# Star Wars Genesis: Ubuntu Installation Guide

Last verified against upstream sources: **2026-09-23** (Star Wars Genesis 8.8.21, Starfield 1.16.244, current Jackify release).

Written for **Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and 26.04 LTS**. Notes for other releases are inline where they matter.

> **Unofficial guide.** Star Wars Genesis does not officially support Linux, and its author has stated he cannot help with Linux problems. For help, use the Linux-Help channel on the Genesis Discord or `#unofficial-linux-help` on the Wabbajack Discord. Jackify is alpha software, and its own documentation states that a successful install does not guarantee a working modlist.

---

## Critical Requirements

- **Swap space:** At least **80 GB**. Genesis requires an 80 GB Windows page file; swap is the Linux equivalent. See [Configure an 80 GB Swap File](#configure-an-80-gb-swap-file).
- **Storage:** Starfield and the modlist must both be on the **same internal NVMe SSD**. External SSDs and HDDs do not work.
- **Hardware:** Steam Deck and ROG Ally are **not compatible**. GPUs with 6 to 12 GB of VRAM will see menu lag when pausing.
- **Game version:** Non-pirated **Steam** version of Starfield at **1.16.244**. Game Pass / Microsoft Store copies are not supported. Before installing, check "Latest Supported Starfield Version" on the official [Updating page](https://genesismodlist.com/updating/) in case this has changed.
- **DLC:** The **Shattered Space** expansion (paid) is required.
- **Language:** English. Translation mods from Nexus will break the text replacement mods.
- **Clean game:** **No** Creation Store or Vortex mods, including Bethesda-made creations such as Trackers Alliance. If you have *ever* modded Starfield, even if you uninstalled the mods, follow the official [Modded Starfield Cleanup](https://genesismodlist.com/modded-starfield-cleanup/) first. Skipping this causes instant crashes or a corrupted save.
- **New game:** Install Genesis first, then start a new game.
- **Updates:** Turn off automatic updates for Starfield in Steam now ([official instructions](https://genesismodlist.com/turning-off-automatic-updates/)). A Starfield update makes Genesis unplayable until Genesis is updated to match, which can take weeks.
- **Network:** Disable any VPN during the install. The Genesis team reports VPNs blocking some downloads.
- **Steam package:** Use the native `.deb` Steam or the Flathub Flatpak Steam. **Jackify does not support the Snap version of Steam.** Ubuntu's App Center installs Steam as a Snap, so check:

  ```bash
  snap list steam
  ```

  If that lists Steam, switch to the native package with `sudo apt install steam-installer` (or Valve's `.deb` from the Steam website) and remove the Snap. Removing the Snap deletes the games installed through it, so plan to re-download Starfield.

---

## Flatpak Steam Users: Extra Permissions

Skip this section if you use the native `.deb` Steam.

Flatpak Steam (`com.valvesoftware.Steam`) runs in a sandbox. Grant it access to `~/Games`, which will hold the symlink created in Step 2.

**Terminal method:**

```bash
flatpak override --user --filesystem=~/Games com.valvesoftware.Steam
```

**GUI method (Flatseal):**

1. Install Flatseal: `flatpak install flathub com.github.tchx84.Flatseal`
2. Open Flatseal and select **Steam** in the left menu.
3. Scroll to **Filesystem**.
4. Under *Other files*, add `~/Games`.
5. Make sure the toggle is enabled, then close Flatseal.

Flatpak Protontricks also needs access to Flatpak Steam. That command is in Step 1, after Protontricks is installed.

