Steam Deck usbip

Scripts to allow you to use your Steam Deck as a controller on Linux by sharing the controller over the network using usbip

Prerequisites

On the Steam Deck:

1. Go to Desktop Mode

2. Open a terminal

3. Set a password for the deck user (if not already set):

   passwd deck

4. Enable writing to the Steam Deck's filesystem:

   sudo steamos-readonly disable

5. Install usbip tools and git:

   sudo pacman -S usbip git

On the client Linux machine:

• Install USB/IP tools (varies by distribution):
  • Arch Linux: sudo pacman -S usbip
  • Fedora: sudo dnf install usbip-utils
  • Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt install usbip

Installation (both machines)

1. Clone this repository to your desired location:

   git clone https://github.com/kalvinarts/steam-deck-usbip.git

Usage

On the Steam Deck (Server)

• See Adding to Steam as a Non-Steam Game for instructions on how to run this script from Steam's Big Picture mode. (recommended method)
• Alternatively, run the server script directly in a terminal (is recommended to have a keyboard connected if you use this method):

  sudo ./server.sh

To stop the server, you can either:

• Press Ctrl+C in the terminal (you will need a keyboard connected)
• Hard reset the Steam Deck using the power button (for now this is the only way to stop the server if you don't have a keyboard connected)

See the roadmap for future improvements.

On the Client Machine

Run the client script passing your Steam Deck's IP address as the first argument:

sudo ./client.sh <steam-deck-ip>

The script will automatically connect to your Steam Deck's controller.

To manually manage the connection, you can use these commands instead of the client script:

1. List available devices:

   sudo usbip list -r <steam-deck-ip>

2. Attach the Steam Controller:

   sudo usbip attach -r <steam-deck-ip> -b <busid>

3. To detach when done:

   sudo usbip detach -p <port>

The Steam Controller should now be available on your client machine.

Adding to Steam as a Non-Steam Game

To run the script directly from Steam's Big Picture mode:

1. In Desktop Mode, open Steam
2. Click "Add a Game" in the bottom left
3. Select "Add a Non-Steam Game"
4. Click "BROWSE"
5. Navigate to and select /usr/bin/konsole
6. Click "Add Selected Programs"
7. Right-click the newly added Konsole in your Steam library
8. Select "Properties"
9. Change the name to "USB/IP Controller" or similar
10. In the "LAUNCH OPTIONS" field, enter:

    --hold -e sudo /path/to/server.sh
    

Replace /path/to/server.sh with the actual path to where you saved the script

Now you can launch the USB/IP server directly from Gaming Mode or Big Picture Mode. You'll need to enter your deck password when prompted.

Troubleshooting

• Make sure both machines are on the same network
• Check that the required kernel modules are loaded: usbip_core and usbip_host on the Steam Deck, and vhci-hcd on the client (the scripts should handle this automatically)
• Ensure the firewall allows connections on port 3240

Roadmap

• Add an installer script for easier setup on the Steam Deck
• Add an installer script for easier setup on the client machine
• Add a GUI for so you can start/stop the server without needing a keyboard