How to use the command 'steamos-add-to-steam' (with examples)

The command steamos-add-to-steam is a convenient utility designed to integrate non-Steam programs into the Steam library on a computer running SteamOS. This command enhances the user’s gaming or program-launching experience by bringing all desired software under the unified interface of Steam, making it easily accessible. This command is particularly useful for users who want to streamline their activities through Steam, leveraging its powerful UI and controller support even for non-gaming applications.

Use case 1: Add a program to Steam library

Code:

steamos-add-to-steam path/to/file

Motivation:

Imagine you have a favorite emulator or productivity application that you frequently use alongside your games. Adding this program directly to your Steam library can increase efficiency by allowing you to launch it directly from the Steam interface. This setup can be especially advantageous if you are using a Steam Controller, as it enables you to manage all your applications without needing to exit Steam Big Picture mode. Often, users want the seamless experience of having all their necessary programs just a click away, using familiar navigation.

Explanation:

• steamos-add-to-steam: This is the name of the command being used. It indicates that the command’s purpose is to add programs to a Steam Library on a system running SteamOS.

• path/to/file: This argument represents the file path of the program you want to add. It’s a placeholder for the actual path, indicating where on your file system the executable or script of the desired program is located. The input should be replaced with the actual path to your application. For example, if you want to add a media player like VLC, you would enter the path to the VLC executable.

Example Output:

Upon successfully running this command, the program located at the specified path will be added to your Steam library. You might not receive extensive visible feedback right in your terminal, but opening the Steam client and browsing your library will show the newly added program listed among your games and applications. It might appear with a generic icon unless Steam can fetch further details automatically.

Conclusion:

The steamos-add-to-steam command significantly enhances the utility of SteamOS by allowing users to merge gaming and non-gaming applications into one personalized interface. Whether for convenience or preference, having the ability to port various software into Steam’s ecosystem can streamline engagements on your SteamOS machine. By following the example provided, users can harness the power of Steam for broader applications, making it an all-in-one interface.