How to install dsh: npx, npm global, or source build

DeepSeek Harness offers three install routes: npx runs without installing (best for beginners), npm global installs the dsh command (best for daily use), and a source build (for development and the newest code). This guide compares scenarios, prerequisites, commands, verification and uninstall notes for all three — and closes with a troubleshooting table.

Overview: the three install routes compared

Pick npx to try things out, or a global install when dsh becomes part of your routine. All three share the same data directory (~/.dsh), so plugins and configs never conflict and you can switch routes anytime (source):

Route 1: npx one-liner (beginners)

One command downloads and starts — no global files written, the fastest way to try DeepSeek Harness.

Prerequisites:

1. Node.js (with npm) installed; node -v prints a version;
2. Network access to the npm registry (a mirror helps on slow connections).

Steps:

1. Open a terminal and run:

npx @deepseek-ai/dsh web

2. The first run downloads @deepseek-ai/dsh and initializes the web profile; wait for the "service started" message;
3. The browser opens http://127.0.0.1:3080 automatically — or type the address manually;
4. Finish the first-time setup (e.g. configure a model provider) and you are ready.

Fallback: npx: command not found means Node.js is missing or not on PATH — install it and retry. Slow or timed-out downloads: switch the npm mirror (npm config set registry https://registry.npmmirror.com) and run again.

Route 2: npm global install (daily use)

Put the dsh command on your system and start anytime; updates and uninstalls both go through npm.

Prerequisite: Node.js + npm available; npm -v prints a version.

Steps:

1. Install globally:

npm install -g @deepseek-ai/dsh

2. Verify: dsh --version prints a version number;
3. Start the service:

dsh web

4. Open http://127.0.0.1:3080 and finish the first-time setup.

Fallback: dsh: command not found — find the global bin directory with npm prefix -g, add it to PATH and reopen the terminal. EACCES permission errors: run sudo npm install -g @deepseek-ai/dsh or configure a user-level npm prefix.

Route 3: source build (development and newest code)

Clone the official repo and build it yourself — great for reading the code, doing your own development, or trying unreleased features.

Prerequisites: Node.js (node -v), git (git --version), and GitHub access.

Steps:

1. Clone the official repo:

git clone https://github.com/deepseek-ai/deepseek-harness

2. Enter the directory and install dependencies:

cd deepseek-harness
npm install

3. Run the build command documented in the repo (check the README for the exact one);
4. Once built, start with dsh web and open http://127.0.0.1:3080.

Fallback: a timed-out git clone means GitHub access is restricted — configure a proxy and retry. npm install errors usually point to an old Node version — upgrade Node.js and run it again.

Verify and take the next step

Verify first, then step into the plugin ecosystem. Steps:

1. dsh --version printing a version number means the binary is installed;
2. dsh web (or npx @deepseek-ai/dsh web) opening http://127.0.0.1:3080 means you are fully ready;
3. Next, install the plugin market: dsh plugin --profile web add dsh-plugin, which brings in DSH Plugin Hub;
4. Restart dsh web, refresh the page, and use it from Settings → Plugin Center.

dsh-plugin-hub · settings

Uninstall notes for each route

Uninstall the way you installed — and remember the binary and the ~/.dsh data directory are two different things. Commands:

# npx route: nothing installed; optionally clear the temp cache (data kept)
rm -rf ~/.npm/_npx

# npm global install
npm uninstall -g @deepseek-ai/dsh

# source build: delete the cloned repo directory
rm -rf ~/path/to/deepseek-harness

Uninstalling removes only the program; configs, credentials and sessions under ~/.dsh stay by default. Only delete ~/.dsh yourself for a full data wipe — back it up first.

Troubleshooting common issues

Can't install or start? Locate the problem in the table first. Common issues:

Quick recap

In short: start with npx, install globally for daily use, build from source for development — then verify with dsh --version and dsh web. Four reminders:

1. All three routes share data — switching install methods never loses the configs, sessions or plugins in ~/.dsh;
2. Node.js comes first — every route depends on it; confirm node -v before starting;
3. The first download is slow by design — npx and the global install both fetch packages on first run; a mirror speeds it up;
4. Step into the plugin ecosystem after installing — dsh plugin --profile web add dsh-plugin installs DSH Plugin Hub, then install more plugins from Settings → Plugin Center.

Sources: dsh CLI README, DeepSeek Harness docs - Quickstart, dshplugin/dsh-plugin-hub