Building a desktop app begins by selecting an appropriate platform approach: native options (Windows/macOS/Linux), cross-platform tools, and the distribution strategy. Establishing a clear MVP and an early prototype helps confirm workflows, performance requirements, and the overall user experience on real devices.

As the product evolves, reliability, updates, and packaging take center stage. Thoughtful management of file systems, permissions, offline capability, and integrations (device APIs, peripherals, enterprise authentication) ensures the application remains dependable in everyday use, while a robust update system and crash analytics support long-term maintenance.