Booting to Big Picture under certain conditions

2026-05-13 16:30 UTC

Hi all, I’ve no idea if this is possible but figured I’d see if anyone has done anything similar. Here’s the problem: basically I have a tv that I sometimes plug into my desktop pc in my room. Problem is when I do so I have to manually move cables around to remove the desktop monitors and then I need a mouse and keyboard to get into steam big picture. If anything breaks along the way I need to use a keyboard and mouse again. What I’d like to do is somehow be able to say under certain conditions only use the tv as a monitor otherwise ignore it and vice versa so I don’t have to unplug it or replug it every time I switch between my desk or my couch. Another want is to have it boot straight to big picture when and only when my tv is connected. I suspect this is something I could solve with scripting? Just would need to know where to look. Also could possibly dual boot say bazzite but that wouldn’t be a full solution. I do have another pc that I’ve slowly accumulated from upgrades but the 7700xt isn’t really a 4k card. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

Replies (4)

@just_another_person@lemmy.world 2026-05-13 16:50

Simple bash script set to run once your DE is loaded would do it. Detect the TV with xrandr or equivalent, then start Steam in BPM. If not, do nothing.

Open ##2495127
@bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 2026-05-13 17:49

As a workaround, if you have a Steam Controller pressing the Steam button should bring up Steam and pressing it again should switch to Big Picture Mode. That’s at least how it works on my Steam Deck in desktop mode. If you have an Xbox or PlayStation controller you could try if their corresponding buttons work the same.

Open ##2495597
@DonutsRMeh@lemmy.world 2026-05-13 20:53

For switching between monitors and the tv, just get an hdmi selector with a remote. Something like this for example. That way you just turn on your pc with the controller and switch to the tv with the selector remote. As for starting in steam big picture mode, you can’t have it both ways. You can do either or as far as I know. You could try installing cachy OS regular desktop then install the handheld package, which puts an icon on your desktop that when you click, it takes you to big picture mode. Although, I’m not sure whether or not the handheld package causes the machine to boot directly into big picture mode.

Open ##2496835
@IAmYouButYouDontKnowYet@reddthat.com 2026-05-26 15:11

Get a xii mini keyboard.

Open ##2870063