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PulseArc OS User Guide

PulseArc is a controller-first Linux gaming and media system. It launches games from internal storage, USB drives, SD cards, CDs, and DVDs. Loose ROMs normally need no configuration. Portable Windows games can remain ordinary folders with a small optional pulsearc.toml manifest.

PulseArc is beta software. Install it on spare hardware, back up important disks, and carefully verify the selected destination before erasing a drive.

Start here

• Install and first boot
• Frontend and controller controls
• Make a Windows game cart
• Use loose ROMs and removable media
• Library, saves, cheats, and profiles
• BIOS, firmware, and runtimes
• Music, movies, live TV, apps, and networking
• Themes, settings, updates, and troubleshooting

Main screens

• Play shows media currently inserted. One detected game launches directly; multiple games open a controller-friendly browser.
• Library contains games installed on internal storage, grouped by system.
• 3D Plaza provides a navigable 3D library and media environment.
• Music plays local music, audio CDs, and configured radio streams, with optional projectM visuals.
• TV provides free live-TV sources, user-added IPTV playlists, and DVR recordings.
• Apps launches Steam, Heroic, cloud-gaming services, the web browser, and archive/media import.
• Saves manages profile-specific save data and backups.
• Cheats manages opt-in cheats supported by the selected emulator.
• Controllers tests and configures controllers and per-game mappings.
• Settings controls display, audio, volume, artwork, startup screen, runtimes, and personalization.
• Extras contains BIOS Manager, profiles, themes, screensavers, controller tools, updates, recording, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.
• Power offers frontend restart, PC restart, and shutdown.

Legal and safety note

Use only games, firmware, keys, media, and online services you are authorized to use. PulseArc does not include copyrighted console BIOS files, encryption keys, commercial games, or private service credentials.