# ValveSoftware/steam-runtime

A runtime environment for Steam applications

Repository: https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-runtime
Canonical: https://ross.abutalabs.com/products/steam-runtime
Language: Shell
License: NOASSERTION
License Family: other
Last push: 2026-08-25T17:30:39+00:00

## Health v2 (maintenance only)
Score: 77/100 (v2, computed 2026-09-02T17:46:02.011165+00:00)
- activity 99, release rhythm 35, longevity 100
- inputs: {"age_days": 4979, "days_push": 8, "days_rel": null, "gap_med": null, "n_releases_24m": 0}
- flags: no_releases, no_license
- formula: round(0.45*activity + 0.35*rhythm + 0.20*longevity); archived -> min(score, 10)

## Adoption (not part of the score)
Stars 1444, forks 95 (observed 2026-08-28T04:04:45.013046+00:00)

## What it is
A binary-compatible runtime environment that lets Steam and native Linux games run consistently across many Linux distributions. It includes the LD_LIBRARY_PATH-based 'scout' runtime and container-based Steam Linux Runtime versions (soldier, sniper, steamrt4) used by games and Proton.

## Use cases
- run Steam games on any Linux distribution
- build native Linux games against a stable SDK
- target Steam Linux Runtime 4.0 for new games
- maintain compatibility for older native Linux games
- provide the runtime environment Proton uses to run Windows games on Linux
- avoid dependency issues across rolling-release and LTS distros

## When to choose
- you are developing or porting a native Linux game for Steam
- you need a predictable library environment across heterogeneous Linux distros
- you are working on Proton or Steam Play compatibility tooling
- you need to debug or extend Steam's runtime on Linux

## When to avoid
- you are not targeting Steam or Linux gaming
- you want a general-purpose container or sandboxing tool unrelated to Steam
- you need a runtime for non-Steam application distribution

## Facets
- artifact type: library
- maturity: active
- function: developer-tools, sdk, container-runtime
- domain: gaming-tools, operating-systems, developer-tools, cross-platform
- platform: -
- tags: steam-runtime, steam-linux-runtime, game-compatibility, proton, valve, binary-compatibility, containers, linux, steam

## Member repositories
- ValveSoftware/steam-runtime (main) score 77

## Provenance
- Observed fields: from GitHub, fetched 2026-08-28T04:04:45.013046+00:00.
- Health v2: computed from the inputs above; adoption is never an input.
- Inferred fields (summary, facets, guidance): AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, on 2026-08-30T04:36:16.861537+00:00, confidence not recorded.
  - readme: https://github.com/ValveSoftware/steam-runtime (fetched 2026-08-28T04:04:45.013046+00:00, sha 3cd6f715305f)
- Data as of 2026-08-30T08:39:29.467469+00:00.