DeepSeek Harness v0.1.5-alpha.1: Sidebar & Session V3

Author
DeepSeekAgent.io Editorial Team
Published
Updated

DeepSeek published the dsh-v0.1.5-alpha.1 GitHub pre-release on September 8, 2026 and released the exact version to npm. It introduces an experimental right Sidebar and dynamic system-prompt updates, upgrades the Session format to V3, and changes the Agent and Inbox plugin APIs.

As of September 10, npm latest and next remain on 0.1.2-rc.1. Version 0.1.5-alpha.1 is a pre-release and requires an explicit version selection.

Release and installation status

CheckStatus
GitHub Releasev0.1.5-alpha.1, marked Pre-release
PublishedSeptember 8, 2026 at 16:16 UTC
Exact npm version@deepseek-ai/[email protected]
npm latest / next0.1.2-rc.1
Later alpha0.1.5-alpha.2 is available

Pin the version when testing this build:

npx @deepseek-ai/[email protected] web

Experimental right Sidebar

The Web app gains an experimental right Sidebar with tabs, split panes, and fullscreen. File links and model-produced files can open in the Sidebar, while the former Detail panel is removed.

This creates a foundation for completing work in a conversation and inspecting the result in the same interface. Alpha.1 supplies the container and file entry points. Alpha.2 follows with Markdown, code, HTML, PDF, and image previews plus explicit file delivery.

Dynamic system prompts and KV Cache

DSH can update a system prompt without invalidating KV Cache when the model configuration explicitly declares support. Long-running sessions and runtime state updates may benefit, although plugins cannot assume identical behavior across every provider.

Session format V3

Resuming a supported historical Session generates a new-format log while preserving the original file. V3 records system prompts in message history and migrates legacy PTC events and code preset references.

Sessions upgraded to V3 cannot be read by downgrading to an older build. Custom log readers, backup utilities, and Session analytics must adapt. Back up Sessions and test open, continue, compact, fork, and recovery paths before adoption.

Plugin API changes

Plugin authors have two main migrations:

  1. ctx.agent is removed; callers pass the Agent explicitly.
  2. Inbox becomes a type interface. Plugins access pending messages through agent.inbox, while hasPending and claim leave the public API.

The release also corrects ownership of continuable subagents so they do not participate in root-only scheduling as root Sessions.

Experience improvements and fixes

  • Optional Codex and Claude Code subagent runtimes are updated.
  • Session statistics split turns and speed from detailed token and cache-hit data.
  • Assistant messages can render local images referenced by absolute POSIX paths.
  • A model cannot resume a goal paused by the user.
  • npm installs on macOS and Linux no longer require a local fs-ext build.

Upgrade guidance

ScenarioRecommendation
Daily useStay on npm default 0.1.2-rc.1
Sidebar evaluationTest the later 0.1.5-alpha.2 build
Session toolingValidate V3 migration and downgrade limits on a copy
Agent or Inbox plugin developmentApply the alpha.1 API migrations

Related reading

FAQ

Does an unpinned install select alpha.1?

No. npx @deepseek-ai/dsh web currently resolves through latest, which remains 0.1.2-rc.1.

Does V3 delete old Session files?

The official notes say migration writes a new-format log and preserves the original. Important data still deserves an independent backup because older builds cannot read the upgraded Session.