Measured, not marketed
Desktop convenience has more than one shape.
This project optimizes for a small desktop package and keeps the upstream Harness untouched. That is useful for developers with Node.js already installed, but it is not the only valid packaging choice.
At a glance
| Dimension | Official Web UI | This Wails app | Bundled Electron wrapper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop window | No | Yes | Yes |
| Typical package | npm package | 3.8β9.8 MB | Roughly 110β190 MB* |
| Node.js preinstalled | Required | Required | Often not required |
| Browser runtime | Your browser | System WebView | Bundled Chromium |
| Upstream UI | Official | Official, unmodified | Varies by project |
| Desktop lifecycle | Manual CLI | Managed by Wails host | Managed by Electron host |
*Observed on 2026-08-14 from public release assets of dataelement/dsh-desktop v0.1.1 and steven-kid/deepseek-harness-desktop v0.3.1. Projects evolve; recheck their current releases before deciding.
Choose this project when
- You already have Node.js and npx.
- You want macOS, Windows and Linux packages with a very small download.
- You prefer a Go/Wails host that leaves the official DSH interface untouched.
- You value transparent process management and a simple architecture.
Choose a bundled wrapper when
- You need a one-click package that includes Node.js and DSH.
- A 100+ MB download is an acceptable trade-off for a self-contained runtime.
- You need desktop-specific features offered by another project, such as an installer, tray integration or automatic updates.
Use the official Web UI when
You are comfortable running dsh web yourself and prefer the fewest possible layers. The official project remains the source of truth for Harness behavior.