Frequently Asked Questions

On Windows 10/11, you have two options:

1. Installer Version: Download from steamtools.app or steamtools.ayka.dev and run the installer. Follow the setup wizard.
2. Portable Version: Download the portable version, extract it to any folder, and run SteamTools.exe directly - no installation needed.

SteamTools is a standalone application (~11-13 MB) with no additional dependencies required. Just download and run!

Both versions have the same functionality, but different installation methods:

• Installer Version: Permanently installs on your system, creates desktop shortcuts, adds to Start menu, can be uninstalled through Windows Settings
• Portable Version: No installation, run from any folder (including USB drives), no system modifications, easy to remove (just delete the folder)

Choose the installer if you want a standard installation, or portable if you prefer no-install usage or want to run from a USB drive.

No, SteamTools is only available for Windows 10/11. Linux and macOS versions are not available. The tool is designed specifically for Windows and uses Windows-specific functionality. If you need to use it on other platforms, you would need to use Windows in a virtual machine or dual-boot setup.

AppID (Application ID) is a unique numeric identifier for each game on Steam. You need the AppID to add games using SteamTools.

How to find AppID:

• SteamDB: Visit steamdb.info, search for your game, and the AppID is displayed prominently
• Steam Store URL: Check the game's Steam store page - the number after /app/ is the AppID (e.g., store.steampowered.com/app/730 = AppID 730)
• Steam-Tools-Game-Finder: Use the GitHub tool to search for games and find AppIDs
• Steam Client: Right-click a game in your library → Properties → Updates tab shows the AppID

Manifest files are data files that describe game packages, content, and versions in Steam's system. They're required for SteamTools to properly add games to your library.

How to get Manifest files:

• steamtools.site: Use the manifest generator to create manifest files for games
• Steam-Tools-Game-Finder: The GitHub tool can generate manifest files along with AppIDs
• Community Sources: Various forums and resources share manifest files
• SteamDB: Provides manifest information that can be used to create manifest files

Manifest files are typically placed in Steam's library folders and work together with AppID and Lua scripts.

Lua scripts are text-based scripts that help integrate games with your Steam library. They work alongside AppID and manifest files to ensure games appear and function properly.

How to get Lua scripts:

• steamtools.site: The manifest generator can also create Lua scripts
• Steam-Tools-Game-Finder: Generates Lua scripts along with manifest files
• Community Resources: Forums and community sites share Lua scripts for various games
• Manual Creation: Advanced users can create custom Lua scripts

Lua scripts are typically placed in specific Steam library directories and complement manifest files and AppID information.

To add a game using SteamTools, you need three components:

1. Get the AppID: Find the game's AppID using SteamDB, Steam store URL, or Steam-Tools-Game-Finder
2. Get Manifest files: Generate or obtain manifest files from steamtools.site or Steam-Tools-Game-Finder
3. Get Lua scripts: Obtain Lua scripts from the same sources or community forums
4. Use SteamTools: Launch SteamTools, enter the AppID, provide the manifest file and Lua script, and follow the instructions

The game should then appear in your Steam library. Visit our features page for detailed information about each component.

Common reasons games don't appear:

• Wrong AppID: Verify you're using the correct AppID for the game
• Incorrect manifest files: The manifest files may be incorrect or incompatible
• Missing Lua scripts: Lua scripts may be missing or incorrect
• Steam client needs restart: Try restarting the Steam client
• Steam update: Games may disappear after Steam client updates - you may need to re-add them
• Library folder issues: Check that Steam library folders are configured correctly

Try re-adding the game with fresh manifest files and Lua scripts. Check community forums for game-specific solutions.

SteamTools typically adds games one at a time. For each game, you need to provide its AppID, manifest files, and Lua scripts. If you want to add multiple games, you'll need to repeat the process for each game. Some community tools or scripts may help automate this process, but the standard SteamTools interface works with one game at a time.

This is a known limitation of SteamTools. When Steam updates, it may reset or update library files, causing games added through SteamTools to disappear.

What to do:

• Re-add the games using SteamTools with the same AppID, manifest files, and Lua scripts
• Keep backups of your manifest files and Lua scripts for easy re-adding
• Consider using Steam-Tools-Game-Finder to quickly regenerate files
• Always backup your Steam library files before Steam updates

Manifest file errors can occur for several reasons:

• Incorrect manifest: The manifest file may be incorrect or incompatible with the game
• Wrong AppID: The manifest file doesn't match the AppID you're using
• Outdated manifest: The manifest may be outdated and incompatible with current Steam version
• File corruption: The manifest file may be corrupted or incomplete

Solutions: Regenerate manifest files using steamtools.site or Steam-Tools-Game-Finder. Make sure you're using the correct AppID and that the manifest files are fresh and up-to-date.

If a game appears in your library but won't launch, possible causes include:

• Game files missing: The game may not actually be installed - SteamTools only adds it to the library display
• Incorrect manifest/Lua: The manifest files or Lua scripts may be incorrect for launching
• Steam client issues: Try restarting the Steam client
• Game-specific issues: Some games may not work properly with SteamTools
• Library folder issues: Check that Steam library folders are configured correctly

SteamTools adds games to your library display, but you may still need the actual game files to launch it. Check community forums for game-specific solutions.

If SteamTools won't start or crashes:

• Windows version: Make sure you're running Windows 10 or 11
• Steam installed: Ensure Steam client is installed on your system
• Antivirus: Check if antivirus software is blocking SteamTools
• Corrupted files: Try re-downloading SteamTools from the official sources
• Permissions: Run as administrator if needed (though not typically required)

Try the portable version if the installer version has issues, or vice versa. Check community forums for specific error messages and solutions.

SteamTools is a community-driven tool with important considerations:

• Not an official Valve tool: SteamTools is not an official Valve tool and has no official documentation from Valve
• Use at your own risk: While many users have used it without reported bans, there's always a theoretical risk
• No official support: Valve doesn't officially endorse third-party tools that modify Steam's library structure
• Community tool: It's a community-created utility with no official support

Yes! Steam-Tools-Game-Finder is a community tool that helps you find AppIDs and generate manifest files and Lua scripts for games. It's a great companion tool for SteamTools that makes it easier to add games to your library. You can use it to search for games and automatically generate the files you need for SteamTools.

To update SteamTools:

• Installer Version: Download the latest installer from steamtools.app or steamtools.ayka.dev and run it to update
• Portable Version: Download the latest portable version and replace your old files, or extract to a new folder

There's no automatic update mechanism in SteamTools. Check the official download sites periodically for new versions, or follow community channels for update announcements. After updating, you may need to re-add games if they disappeared.