Building a desktop application begins by selecting an appropriate platform approach: native across Windows/macOS/Linux, cross-platform tools, and the delivery method. A clearly scoped MVP and early prototype confirm workflows, performance requirements, and the user experience on actual devices.

As the product evolves, reliability, updates, and packaging take center stage. Thoughtful management of file systems, permissions, offline operation, and integrations (device APIs, peripherals, enterprise authentication) ensure daily usability, while an update system and crash analytics ease ongoing maintenance.