Scan files on user computer in Node.js

I want to develop a node.js app that scans some files in a given folder on the desktop.

But as far as I know, a web-based app cannot access folders on the computer (which is a good restriction I guess :-D).

So how can I accomplish this? I know that I can read files and folders located in my app, so if I want to setup such system, do I need to install Node.js and the entire app on the computer at which I want to scan the files?

I want to create an app that can be used on different computers, so I think that I can accomplish what I want with Electron by creating the app and an installer, but I am not sure if this is the right way to do it.

via Jamgreen