diff --git a/server/utils/register.js b/server/utils/register.js
index b86dd7f..0c1fdb4 100644
--- a/server/utils/register.js
+++ b/server/utils/register.js
@@ -1,12 +1,9 @@
 const child = require('child_process');
 const fs = require('fs');
-const {
-    shell,
-    app
-}
-= require('electron');
-const dataPath = app.getPath('userData');
+const haveElectron = require('./haveElectron');
 const regFileW32 = require('./regFileWin');
+const app = require('./electronShim');
+const dataPath = app.getPath('userData')
 const path = require('path');
 const duti = require('duti-prebuilt');
 
diff --git a/server/utils/settingsShim.js b/server/utils/settingsShim.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..985bbb8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/utils/settingsShim.js
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+// this is a shim for electron-settings that
+// is used when running in headless mode
+
+
+const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')
+const uniqueString = require('unique-string')
+const path = require('path')
+
+const app = require('./electronShim')
+
+const userData = app.getPath('userData')
+
+const configPath = path.join(userData, 'settingsShim.json')
+
+let map = {}
+
+jsonfile.readFile(configPath, (err, obj) => {
+	if (err)
+		jsonfile.atomicWriteFileSync(configPath, map)
+	else
+		map = obj
+})
+
+const config = {
+	getAll: () => {
+		return map
+	},
+	get: str => {
+		return map[str]
+	},
+	set: (str, value) => {
+		map[str] = value
+		jsonfile.atomicWriteFileSync(configPath, map)
+	},
+	has: key => {
+		return map.hasOwnProperty(key)
+	}
+}
+
+module.exports = config
+
diff --git a/server/utils/sopbook.js b/server/utils/sopbook.js
index 731709c..48512b9 100644
--- a/server/utils/sopbook.js
+++ b/server/utils/sopbook.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 const _ = require('lodash')
-const settings = require('electron-settings')
+const settings = require('./electronShim').settings()
 
 let addresses = settings.get('sopbook')
 
diff --git a/server/utils/torrent.js b/server/utils/torrent.js
index aa5e529..00baa43 100755
--- a/server/utils/torrent.js
+++ b/server/utils/torrent.js
@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
 
-const { app } = require('electron')
 const path = require('path')
+const app = require('./electronShim')
+const configDir = app.getPath('userData')
 const temp = path.join(app.getPath('temp'), 'PowderWeb')
 const torrentWorker = require('torrent-worker')
 const config = require('./config')
 const hat = require('hat')
 const getPort = require('get-port')
 const readTorrent = require('read-torrent')
-const fastResumeDir = path.join(app.getPath('appData'), 'PowderWeb', 'fastresume')
+const fastResumeDir = path.join(configDir, 'fastresume')
 
 module.exports = (torrent) => {
 
diff --git a/server/utils/updater.js b/server/utils/updater.js
index cb937a8..64dfc1e 100644
--- a/server/utils/updater.js
+++ b/server/utils/updater.js
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 const notifier = require('node-notifier')
 const needle = require('needle')
-const { app, shell, dialog } = require('electron')
+const app = require('./electronShim')
 const config = require('./config')
 let updateCheck = config.get('updateCheck')
 
@@ -30,8 +30,9 @@ module.exports = {
                             }, (err, response) => {
                                 if (!err) {
                                     config.set('updateCheck', Math.floor(Date.now() / 1000))
-                                    if (response == 'activate')
-                                        shell.openExternal(vers[1])
+                                    if (response == 'activate') {
+                                        app.openExternal(ver[1])
+                                    }
                                 }
                             })
 
diff --git a/server/utils/uploadedbook.js b/server/utils/uploadedbook.js
index f140a2a..fbcdc8f 100644
--- a/server/utils/uploadedbook.js
+++ b/server/utils/uploadedbook.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-const settings = require('electron-settings')
+const settings = require('./electronShim').settings()
 
 let addresses = settings.get('uploaded')
 
diff --git a/server/utils/ytdlbook.js b/server/utils/ytdlbook.js
index 8adaae3..b29916a 100644
--- a/server/utils/ytdlbook.js
+++ b/server/utils/ytdlbook.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 const _ = require('lodash')
-const settings = require('electron-settings')
+const settings = require('./electronShim').settings()
 
 let addresses = settings.get('ytdlbook')
 
diff --git a/start.js b/start.js
index 18da4fa..9d8eb37 100644
--- a/start.js
+++ b/start.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ var getPort = require('get-port')
 
 var child = require('child_process')
 
-var opn = require('opn')
+var opn = require('open')
 
 var masterKey
 var serverLink
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ var checkOpen = function() {
 		opn(serverLink + 'auth?token=' + masterKey)
 }
 
+var haveElectron = require('./server/utils/haveElectron')
+
 var gotPorts = function() {
 	
 	var isWin = process.platform === 'win32'
@@ -50,7 +52,7 @@ var gotPorts = function() {
 		console.log('web server exit')
 	})
 
-	var backProc = child.spawn('npm' + (isWin ? '.cmd' : ''), ['run', 'start-back'],
+	var backProc = child.spawn('npm' + (isWin ? '.cmd' : ''), ['run', 'start-back' + (!haveElectron() ? '-headless' : '')],
 		{
 			cwd: process.cwd(),
 			env: newEnv