DeepSeek Harness quick start

Before starting

• Use a supported Node.js environment and a project folder that is safe to inspect.
• Do not begin in a directory containing secrets or files you are unwilling to change.
• Keep the Web UI on its default loopback address rather than exposing it to a local network.
• Have the API credential for the model provider you intend to configure.

Launch the official Web UI

mkdir -p "$HOME/.dsh-themes/runtimes" &&
git clone --depth 1 --branch dsh-v0.1.3-alpha.1 https://github.com/deepseek-ai/deepseek-harness.git "$HOME/.dsh-themes/runtimes/0.1.3-alpha.1" &&
cd "$HOME/.dsh-themes/runtimes/0.1.3-alpha.1" &&
test "$(git rev-parse HEAD)" = "d347e703908d0406b7a7ef80e3a0e594d86b2215" &&
corepack pnpm install --frozen-lockfile &&
corepack pnpm run build:official &&
corepack pnpm dsh web

Complete one small, observable task

1. 01

   Open the printed loopback address

   The default is a browser UI on port 3080. Use the address printed by the process and keep the terminal running.

2. 02

   Configure a model

   Open Settings and add the required provider credential. Do not paste credentials into a conversation or project file.

3. 03

   Choose a disposable workspace

   Create a separate disposable practice project, or choose your own target project, then add and select that directory. Keep the fixed official Harness source directory as the runtime; do not select it as the Agent’s editing workspace. The composer becomes available after a workspace is selected.

4. 04

   Ask for a read-only first task

   Start by asking the Agent to summarize the repository and identify its main packages. Review what it reads before requesting edits.

5. 05

   Read every approval prompt

   Check the command, path, and intended effect. Reject an operation that reaches outside the selected workspace or does more than the task requires.

Complete your first small task

After the fixed source build opens, configure a model and explicitly select your project. Ask for a README correction, inspect the diff, and verify that reopening the session preserves the conversation.

Check my Node.js and pnpm versions, build DeepSeek Harness 0.1.3-alpha.1 from commit d347e703908d0406b7a7ef80e3a0e594d86b2215, and start the Web UI. Ask me to enter my own model credentials in settings; do not print or invent them.