docs: improve discoverability of automatic port forwarding via Coder Desktop (#25675)

docs/admin/networking/port-forwarding.md

@@ -4,18 +4,28 @@ Port forwarding lets developers securely access processes on their Coder
 workspace from a local machine. A common use case is testing web applications in
 a browser.
 
-There are three ways to forward ports in Coder:
+There are four ways to forward ports in Coder:
 
-- The `coder port-forward` command
-- Dashboard
-- SSH
+| Method                                 | Details                                                                                                                                                        |
+|:---------------------------------------|:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
+| [Coder Desktop](#coder-desktop)        | Automatic port forwarding via VPN tunnel. All workspace ports are available at `workspace.coder:PORT` with no manual setup. Supports peer-to-peer connections. |
+| [CLI](#the-coder-port-forward-command) | Forwards specific TCP or UDP ports from the workspace to local ports. Supports peer-to-peer connections.                                                       |
+| [Dashboard](#dashboard)                | Proxies traffic through the Coder control plane.                                                                                                               |
+| [SSH](#ssh)                            | Forwards ports over an SSH connection.                                                                                                                         |
 
-The `coder port-forward` command is generally more performant than:
+Coder Desktop and `coder port-forward` are generally more performant than:
 
 1. The Dashboard which proxies traffic through the Coder control plane versus
-   peer-to-peer which is possible with the Coder CLI
+   peer-to-peer which is possible with the Coder CLI and Coder Desktop
 1. `sshd` which does double encryption of traffic with both Wireguard and SSH
 
+## Coder Desktop
+
+[Coder Desktop](../../user-guides/desktop/index.md) provides automatic port forwarding to every service running in your workspace.
+Once Coder Connect is enabled, any port your application listens on is instantly accessible at `<workspace-name>.coder:PORT` from your local machine, with no additional commands or configuration.
+
+This is the simplest option for most users. See the [Coder Desktop documentation](../../user-guides/desktop/index.md) for installation and setup.
+
 ## The `coder port-forward` command
 
 This command can be used to forward TCP or UDP ports from the remote workspace

docs/user-guides/desktop/desktop-connect-sync.md

@@ -19,7 +19,13 @@ You can also connect to the SSH server in your workspace using any SSH client, s
    ssh your-workspace.coder
    ```
 
-Any services listening on ports in your workspace will be available on the same hostname. For example, you can access a web server on port `8080` by visiting `http://your-workspace.coder:8080` in your browser.
+### Automatic port forwarding
+
+Any services listening on ports in your workspace are automatically available on the same hostname, with no manual port forwarding required. For example, you can access a web server on port `8080` by visiting `http://your-workspace.coder:8080` in your browser.
+
+This works for all TCP ports. Start a service in your workspace and access it immediately from your local machine at `http://your-workspace.coder:PORT`.
+
+For other port forwarding methods (CLI, dashboard, SSH), see [Workspace Ports](../workspace-access/port-forwarding.md).
 
 > [!NOTE]
 > For Coder versions v2.21.3 and earlier: the Coder IDE extensions for VSCode and JetBrains create their own tunnel and do not utilize the Coder Connect tunnel to connect to workspaces.

docs/user-guides/desktop/index.md

@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 # Coder Desktop
 
-Coder Desktop provides seamless access to your remote workspaces through a native application. Connect to workspace services using simple hostnames like `myworkspace.coder`, launch applications with one click, and synchronize files between local and remote environments—all without installing a CLI or configuring manual port forwarding.
+Coder Desktop provides seamless access to your remote workspaces through a native application. Connect to workspace services using simple hostnames like `myworkspace.coder`, launch applications with one click, and synchronize files between local and remote environments, all without installing a CLI or configuring manual port forwarding.
+
+> [!TIP]
+> Coder Desktop provides **automatic port forwarding** to every service running in your workspace. Any port your application listens on is instantly accessible at `workspace-name.coder:PORT` with no manual setup required. For a comparison of all port forwarding methods, see [Workspace Ports](../workspace-access/port-forwarding.md).
 
 ## What You'll Need
 
@@ -21,6 +24,7 @@ Coder Desktop provides seamless access to your remote workspaces through a nativ
 **Coder Connect**, the primary component of Coder Desktop, creates a secure tunnel to your Coder deployment, allowing you to:
 
 - **Access workspaces directly**: Connect via `workspace-name.coder` hostnames
+- **Automatic port forwarding**: All workspace ports are available at `workspace-name.coder:PORT` with no configuration
 - **Use any application**: SSH clients, browsers, IDEs work seamlessly
 - **Sync files**: Bidirectional sync between local and remote directories
 - **Work offline**: Edit files locally, sync when reconnected
@@ -196,3 +200,4 @@ If you encounter issues not covered here:
 ## Next Steps
 
 - [Using Coder Connect and File Sync](./desktop-connect-sync.md)
+- [Compare port forwarding methods](../workspace-access/port-forwarding.md)

docs/user-guides/workspace-access/index.md

@@ -155,12 +155,25 @@ of tools for extending the capability of your workspace. If you have a request
 for a new IDE or tool, please file an issue in our
 [Modules repo](https://github.com/coder/registry/issues).
 
+## Coder Desktop
+
+[Coder Desktop](../desktop/index.md) is a native application that provides seamless access to your workspaces via a VPN tunnel. With Coder Desktop, you get:
+
+- **Automatic port forwarding**: All workspace ports are available at `workspace-name.coder:PORT` with no manual setup
+- **SSH access**: Connect with `ssh workspace-name.coder` using any SSH client
+- **File sync**: Bidirectional file synchronization between local and remote directories
+
+Coder Desktop is the recommended way to access workspace services for developers who want a seamless, native experience.
+
 ## Ports and Port forwarding
 
-You can manage listening ports on your workspace page through with the listening
+You can manage listening ports on your workspace page through the listening
 ports window in the dashboard. These ports are often used to run internal
 services or preview environments.
 
+> [!TIP]
+> For automatic access to all ports without manual configuration, use [Coder Desktop](../desktop/index.md).
+
 You can also [share ports](./port-forwarding.md#sharing-ports) with other users,
 or [port-forward](./port-forwarding.md#the-coder-port-forward-command) through
 the CLI with `coder port forward`. Read more in the

docs/user-guides/workspace-access/port-forwarding.md

@@ -17,8 +17,12 @@ There are multiple ways to forward ports in Coder:
 
 ## Coder Desktop
 
-[Coder Desktop](../desktop/index.md) provides seamless access to your remote workspaces, eliminating the need to install a CLI or manually configure port forwarding.
-Access all your ports at `<workspace-name>.coder:PORT`.
+> [!TIP]
+> Coder Desktop is the recommended way to access workspace ports. It provides automatic port forwarding with no manual setup.
+
+[Coder Desktop](../desktop/index.md) creates a VPN tunnel that automatically forwards every port in your workspace. Any service listening on a port is instantly accessible at `<workspace-name>.coder:PORT` from your local machine, with no additional commands or configuration.
+
+This is the simplest option for most developers: install Coder Desktop, enable Coder Connect, and all ports just work. Connections are peer-to-peer for the best performance.
 
 ## The `coder port-forward` command