Introduction

In the Web GUI of DeepSeek Harness (DSH), the main conversation usually revolves around project tasks: continuing execution, modifying code, and invoking tools. If temporary concept confirmation, comparing implementation schemes, or explaining a piece of code is needed midway, sending it directly to the main conversation might increase context noise.

dsh-sidechat provides a side chat panel for this scenario: hovering over the right edge of the browser opens a chat bar side-by-side with the main conversation, answering based on the current project and session context. It does not write to the main session, has no tools, and is more suitable for temporary Q&A.

What is this

dsh-sidechat is a DSH plugin for the DeepSeek Harness Web GUI, maintained by kittsai, with an MIT license.

Its core function is to provide an independent side chat panel next to the main conversation, reusing the current project and session context, without affecting the main session or exposing tool capabilities.

Core Capabilities

  1. Hover to Trigger
    Move the mouse to the right edge of the browser, and the panel slides in, displaying side-by-side with the main conversation.

  2. Project Context
    Project root directory and current Git branch are automatically injected into every answer.

  3. Session Context
    Keeps context consistent with the main conversation, currently taking the last 12 messages.

  4. Session Isolation
    Each session maintains its own side chat history, and switching sessions does not affect each other.

  5. Streaming Output
    Answers are displayed word-by-word in a streaming manner, with the ability to stop generation midway.

  6. Reasoning Process
    The model’s reasoning content is displayed as a collapsible “Reasoning Process” block in a streaming manner.

  7. Markdown
    Supports headings, bold/italic, code blocks, lists, blockquotes, links, and tables.

  8. Model and Reasoning Level
    Model and reasoning level can be switched directly within the panel; related options are only displayed when supported by the model.

  9. Clear
    Supports one-click clearing with an “irreversible” confirmation dialog.

  10. Send Selected Text
    After selecting text in the main chat, you can perform “Add to Side Chat” and then send directly.

  11. Settings Toggle
    The “Side Chat” toggle is provided in the bottom-left settings, allowing the feature to be turned on or off at any time.

  12. Temporary Hint
    A permanent “Side Chat is just a temporary chat” hint resides at the bottom of the panel.

Installation and Usage

Use the official GitHub installation command:

pnpm dsh plugin --profile web add github:kittsai/dsh-sidechat

After installation, restart dsh web, and you can use it by hovering over the right edge of the window.

The plugin package has submitted build artifacts; no build scripts are run during installation, and no build permissions are required.

Typical Usage

  1. Open the Panel
    Hover over the right edge of the browser, and the side chat panel slides in.

  2. Close the Panel
    Close using ✕ on the panel; clicking the main conversation does not collapse the side panel.

  3. View Reasoning Content
    When the reasoning level is set to high or max, the model will reason first; during generation, the thinking block will automatically expand.

  4. Send Selected Text
    Select text in the main chat, click “Add to Side Chat”, and then send. This allows you to continue asking questions based on a specific segment of content in the main conversation.

  5. Turn the Feature On or Off
    Enter the settings in the bottom left, find “Side Chat”, and turn the feature on or off.

Applicable Scenarios and Notes

Who is this suitable for:
* Developers using the DSH Web GUI who wish to separate temporary issues from the main conversation.
* People who need to quickly ask concepts, explain code, or compare schemes under the current project and session context.
* Users who want side Q&A that does not write to the main session and does not trigger tools.

Notes to pay attention to:
* Side chat is an independent Q&A interface: it does not write to the main session, nor does it have tools.
* The clear operation will lose side chat history and comes with an “irreversible” confirmation dialog.
* The plugin runs with the current dsh process permissions; the source code and license should be checked before installation.
* The plugin declares peerDependencies, requiring multiple @deepseek-ai/* packages; ensure the current DSH Web environment meets these dependencies before installation.

Conclusion

dsh-sidechat adds a lightweight side Q&A area to the DeepSeek Harness Web GUI: based on the current project and session context, answers can be displayed in a streaming manner, and the reasoning process can be viewed, but it does not enter the main session and does not provide tools. It is suitable for leaving the main conversation for task execution and placing temporary questions in the sidebar.

GitHub: https://github.com/kittsai/dsh-sidechat