These Steam Deck Plugins Will Change the Way You Game

Nothing is perfect... and that includes the Steam Deck. That's why Decky Loader's homebrew plugin system exists: to add features we've all been wanting for ages. In this video, we'll cover how to install Decky Loader, manage plugins, and review seven of my favorite plugins.
Get started here: decky.xyz/
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- Chapters -
00:00 - Introduction to Decky Loader Homebrew
00:35 - How to Install Decky Loader
02:38 - Updating Plugins & Decky Loader
03:39 - 1. ProtonDB Badges
04:26 - 2. Decky Recorder
05:00 - 3. Autoflatpak
05:24 - 4. Decky Cloud Save
06:51 - 5. MangoPeel
07:27 - 6. Game Theme Music
08:04 - 7. SteamGridDB
7 homebrew plugins that will level up your Steam Deck experience. (Decky Loader Setup & Review)
#steamdeck #deckyloader #homebrew

[@gardiner_bryant]

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[@michealtheevilhero2340]

Gotta admit that was a smooth intro transition

[@christianr.5868]

Came to say the same thing lol

[@jeremiahvernon5266]

He fucking STOLE this transition from another steam deck tuber

[@gardiner_bryant]

@jeremiahvernon5266, I know you're trying to insinuate that I "stole the intro" from Cary, but these intros are fundamentally different in both concept and execution. He uses the first frame of his video, virtually unmodified, as his thumbnail and then embeds that thumbnail as the actual first frame of his videos. I extract the first frame of my video into Photoshop, separate my hands, body, face, and Steam Deck into different layers, resize them, adjust their composition, replace the Steam Deck with a re-colored version, change what's on the screen, replace the background... it's entirely different. If you can't see the difference, that's on you. Also, watch your language in my comments.

[@Zanomito]

@@gardiner_bryant don't pull out the 9

[@phristo]

3:09 "Why not like that smash button" 😂

[@mabalito]

It's a meme here, he says it in every vid lol

[@yinks.s9946]

Got my steam deck last week and I’m so glad I did ! Was especially hard to get in the UK so I feel very grateful! Looking forward to adding these plugins ! They seem really useful! 🙌🏾

[@asawarai]

Shocked that VibrantDeck wasn’t listed. Definitely my #1 most important plug-in

[@ASAN2042]

You move fast with steam news! Thank you so much for being on it like butter!❤️👾 You are fantastic and your content is amazing!💥❤️

[@ypaut]

Watching this in hype of my recent order of a SD, loved the thumbnail and music customization to help make game mode more lively 👌🏻 And obviously the ProtonDB badges seem essential, as typing "protondb" in the browser is just routine at this point

[@conza1989]

Ok I gotta comment immediately, the thumbnail to first frame of the video, that was the best I've ever seen that done, well done.

[@sushiroles]

The thumbnail to video transition in the video preview was dope, keep up the good work!

[@TheKdogg3000]

I gotta say thank you for this awesome video! I used your video when I first got my Steam deck and loved it. Then this last Steam Deck update pooped the bed with Decky so, I needed to use another video to remove all my decky stuff and then came back to your video to reinstall it all again! Thanks for explaining it all and making it easy and fun to install all the stuff both times!

[@Ves93]

This is, hands down, the absolute best technical explanation

[@OkraPlutonium]

Bro did a The Phawx

[@medo-he2xn]

Amazing video as usual,keep up the good work .

[@CraigDurango]

Thanks man! These plugins really are a game-changer

[@affechristoph]

I would add CSS Loader to this list, a plugin that lets you customize the look of the ui. It can be a bit buggy sometimes, depending on the amount of applied themes, but it's a great way to customize your Deck

[@NPCLiam]

DeckyRecorder, Game Theme Music, and Steam Grid DB are going to be instant downloads for me. Just picked up a 256 GB model + Cursed to Golf on the summer sale. ABSOLUTELY stoked.

