Developing a desktop application starts by picking an appropriate platform approach: native across Windows/macOS/Linux, cross‑platform frameworks, and the distribution method. Having a clear MVP and an early prototype helps confirm workflows, performance requirements, and the overall UX on actual hardware.

As the product evolves, reliability, releases, and packaging become central. Thoughtful management of file systems, permissions, offline capabilities, and integrations (device APIs, peripherals, enterprise authentication) ensures daily stability, while an update system and crash reporting ease long-term maintenance.