Desktop application development begins by selecting the appropriate platform strategy: native (Windows/macOS/Linux), cross‑platform frameworks, and the distribution model. A well-defined MVP and an early prototype help validate workflows, performance requirements, and the overall UX on real devices.

As the product evolves, stability, updates, and packaging become essential. Careful management of file systems, permissions, offline functionality, and integrations (device APIs, peripherals, enterprise authentication) ensures reliability in daily use, while an update mechanism and crash reporting simplify long-term support.