How to install Decky on Steam Deck
Decky is a plugin designed for those who love to tinker. For those who want to modify and customize Steam OS, this is the tool for you.
While we’ve looked hard at modded Steam Decks, these are usually hardware hacks. Decky is more about the software, hosting different tools for you to take advantage of.
If you want to alter the look of the user interface or add your own game library images with SteamDB Grid, Decky has you covered. Some of the developers publishing tools to the platform have even beaten Valve to the game capture punch.
There are a couple of ways to install Decky, including grabbing the files from Github. However, we recommend using a simple line of code.
How to install Decky
First, head into Desktop Mode by pressing Steam and then heading to Power, and choosing Desktop mode.
If you’re not using a hub, or have any Bluetooth or wireless devices set up to interact with the Steam Deck, you can access the keyboard via Steam+X.
Head to Decky’s page and download the .desktop file from the button at the top. Move it to your desktop and execute it.
If you’re asked for a password, use the one you have set up for sudo/administrative tasks. If you haven’t set an administrator password yet, you can follow these instructions.
Once you’ve seen the terminal stop downloading and installing Decky, you can move back to the gaming mode to finish updating and configuring it.
By pressing the triple-dot button, you’ll bring up the sidebar, and at the bottom, a new plugin icon will appear. From here you access Decky to add different applications.
Plugin recommendations
From the outset, you’ll be given access to a CSS changer, which will alter your color schemes. There’s also a System Toolbox, so you can turn SSH on and off to transfer screenshots, games, and more to and from the Deck.
Our favorite is SteamGridDB, a database of images that you can apply to games to give them a custom look in the library. This is built into the SteamRom Manager. Sometimes you won’t be able to find what you’re looking for. This will let you change it over, or if you have a game from GOG, Epic, Amazon, or elsewhere, you’ll be able to apply an image to it.
Outside of this, you’ll be able to change the URL that Decky grabs plugins from. To do this, enter Decky and then press the settings icon In-Store Channel, you’ll get an option for custom, or Testing. This will let you use plugins that haven’t yet been verified as completely working on the Steam Deck.
Underneath this, there’s a URL box as well, so you can just grab the plugin you want without altering the store entirely.
You should explore to find more plugins that may be useful for you, so now you’re all set to get tinkering.