Deckpad

❌ This project is broken at the moment, see #23 for more details
❌ You can still try it out, maybe it works for you, but no guarantees...

⚠️ WARNING: This is a alpha prototype!
It may work, it may break. Install at your own risks and make sure you understand what you are doing.

⚠️ After every Steam OS update, make sure to run

~/Deckpad/initialize_after_os_update.sh

⚠️ WARNING: If you quit Deckpad without pressing on the screen (or if it doesn't work on your device), it won't clean up and will prevent sleep and brightness changes!

• The easiest way way to fix it is to run Deckpad again, and quit it by clicking on the target in the middle of the screen
• Alternatively, you can restore the SteamDeck to its original state by running these 2 commands:

  sudo chmod 666 /sys/class/backlight/amdgpu_bl0/brightness
  sudo systemctl unmask sleep.target suspend.target hibernate.target hybrid-sleep.target >/dev/null 2>&1
  

What is Deckpad?

Deckpad allows you to use your SteamDeck as a gamepad on your Windows PC.

Once setup, all you have to do is to launch Deckpad, enter your password, and it will:

• Connect automatically to your Windows PC and act as a gamepad
  • You can use all the Steam input config you already configured on the SteamDeck
• Reduce the brightness to the minimum
  • Also prevents Steam from raising it while the app is running
• Disable sleep mode while the app is running
• Show the live battery percentage

Welcome Screen | Running Screen :-------------------------:|:-------------------------: |

Setup Instructions

Update Instructions

cd ~/Deckpad/ && git pull

On Steam Deck

1. Initialize Everything

   1. Set a sudo password: SteamDeckTips Tutorial

   2. Clone repo

      cd ~ && git clone https://github.com/HelloThisIsFlo/Deckpad.git
      

   3. Run ./initialize_after_os_update.sh

      This will:

      • Disable readonly mode on SteamOS
      • Initialize pacman
      • Install xorg-xinput and figlet

   4. Download: VirtualHere USB Server for Linux (x86_64)

   5. Put in ~/Deckpad/virtualhere/

   6. Make executable: chmod +x vhusbdx86_64

2. Create the launcher for Deckpad

   1. Add a “fake” game to the steam library (shortcut will be updated, so the app doesn’t matter, pick whichever)

   2. Select “fake” game and click Properties

   3. Replace with these values

      | Title | Deckpad | | --- | --- | | Target | env | | Start | "/home/deck/Deckpad" (don’t remove " symbols) | | Launch Opts | -u LD_PRELOAD konsole --fullscreen -e ./deckpad.sh |

      • and this icon

        

3. Enable touchscreen <- Do this in Game Mode
   Thank you Jeoshua for figuring this one out!

   1. Open the Deckpad launcher page
   2. Tap on the controler icon
   3. Click: Edit Layout
   4. Click: Action Sets
   5. Click the Gear icon next to Default
   6. Click: Add Always-On command
   7. Click: Add command (on the newly added 'Always On Command')
   8. Click: System (tab, at the top)
   9. Click: Touchscreen Native Support
   10. Back out until you're back on the Deckpad launcher page

4. Launch Deckpad once, and you're all done for the SteamDeck side of things 🎉

On Windows Gaming PC

1. Download VirtualHere Client for Windows (64-Bit Win10,Win11/Server 2016/2019/2022
2. Place .exe at the root of C: drive
3. Configure it
   1. Launch Deckpad on the Steam Deck
   2. Run vhui64.exe
   3. Steam Controller should show (it can take a bit before it shows)
   4. Right click on USB Hubs and select
      1. Start minimized
      2. Always On Top
      3. (can’t use Install Client as a Service, it requires the paid version)
   5. Right click on Steam Controller and select
      1. Auto-Use Device
4. Place a shortcut of vhui64.exe in shell:startup