Installation and a safe first session

Prepare a safe workspace

Use a fresh folder or a throwaway copy of a repository. Do not start with client data, production systems, secrets or uncommitted work.

The official README marks DSH as developer preview: it is moving quickly and can introduce breaking changes. Check the current documentation before using commands with a team.

node -v

# npm path from the official README
npx @deepseek-ai/dsh web

# Usual URL printed by the command
http://127.0.0.1:3080

What happens when the Web UI starts

The dsh process uses the directory where you invoke it as the default filesystem location. Still, a fresh Web UI has no selected workspace until you add one.

This matters: the session composer remains unavailable until a workspace is selected. If you cannot type a task, the model is not broken; Choose workspace is probably missing.

• Start DSH from the project folder or a test folder.
• Open Choose workspace.
• Add the directory where dsh was started.
• Select that workspace before creating a session.

Run from source

Use the source path if you want to develop plugins, inspect Cordis or test patches. It is not required for basic use, but it matters for the advanced parts of this course.

git clone https://github.com/deepseek-ai/deepseek-harness.git
cd deepseek-harness
pnpm install
pnpm run build
pnpm dsh web

The first task

Select the test workspace and choose the most restrictive permission level. The first mission is an inspection, not an edit.

The official guide starts with a repository summary task. Aulafy adds one extra constraint: require file citations so you can verify that the agent actually inspected the workspace.

• Do not grant full-system access.
• Ask for file references behind the summary.
• Inspect the full Trajectory before approving actions.
• Save the result and action trace as evidence.

Summarize this workspace.
List main folders, configuration files and entry points.
Do not modify anything. Cite the files you used.

Official sources for this phase

Read the Web UI guide, README and model configuration guide before using DSH in a real environment.

• Web UI quickstart: `https://deepseek-harness.github.io/deepseek-harness/en/guide/quickstart`
• Official README: `https://github.com/deepseek-ai/deepseek-harness`
• Model configuration guide: `https://deepseek-harness.github.io/deepseek-harness/en/guide/providers`