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CheatDeck
What it is
CheatDeck is a free, open-source Decky Loader plugin for Steam Deck that launches sidecar programs and manages game launch options. It can run a selected .exe or .bat alongside a game in the same Proton or Wine environment, then stop the program when the game exits. Its Language option sets LANG and HOST_LC_ALL to a chosen locale. Other controls cover desktop behavior, FSYNC, WineD3D, compatibility data redirection, and audio latency. Custom Options allow environment assignments, prefix commands, and arguments before or after %command%. If launch options contain unsupported shell syntax or ambiguous markers, CheatDeck makes the document read-only to avoid a potentially destructive partial edit. Optional presets for Lossless Scaling and OptiScaler require their respective Decky plugins. Installation requires Decky Loader Developer Mode and CheatDeck.zip from a release or nightly build. Some sidecar programs may need .NET Core, .NET Framework, or Visual C++ Redistributable dependencies in their compatibility environment, installed with protontricks. The project is GPL-3.0 licensed.
For and against
For
- Starts and stops .exe or .bat sidecar programs with a game
- Custom Options support commands and environment assignments
- Provides controls for compatibility and audio settings
- Open source and free
Against
- Requires Decky Loader Developer Mode to install
- Some sidecars need additional runtime dependencies
- Previous Custom Options may not migrate to v2.0.0
- Changing STEAM_COMPAT_DATA_PATH may require save migration
The verdict
CheatDeck combines launch-option editing with sidecar management for Steam Deck. Before updating to v2.0.0, back up Custom Options; changing compatibility data paths may also affect saves.
Who it suits
CheatDeck suits Steam Deck users who want to manage game launch options or run sidecar programs alongside games. It is also relevant to users who need locale controls or advanced compatibility settings.
Plans and prices
CheatDeck
No plan limits stated
Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Advanced options
- Built-in launch controls include desktop behavior, FSYNC, WineD3D, compatibility data redirection, and audio latency overrides.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Compatibility caveat
- A sidecar may need .NET Core, .NET Framework, or Visual C++ Redistributable dependencies installed in its compatibility environment with protontricks.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limits
- Some sidecar programs may need .NET Core, .NET Framework, or Visual C++ Redistributable installed in the compatibility environment.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Custom options
- Users can define environment variables, prefix commands, and command-line arguments as custom launch options.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The README instructs users to download CheatDeck.zip from a release or nightly build and install it through Decky Loader developer settings.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Editing safeguards
- Unsupported shell syntax or ambiguous launch options make the document read-only to avoid partial or destructive edits.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Edit safety
- If launch options contain unsupported shell syntax or ambiguous markers, CheatDeck makes the document read-only to avoid a partial or destructive edit.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Installation requires Decky Loader Developer Mode and the packaged CheatDeck.zip from a release or nightly build.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The README lists optional presets for Lossless Scaling and OptiScaler that require their respective Decky plugins.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Language control
- Its Language option sets both LANG and HOST_LC_ALL to a selected locale code.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Language setting
- Its Language option sets the LANG and HOST_LC_ALL environment variables to a selected locale code.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The public repository identifies its license as GPL-3.0.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Presets
- Initial custom option presets include Lossless Scaling and OptiScaler commands, which require their respective software or Decky plugins.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- CheatDeck is a Decky Loader plugin for launching sidecar programs and managing launch options on Steam Deck.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Release migration
- The v2.0.0 release warns that previous Custom Options may not migrate and advises backing them up before updating.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Release update caveat
- The v2.0.0 release warns that previous Custom Options may not migrate and recommends backing them up before updating.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Save data caveat
- Changing STEAM_COMPAT_DATA_PATH may require migrating game saves because compatibility data can contain saves.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Sidecar programs
- It can start a selected Windows .exe or .bat alongside a game in the same Proton/Wine environment, and stops it when the game exits.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
