Roku Packager Print

Build a Roku app for your channel, install it on your own Roku to test it, and publish it in the Roku Channel Store. Everything starts on the channel's Roku tab.

Before you start

A checklist at the top of the Roku tab shows whether the channel is ready:

• HTTPS: plain HTTP streams play, but Roku recommends HTTPS for store channels. If your panel doesn't use HTTPS yet, contact support to set up a domain with HTTPS.
• Video on demand: the on-demand options need both Public page enabled and Video on demand enabled turned on, on the Widgets tab. Only videos marked ???? Visible are listed.

Build the package

1. Under What the app shows, choose:
   • Live stream: opens straight into the live channel.
   • Video on demand: a grid of the channel's on-demand videos.
   • Live stream + video on demand: the same grid, with a "Live" tile first.
2. Set the Name on Roku (up to 50 characters).
3. Set the Version, for example 1.0.0. It must go up every time you resubmit. The panel suggests the next number.
4. Click ? Download Roku package (.zip).

The live stream reconnects on its own if it drops. The on-demand list loads fresh each time the app opens, so new videos appear without a rebuild.

Step 1: Turn on Developer Mode (once per Roku)

1. On the Roku remote, press Home ×3, Up ×2, Right, Left, Right, Left, Right.
2. Write down the IP address shown on screen, for example 192.168.1.50.
3. Choose Enable installer and restart, accept the agreement, and set a webserver password.

Your computer and the Roku must be on the same network.

Step 2: Install and test

1. In a browser, open http://<ROKU-IP> and sign in as rokudev with the password you set.
2. Click Upload, choose the .zip file, and click Install with zip.
3. Test the app. Live: watch for a few minutes, including a change between programs. On demand: open several videos, skip forward and back, and press Back to return to the list.

If you only want the app on your own Rokus, you can stop here and repeat Steps 1–2 on each device.

Step 3: Sign it into a .pkg (needed for the store)

1. First time only: on your computer, run telnet <ROKU-IP> 8080, type genkey, and save the Password and DevID it shows.
2. Make sure your app is the one currently installed (see Step 2).
3. On the http://<ROKU-IP> page, open Packager. Enter the app name and version, paste the genkey password, and click Package.
4. Download the .pkg file.

Step 4: Publish on Roku

1. Sign in at developer.roku.com, then go to Manage My Channels ? Add Channel ? SDK.
2. Fill in the store listing (description, category, artwork, and privacy policy URL), and upload the .pkg file under Package Upload.
3. Choose Beta to test with people you invite (it expires after a set time), or Public to submit for certification.

The package already passes Roku's automated checks. You can ignore the "AppDialogInitiate / AppDialogComplete" warning, because the app shows no dialog before its home screen.

Updating later

Schedule changes, playlist edits, live broadcasts, and new on-demand videos need no Roku update, because the app loads them fresh each time it opens. Rebuild only to change the name, logo, web address, or what the app shows. When you do, raise the version number and repeat Steps 2–4 with the same signing key.