GUIDE / INSTALLATION
Install the DeepSeek Harness desktop app
DSH Desktop is designed to open the local DeepSeek Harness desktop app without asking end users to set up Node.js, npm, or a terminal first.
Three steps to start
- Download: choose a Windows, macOS, or Linux installer from the download page.
- Install: run the installer and launch dsh-desktop. The shell starts its local Harness instance automatically.
- Configure: choose a model provider, paste an API key, and start your first session.
First launch by platform
Windows
Run the NSIS installer. If Windows SmartScreen shows a warning, verify the source and checksum first, then choose More info → Run anyway if you trust the build.
macOS Apple Silicon
Open the DMG and drag the app to Applications. If Gatekeeper cannot verify it, right-click the app in Finder and choose Open.
Linux amd64
Open the Debian package or use your system software center. Launch dsh-desktop from the application menu after installation.
Configure a DeepSeek API key
Open the DeepSeek Open Platform, create an API key, then paste it into the model/provider settings inside dsh-desktop. API usage is metered, so check your account balance and pricing first.
Product scope and community plugins
dsh-desktop is a dependable Electron shell with out-of-the-box support: it owns the desktop window, tray, bundled runtime, process supervision, and recovery entry points. What you see and use is the official Harness interface: agents, sessions, tools, models, and plugin behavior all come from Harness itself.
The installer and first launch contain no community plugins and never install them silently. The market is not required for a first task. When needed, manually install dsh-market from Harness Settings → Desktop settings → Plugin market, then choose plugins from Harness Settings → Plugin Market. Verify each third-party source before continuing.
Does the desktop share CLI data?
Not by default. Desktop data lives in ~/.dsh-desktop, while the CLI commonly uses ~/.dsh. To intentionally share the home, set DSH_HOME=~/.dsh before launch; back up your data first.
How do I bring the window back quickly?
After hiding dsh-desktop to the tray, press your summon shortcut from any app to show and focus it. It defaults to Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Space; if another app owns the combination, use the system tray or the window context menu.
Desktop settings and health check
Open Settings → Desktop settings to run the local health check, record a summon shortcut, opt into launch at login, choose whether to start hidden in the tray, and control notices. The health check is offline, read-only, and sanitized by default; proxy, registry, and update-source probes require a separate opt-in. Nothing is uploaded or repaired automatically.
When startup fails
Confirm that the installer is complete, the data directory is writable, and security software is not blocking local loopback processes. The error page offers Retry, Start in Safe Mode, Open logs, and Export diagnostics. Safe Mode isolates user plugins without deleting or moving your files. Include the version, platform, and redacted diagnostic report when opening an issue. See the FAQ for first-launch prompts.