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Mod Loader/Install on Steam Deck

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Getting started

Steam Deck uses the Windows version of Dressmaker through Proton to load mods. Setup takes place in Desktop Mode; afterward, you can launch the game from Gaming Mode.

Steam Deck gameplay has not yet been tested. If you try it and run into a problem, include your Proton version and the loader log when reporting it.

Before you start

  1. Close Dressmaker. Open the Deck's power menu and choose Switch to Desktop.
  2. Download Mod Loader for Steam Deck. It includes BepInEx, so you don't need to download that separately.
  3. In Steam, open Dressmaker > Properties > Compatibility. Enable Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool and choose an installed Proton version.
  4. Let Steam finish downloading any game files it needs. Start Dressmaker once, then close it.


Install Mod Loader

  1. In Steam, choose Dressmaker > Manage > Browse local files. This finds the right folder whether the game is on internal storage or an SD card.
  2. Extract the Mod Loader ZIP. Copy its contents into the game folder, beside Dressmaker.exe.
  3. Check that BepInEx, winhttp.dll, and doorstop_config.ini are directly in that folder. Don't copy an extra outer folder containing them.
  4. Open Dressmaker > Properties > General in Steam. Paste this into Launch Options:
WINEDLLOVERRIDES="winhttp=n,b" %command%

If you already have launch options, keep the options you need and use only one %command%.

Your game folder should look like this: 

Dressmaker/
    Dressmaker.exe
    Dressmaker_Data/
    winhttp.dll
    doorstop_config.ini
    BepInEx/
        plugins/
            DressmakerMods.dll

Start Dressmaker through Steam and open Options > Mod Manager. If the menu is there, the loader started. You can now return to Gaming Mode.

Install mods

Download a Dressmaker mod, then open Options > Mod Manager > Install/Update Mod. Select its ZIP, check the preview, and confirm. Restart the game afterward. Leave individual mod ZIPs intact when installing them through Mod Manager.

If the file picker is awkward in Gaming Mode, install mods in Desktop Mode. A Windows file picker may show Linux files under the Z: drive. Downloads are usually under Z:\home\deck\Downloads.

For manual installation, see Install a mod. Check each plugin's requirements; not every third-party plugin has been tested with Proton.

Set up controls

Use Steam Input to assign the keyboard and mouse controls you need to the trackpads and back buttons. Supported shortcuts can be changed in Options > Mod Settings > Keybinds.

If you install Accessory Ruler, its default shortcuts are V and H for line locks, F for equal spacing, and G for grid steps. Advanced Trim Behaviours uses Shift + scroll wheel to resize a trim point. These mods are separate downloads.

Update Mod Loader

Choose the newer Steam Deck loader ZIP with Install/Update Mod, then restart. This updates the loader DLL. To update BepInEx and startup files too, close Dressmaker and copy the full ZIP's contents into the game folder again. Keep your Mods and BepInEx/config folders.

Keep the Proton launch option when updating or switching game branches.

There's no Mod Manager

Check these three things first:

  • Steam is using Proton for Dressmaker.
  • The launch option matches the line above, including the quotes and %command%.
  • winhttp.dll is beside Dressmaker.exe, and the loader DLL is in BepInEx/plugins.

Look for BepInEx/LogOutput.log in the game folder. If there isn't one, BepInEx probably didn't start. If there is, include it when asking for help. See Troubleshooting.

Remove Mod Loader

  1. Close Dressmaker and switch to Desktop Mode.
  2. Open the folder containing Uninstall_Dressmaker_Mods.sh in Dolphin. Right-click an empty space and choose Open Terminal Here.
  3. Run this command:
bash ./Uninstall_Dressmaker_Mods.sh

Check the game folder shown and type yes. If the game is on an SD card and the script asks for its location, paste the full folder path from Browse local files.

The script moves loader files into a dated Threadbox-uninstall folder inside the game folder. Saves, mods, and settings stay in place, but BepInEx plugins stop loading.

Remove WINEDLLOVERRIDES="winhttp=n,b" from Steam's Launch Options. If only %command% remains, clear that too. Keep unrelated options and leave Proton enabled.

To undo the uninstall, close Dressmaker, copy the backup contents into the game folder, and restore the launch option from the install steps. Back up your saves before playing without mods used by your dresses.

Back to the Mod Loader guide

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