A read-write overlay filesystem that enables using pacman on Steam Deck without losing packages after system updates.
Rwfus is a read-write overlay filesystem tool specifically designed for the Steam Deck. It solves the problem of package management on SteamOS's immutable root filesystem by overlaying critical directories, allowing users to install and retain Arch Linux packages via pacman across system updates.
Steam Deck users who want to install additional Linux packages without unlocking their device or dealing with complex system modifications, particularly those needing simple, persistent package management.
Developers choose Rwfus for its simplicity and direct approach to enabling pacman on Steam Deck, offering a lightweight alternative to more complex solutions like Nix while explicitly warning about limitations for advanced use cases.
RW OverlayFS for Steam Deck!
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Packages installed via pacman are preserved across SteamOS updates because the OverlayFS covers critical directories, preventing loss during firmware upgrades as highlighted in the README.
Installation is a simple process: download the release and run `./rwfus -i` with root, making it quick to deploy for basic package needs without complex modifications.
Enables direct use of Arch Linux's pacman on the Steam Deck, allowing users to leverage familiar package management commands without additional abstractions.
Includes backup/restore options for the overlay disk image and a test mode for safe experimentation, as shown in the usage examples and flags.
Only overlays specific directories like /usr, so packages installing elsewhere won't be protected—the README admits it's not tested with all packages and many write to uncovered locations.
Using `pacman -Syu` can cause partial system updates that lead to crashes, hangs, or boot-loops due to firmware conflicts, a noted 'jank warning' in the documentation.
The author explicitly recommends Nix for anything beyond simple packages like Yakuake, indicating Rwfus is not suitable for complex dependencies or system-wide modifications.