---

## Configure an 80 GB Swap File

Ubuntu ships with a swap file at `/swap.img` (usually a few GB). The commands below replace it with an 80 GB `/swapfile`. Check your current state first:

```bash
swapon --show      # what swap is active right now
df -h /            # you need more than 80 GB free on /
findmnt -no FSTYPE /   # prints ext4 on a default Ubuntu install
```

If `findmnt` prints `btrfs`, do not use `fallocate` below. Create the file with `sudo btrfs filesystem mkswapfile --size 80g /swapfile` instead, then continue from `swapon`.

```bash
# Remove Ubuntu's default swap file (skip these three lines if /swap.img was not listed above)
sudo swapoff /swap.img
sudo rm /swap.img
sudo sed -i '\|^/swap.img|d' /etc/fstab

# Create, secure, format and enable an 80 GB swap file
sudo fallocate -l 80G /swapfile
sudo chmod 600 /swapfile
sudo mkswap /swapfile
sudo swapon /swapfile

# Make it persistent (adds the fstab line only if it is not already there)
grep -q '^/swapfile ' /etc/fstab || echo '/swapfile none swap sw 0 0' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab

# Confirm
swapon --show
```

Notes:

- If `/swapfile` already exists and is active, run `sudo swapoff /swapfile` first. `fallocate` fails on an active swap file.
- `swapoff` can take several minutes if the existing swap is in use.
- The 80 GB figure comes from Genesis's Windows page-file requirement. Linux handles memory overcommit differently from Windows, so it is not established that Proton needs the full 80 GB. Matching the official number is the safe default; it costs 80 GB of disk.

---

## Step 1: Install Dependencies

| Component | Required? | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Jackify | Yes | Installs the modlist and creates the Steam shortcut |
| Protontricks 1.11.0 or newer | Yes | Jackify requires it to configure the Proton prefix |
| 7-Zip | Yes | Extracts the Jackify and document archives |
| FUSE 2 and `libxcb-cursor` | Yes | Needed to run the Jackify AppImage on Ubuntu |
| PowerShell 7 | Optional | Only used in Step 6 to apply Genesis's default settings |

**Base packages and Protontricks:**

Install Protontricks from Flathub. Ubuntu's own package is too old for Jackify: 24.04 ships 1.10.5 and 22.04 ships 1.7.0.

```bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y p7zip-full flatpak libfuse2t64 libxcb-cursor-dev

# Add Flathub and install Protontricks
flatpak remote-add --user --if-not-exists flathub https://dl.flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
flatpak install --user -y flathub com.github.Matoking.protontricks

# Optional alias so "protontricks" works as a plain command
echo 'alias protontricks="flatpak run com.github.Matoking.protontricks"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

protontricks --version   # must be 1.11.0 or newer
```

- On Ubuntu 22.04 the FUSE package is `libfuse2`, not `libfuse2t64`. Do not install the package named `fuse`; on some releases it removes `fuse3` and parts of the desktop.
- On 26.04, `p7zip-full` is provided by the `7zip` package. `apt` selects it automatically.

**Flatpak Steam users only**, give Protontricks access to Steam:

```bash
flatpak override --user --filesystem=~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam com.github.Matoking.protontricks
```

**Jackify:**

1. Download the latest release from [Jackify on Nexus Mods](https://www.nexusmods.com/site/mods/1427?tab=files). Source and docs: [github.com/Omni-guides/Jackify](https://github.com/Omni-guides/Jackify).
2. Extract and make it executable:

   ```bash
   cd ~/Downloads
   7z x Jackify*.7z
   chmod +x Jackify.AppImage
   ```

3. Optional: each GitHub release includes a `SHA256SUMS` file. Put it next to the AppImage and run `sha256sum -c SHA256SUMS`; you should see `Jackify.AppImage: OK`.

**PowerShell 7 (optional, for Step 6):**

This is Microsoft's repository method. It only works on Ubuntu releases Microsoft supports, currently **24.04 and 26.04**. On interim releases such as 25.10, use the manual `.deb` from the [PowerShell install page](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/install/install-ubuntu) instead.

```bash
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y wget apt-transport-https software-properties-common
source /etc/os-release
wget -q https://packages.microsoft.com/config/ubuntu/$VERSION_ID/packages-microsoft-prod.deb
sudo dpkg -i packages-microsoft-prod.deb
rm packages-microsoft-prod.deb
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y powershell
pwsh --version
```

This adds Microsoft's repository as a package source, which also carries .NET packages. If you install .NET for other work, Microsoft documents package conflicts between their repository and Ubuntu's.