[@ravine9083]

Thank you so much! I really need the artwork changer. My xemu games look terrible. I modded my xemu hard drive, so I dumped my favorite games into it for easier access. It's still good to change the game picture on steam. You are a life saver.

[@Recon_19D3x]

I installed most of the this last night. You did leave out the HLTB plugin . I use How Long To Beat to help manage my huge library backlog. I really need these plugins on the desktop version of Steam now lol

[@VanBurenPhilips]

That ProtonDB plugin is a godsend, got Renegade Ops working! :D Thanks for the tip

[@Enyel210]

Not including CSS loader has to be a crime

[@grandmoffporkins]

Super helpful thanks!

[@godnamedtay]

Man I always look forward to the mandatory “like & subscribe” parts of your videos. My fav.

[@doooouge1136]

Half my plugins haven't worked for a long time I've been on stable for the whole time and it really sucks. A few have been updated to work again, but still the majority don't. Either they don't work at all or they will stop working while using the Deck (ex: Decky Recorder) and I need to reload them over and over. I hope this doesn't become an perminent issue cause it's really starting to get in the way of playing games and making the Deck more enjoyable

[@shermanstepney2182]

Amazing video, thank you

[@Kinos141]

Decky loader is a gem. I hope steam is able to add add-ons to the game mode in Steam. That way more people will be able to mods their deck without going to PC mode. PC mode scares some people.

[@winteronice]

I bought mine specifically because it has a Desktop mode. Or, was allowed to because it can take over all jobs my 12yo desktop does.

[@Fractal_blip]

Nice transition!

[@menojohnson]

This was great! In the next plug in vid can you go over the “pause game” plug-in?

[@kjn5991]

I know there are couple of "recommendation" or "highlight" videos of different stuff we can do on Steam Deck to make it a better experience, but can you (as an "expert" in the lack of better word) compile a playlist of "Things to do after getting a Steam Deck" AKA Steam Deck Beginner Guide -playlist for us Linux/Steam Deck noobs?. Things like how to optimize the use of Proton (switching between Valve's Proton and GE--Proton versions), how to change the boot-intro video, how to setup emulators, how to optimize the settings, this plugin stuff etc.... Still haven't gotten the Deck myself but would be nice if someone (who knows about this stuff) could create a Beginner Guide for better Steam Deck experience.

[@vexmyth0clast]

Just got my Steam Deck yesterday and Decky loader and Moonlight are incredible.

[@mattwestling164]

SteamgridDB and flatpak auto are great! CSS loader is another must have imo.

[@elbarriotrucker]

I didn't know about the cloud save one thx.

[@Undeadscoll]

Great video

[@partywumpus5267]

Hey just want to point out, at 0:50 ish, you tell users to set a password if they don't have one yet. Decky can install itself if no password is set, so that's not really needed.

[@Zeft64]

“Like that smash button” lol that was funny but good job!

[@CyberGamingStudiosOfficial]

i recommend also CSS LOader this alows you to change how the OS looks and change how it functions

[@datnguyen43545]

it absolutely change my gaming style , i abandoned my pc since i got my steamdeck . im very happy with it , best handheld gaming ever

[@joeybobbson2622]

Animation swapper, audio loader and the Dragalia Lost pack for both of them.

[@PietroPizzi]

I think you missed HLTB, Animation Changer, vibrantDeck and CSS Loader, that's great ones for me too.

[@KrazyKaiser]

I wish there was a SteamGridDB plugin for the desktop version of steam, but at least there is GridDB boop

[@peiteman]

It's worth telling people that when SteamOS updates the deckyloader menu almost always gets borked, therefore you wont be able to update thru the easy menu option, so it's worth keeping that ".desktop" installer file in your downloads folder for when you need it again.

[@peiteman]

Also tab master always caused graphical issues for me in my library so if you start having issues try removing that, or if you know how to make it work lmk.

[@SethReee]

Hm weird. I used to have issues, but I did a full factory reset a while back and it seems to last between updates now.

[@eyb0ss]

​@@SethReeeis that on Stable, Beta or Preview? YMMV if anything other than Stable.

