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🎮 Flex Launcher Setup Guide

Turn Linux Into the Ultimate HTPC & Gaming Hub

*** Download the Config ZIP ➜
Flex Launcher Config

🚀 The Ultimate Controller-Friendly Launcher

Flex Launcher is a lightweight, open-source app launcher
designed for Linux HTPCs and gaming setups. It provides
a sleek, console-like interface for launching apps like
Steam, Kodi,
and Heroic Launcher — all fully
navigable with an Xbox controller. 🔥

In this guide, you’ll learn how to install Flex Launcher from source,
set it to auto-start, and customize it with a stylish
neon cyberpunk icon pack for the ultimate living room experience.

1️⃣ Install Required Packages

Install build dependencies first:

sudo pacman -S sdl2 sdl2_image sdl2_ttf libinih git cmake gcc pkg-config

🎮 CachyOS Gaming Essentials

If you’re on CachyOS, install gaming-optimized packages for better performance:

sudo pacman -S cachyos-gaming-meta

 

sudo pacman -S cachyos-gaming-applications

2️⃣ Clone & Build Flex Launcher

Grab the official repo and compile it:

git clone https://github.com/complexlogic/flex-launcher.git ~/flex-launcher
cd ~/flex-launcher
mkdir build && cd build
cmake ..
make -j"$(nproc)"
mv flex-launcher ..
cd ..
rm -rf build

Test-run Flex Launcher – ** Make sure to copy the config file and assests from the zip first **

cd ~/flex-launcher
./flex-launcher

3️⃣ Apply Custom Config & Icons

Download the Flex Launcher Config ZIP, extract it, and copy the config.ini plus any custom icons to:

~/flex-launcher

This gives you a polished, console-style layout with a neon cyberpunk theme.

4️⃣ Set Flex Launcher to Auto-Start

Make Flex Launcher boot up automatically with your desktop environment:

mkdir -p ~/.config/autostart
begin
echo '[Desktop Entry]'
echo 'Type=Application'
echo 'Name=Flex Launcher'
echo "Exec=$HOME/flex-launcher/flex-launcher"
echo "Path=$HOME/flex-launcher"
echo 'X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true'
end > ~/.config/autostart/flex-launcher.desktop
chmod +x ~/.config/autostart/flex-launcher.desktop

Reboot to verify:

sudo reboot

💡 Features Shown in the Video

  • Installing CachyOS with rollback-ready Lamime bootloader
  • Replacing GNOME Software with Bazaar for fast Flatpak installs
  • Setting up Kodi, VacuumTube, Heroic Launcher, and Steam
  • Full Xbox controller support (USB & Bluetooth)
  • Custom neon cyberpunk icon pack
  • Launching Flex Launcher automatically for a true HTPC feel

🚀 Final Thoughts

Flex Launcher transforms your Linux setup into a sleek, console-style hub, perfect for media PCs and gaming rigs. With easy controller navigation, custom themes, and tight integration with apps like Steam and Heroic Launcher, it’s a must-have for any living room setup.

Pair it with CachyOS for blazing speed, rollback safety, and an optimized gaming experience. 🎮

Credit to Flex Launcher 👉 GitHub: https://github.com/complexlogic/flex-launcher