Armada

SteamOS-like Linux for ARM handhelds

Armada brings Steam, FEX, Proton, and a full Linux desktop to supported ARM64 gaming handhelds.

Install Armada · Supported devices · Documentation · Known issues

[!WARNING] Armada is prototype software under active development. Installation requires bootloader changes that can brick a device, corrupt partitions, or cause data loss. Check the current supported-device list, back up your data, and read the complete installation guide before proceeding.

About Armada

Armada is a gaming-focused Linux distribution built on Fedora bootc with device support derived from ROCKNIX. It combines a console-first Steam experience with a full KDE Plasma desktop while remaining an open, image-based operating system.

Highlights include:

• ARM64 Steam with FEX translation and Proton compatibility
• Gaming Mode and a full KDE Plasma Desktop Mode
• Over-the-air operating system updates
• SD-card boot with optional internal-storage installation
• Handheld-focused power, fan, controller, and calibration controls
• Per-game compatibility settings through Armada Control

Documentation

The Armada documentation is the source of truth for device support, installation, updates, current limitations, and recovery. Use the guides there rather than instructions copied from older releases or posts.

I want to…	Guide
Install Armada	Flash to an SD card
Check my handheld	Supported devices
Learn the interface	Using Armada
Update an installation	Updating
Find help	FAQ · Known issues
Report a bug	Github Issues

Development

This repository assembles the Armada bootc image and its flashable disk images, along with the upstream-derived packages it ships (see packages/). The development recipes require just and Podman:

$ just check     # Run the test suite and check recipe formatting
$ just packages  # Build the packages the image consumes (slow from cold)
$ just build     # Build the local bootc container image
$ just --list    # Show disk-image, VM, and other development recipes

Each package builds as a stage in packages/Containerfile and is published under a tag derived from its own sources, so an unchanged package is never rebuilt. just build uses a locally built package when you have one and the published image otherwise, so you only build what you are changing.

Issues and pull requests are welcome. For installation or device support, check the troubleshooting documentation or ask in the Armada Discord community.

Credits

See the project credits for the upstream projects and contributors that make Armada possible. The Armada logo was created by Rax.

License

Armada's own code is licensed under GPL-2.0-or-later. Bundled components retain their upstream licenses. See LICENSE.md.