Building a desktop app begins by selecting an appropriate platform approach: native for Windows/macOS/Linux, cross-platform tools, and the chosen distribution method. Defining a solid MVP and an early prototype aids in validating workflows, performance requirements, and the overall user experience on real hardware.

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