MAKO – Frame Generation, Scaling, and Shaders for SteamOS/Linux

What it is – MAKO (Motion‑Adaptive Kernel Orchestration) is a community‑maintained tool that brings AI‑driven frame‑generation, spatial up‑scaling, and a set of post‑process shaders to games running on Steam Deck, Steam Machines, or any Linux system that uses Vulkan. It works either as a Decky Loader plugin (MAKO Decky) for the Steam Deck UI, or as a standalone Vulkan layer (MAKO Renderer) that can be installed on any Linux desktop.

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Core components

Component	Role	Typical user
MAKO Decky	A Decky Loader plugin that provides a graphical UI inside SteamOS, per‑game profiles, automatic installation of the renderer, and integration with Flatpak launchers.	Steam Deck owners who want a point‑and‑click setup.
MAKO Renderer	A Vulkan‑layer library that intercepts the game's graphics pipeline to perform frame generation, scaling, and shader effects. It can be installed directly on desktop Linux without Decky.	Linux gamers using non‑Decky environments or who prefer manual control.

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Key features (high‑level, no jargon)

Feature	What you get
Full‑quality frame generation	Uses the proprietary Lossless Scaling AI models (installed by the user) to synthesize extra frames, boosting perceived frame rates up to 240 FPS.
Reduced ghosting	The newer v2 generation model plus a “Lighter FG Model” option cuts the typical trailing‑image artifacts seen in older generators.
LS1 + open spatial scaling	Reconstructs a low‑resolution frame before up‑scaling, either with the official LS1 models or with MAKO’s own single‑pass scaler.
Per‑game shader bundle	Built‑in vkBasalt layer supplies sharpening, anti‑aliasing, colour grading, retro, monochrome, and cinematic effects without extra installs.
Adaptive frame generation	Lets you set a target FPS range (30‑240 FPS); MAKO will generate frames only up to a user‑defined 2×‑5× multiplier, saving power when the game cannot keep up.
Display‑aware pacing	Detects Gamescope VRR state and chooses the best pacing method, keeping the adaptive rate stable across mode changes.
HDR groundwork	Supports HDR10/PQ and linear‑scRGB pipelines; HDR exposure is disabled by default but validated for compatibility.
32‑bit & 64‑bit Vulkan support	Ships matching host and Flatpak libraries so both 32‑bit and 64‑bit games run correctly.
Gamescope recovery	If the compositor hiccups, MAKO pauses generation and resumes once the frame cadence stabilises.
Per‑game profiles	Profiles are auto‑matched by Steam app ID or process name; each profile stores its own generation, scaling, shader, and audio settings.
Third‑party launcher support	Quick‑setup guides for Heroic, Lutris, EmuDeck, and generic Flatpak shortcuts.

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How to get started (Decky workflow)

1. Install Decky Loader on your Steam Deck (Desktop → follow the official Decky guide).
2. Buy & install the public Lossless Scaling game from Steam – required for AI frame generation.
3. Download the latest MAKO Decky ZIP from the GitHub releases page and install it via Decky → Developer → Install Plugin from Zip.
4. Inside the MAKO UI, click Install MAKO Renderer – this pulls the Vulkan layer and bundled shaders.
5. Add the launch option ~/ .local/bin/mako-run %command% to the game’s Steam launch options.
6. Launch the game and tweak the profile controls (fixed vs. adaptive generation, scaling mode, shader set, etc.).

If you prefer a desktop‑only setup, skip steps 1‑4 and install the MAKO Renderer archive directly, then use the provided mako-launch wrapper script.

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Who might benefit?

• Steam Deck owners who want smoother gameplay on low‑end hardware without buying a new device.
• Linux gamers using Proton or native Vulkan games who want AI‑upscaled frames and custom post‑process effects.
• Developers / testers interested in experimenting with frame‑generation pipelines on Linux.

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Limitations & caveats

• The AI frame‑generation models are proprietary and must be supplied by the user via a legitimate Lossless Scaling purchase; MAKO does not distribute them.
• Performance varies by GPU, game, and chosen generation profile – some titles may show ghosting or visual glitches.
• Only x86_64 packages are provided; ARM/AArch64 builds are not yet available.
• MAKO relies on Vulkan; games that run purely via OpenGL are unsupported.

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Community & support

• Discord: https://discord.gg/NAVkyCq7Rc – active channel for troubleshooting, showcase, and development discussion.
• GitHub Issues: for bug reports and feature requests.
• Documentation: extensive guides for configuration, third‑party launchers, flatpak integration, and troubleshooting are linked from the README.

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License & provenance

• Distributed under GPL‑3.0‑or‑later.
• Built on the open‑source lsfg‑vk Vulkan layer, vkBasalt post‑process layer, and incorporates shaders from SweetFX and ReShade collections.
• The project is independent and not officially affiliated with Lossless Scaling, Decky Loader, or the upstream libraries.

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TL;DR

MAKO is a Linux‑only, Vulkan‑based plugin/renderer that lets you add AI frame generation, high‑quality up‑scaling, and a suite of shaders to games on the Steam Deck or any Linux PC. Install via Decky for a UI‑driven experience, or drop the renderer into a regular Linux install for a more manual workflow.