Desktop application development begins with selecting an appropriate platform approach: native targets (Windows/macOS/Linux), cross-platform options, and the distribution strategy. Defining a solid MVP and an early prototype helps confirm workflows, performance requirements, and the overall user experience on real devices.

As the product evolves, reliability, updates, and packaging become essential. Careful management of file systems, permissions, offline functionality, and integrations (device APIs, peripherals, enterprise authentication) ensures the application remains dependable in daily use, while a streamlined update process and crash reporting facilitate long-term maintenance.