Building a desktop app begins by selecting an appropriate platform approach: native across Windows/macOS/Linux, cross-platform frameworks, and how you’ll distribute it. A clearly defined MVP and an initial prototype help verify workflows, performance requirements, and the overall user experience on real devices.

As the product evolves, stability, updates, and packaging take center stage. Proper management of file systems, permissions, offline capabilities, and integrations (device APIs, peripherals, enterprise authentication) ensures reliability in daily use, while an update system and crash reporting streamline ongoing maintenance.