Building a desktop app begins by selecting an appropriate platform strategy: native (Windows/macOS/Linux), cross-platform tools, and how you’ll distribute. A clearly defined MVP and an early prototype help confirm workflows, performance requirements, and the overall user experience on actual 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) keeps the app dependable in everyday use, while an update system and crash reporting ease long-term maintenance.