npm install -g @deepseek-ai/dsh: global install vs npx one-liner

npm install -g @deepseek-ai/dsh is the official way to get dsh as a global command: once installed you can run dsh web from any directory, upgrade with npm update -g, and remove it with npm uninstall -g - one command for each. It is one of three ways to get DeepSeek Harness, next to npx one-liners and source builds; this guide walks through install, comparison, update/uninstall, and adding plugins, with copy-paste commands throughout.

Overview: three install methods, global is the daily driver

DeepSeek Harness (DSH) can be installed globally, run via npx, or built from source - the global install is the most stable path for daily use (source). Keep these conclusions in mind, then follow the commands below:

1. Global install: npm install -g @deepseek-ai/dsh - puts dsh on your PATH, best for daily use;
2. npx one-liner: npx @deepseek-ai/dsh web - fetches the latest release every run, best for a quick try;
3. Source build: git clone + pnpm install + pnpm run build - for customizing code or tracking the dev version (see Build DeepSeek Harness from source);
4. After the core is ready: add plugins via DSH Plugin Hub.

Each step below comes with copy-paste commands.

Step 1: install globally with npm install -g @deepseek-ai/dsh

A global install puts dsh into the system-wide location and adds it to PATH, so you can call it from any directory. Open a terminal and run:

npm install -g @deepseek-ai/dsh

Then verify with three commands:

# 1. Print the version - output means it is installed
dsh --version

# 2. Show where the command lives
which dsh

# 3. Start the Web UI to confirm it works
dsh web

When to pick global: if you plan to use DeepSeek Harness long-term - starting the Web UI daily, managing plugins with dsh plugin, switching between project directories - global install saves you from typing a long npx prefix every time.

Step 2: npx vs global vs source - when to use which

No method is better than the others - it depends on the scenario: global for daily work, npx for a quick try, source for hacking. Compare across three axes:

Decide in three steps:

1. Not sure yet: run npx @deepseek-ai/dsh web once - the cheapest way to evaluate;
2. Committed long-term: install globally, every future command gets shorter;
3. Need to change code or track the dev version: build from source (see Build DeepSeek Harness from source).

The full npx startup flow is covered in Start the DeepSeek Harness Web UI with npx @deepseek-ai/dsh web - not repeated here.

Step 3: update and uninstall a global install

Updating and uninstalling a global dsh install is one command each - no installer to download. Check the newest version first, then update:

# 1. Check the latest dsh version on npm
npm view @deepseek-ai/dsh version

# 2. Update the global dsh to the latest
npm update -g @deepseek-ai/dsh

# 3. Verify the new version
dsh --version

Done with dsh? Uninstalling is equally short:

npm uninstall -g @deepseek-ai/dsh

Three things to remember:

1. Uninstall keeps your data: npm uninstall -g only removes the binary; sessions, config, and plugins under ~/.dsh stay untouched. For a full data cleanup see Reinstall DeepSeek Harness without losing data;
2. npx never needs updating: every run already fetches the latest release;
3. Restart after updating: if the Web UI is running, restart dsh web for the new version to take effect.

After dsh is installed: add plugins with DSH Plugin Hub

The core install is only step one - DeepSeek Harness gets its power from plugins, and the easiest way is one-click installs in DSH Plugin Hub under Settings > Plugin Market. Install the Hub itself first:

dsh plugin --profile web add dsh-plugin

Restart dsh web, open Settings > Plugin Market, and browse 10000+ community plugins by category. Click a card to install with live progress - no need to memorize package names for dsh plugin add. For the three CLI sources behind those buttons, see Where to install DSH plugins.

Notes

Global install fits daily use, but two details are worth remembering. Quick reminders:

1. Node version: a global install depends on Node.js - check node -v first (18 or later recommended);
2. Slow npm registry: if install or update stalls, switch to a faster npm mirror and retry (see DSH plugin download failures and slow downloads);
3. Windows: if you see 'dsh' is not recognized as an internal or external command after a global install, the npm global bin directory is not on PATH - see Fix 'dsh' is not recognized.

Sources: DeepSeek Harness official site, Official Quickstart, dsh CLI README