SteamOS offers a polished, console-like experience, but it is built on a PC architecture that invites tinkering. If you want to customize your device beyond Valve’s default settings, Decky Loader is the standard tool for the job. It acts as a homebrew hub for SteamOS, allowing you to sideload plugins that function directly within game mode.
How to Install Decky Loader
Getting set up is a straightforward process that takes you through the Steam Deck’s desktop environment. Follow these steps to get started:
- Switch to Desktop: From the main game mode, press the Steam button, navigate to Power, and select Switch to desktop mode.
- Download the Installer: Open your web browser—Firefox is pre-installed on the taskbar—and visit decky.xyz. Click the download button in the top right corner.
- Run the Installer: Open the Dolphin file manager, navigate to your Downloads folder, and double-click the installer file. Select Launch when prompted. If you receive a warning, click Continue.
- Configure Admin Access: The Konsole will open to handle the installation. If you haven't set a sudo password on your device, the prompt will ask you to set one up temporarily; click Yes.
- Select Branch: Choose the default release branch if you are running a stable version of SteamOS.
- Return to Game Mode: Once the installation finishes, close the Konsole, delete the installer file, and click the shortcut on your desktop to return to game mode.
Once you are back in game mode, press the Quick Access button (the three-dot menu). You will see a new plugin icon at the bottom, which grants you access to the store where you can download various customization tools.
Essential Decky Loader Plugins
Once you have access to the plugin store, you can install tools to change your keyboard, track your battery, or even modify system sounds. Here are a few notable plugins to get you started:
- SteamGridDB: Replace the default artwork for any game in your library. It allows you to change capsules, hero art, and icons directly from game mode with the touch of a button.
- Tab Master: Customize your library tabs. You can create custom collections for your backlog or frequently played games, and even hide tabs you don't use, like the soundtrack section.
- ProtonDB Badges: Adds compatibility information from ProtonDB directly to your game pages. This is useful for checking if a game marked as "unsupported" by Steam actually works well on your device.
- Deck Settings: Pulls community-tested graphics and performance settings from DeckVerified.Games to help you optimize games that lack official Steam Deck presets.
- Junk Store: Allows you to manage and install games from third-party storefronts like the Epic Games Store directly within game mode. While the basic version is free, some advanced features or additional store support may require the paid Pro version.
Keep in mind that because you are using open-source software, updates to SteamOS can occasionally cause these plugins to break. If you encounter a crash, a quick reinstall via desktop mode usually resolves the issue without affecting your existing plugin data.