Building a desktop application begins by selecting an appropriate platform approach: native for Windows/macOS/Linux, cross-platform tools, and how you will distribute the app. A clearly outlined MVP and an initial prototype assist in validating workflows, performance requirements, and the overall user experience on real devices.

As the product evolves, reliability, updates, and packaging take center stage. Thoughtful management of file systems, permissions, offline operation, and integrations (device APIs, peripherals, enterprise authentication) ensure daily reliability, while an update system and crash reporting ease ongoing maintenance.