Building desktop software begins by selecting an appropriate platform approach: native for Windows/macOS/Linux, cross-platform tools, and the distribution method. A clearly outlined MVP and an early prototype confirm workflows, performance requirements, and the overall user experience on actual 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) ensure everyday app reliability, while an update system and crash analytics ease ongoing maintenance.