Reference example for using [decky-frontend-lib](https://github.com/SteamDeckHomebrew/decky-frontend-lib) in a [decky-loader](https://github.com/SteamDeckHomebrew/decky-loader) plugin.
### **Please also refer to the [wiki](https://wiki.deckbrew.xyz/en/user-guide/home#plugin-development) for important information on plugin development and submissions/updates. currently documentation is split between this README and the wiki which is something we are hoping to rectify in the future.**
4. If you want an all encompassing demonstration of decky-frontend-lib's capabilities check out [decky-playground](https://github.com/SteamDeckHomebrew/decky-playground). It shows off almost all of decky-frontend-lib's features.
Everytime you change the frontend code (`index.tsx` etc) you will need to rebuild using the commands from step 2 above or the build task if you're using vscode or a derivative.
Note: If you are receiving build errors due to an out of date library, you should run this command inside of your repository:
If you are developing with a backend for a plugin and would like to submit it to the [decky-plugin-database](https://github.com/SteamDeckHomebrew/decky-plugin-database) you will need to have all backend code located in ``backend/src``, with backend being located in the root of your git repository.
When building your plugin, the source code will be built and any finished binary or binaries will be output to ``backend/out`` (which is created during CI.)
If your buildscript, makefile or any other build method does not place the binary files in the ``backend/out`` directory they will not be properly picked up during CI and your plugin will not have the required binaries included for distribution.
Example:
In our makefile used to demonstrate the CI process of building and distributing a plugin backend, note that the makefile explicitly creates the `out` folder (``backend/out``) and then compiles the binary into that folder. Here's the relevant snippet.
```make
hello:
mkdir -p ./out
gcc -o ./out/hello ./src/main.c
```
The CI does create the `out` folder itself but we recommend creating it yourself if possible during your build process to ensure the build process goes smoothly.
The out folder is not sent to the final plugin, but is then put into a ``bin`` folder which is found at the root of the plugin's directory.
More information on the bin folder can be found below in the distribution section below.
We recommend following the instructions found in the [decky-plugin-database](https://github.com/SteamDeckHomebrew/decky-plugin-database) on how to get your plugin up on the plugin store. This is the best way to get your plugin in front of users.
You can also choose to do distribution via a zip file containing the needed files, if that zip file is uploaded to a URL it can then be downloaded and installed via decky-loader.
Note regarding licenses: Including a license is required for the plugin store if your chosen license requires the license to be included alongside usage of source-code/binaries!
Standard procedure for licenses is to have your chosen license at the top of the file, and to leave the original license for the plugin-template at the bottom. If this is not the case on submission to the plugin database, you will be asked to fix this discrepancy.
We cannot and will not distribute your plugin on the Plugin Store if it's license requires it's inclusion but you have not included a license to be re-distributed with your plugin in the root of your git repository.
