steamos-boot-install

View documentation for the original command

$ tldr steamos-finalize-install

steamos-boot-install [OPTIONS] --mountpoint <path> --boot-partition <path> --root-partition <path>
(Commonly used flags; not exhaustive. Typically called by installer scripts.)

--mountpoint <path>
    Specifies the mount point of the root filesystem where SteamOS is installed (e.g., /mnt).

--boot-partition <path>
    Specifies the path to the EFI System Partition (ESP) or the dedicated boot partition (e.g., /dev/nvme0n1p1).

--root-partition <path>
    Specifies the path to the root filesystem partition of the SteamOS installation (e.g., /dev/nvme0n1p3).

--efi
    Explicitly indicates an EFI (UEFI) boot environment for bootloader installation.

--systemd-boot
    Instructs the installer to use systemd-boot as the bootloader, which is common on the Steam Deck.

--grub
    Instructs the installer to use GRUB as the bootloader (often for older SteamOS versions or specific PC setups).

--force
    Forces the installation process, potentially overwriting existing boot entries or configurations.

--verbose
    Provides more detailed output during the installation process, useful for monitoring.

--debug
    Enables even more verbose debug output for in-depth troubleshooting.

--preserve-dual-boot
    Attempts to preserve existing boot entries if a dual-boot setup is detected during installation.

--install-efi-entries
    Explicitly ensures that EFI boot entries are installed or updated in the system's firmware.

steamos-boot-install is a crucial internal utility used primarily during the installation or recovery of Valve's SteamOS operating system. Its primary function is to configure and install the appropriate bootloader (either GRUB or systemd-boot, depending on the system and configuration) to ensure SteamOS can successfully boot. This command handles the complexities of setting up EFI boot entries on modern systems or traditional MBR boot records on older BIOS-based machines. It integrates with the system's existing boot infrastructure, managing boot partitions, and ensuring the correct kernel and initramfs are loaded. While typically invoked automatically by the SteamOS installer, its underlying logic addresses various boot scenarios, including single-boot installations, updates to existing installations, and sometimes even complex dual-boot setups by interacting with efibootmgr or grub-install utilities. It ensures that SteamOS is properly registered as a bootable entry.

This command is an internal utility primarily used by the SteamOS installer scripts. It is generally not intended for direct manual invocation by end-users unless specifically instructed for recovery or advanced troubleshooting scenarios. Incorrect usage can lead to an unbootable system. Its behavior and available options may vary significantly between different SteamOS versions and specific hardware platforms (e.g., Steam Deck vs. generic PC installations).

During a typical SteamOS installation or reinstallation, after the system's partitions are created and the root filesystem populated, steamos-boot-install is invoked as one of the final steps. Its role is to ensure that the newly installed SteamOS system can be properly discovered and booted by the system's firmware or an existing boot manager, making the system operational.

On the Steam Deck, steamos-boot-install heavily leverages systemd-boot due to its simplicity and direct UEFI integration, which is a key difference from older SteamOS versions that relied more on GRUB. This command is vital for setting up the A/B partition scheme's boot logic, enabling seamless and robust system updates and rollbacks specific to the Steam Deck's design.

steamos-boot-install is a specialized component of Valve's custom SteamOS installer. Its development is intrinsically linked to the evolution of SteamOS itself, from its initial Debian-based PC releases to the modern Arch Linux-based Steam Deck. The command's underlying logic has adapted over time to support various bootloaders (e.g., the transition from primarily GRUB to `systemd-boot` for the Steam Deck) and different hardware boot environments (BIOS vs. UEFI). It represents a critical piece of Valve's efforts to streamline the boot configuration aspect of their Linux-based gaming operating system.

grub-install(8), efibootmgr(8), fdisk(8), mount(8), chroot(8)