How can I make a .click file from an installed app?

Question

I have installed an app and I want to make a .click file of it. In the future I could install it locally. Sometimes I do not want the following versions of an application and prefer an earlier one.

Answer 1

If you like the version of an app you can create a .click file before updating it.
The installed apps are inside directories in /opt/click.ubuntu.com.
You go there with File Manager and copy the dir of the app you are interested on.
In the directory ~ you have the script reb_click.sh
Write to the Terminal:
./reb_click.sh "PASTE_FROM_FILE_MANAGER"
You paste the address with File Manager.
It has a complete direction but the script cleans it.
After that you get a directory of the app in ~
Inside it is the .click file you where looking for.
The script reb_click.sh is:

#!/usr/bin/bash
paquete=`echo ${1##*/}`
cp -r /opt/click.ubuntu.com/$paquete ~
cd ~/$paquete/current
cp .click/info/$paquete.manifest manifest.json
cd ..
click build current  

To install the app put the .click file in ~ and write to the terminal:
pkcon install-local name_of_the_app.click --allow-untrusted
It just won't be signed with the official appstore key like the one that can be downloaded from the store.
See the Niklas Wenzel page:
http://nikwen.github.io/ubuntu/2016/02/05/rebuilding-a-click-file-for-an-installed-application.html