Introduction - Choose a Panel Type

Desktop Sidebar provides a rich plugin API that enables you to create plugins that will be loaded and displayed as panels inside Desktop Sidebar. There are two main types of Desktop Sidebar panels you may create, each having its own advantages and shortcomings.

Script panels, coded in JScript or VBScript, are compact and can be developed easily. They do not require the user to install any runtime apart from what comes by default with Windows. These panels are easy to debug, because they can be loaded and reloaded by Desktop Sidebar during runtime, whilst compiled panels (see below) must be recompiled and Desktop Sidebar must be restarted for the changes to take effect.
Compiled panels, programmed in C++ or in .NET, are more powerful. They can take advantage of larger portions of the Desktop Sidebar SDK. On the other hand, they require more previous experience and knowledge to create.

For most panels' needs, script panels are the recommended option because they are easier to create and maintain.
Once you choose the type of panel you would like to create, please start reading the guides for this panel type.
Start with the Creating a Panel guide - Script Panels, Compiled Panels.