Introduction

In the DeepSeek Harness (DSH) Web profile environment, version updates usually require manually checking release notes. The dsh-update-status plugin reads npm release information and provides version status display, upgrade command generation, and controlled restart capabilities in the DSH sidebar.

This is an MIT-licensed plugin maintained by idoall, focusing on read-only status queries and operational guidance without changing DSH core behavior.

Plugin Overview

idoall/dsh-update-status is a read-only DeepSeek Harness Web version status and release channel guidance plugin. It embeds version badges in the sidebar, allowing users to grasp the current runtime status with zero configuration.

Core Features

Version Status and Visual Feedback

The plugin displays the running version in the expanded sidebar. Status is distinguished by color and animation:
* Green dot: The running version is already the latest npm release.
* Gray pulse: Checking version status.
* Breathing amber halo: An update is available (including stable, release candidate, or alpha).
* Red badge: Version check failed.

Theme and Interaction

  • Theme following: Supports light, dark, or system mode, automatically adapting to DSH’s interface settings. The interface uses neutral-tone chips to ensure clear visibility in dark mode.
  • Mobile adaptation: Uses a browser top-level modal to ensure the scrolling panel appears above the DSH drawer.
  • Non-disruptive updates: When an update is available, it does not repaint the entire sidebar; it only changes the badge status to avoid interrupting user actions.

Release Version Logic

  • Single release line: Reads only the latest npm release version without extra configuration.
  • Honest comparison: Uses SemVer sorting to ensure 0.2.1-alpha.1 takes priority over 0.2.0-rc.2, with prerelease versions ordered correctly.
  • Compatibility labels: Versions validated by the plugin are marked as verified; unvalidated new versions are only shown as hints and do not change the sidebar appearance.

Upgrade and Caching

  • Copy-based guidance: Generates installation commands pinned to a specific version without running the command.
  • Caching strategy: Uses host checks instead of polling, supports configurable cache duration, and bypasses the cache only when clicking “Check for updates”.

Installation and Enablement

The plugin depends on the DeepSeek Harness Web profile. The installation command is as follows:

dsh plugin --profile web add dsh-update-status@latest

After installation, refresh the Web GUI to take effect.

Typical Usage

  1. Open the DSH sidebar drawer. The official icon remains unchanged, and the name line shows DeepSeek plus the current version badge.
  2. Click the badge. The update panel opens without triggering the parent “New Session” action.
  3. View the running version. If it is already the latest release, the panel shows “Already up to date”.
  4. View update details. When a new version is available, the panel displays the version name, release date, and whether the plugin has validated the version.
  5. Copy the generated command. The command is pinned to an exact version and is run in the host terminal.
  6. Restart. The Restart control in the panel only appears after completing “controlled restart” setup.

Notes

  • Read-only operations: The plugin does not modify DSH core, install or upgrade DSH, roll back packages, download release versions, or replace files.
  • Controlled restart limitations: The Restart control is only available after explicitly installing a controlled user-level service. The plugin requests a safe restart, but this requires corresponding service oversight.
  • Installation requirements: Requires Node.js 20 or later and must run on a verified DSH release version.

Conclusion

dsh-update-status provides a low-intrusion version management approach. For developers who need multi-environment deployment or frequent attention to version iterations, directly obtaining upgrade commands and status from the sidebar can significantly reduce time spent manually consulting documentation.