Adding streaming services to Steam on Linux

If you want streaming services to appear alongside your games in Steam, there is an easy way to do it without memorising terminal commands. The secret is to use Pins, also known as PinApp, to copy each application's launch command directly from its desktop file. You then place that command into a tiny launcher script that Steam can treat as a non-Steam game.

This method works especially well if you are using the native version of Steam downloaded from Valve's website. Unlike the Snap or Flatpak releases, the native client is not sandboxed, so it can launch other applications without the restrictions that often cause shortcuts to fail.

Steam

Vacuumtube

Plex HTPC

Pins / PinApp

Start by installing the native Steam client if you have not already done so. Then install VacuumTube, Plex HTPC and Pins from Flathub.

VacuumTube provides the YouTube TV interface with built-in ad blocking and may other features, while Plex HTPC offers the official big-screen Plex experience. Both have full controller support.

Copy exec command from PinApp.

Create file and paste exec command.

Right-click and select properties.

Mark file as executable.

Once everything is installed, open Pins and select VacuumTube from the list of applications. In the application's details you will find a field labelled "Exec". This is the exact command your system uses to launch the program. Copy the entire line exactly as it appears. It may be a simple executable or a longer flatpak run command with additional options already included.

Next, create a new text file in /home/bin/ (create the bin folder if it does not exist) containing the following:

#!/bin/sh
exec <placeholder>

Replace the <placeholder> with the command you copied from Pins, then save the file as "vacuumtube.sh". Right-click on the file and select properties and mark the file as "executable".

Now do the entire process for Plex HTPC as well so that you have two files in bin (vacuumtube.sh and plex.sh).

With the scripts in place, open Steam and click on 'Games' in the top menu and select 'Add a Non-Steam Game'. Browse to vacuumtube.sh and add it to your library, then repeat the process for plex.sh. After adding them, open the Properties for each shortcut and rename them to YouTubeTV and Plex. In most cases, the "Start In" field can be left blank.

The applications will now appear in your Steam Library just like any other game. Switch to Big Picture Mode or Game Mode and you can launch them entirely with a controller. Both applications already support gamepad navigation, making them ideal for a living-room PC or Steam Deck.

YouTubeTV

Plex

If you would like the shortcuts to look more polished, you can download custom artwork from SteamGridDB. You can also organise the shortcuts into a custom Steam collection such as "Streaming" or "Media" to keep them separate from your games.