Distribution Surfaces

Treat distribution as a product choice. Browser install is the default. Store wrappers are extra release channels with policy and signing work.

flowchart TD
    web[Web app URL] --> browserInstall[Browser install]
    web --> desktopInstall[Desktop app surface]
    web --> mobileHome[Mobile home screen]
    web --> msStore[Microsoft Store package]
    web --> twa[Android TWA]
    web --> iosWrapper[iOS wrapper]

    msStore --> partner[Partner Center]
    twa --> play[Play Store]
    iosWrapper --> appStore[App Store review]

Surface Comparison

Surface	What ships	Good for	Main risk
Browser tab	Normal website	Universal access	No app icon or app switcher presence
Browser install	Same website plus manifest identity	Fast install, desktop/mobile retention	Browser-specific prompts and criteria
Microsoft Store	Package generated from PWA metadata	Windows discovery and enterprise install flows	Partner Center, package identity, metadata updates
Android TWA	Android shell that opens verified PWA URL	Play Store distribution for web-first apps	Digital Asset Links, signing, Play policy, browser dependency
iOS wrapper	Native shell or WebView app	App Store presence when justified	Review policy and native-value expectations

Packaging Rule

Package only after the web app passes browser PWA quality gates. A wrapper amplifies app quality; it does not fix broken offline, bad icons, poor performance, or unclear permissions.