---

## Step 2: Prepare the Starfield Prefix

1. In Steam, right-click Starfield > **Properties** > **Compatibility**, force **Proton Experimental**.
2. Launch Starfield once to the main menu, then exit completely. This creates the Proton prefix and the `Documents/My Games/Starfield` folder.
3. Create a symlink to the prefix's virtual C: drive at `~/Games/STARFIELD`.

The commands in the rest of this guide use shell variables. If you open a new terminal, re-run the variable lines.

**Native (.deb) Steam:**

```bash
STEAM_ROOT="$HOME/.local/share/Steam"
mkdir -p ~/Games
ln -sfn "$STEAM_ROOT/steamapps/compatdata/1716740/pfx/drive_c" ~/Games/STARFIELD
ls ~/Games/STARFIELD/users/steamuser   # should list folders; an error means the path is wrong
```

**Flatpak Steam:**

```bash
STEAM_ROOT="$HOME/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/.local/share/Steam"
mkdir -p ~/Games
ln -sfn "$STEAM_ROOT/steamapps/compatdata/1716740/pfx/drive_c" ~/Games/STARFIELD
ls ~/Games/STARFIELD/users/steamuser
```

**If `ls` fails:** the prefix lives in whichever Steam library Starfield is installed to. If Starfield is on a secondary library (another drive), replace `$STEAM_ROOT` in the `ln` line with that library's path. For native Steam, this prints the library that holds Starfield:

```bash
grep -oP '"path"\s+"\K[^"]+' "$STEAM_ROOT/steamapps/libraryfolders.vdf" | while IFS= read -r lib; do
  [ -f "$lib/steamapps/appmanifest_1716740.acf" ] && echo "$lib"
done
```

Flatpak users can see library locations in Steam under **Settings > Storage**.

Placing the modlist inside the Starfield prefix keeps it on the same drive as the game, which Genesis requires.

> **Tradeoff:** Genesis will live inside Starfield's Proton prefix. Uninstalling Starfield, or deleting `compatdata/1716740` to reset Proton, deletes your Genesis install along with it.

---

## Step 3: Get the .wabbajack File

Jackify only needs the `.wabbajack` file. Pick one method.

### Method A: Direct download (recommended)

The official [Linux Support page](https://genesismodlist.com/linux-support/) links the current `.wabbajack` file directly, so there is no need to run the Windows installer.

```bash
SWG="$HOME/Games/STARFIELD/Star Wars Genesis"
mkdir -p "$SWG"
wget -O "$SWG/Star.Wars.Genesis.wabbajack" \
  https://github.com/DeityVengy/Genesis-Mod-Repo/releases/download/GenesisModRepo/Star.Wars.Genesis.wabbajack
```

The file at that link is replaced with each Genesis release. As of 2026-09-23 it was last updated 2026-08-25, after the 8.8.21 release.

### Method B: Run StarWarsGenesisSetup.exe with Protontricks

1. Download `StarWarsGenesisSetup.exe` from the [official install page](https://genesismodlist.com/install/) as a **standard download, not a zip**. If the MEGA link fails, use the Dropbox mirror on the same page.
2. Run `protontricks --gui`, select **Starfield (1716740)**, then **Select the default wineprefix**.
3. Choose **Run an arbitrary executable** and select `StarWarsGenesisSetup.exe`. If the file picker cannot see `~/Downloads`, grant access and try again:

   ```bash
   flatpak override --user --filesystem=xdg-download com.github.Matoking.protontricks
   ```

4. Leave the install location as `C:\Star Wars Genesis`. Do not rename it.
5. When Wabbajack opens at the end, close it.
6. Find the extracted file:

   ```bash
   SWG="$HOME/Games/STARFIELD/Star Wars Genesis"
   find "$SWG" -name '*.wabbajack'
   ```

   Earlier installers placed it in a `Compiler` subfolder. Use whatever path `find` prints in Step 4.

