steamos-select-branch

View the current branch

$ steamos-select-branch -c

$ steamos-select-branch -l

$ steamos-select-branch beta

$ steamos-select-branch stable

$ steamos-select-branch main

steamos-select-branch <branch_name>

<branch_name>
    The name of the update branch to switch to. Common values include stable, beta, and preview.

steamos-select-branch is a specialized command used on Valve's SteamOS (and Steam Deck) to switch between different system update branches. These branches typically include 'stable', 'beta', and 'preview', offering varying levels of software stability and access to new features. The command modifies the system's package manager configuration (specifically, pacman.conf for SteamOS which is Arch Linux-based) to point to the repositories associated with the chosen branch.

It does not immediately perform an update but sets up the system for the next update cycle. Users often run sudo pacman -Syu or simply reboot their device after selecting a new branch to apply the changes. This allows users to test upcoming features or revert to a more stable channel if issues arise.

• Switching to 'beta' or 'preview' branches may introduce system instability or bugs. Always ensure system backups before switching branches, especially to less stable ones.
• A system update (sudo pacman -Syu or reboot) is required after changing the branch for changes to take effect.
• This command requires sudo privileges to execute as it modifies system-critical configuration files.

After running steamos-select-branch, it is necessary to perform a system update to download and install packages from the newly selected branch. On Steam Deck, a simple reboot often triggers this update. For command-line users, sudo pacman -Syu would manually initiate the update.

The steamos-select-branch command was introduced as part of the SteamOS 3.0 development, notably becoming prominent with the release of the Steam Deck. Its purpose is to simplify the management of system updates and allow users to easily opt into different testing channels without manually editing configuration files. It leverages the power of Arch Linux's pacman package manager, abstracting away the complexities of repository management for the end-user.

pacman(8), systemctl(1)