[@SethReee]

@@eyb0ss I was on beta before the full factory reset, now I'm on stable

[@eyb0ss]

@@SethReee in that case most likely why. On Beta its guaranteed to break even on the beta Decky Loader builds when there is a major OS update.

[@GregMyersInSpace]

I like Decky but how do you keep it installed? It uninstalls each SteamOS update and I have to re-do my StreamGridDB each time.

[@chrisrobinson3494]

A plug-in that changes the screen-resolution to 1080p & makes the colors more vibrant, would be a game-changer!

[@OleksaBaida]

1:13 or you could run steam link app on your PC, connect to your deck and work like via VNC or RDP

[@moorederodeo]

How many resources does the screen recorder use?

[@idgaffub]

I love game theme music

[@faisalcsat3301]

Don't Forget CSS Loader also very awesome for customization❤

[@Proxspec]

Why not like that smash button? Where is the smash button?

[@kentjohnson9006]

I had a steamdeck and sold it I just bought a new one do I have to download my games again or is there another way to get my games playing

[@Rashomon20s]

Is there any plugin or tool to let me change just the size of the image? Like on Switch.

[@yesnickcarter]

don’t forget to like that smash button

[@SteveCutajar3lrsc]

@gardiner_bryant may I ask at 6:00 you mention Burnout Paradise Ultimate. I still can't manage to make that game run on steamdeck. May I kindly ask for a video of how you made it run if possible please?

[@PixelJunks]

Wheres the decky record? It's not showing up in the store. Is it from pre-release update channel?

[@johnknight9150]

Do any of these work for regular desktop Linux?

[@jeanshortswag]

Did my man say like that smash button?

[@GetCubed]

What if i dont have the steam decky icon when im in gaming mode?

[@Fenrirsleash]

Like that smash button!!!!!!

[@amitanand7534]

Liked the smash button.

[@ixiHackxi]

OK I have a question that has nothing to do with this app. You see your start bar at the bottom I’ve done something to lose all my pinned apps and opened apps Don’t show up at the bottom either. How do I fix this?

[@garagesa]

I followed exactly. Except when I got to 2:14 and it said “Scroll down to the new tab that looks like North American power plug.” It wasn’t there. Tried repeating the steps with same results.

[@redpanda4818]

where are decky recorder clips saved to?

[@handsomejack2201]

Steamgriddb works atrociuosly bad for me. Lags sometimes in decky, I'm waiting 5 minutes for it to load one page of images and then 5+ minutes to apply covers. And if you want to switch to another tab, then wait each time for another 5+ minutes.

[@Bergwacht]

"PowerTools" is your life saver for framerates if you Play Gran Turismo 4 on Pcsx2

[@twukk211]

Gotta like that smash button

[@donniedarko4497]

GB I forgot my Psdo password long ago. I tried to follow a couple different videos on how to reset it, but couldn't quite figure it out. If you can figure out a simple way to reset that without factory reset, lots of ppl would certainly appreciate it!

[@gardiner_bryant]

www.reddit.com/r/SteamDeck/comments/141lyz3/steam_deck_steamos_reset_forgotten_sudo_password/

[@tyr8614]

My steamdeck cant play on gamemode anymore i can only play my games on dock mode because my games are locked at 15fps

[@naskue4187]

thees some popping happening with your vocals when the clip is cut

[@imdurc]

I was going to post the same thing.

[@quest2782]

Did they take off decky recorder i don't see it

[@nekrosfear]

Where's VibrateDeck? I guess it's not needed as much since Valve made there own version

[@OkraPlutonium]

Wait what? Tell me more?

[@nickxcom]

Vibrant Deck is definitely still needed! Saturation isn't in the OS yet, or at least isn't in the Stable branch

[@nekrosfear]

@@nickxcom Got it, I also use the Stable version too. This is by far one of my favorite plugins for sure

[@David_Quinn_Photography]

looks like its time for me to reset my deck and make a password I will remember, this decky loader is awesome its better then homebrew and I thought htat was awesome for years lets hope the homebrew community plays a little catch up and allows us to update stuff while on the console especially the Wii homebrew.

