Building a desktop app begins by selecting an appropriate platform approach: native for Windows/macOS/Linux, cross-platform frameworks, and the distribution method. A clearly defined MVP and an early prototype help validate workflows, performance requirements, and the overall user experience on real devices.

As the product evolves, reliability, updates, and packaging take center stage. Managing file systems, permissions, offline functionality, and integrations (device APIs, peripherals, enterprise authentication) ensures the app is dependable in everyday use, while an update system and crash reporting ease ongoing maintenance.