Shortix
Creates human-readable symlinks for Proton game prefixes on Steam Deck and Linux, simplifying access to game directories.
What is Shortix?
Shortix is a Bash script that creates human-readable symlinks for Proton game prefixes on Linux systems like the Steam Deck. It scans installed games using Protontricks and generates organized shortcuts to game directories and shader caches, making it easier to access and manage game files without navigating cryptic folder paths.
Linux gamers, especially Steam Deck users, who need to frequently access or modify game prefix directories for troubleshooting, modding, or manual save management.
It automates a tedious manual process, saving time and reducing errors by providing a clean, updatable interface to game data, with optional scheduling and a safe removal tool for complete prefix cleanup.
Overview
A script that creates human readable symlinks for Proton game prefix (Steam Deck / SteamOS)
Use Cases
Best For
- Managing Proton game prefixes on Steam Deck without using terminal commands
- Quickly accessing shader cache directories for performance tweaks
- Automating symlink updates after installing or removing games
- Safely deleting game prefixes to free up disk space
- Organizing game directories with readable names instead of numeric IDs
- Troubleshooting game issues by easily locating config and save files
Not Ideal For
- Users managing only native Linux games without Proton prefixes
- Systems that cannot or prefer not to install Protontricks as a dependency
- Teams requiring a graphical user interface for file management tasks
- Cross-platform projects needing compatibility with Windows or macOS
Pros & Cons
Pros
Scans installed games via Protontricks and creates readable shortcuts in a dedicated directory, eliminating manual navigation through complex numeric folders as described in the README.
Allows including game prefix IDs and directory sizes in symlink names for better identification, with user prompts during installation for configuration.
Includes a systemd service to refresh symlinks automatically at configurable intervals, ensuring links stay current after game installations or removals, as highlighted in the features.
Provides a companion script to safely delete game prefixes and shader caches with confirmation prompts, reducing risk of accidental data loss, including save games.
Cons
Requires Protontricks to be installed beforehand, adding an extra step and potential point of failure for users not familiar with it, as noted in prerequisites.
Changing preferences like ID or size inclusion requires deleting hidden files and rerunning the script, which is less intuitive than a configuration interface, as explained in the installation section.
Games with special characters in names can still cause problems despite fixes, requiring workarounds or manual intervention, as acknowledged in the known issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
LudusaviBackup tool for PC game saves
CryoutilitiesA utility to improve performance and help manage storage on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Shader Cache KillerScript to Purge The Steam Decks Shader Cache
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