Your Steam Deck is already a fantastic handheld gaming system, but with Decky Loader you can take it to a whole new level. In this guide, you'll learn how to install Decky Loader and what plugins are available to enhance your gaming experience.
Why Decky Loader?
Decky Loader is a free, open-source tool that allows you to install a variety of plugins for your Steam Deck. These plugins extend the functionality of your deck in many areas - be it through better resource management, practical tools or cool visual adjustments.
Whether screenshots, performance optimization or interface design - almost anything is possible with Decky Loader. Here you will find detailed installation instructions and a comprehensive overview of all the plugins that will help you get the most out of your Steam Deck.
Installing Decky Loader – Step-by-Step Guide
To install Decky Loader, you need to switch to desktop mode on your Steam Deck. The easiest way to do this is with a connected mouse and keyboard, but you can also install it using the built-in controls.
- Start desktop mode: Press the power button and select "Switch to desktop" from the menu.
- Set up a browser: If you don't have a browser yet, install it via the Discover app .
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Download Decky Loader: Visit the Decky Loader GitHub page and click the "Download" button. If you're using Firefox, rename the file from
.downloadto.desktopif necessary. - Start the installer: Drag the file to the desktop and start it by double-clicking. If an admin password is required, Decky can set a temporary password.
- Select version: Select the stable "latest release" version.
- Return to Gaming Mode: After installation, click "Return to Gaming Mode" to return to the normal SteamOS interface.
After successful installation, a plug symbol will appear in the Quick Access menu (three dots button on the right). You can use this to start Decky Loader and conveniently manage all installed plugins.
The best Decky Loader Plugins for your Steam Deck
Decky Loader offers a huge selection of plugins to help you customize your deck and discover new features. In the following section you will find the comprehensive list of the best plugins and their features:
functional plugins
- PowerTools – Optimizes the performance of your Steam Deck. You can adjust CPU and GPU settings to extend battery life or improve performance.
- Battery Tracker – Displays the power consumption of your Steam Deck and helps identify battery-intensive apps and games.
- Decky Recorder – Record your gameplay – ideal for tutorials or sharing game moments with friends.
- Pause Games – Allows you to pause and resume games to free up resources for other applications.
- AutoSuspend – Automatically puts your deck into sleep mode when the battery is low to save your progress.
- Syncthing – Sync files between your Steam Deck and other devices – perfect for backups and file transfers.
- TunnelDeck – Enables VPN support in gaming mode – useful for privacy or for games with regional restrictions.
- AutoFlatpaks – This plugin automatically updates all installed Flatpaks and keeps your deck up to date.
- System Toolbox – Various tools for monitoring and controlling system settings such as temperature and fan speed.
- Volume Mixer – Control the volume of individual applications or connected Bluetooth devices directly from your Steam Deck.
customization plugins
- Animation Changer – Replace your deck’s default startup animations with custom clips for a personalized look.
- Vibrant Deck – Adjusts the colors of your display to improve image quality and color saturation.
- CSS Loader – With CSS Loader you can style the interface of your deck and customize it with individual themes.
- SteamGridDB – This plugin allows you to replace the covers and logos in your Steam library with community creations.
- Game Theme Music – Plays the music of a game when you select it from the library – a perfect mood upgrade.
utility plugins
- DeckFAQs – Access GameFAQs and find tips and solutions for your favorite games right from your deck.
- FriendsFix – A handy plugin that fixes errors in the friends list so that all your friends are displayed correctly.
- Notebook – A digital notebook that allows you to record important codes, safe combinations or notes while playing.
- Web Browser – Allows you to browse the Internet directly on the deck without having to switch to desktop mode.
- Decky Terminal – Opens a terminal window where you can directly execute advanced settings and commands.
multimedia plugins
- Shotty – Automatically saves your screenshots in a user-friendly folder on the deck.
- Audio Loader – Replaces the default sounds in the Steam menu with custom sounds and adds music to menus.
- MusicControl – Controls music playback, which is managed via the DBUS interface – ideal for breaks or moments of relaxation.
- RadiYo! – Allows you to listen to internet radio directly in the game – perfect if you want to change the soundtrack.
Other interesting plugins
- HLTB for Deck – Displays average playing time based on HowLongToBeat – ideal for better planning your game time.
- MetaDeck – Adds metadata for non-Steam games and displays info from IGDB directly on the deck.
- MoonDeck – Allows you to stream Steam games through the Moonlight client without launching the Sunshine app first.
- DeckyFileServer – Enables a web server that allows you to transfer and download files from your PC to your deck.
- Bluetooth – Connects your deck quickly and easily to already paired Bluetooth devices.
- Free Loader – Notifies you when free games are available on the Epic Games Store so you don’t miss out on any free offers.
Conclusion: Your Steam Deck, your rules!
With Decky Loader and the available plugins, you can customize your Steam Deck as much as you want. Whether it's improved performance, helpful tools or visual adjustments - there are the right plugins for every gamer. Discover the diverse possibilities and choose the plugins that really enrich your gaming experience.
Do you have a favorite plugin or a special tip? Write it in the comments and share your experiences with the community!