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Install DeepSeek Harness on Windows

Install DSH Desktop, configure a model, choose an empty test folder and verify the connection with one read-only task.

Independent editorial review: DeepSeekDSHSource checked: 0.1.5-rc.2 · 2026-09-11Updated: 2026-09-24

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Shortest path on Windows

Download DSH Desktop for Windows, open it, configure a model and select an empty test folder. You do not need Node.js or npx for the packaged app.

Before you start: Use the official Windows x64 preview installer. Have internet access and an API key for your model provider ready.

Success criteria: DSH opens, the model picker shows an available model, and one read-only task reports the expected dsh-test workspace without an error.

Installing DSH does not include model API credits.

STEP 1

Download and install DSH Desktop for Windows

Use the official preview installer link below.

Download for Windows

Open the downloaded installer, complete the normal setup, then launch DSH Desktop from the Start menu.

Download not starting? Open the full Desktop download page →

SCREEN GUIDE · Windows install path

Browser

Windows install path

Download the Windows installer

Install the app

Open DSH Desktop

Download → install → open. Nothing else is required for the packaged runtime.

Success check

You can find and open DSH Desktop.

STEP 2

Open DSH Desktop

Open DeepSeek Harness Desktop. Follow its first-run prompts, then add your own model provider credentials.

Success check

The DSH main window opens normally.

STEP 3

Configure a model provider

If you use the official DeepSeek API, create a key at DeepSeek API Keys. In DSH, open Settings → Models → DeepSeek, paste the key and save it.

DeepSeek Harness model settings showing the DeepSeek provider — Official DeepSeek Harness model settings screenshot from the pinned source snapshot.

Success check

The model picker lets you select a model from the configured provider.

STEP 4

Choose an empty test folder

Create a folder named dsh-test, then choose it with Choose workspace. Do not start with a production repository or a folder that contains secrets.

Success check

The selected workspace is C:\dsh-test or the equivalent dsh-test folder you created.

STEP 5

Verify the setup with one read-only task

Send this prompt:

Use tools to report the full path of the current workspace and list the files in it. Do not create, edit or delete any files.

The setup is working when

① the model replies; ② the reported workspace is your dsh-test folder; ③ the file list matches what is on disk; ④ no error is shown.

If something fails, find the matching symptom

node or npm is not recognized

Close Terminal and reopen it. If the command still fails, repair the Node.js installation or PATH. Desktop users do not need Node.js for the packaged app.

npm reports an unsupported Node engine

Run node --version. Upstream declares ^22.19.0 || >=24.0.0; this guide recommends ^22.19.0 || >=24.2.0 because released DSH packages have a known silent-exit regression when used with Node 24.0/24.1.

npx looks stuck on first launch

The first run may be downloading the package. If npm asks to install @deepseek-ai/dsh, confirm the package name before accepting. Do not start several copies while the first one is still starting.

EADDRINUSE on port 3080

Run Get-NetTCPConnection -LocalPort 3080 -State Listen. Stop the stale process or start DSH on another port, for example npx @deepseek-ai/dsh web --port 13080.

EACCES on port 3080 with no listener

Hyper-V, WSL2 or Docker Desktop can reserve TCP ranges. Run netsh interface ipv4 show excludedportrange protocol=tcp. If 3080 is reserved, use a port outside the excluded range.

MISSING_CREDENTIAL

Open Settings → Models and save the provider credential again.

UNKNOWN_MODEL

Open Settings → Models and choose a model that the configured provider currently exposes.

Provider or model errorCheck the API key, selected provider and live model picker Another errorStart from the exact error message or visible symptom

Command-line setup (advanced)

Use this path only if you specifically want the CLI or local Web UI outside DSH Desktop.

Install Node.js from the official Node.js downloads page, then use the recommended range below.

Install Node.js in the recommended range ^22.19.0 || >=24.2.0.
Press the Windows key, search for Terminal, open Windows Terminal and use PowerShell.
Run node --version and npm --version.
Run npx @deepseek-ai/dsh web.
Open http://127.0.0.1:3080, then continue from Step 3 above.

Optional: use DSH from a chat platform

Do this only after the local setup works. Pick one platform you already use; you do not need to configure all of them.

Quick personal test

Use a Telegram bot as a remote entry point for DSH tasks.

Connection: Create a bot with BotFather → add the token

Open setup guide Server and channel workflows

Discord

Use DSH from an existing Discord server or channel.

Connection: Create a Discord bot → add the token and permissions

Open setup guide WeChat-first workflow

WeChat

Connect the community dsh-im route through an iLink QR code.

Connection: Scan the iLink QR code

Open setup guide WhatsApp self-chat

Start with a linked-device flow and test in your own chat.

Connection: Link a WhatsApp Web device

Open setup guide Team chat

Feishu / Lark

Use DSH in direct messages or team channels.

Connection: Scan to create, or add App ID / App Secret

Open setup guide

Sources and compatibility

Official Desktop documentation · Desktop downloads. The CLI supports Node ^22.19.0 || >=24.0.0; use ^22.19.0 || >=24.2.0 to avoid the reported Node 24.0/24.1 silent-exit issue.