A set of packages and configurations for running NixOS on the Steam Deck.
This repo is also useful for obtaining a Deck-like experience on other x86_64
devices.
You can build an installation ISO for the Steam Deck with nix-build -A <flavor>
, where <flavor>
is one of the following:
isoMinimal
: Minimal non-graphical installation environmentisoGnome
: Graphical installation ISO with GNOMEisoPlasma
: Graphical installation ISO with KDE
To enter the boot menu, power off the Steam Deck then hold down Volume-
and tap the Power
button.
Follow the Installing NixOS section of the NixOS Manual.
When configuring the system, import ./modules
from this repo in your configuration and enable the Steam Deck-specific hardware configurations with jovian.devices.steamdeck.enable = true;
.
For all other devices, use the normal installation images available on NixOS.org.
Follow the Installing NixOS section of the NixOS Manual.
When configuring the system, import ./modules
from this repo in your configuration.
All available module options along with their descriptions can be found under modules
.
To use the Steam Deck UI, set jovian.steam.enable = true;
in your configuration.
Then you can start the UI using one of the following methods:
- Select "Gaming Mode" in the Display Manager or run
steam-session
in a VT. - Launch
steam-session
within an existing desktop session. This will run gamescope in nested mode which results in higher latency.
Updates to the BIOS and the controller are available in the steamdeck-firmware
package:
- BIOS: Run
sudo jupiter-biosupdate
- Controller: Run
sudo jupiter-controller-update
Updates to the Docking Station firmware are available in the jupiter-dock-updater-bin
package.
Connect to the dock via USB-C and run jupiter-dock-updater
to update.
Jovian “Relating to [...] Jupiter or the class of [...] which Jupiter belongs.”
What's Jupiter?
There's a disambiguation page that won't help you. I don't know exactly what it's the codename for. It is either the codename for the Steam Deck, or the codename for the new Steam OS for the Steam Deck. Things get awfully murky when you realize that Neptune's also a thing, and it's unclear really from the outside, and quick searches don't provide conclusive evidence. But to the best of my knowledge, Jupiter is the OS for us.