---
title: Steam Deck (Decky)
description: Install the punktfunk Decky plugin to discover, pair, and stream from the Steam Deck's Gaming Mode — no drop to Desktop.
---

The **Decky plugin** adds a **punktfunk** panel to the Steam Deck's Quick Access Menu (the `…`
button), so you can find a host, pair, and start streaming **without leaving Gaming Mode**. It's the
couch-friendly front end for the Steam Deck — built from real Steam UI, gamepad-navigable end to end.

Under the hood the plugin doesn't decode video itself: it discovers hosts, runs the PIN pairing, and
**launches the regular [Linux client](/docs/clients#linux-desktop-client-gtk4)** (the
`io.unom.Punktfunk` Flatpak) the way gamescope needs so it fullscreens correctly. So the Deck has two
ways to stream, and they share one client + one paired identity:

- **Gaming Mode** → the **Decky plugin** (this page).
- **Desktop Mode** → run the [Flatpak](/docs/install-client#steam-deck) directly, like any Linux app.

## Before you start

You need three things on the Deck:

1. **Decky Loader** — the plugin loader. Install it from [decky.xyz](https://decky.xyz/) if you
   haven't already.
2. **The punktfunk client Flatpak** — the plugin launches it, so install it once in **Desktop Mode**:

   ```sh
   flatpak install --user https://flatpak.unom.io/io.unom.Punktfunk.flatpakref
   ```

   (Full options: [Install a Client → Steam Deck](/docs/install-client#steam-deck). Without it, the
   panel's **Stream** button reports `client-not-found`.)
3. **A punktfunk host** running on your LAN — see [Install the Host](/docs/install). The Deck finds
   it automatically over mDNS, so nothing to configure here.

## Install the plugin

The plugin is published as a ready-to-install zip on every build. You don't need the Decky CLI or a
developer toolchain — just paste a URL into Decky:

1. On the Deck, open the **Quick Access Menu** (`…`) → the **plug** icon (Decky) → the **gear**
   (Settings) → enable **Developer Mode**.
2. Open the new **Developer** tab and choose **Install Plugin from URL**.
3. Paste the **stable** link and confirm:

   ```
   https://git.unom.io/api/packages/unom/generic/punktfunk-decky/latest/punktfunk.zip
   ```

The **punktfunk** panel appears in the Quick Access Menu right away — no Deck restart needed.

> **Channels.** The link above is the **stable** channel (moves on `vX.Y.Z` releases). For the latest
> `main` build use the **canary** zip — `…/generic/punktfunk-decky/canary/punktfunk.zip` — or pin an
> exact version with `…/punktfunk-decky/<version>/punktfunk.zip`. See [Release Channels](/docs/channels).

## Use it

Open the **punktfunk** panel from the Quick Access Menu, or **Open punktfunk** for the full-screen
page (host list + stream settings).

- **Discover** — hosts on your network appear automatically (mDNS). Tap **Refresh** to rescan. A
  lock icon means the host requires [pairing](/docs/pairing).
- **Pair** — for a locked host, [arm pairing on the host](/docs/pairing) (its console or web
  console shows a 4-digit PIN), then enter that PIN on the Deck's keypad. Pairing persists, so the
  next connection is silent.
- **Stream** — pick a host and the stream launches fullscreen in Gaming Mode (as a hidden Steam
  shortcut, so gamescope focuses it).
- **Settings** — resolution, refresh, bitrate, gamepad type, and mic, written to the client the
  plugin launches. Leave **Resolution** / **Refresh** on *Native* to get the Deck's own mode.

To **leave a stream**: the in-client controller chord **L1 + R1 + Start + Select**, or close the
"game" from the Steam overlay. Exiting the client ends the Steam game and drops you back to Gaming
Mode.

## Updating

The plugin **checks for updates itself** — no Decky store needed. When a newer build is available it
shows an **Update to vX** button (in the Quick Access Menu panel and on the full page). Tap it,
confirm Decky's prompt, and the plugin downloads, verifies, replaces itself, and reloads — without
leaving Gaming Mode.

The check follows the [channel](/docs/channels) you installed from: a plugin installed from the
**stable** link tracks stable releases; one installed from the **canary** link tracks `main` builds.

> If the **Update** button never appears (an older Decky Loader, or no network), update manually:
> Decky → **Developer** → **Install Plugin from URL**, and paste the same channel link again. Decky
> replaces the installed copy in place.

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| **Stream** shows `client-not-found` | Install the client Flatpak in Desktop Mode (see [Before you start](#before-you-start)). |
| No hosts listed | Make sure the host is running and on the **same LAN**; the Deck needs `avahi` (shipped on SteamOS). Tap **Refresh**. |
| Pairing fails / "not armed" | The PIN is shown only after you **arm pairing on the host**. Arm it, then enter the PIN within the window. |
| Stream launches but doesn't focus | Start it from the panel (not by launching the Flatpak by hand) so Steam/gamescope focuses it. |

The plugin source lives in
[`clients/decky`](https://git.unom.io/unom/punktfunk/src/branch/main/clients/decky/README.md).
</content>
</invoke>