About
Starsector is a deep open-world space strategy and RPG by Fractal Softworks, in development since 2012 and sold DRM-free exclusively at fractalsoftworks.com. Players command a fleet across a procedurally-generated sector, engaging in real-time fleet combat, colonizing worlds, trading, and managing officers and crew, all within a rich lore-heavy setting. The game has one of the most active modding communities in PC gaming and is one of the most-discussed non-Steam Deck setups, with its bundled JRE making the Linux version run without Proton or DOSBox.
Identity
Launch
- Binary
- starsector.sh
- Needs files
-
- Starsector Linux installer from fractalsoftworks.com (purchase required, ~$15 USD)
Runtime
- Runs as
- Native Linux
- Proton
- not needed
⚙ Setup notes
Engine: Starsector is a Java-based open-world space strategy/RPG by Fractal Softworks. The game bundles its own JRE, so no system Java installation is required and no Proton is needed — the Linux build runs natively.
Purchase and install: Starsector has never been released on Steam. Purchase the DRM-free Linux installer directly from fractalsoftworks.com (~$15 USD). Download and run the Linux .run installer, which places the game under your chosen directory (e.g., ~/starsector).
Adding to Steam: In Desktop Mode, open Steam and choose *Add a Non-Steam Game*, browse to starsector.sh inside your install directory, and add it. This makes the game launchable from Game Mode.
Resolution (important): By default the game may launch at a resolution that does not match the Deck screen. Open vmparams in the Starsector install directory and add (or adjust) the -Dcom.fs.starfarer.screenWidth=1280 -Dcom.fs.starfarer.screenHeight=800 flags. Also set the in-game display settings to 1280×800 to match the Deck's native display.
Memory: The default JVM heap in vmparams is often set to -Xss2048k -Xms1536m -Xmx1536m. This is adequate for vanilla. If running a large mod pack, increase -Xmx to 2048m or 3072m (the Deck has 16 GB of unified memory so headroom is available).
Performance in large fleet battles: CPU governor matters. Install Decky Loader and the PowerTools plugin, then set the CPU governor to Performance before large fleet engagements. This can be the difference between a smooth fight and heavy stuttering as the governor throttles cores during burst computation.
Mods: Mods are delivered as ZIP archives extracted into the mods/ subdirectory of the install. The mod ecosystem is large and actively maintained; the same mod ZIPs work on Linux as on Windows. The community wiki at starsector.fandom.com and the official forums at fractalsoftworks.com/forum list vetted mods. Enable mods via the in-game mod manager on the title screen.
Saves: Saves are stored in ~/.starsector/saves (or inside the install directory depending on version). Back up this folder before major mods or game updates.
Deck UI: The game's UI was designed for mouse and keyboard. Bind the right trackpad as a mouse in Steam Input (the default Deck mouse trackpad layout works well). The on-screen keyboard is rarely needed after initial configuration.
Controller (optional fix): The base game's bundled controller code (jinput) has bugs interpreting the Steam Deck's integrated gamepad under SteamOS/Linux. The community mod SSMSControllerEx (github.com/katemonster33/SSMSControllerEx, actively maintained) adds proper gamepad support for the title screen, campaign and combat and ships fixed native input libraries that resolve the Deck button/axis bugs. Install it like any mod (extract into mods/; it depends on LazyLib and LunaLib). For most players, mapping the right trackpad as a mouse via Steam Input remains the simplest setup, but SSMSControllerEx is the go-to option if you want true controller play.
The one thing to know
DRM-free only — supply your own copy: Starsector is never sold on Steam or GOG. Purchase from fractalsoftworks.com and download the Linux .run installer.
Resolution must be set manually: Edit vmparams and in-game display settings to 1280×800 or the game may launch at the wrong resolution or off-screen.
Large fleet battles: Use Decky PowerTools to set CPU governor to Performance to prevent throttling stutters during combat.
Controller: No usable built-in controller support out of the box (the bundled gamepad code is buggy on the Deck under Linux). Easiest path: use the right trackpad as a mouse via Steam Input. For real gamepad control, install the SSMSControllerEx mod, which fixes the Deck input bugs and adds full controller mappings. Keyboard shortcuts still matter — keep the on-screen keyboard shortcut handy.
Mod memory: If running heavy mod packs, raise -Xmx in vmparams to 2048m+. Default 1536m may cause GC stutter with large mod lists.
Community guides
Write-ups and threads from people who got this (or a similar) game running. deckport links to them — it doesn't reproduce them.
Get the artwork
deckport never hosts game images. Open this game on SteamGridDB, pick
the cover / hero / logo / icon you like, and drop them into the
game folder under .deckport-art/ before you push it to the
Deck. The importer files them under the right names automatically.
Run it on your Deck
Two files: the one-time importer (deckport.py) in your
Deck's home folder, and this game's install helper. Copy the game
into ~/Games and run the helper with Steam closed — it
writes the recipe (binary, launch options)
and registers the shortcut with artwork.