[@deepakmohapatra7416]

Steam deck lacks the ease of access windows to open the onscreen keyboard on the login screen that is for some one who does not own a dock to do such stuff Also steam+X does not work there because steam has not started . Games gain better visual quality and around same battery life on desktop mode than game mode. FH 5 and many more looks horrible in game mode than in desktop mode. but then on desktop mode power feature cant be accessed. gaming on desktop mode is much better of an experience than Game mode The steam deck even lacks the basic turn off display feature. i have to use 1min screen off timer. even with that the backlight still stays on but it dims to ultra low level. helps in downloading games without warming the device too much. Also final mention valve need to fix their web page interaction in the gaming mode. Gaming mode needs a UI scaler since desktop mode has it anyway. things are too big and that messes with one of the basic web page element that is the drop down menu. buying game is a hassle on gaming mode. because with my currency i have to use Net banking and on the banking page i have to use the dropdown to select my bank. web page is only touch enabled because for some valve reason hardware is disabled. you have to either use touch or steam+ trackpad which is stupid. and then drop downs do not open. but on steam desktop things works like desktop so i have no complain there. In practical sense i really dislike the gaming mode in its current state.

[@mlscruz]

Game theme music eats a kot of battery?

[@cediddi]

8:02 "Bob's your uncle." What do you mean by that?

[@TheDarkKratoz]

I found that Decky Loader just made my right-hand menu visually unstable, so I said no thanks and uninstalled it.

[@BudNtBuddy]

How do i uninstall decky loader its not giving me the option.

[@jaizon]

I wish I could install plugin on normal steam

[@mrgomer64]

"like that smash button"

[@auxiliaryaccount435]

I liked that smash button

[@thingsiplay]

I read that the Decky Loader should not be installed on Steam Deck, if you use Beta channel. Only install if your Deck is on Stable channel. Not sure how true this is anymore, but that is one of the reasons why I did not install it.

[@kingsleyokeke6021]

I can't find the smash button to like 🙃

[@CreepyRecordings]

u fogot vibrant deck!

[@gardiner_bryant]

Vibrant Deck is completely obsolete on SteamOS 3.5

[@CreepyRecordings]

what do you mean please? I just bought steam deck yesterday now im using this vibrant deck to increase saturation, what is steam 3.5? thanks@@gardiner_bryant

[@dnewman6]

How do I like the smash button? 🙈

[@kohop9219]

Who is Bob and why is he my uncle?

[@gardiner_bryant]

When you figure that out, Bob's your uncle 😉

[@EeveeLO6]

🎮

[@pauls9034]

Pass. These are all less than useless for me.

[@skywatchernorth]

I have never subscribed to you and yet I get notifications for your channel and I had to unsubscribe. Whatever shady business practice you are doing leaves me very unimpressed.

[@gardiner_bryant]

Lmfao. It doesn't hurt my feelings that you forgot you subscribed and it's unimportant to me that you have now unsubscribed. It's critical that you understand that your conspiracy theories are both baseless and idiotic and *I don't care at all.*

[@makandalp]

Decky is bloatware though. But good video!

[@Allanbuzzy]

how though?

[@gardiner_bryant]

False.

[@croper0]

true

[@nickxcom]

Nah. I've seen people say that but never seen anything to back it up.

[@hornantuutti5157]

Must be a ally fanboy.

[@JonathanMurray]

Frustrating that you keep saying things a little different from what's on the screen. Not hard to figure out, but annoying, nonetheless.

[@StucklnAWell]

Guy, i love your content but that hair and mustache combo is getting way too close to a particular Austrian Artist turned war criminal

[@gardiner_bryant]

Not even close, my guy. This comment is shockingly obtuse.

[@bmwsportcali2306]

Like that smash button? Was that intentional? Lol.