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Guide · Open source

How to use DSH Desktop: install and run DeepSeek Harness on Windows or macOS

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

DSH Desktop is a native desktop client for Windows and macOS built on DeepSeek Harness (DSH), an open-source community project that is not affiliated with DeepSeek. It starts and manages the local Harness service for you, and wraps it in a window, system tray icon, terminal, updates and work profiles. This guide shows you how to install it, what it does on first launch, and where its limits are.

DSH Desktopanywhere-labs/dsh-desktop · ★ 34.5k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Confirm your platform. Check that you are on Windows x64 or macOS Universal, since the README lists no official installers for other systems.
  2. 2Download the installer. Go to https://www.dshdesktop.cn and download the Windows installer or the macOS DMG.
  3. 3Install the app. On Windows, run the NSIS installer. On macOS, open the DMG and drag DSH Desktop into Applications.
  4. 4Complete the Setup Wizard. On first launch for a profile, choose your window, plugin market, notification and web access options, or skip the wizard.
  5. 5Use the desktop window and tray. Work in the DSH window while the app manages the local Harness service and tray icon.
  6. 6Keep LAN access off unless needed. Leave LAN access disabled. Enable it only on a network you fully trust, because it has no authentication.

Check whether DSH Desktop fits your computer

DSH Desktop targets Windows and macOS. The README lists official installers only for Windows x64 and macOS Universal. Linux users are not covered by the official installers.

It suits people who want to run DeepSeek Harness without typing commands, and plugin authors who want to connect to the DSH desktop services.

  • Supported: Windows x64, macOS Universal
  • Not covered by official installers: Linux
  • The README lists no extra prerequisites for the installers

Install DSH Desktop on Windows or macOS

Download the installer for your platform from the project site at https://www.dshdesktop.cn. The README links the Windows installer and the macOS DMG there.

On Windows, run the NSIS installer and follow the prompts. On macOS, open the DMG and drag DSH Desktop into Applications.

  • Windows x64: run the NSIS installer
  • macOS Universal: open the DMG and drag DSH Desktop into Applications

What happens on first launch

For each profile that has not been set up yet, DSH Desktop shows its own native Setup Wizard before anything else starts. The wizard can configure the window mode and system material, the plugin market, notifications, whether to open the web UI in the system default browser, and web access scope. You can also skip it. The Host and the main DSH window do not start until the wizard is completed or skipped.

The app starts and manages the local Harness service, so you do not need to install Node.js or run commands yourself, according to the README.

  • Setup Wizard runs once per profile
  • Completion or skip is recorded separately for each profile

Understand web and LAN access before you enable it

By default, the web service listens only on the local loopback address. Turning on the option to open in the browser does not change network exposure. A separate, optional setting enables LAN access.

The README warns that LAN exposure has no authentication. Anyone on the same local network can open DSH and operate your computer. Only turn this on in a network you fully trust.

  • Default: local loopback only
  • Browser opening does not change exposure
  • LAN access: optional, no authentication, use only on trusted networks

Use the plugin market and understand updates

The built-in DSH Community Market lets you discover, view details of, install and manage plugins. Any party can provide a data source that follows the public schema, according to the README.

Automatic update checks send the installed version, the channel (stable or beta) and a random installation UUID generated and stored on your machine. The README says this UUID is not derived from hardware information. Download requests carry the channel and target version but not the installation ID or current version.

  • Plugin market: built in, discover, install, manage
  • Update checks include version, channel and a local random UUID

What people use it for

  • Running DeepSeek Harness from a desktop window and tray icon instead of a terminal on Windows or macOS
  • Browsing and installing DSH plugins through the built-in market
  • Switching between work profiles and managing plugins in the current profile
  • Plugin authors integrating with DSH desktop services such as work profile and plugin management

Frequently asked questions

Is DSH Desktop free?

The project is released under the MIT licence, according to the README. The README does not list prices, so check the project site for any commercial terms.

Does DSH Desktop work on Linux?

The README lists official installers only for Windows x64 and macOS Universal, so Linux is not covered by the official installers. The source does not describe a Linux build.

Do I need to install Node.js to use DSH Desktop?

No. The README says the app starts and manages the local Harness service and that you do not need Node.js or to run commands.

Is DSH Desktop affiliated with DeepSeek?

No. The README states it is an independent community project with no affiliation, partnership, licence or endorsement from DeepSeek. Upstream contributor names in GitHub Contributors come from inherited fork history.

Is it safe to turn on LAN access?

Use caution. The README warns that LAN exposure has no authentication, so anyone on the same local network can open DSH and operate your computer. Enable it only on a fully trusted network.

How does DSH Desktop compare to running DeepSeek Harness from the command line?

The README says that if you want to run DeepSeek Harness from the command line or work on its core features, you should look at the upstream repository first. DSH Desktop mainly adds the desktop wrapper, service management, tray and installers.

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Our verdict

DSH Desktop is a reasonable choice for Windows or macOS users who want DeepSeek Harness in a desktop window with a tray icon and a built-in plugin market, without using the command line. It is a poor fit for Linux users, people who need unauthenticated LAN sharing, or anyone who mainly wants to work on the core DeepSeek Harness engine.

Install options & downloads