Self-Extracting Script Skill
Generate self-extracting Bash scripts from any payload file. The generated scripts embed the payload as base64 and extract it when executed.
Quick Start
# Basic extraction script
python scripts/create_self_extractor.py payload.tar.gz output.sh
# Auto-execute after extraction
python scripts/create_self_extractor.py setup.sh installer.sh --execute
# Custom output filename
python scripts/create_self_extractor.py config.json deploy.sh --output prod_config.json
Features
- Embeds any file type (binary or text) using base64 encoding
- Optional auto-execution of extracted content
- Custom output filenames
- Descriptive headers in generated scripts
- Portable - requires only bash and base64
Usage
python scripts/create_self_extractor.py <payload> <output_script> [options]
Arguments
| Argument |
Description |
payload |
Path to the file to embed |
output_script |
Path for the generated self-extracting script |
Options
| Option |
Description |
--execute, -e |
Run extracted file after extraction (for scripts) |
--output, -o |
Custom filename for extracted content |
--description, -d |
Description to include in script header |
Examples
Software Deployment
python scripts/create_self_extractor.py myapp.tar.gz deploy_myapp.sh \
--description "MyApp v1.2.3 deployment package"
Auto-Running Installer
python scripts/create_self_extractor.py install.sh installer.sh --execute
Configuration Distribution
python scripts/create_self_extractor.py config.yaml setup.sh \
--output /etc/myapp/config.yaml
How It Works
- Reads the payload file (binary or text)
- Base64-encodes the content
- Generates a Bash script with embedded payload
- Script uses heredoc to safely store encoded data
- On execution: decodes payload → writes to file → optionally executes
Size Considerations
Base64 encoding increases size by ~33%:
- 1 MB → ~1.33 MB
- 10 MB → ~13.3 MB
For payloads >50MB, consider alternative distribution methods.
Dependencies
Generation: Python 3.6+
Execution: bash, base64 (standard on most Unix systems)
