Getting Started

Getting Started

What you need

• Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit.
• A controller is recommended: Xbox, PlayStation, Switch Pro and anything SDL3 recognizes, wired or Bluetooth. Keyboard, mouse and many TV/media remotes work too.
• Steam, if you want your Steam library. Other games can be added from folders.
• A Chromium browser (Edge, Chrome or Brave) for streaming apps and websites. Edge ships with Windows, so this is usually already covered.

Install

Run Homebase-Setup.msi. It installs for your Windows user only (no admin prompt) into %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Homebase and adds Start menu and desktop shortcuts. Running a newer MSI replaces the installed copy; your profiles, library and settings are kept.

Building it yourself? See Building from Source; cargo xtask install builds and installs in one step.

First launch

1. Homebase opens on a welcome screen and scans for games. Steam games and games in the configured folders appear in the Library.
2. The first profile is created for you. Rename it, pick an avatar and a theme from the profile card at the top of the sidebar.
3. Open Apps to see the streaming and music services Homebase knows about. Services installed on your PC open their own app; the rest open as full-screen web apps.

A five-minute tour

Try this	How
Move around	D-pad or either stick. The highlighted item is always the one A selects.
Open a game	Highlight it and press A. Homebase covers the screen while it starts.
See options for anything	Press Start (or right-click). Pin it, change its artwork, close it if it's running.
Search	Press X, type with the on-screen keyboard or a real one.
Open an app	Go to Apps and pick one. Use the left stick as a mouse and the right stick to scroll.
Leave an app	Press Start in the app for the Homebase menu, then Close app. Or press Home to go back to Homebase and leave it running.
Quick menu	Hold Home: switch profile, volume, power and desktop mode.
Use the desktop	Home + B (or quick menu → Desktop mode). The left stick is the mouse, X opens Start, Y switches windows; Home comes back.
Full screen	F11, the Full screen item at the bottom of the sidebar, or Settings → Start in full screen.

Next: Controls has the complete list.