First-session checklist

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0 of 5 boundaries checked.

1. Start from the repository environment

DSH uses the invoking directory as the default filesystem location, but a fresh Web UI has no selected workspace. Start from the environment that owns the repository, then open the printed URL.

Official quick start · shell
npx @deepseek-ai/dsh web

2. Configure the model before diagnosing the composer

Open Settings → Models. For DeepSeek, enter the API key and save. The official guide says the route becomes usable immediately without restarting. Keys are write-only in the UI: settings retain a credential reference while the secret is stored in the DSH credentials file.

Use another provider or custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint →

Watch one provider workflow without mistaking it for verification

This embedded walkthrough is the YouTube source behind the OpenRouter workflow observation. The page keeps the source, timestamps, and evidence limit beside the player so the demonstration cannot silently become an official claim.

YouTube · community observed

OpenRouter setup and model selection

Not verification
How to Setup FREE & UNLIMITED DeepSeek Harness AI Coding Agent With OpenRouter FREE API Key in 2026

Shows Settings → Models → Add provider → OpenRouter, model selection, and a reported successful response.

Boundary: Provider inventory and model availability can change. HarnessBase has not repeated this flow with a disposable OpenRouter key, so it is a visual workflow reference rather than feature verification.

Open the cited segment on YouTube ↗

3. Select the workspace explicitly

Click Choose workspace, add the project directory where DSH was started, and select it. The composer remains unavailable until both a model and workspace are ready. Verify the displayed directory before allowing edits or commands.

4. Use a narrow first prompt

Read-only first task · prompt
Summarize this repository and identify its main packages.

This confirms model access, workspace reading, session creation, and output without requiring a write. If the agent asks for approval, read the exact operation and target before accepting.

5. Extend one boundary at a time

After the first task works, choose one next job. Add a plugin only after its source and permissions are understood. Add one MCP server and verify its discovered Tools before adding another. Change permission policy only when a named task requires it.

Provenance ledger

Evidence sources used on this page

  1. Official
    Official Web UI guide ↗

    Model, workspace, and first-task flow.

    HB-OFF-WEBUI-20260818 · checked 2026-08-18
  2. Official
    Official provider guide ↗

    Provider fields, credentials, and model setup behavior.

    HB-OFF-PROVIDERS-20260818 · checked 2026-08-18
  3. Direct test
    HarnessBase Windows lifecycle test

    Retained commands, environment, HTTP readiness, process-tree memory, browser checks, version switching, profile removal, and reinstall results.

    HB-DT-WIN-20260818 · checked 2026-08-18
  4. Community
    Coding Shiksha OpenRouter walkthrough ↗

    Visual provider and model-selection workflow. Community observed; provider success has not been reproduced by HarnessBase.

    HB-YT-FIRST-SESSION-20260818 · checked 2026-08-18