DeepSeek Harness

What is DeepSeek Harness?

DeepSeek Harness is an open-source agent harness from DeepSeek that runs as a desktop app or as a web UI launched with npx @deepseek-ai/dsh web. It is built on the Cordis plugin system, so models, tools, skills, sessions, sandboxes, storage, loops, scheduling and the interface are all plugins that you can replace or extend in configuration without editing the source. You can use it for everyday work such as organizing files, analyzing spreadsheets and drafting documents or slides, and for coding tasks like exploring a repo, fixing bugs and running tests. Official plugins include a terminal, agent loop, subagents, and experimental ones for agent teams, scheduled tasks and voice input. Four run modes are available: standard, PTC, minimal and creator mode. The preview is open source and the pages list no pricing; model calls go either to DeepSeek's official models or to an API you configure yourself.

Use cases

• Run an agent for coding and bug fixes
• Build agent plugins in Creator mode
• Schedule recurring tasks like weekly reports
• Analyze spreadsheets and draft documents
• Inspect agent traces for debugging
• Benchmark models in a minimal tool setup

Who it's for

• Agent harness developers
• Developers
• AI engineers
• Plugin authors

Why use DeepSeek Harness

• Swapping models, tools or the loop happens in configuration, so you can adapt it without forking the code.
• Every model input, tool call and result lands in an append-only log, which makes failures easier to trace and replay.
• Creator mode lets you describe a plugin in chat and have it written and installed.
• You can use DeepSeek's official models or point it at a model API you obtained elsewhere.

DeepSeek Harness features

• Everything-is-a-plugin design on the Cordis kernel
• Desktop app and web UI
• Standard, PTC, minimal and creator run modes
• Creator mode that builds plugins through chat
• Scheduled tasks plugin (experimental)
• Subagents and agent teams (experimental)
• Voice input plugin (experimental)
• Append-only session log with a Trajectory view
• Developer tools to inspect tool calls and timing
• Custom model option using your own model API

DeepSeek Harness integrations

• MCP servers
• Cordis
• GitHub

How to get started with DeepSeek Harness

1. Install Node.js on your computer.
2. Run npx @deepseek-ai/dsh web to launch the Web UI, or clone the source repository to install from source.
3. Pick a model and a run mode such as standard, minimal or creator.
4. Describe a task in the chat box, using slash commands and @ references for files and sessions.
5. Add plugins from the official list or the community, and open the developer tools to inspect runs.

DeepSeek Harness limitations

• Developer preview; core plugins and base APIs will keep changing
• The terms say it is not to be treated as fully safe or production-ready
• It can run model-generated code and load third-party plugins, so use a disposable environment
• Requires Node.js to launch the web UI

DeepSeek Harness pricing

DeepSeek Harness is open source, so you can use and self-host it for free.

Prices can change and may vary by country or exclude tax. Check the official pricing page.

DeepSeek Harness alternatives

The main DeepSeek Harness alternatives listed on Debuly are OpenHands, goose, Pi, Hermes Agent, Claude Code and OrcaReplay. The table compares pricing and platforms; order is A–Z.

1. 

   Claude Code

   Anthropic's coding agent that fixes bugs, writes tests and runs migrations from your terminal, IDE, desktop app, web or Slack.

   CodingAutomation and agentsDeveloper platforms
   PaidVisit Claude Code (official site)
2. 

   goose

   Open source AI agent that runs on your machine as a desktop app, CLI or API and connects to tools through MCP extensions.

   Automation and agentsCodingDeveloper platforms
   Open sourceVisit goose (official site)
3. 

   Hermes Agent

   Free, MIT-licensed AI agent from Nous Research with persistent memory, auto-built skills, scheduling and chat-app access.

   Automation and agentsCodingProductivity
   Open sourceVisit Hermes Agent (official site)
4. 

   OpenHands

   Open-source AI coding agent platform with a free Agent Canvas, a Teams plan, and self-hosted Enterprise control

   CodingAutomation and agentsDeveloper platforms
   FreemiumVisit OpenHands (official site)
5. 

   OrcaReplay

   Open-source recorder for coding agent runs that replays them offline and forks them from any step onto a different model.

   Developer platformsCodingAutomation and agents
   Open sourceVisit OrcaReplay (official site)
6. 

   Pi

   Open-source, MIT-licensed terminal coding agent and TypeScript toolkit you extend with skills, extensions, prompt templates and themes.

   Developer platformsCodingAutomation and agents
   Open sourceVisit Pi (official site)

DeepSeek Harness FAQ

Sources & verification

Facts on this page come from the official sources below, each with the date we read it. Written by Debuly; the vendor did not review this page.

Image credits

• Logo: from deepseek.com · fetched 23 Oct 2026 · Vendor trademark, used only to identify the product; removed on request
• Cover: none collected yet, so a generated tile is shown.

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