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name: self-extracting-script description: Create self-extracting Bash scripts that embed any payload (archives, executables, configs) using base64 encoding. Use when creating portable single-file installers, deployment packages, or distributing files without external dependencies.

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

Copy# 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

Copypython scripts/create_self_extractor.py <payload> <output_script> [options]

Arguments

Options

Examples

Software Deployment

Copypython scripts/create_self_extractor.py myapp.tar.gz deploy_myapp.sh \
    --description "MyApp v1.2.3 deployment package"

Auto-Running Installer

Copypython scripts/create_self_extractor.py install.sh installer.sh --execute

Configuration Distribution

Copypython scripts/create_self_extractor.py config.yaml setup.sh \
    --output /etc/myapp/config.yaml

How It Works

1. Reads the payload file (binary or text)
2. Base64-encodes the content
3. Generates a Bash script with embedded payload
4. Script uses heredoc to safely store encoded data
5. 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)