Is WooCommerce required for a help desk?

No. The standalone help desk works on a regular WordPress site. WooCommerce is required only for optional order context and guest verification using an order number and matching billing email.

When configured, signed-in WooCommerce customers can connect an owned order, ordered product, or current downloadable-product access to a ticket. The plugin rechecks ownership and keeps sensitive billing and download details out of the saved support context.