Building desktop software begins by selecting an appropriate platform approach: native on Windows, macOS, and Linux; cross-platform options; and how you’ll distribute the product. A clearly outlined MVP and an initial prototype assist in verifying 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 functionality, and integrations (device APIs, peripherals, enterprise authentication) ensures everyday reliability, while a structured update system and crash reporting ease ongoing maintenance.