steamos-session-select

Switch to desktop mode

$ steamos-session-select plasma

$ steamos-session-select

$ steamos-session-select plasma-wayland

$ steamos-session-select plasma-wayland-persistent

$ steamos-session-select plasma-x11-persistent

steamos-session-select [SESSION]

steamos-session-select switches between SteamOS sessions, allowing users to change from the gaming interface to the KDE Plasma desktop environment and back. Sessions with `-persistent` suffix make the device boot to that session by default.
This is the command-line equivalent of the session switching available in the Steam Deck's power menu.

plasma

KDE Plasma desktop mode

KDE Plasma desktop on Wayland

X11 desktop, set as boot default

Wayland desktop, set as boot default

Return to gamemode (removes persistent desktop selection)

Session changes take effect after the current session ends. Persistent sessions change the boot default until changed again. Gamemode is the default session on fresh installations.

steamos-session-select is part of the SteamOS utilities developed by Valve. The dual-session design allows the Steam Deck to function as both a gaming console and a full Linux desktop.

steamos-devmode(1)