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 Center. Install the Hub itself first:

dsh plugin --profile web add dsh-plugin

Restart dsh web, open Settings > Plugin Center, and browse 4,600+ 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.

dsh-plugin-hub · Plugin Center

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