lhns--steam-frame-nix/docs/steamvr-debugger.md

SteamVR debugger

steamvrDebugger.enable, automatic: on when any patch in steamFrame.uiPatches.patches uses port 8087 (all dashboard patches and the VR keyboard's strip below/above the keyboard).

Problem: dashboard patches need SteamVR's DevTools port, opened only with VRWebHelper/DebuggerEnabled (port VRWebHelper/DebuggerPort, default 8087). SteamVR rewrites ~/.config/openvr/config/steamvr.vrsettings from memory, so the key can't be a link and can't be edited while SteamVR runs.

What it does: sets the key only while SteamVR runs:

• before every SteamVR start, the steamvr-webhelper-debugger oneshot (a drop-in on steamvr.service) stores the key's value in ~/.local/state/steam-frame-nix/steamvr-debugger.armed, sets the key (with jq) and writes a runtime drop-in, /run/user/1000/systemd/user/steamvr.service.d/50-steam-frame-nix-debugger.conf, whose ExecStopPost= runs a restore script next to it (/run/user/1000/steam-frame-nix/, /usr/bin tools only);
• when SteamVR stops, the key goes back to its previous value (removed if it wasn't there) and .armed is removed.

The runtime files don't need Nix, so this also works after a rollback or uninstall; they are gone at reboot. A key you set to true yourself is never touched. Disabled, there is no unit; the switch restores the key if SteamVR is stopped, otherwise the runtime drop-in does when it stops.

The first time, restart SteamVR once (e.g. reboot); until then steam-ui-patches keeps polling.

Security: the port listens on 127.0.0.1 only; keep Developer Mode off (see DevTools on the LAN).

What it writes and when it is removed: changes outside Nix.