This is the shortest path from nothing to a working plugin. Ten minutes, four commands, and one check at the end that most quickstarts skip.
1. Start the harness
npx @deepseek-ai/dsh webThe Web UI opens at http://127.0.0.1:3080. Keep this terminal running.
2. Install a plugin that shows immediate value
Install the in-app plugin market, so that everything after this step can be done from the interface:
dsh plugin --profile web add dsh-marketReload the page. You should now be able to browse and search the plugin index without leaving the harness.
3. Add a capability the model lacks
A model without browsing is the most common limitation people hit first. This provider needs no key:
dsh plugin --profile web add dsh-free-searchStart a new session and ask a question about something that happened recently. If the model cites a URL, the tool registered correctly.
4. Confirm it actually registered
Installation and registration are different events. To check what the harness has loaded:
dsh plugin --profile web listThen start a fresh session. Tool plugins register at startup, so a plugin installed mid-session commonly appears only after a new session begins.
What to try next
Now that the loop works, choose based on what annoys you most:
| If you find yourself… | Install |
|---|---|
| Pasting file paths into prompts | At File for @ mentions |
| Wondering why context is huge | DSH Context for a context breakdown |
| Screenshotting errors to explain them | Modlens or Vision Router for vision |
| Losing work between sessions | Memento or Mnemon for memory |
| Working only in a terminal | DSH TUI for a terminal front end |
| Wishing the UI looked different | Better Sidebar or Deep Whale |
Useful commands
# install into the web profile
dsh plugin --profile web add <package>
# pin an exact version
dsh plugin --profile web add dsh-memento@0.5.10
# list what is installed
dsh plugin --profile web list
# install from a local checkout while developing
dsh plugin --profile web add /absolute/path/to/my-pluginFAQ
Do I need Node installed?
Yes. The harness runs on Node, and npx is used to start it without a global install.
Which profile do plugins go into?
The web profile, which is what the browser interface loads. Other entry points use other profiles.
Nothing changed after installing. What now?
Start a new session first. If the plugin still does not appear, check the load output for an error naming the plugin, which usually means a version mismatch.
Can I break something by installing plugins?
A plugin runs with your user privileges, so a plugin that writes files or executes commands can do real damage. Install a few at a time and read the permission surface for anything that touches the filesystem or the network.
Next steps
Read how to install plugins safely for the trust checks, or go straight to building your own plugin.