---

## Step 4: Install the Modlist with Jackify

1. Run Jackify:

   ```bash
   ~/Downloads/Jackify.AppImage
   ```

2. Select **Modlist Tasks**, then **Install a Modlist (Automated)**.
3. Choose **Starfield** as the game.
4. Click **Authorise** and complete the Nexus Mods login in your browser. Without Nexus Premium, you will be walked through clicking each download manually.
5. Open the **Use .wabbajack file** tab and select the file from Step 3.
6. If asked for a modlist name, use `Star Wars Genesis`.
7. **Installation directory:** `~/Games/STARFIELD/Star Wars Genesis/Game`
   Target the `Game` subfolder. Selecting the parent `Star Wars Genesis` folder is the most common mistake and produces an error about installing to the same place as the Wabbajack compiler.
8. **Download directory:** `~/Games/STARFIELD/Star Wars Genesis/Game/Downloads`
   This matches the official Windows layout, which the HD Overhaul guide relies on. It also stays inside `~/Games`, which Flatpak Steam can access.
9. Choose your resolution and click **Start Installation**. This can take hours. It is resumable; if interrupted, run it again with the same directories.
10. When it finishes, let Jackify restart Steam.

Jackify's documentation advises avoiding spaces in directory names. The layout above keeps Genesis's official folder names and has been reported working. If Jackify fails on a path error, try a space-free name first.

---

## Step 5: Manual Document Installation

`GENESIS_DOCUMENTS.bat` does not work on Linux, so install the document files by hand. If these files are missing or in the wrong place, the game launches as plain Starfield or NPCs are missing their bodies. The Genesis Linux page states this symptom is always a documents problem.

1. Download **Star Wars Genesis Documents** from the official [Manual Documents Step page](https://genesismodlist.com/manual-documents-step/) (Google Drive link, labeled "Bat Not Working" on the install page).
2. Extract it and locate the folder that contains `DeityVengy was here.ico`:

   ```bash
   cd ~/Downloads
   mkdir -p swg-docs
   7z x -oswg-docs "NAME_OF_THE_ARCHIVE_YOU_DOWNLOADED"
   SRC="$(dirname "$(find ~/Downloads/swg-docs -name 'DeityVengy was here.ico' | head -n1)")"
   echo "$SRC"   # must print a real folder path
   ```

3. Copy the files into the Starfield prefix, overwriting existing files:

   ```bash
   DEST="$HOME/Games/STARFIELD/users/steamuser/Documents/My Games/Starfield"
   mkdir -p "$DEST"
   cp -rf "$SRC"/. "$DEST"/
   ls "$DEST"   # should include "DeityVengy was here.ico"
   ```

4. Copy them into the Genesis shortcut's prefix as well. Jackify's Steam shortcut is a separate non-Steam entry with its own Proton prefix, and it is not confirmed which prefix's Documents folder the game reads when launched through that shortcut. Covering both costs nothing.

   ```bash
   protontricks -l | grep -i genesis
   # Output looks like: Non-Steam shortcut: Star Wars Genesis (1234567890)
   SHORTCUT_ID=1234567890   # replace with your number
   DEST2="$STEAM_ROOT/steamapps/compatdata/$SHORTCUT_ID/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/My Games/Starfield"
   mkdir -p "$DEST2"
   cp -rf "$SRC"/. "$DEST2"/
   ls "$DEST2"
   ```

   If `$STEAM_ROOT/steamapps/compatdata/$SHORTCUT_ID/pfx` does not exist, skip this step.

---

## Step 6: Apply Genesis Settings

The PowerShell script only sets in-game options to Genesis defaults. Per the Genesis Linux page, skipping it is fine **as long as** you apply the [recommended settings](https://genesismodlist.com/settings/) manually; skipping both causes visual bugs.

**Option A: PowerShell** (run in each folder you copied documents into):

```bash
cd "$DEST"
pwsh ./UpdateStarfieldPrefs.ps1
ls -l StarfieldPrefs.ini   # the timestamp should now be current

cd "$DEST2"
pwsh ./UpdateStarfieldPrefs.ps1
ls -l StarfieldPrefs.ini
```

This script is written for Windows. Running it under PowerShell on Linux is a community workaround, not something Genesis tests. If it errors, or `StarfieldPrefs.ini` is not updated, use Option B.

**Option B: Manual:** Edit `StarfieldPrefs.ini` in the same folder(s) to match the [Default Settings page](https://genesismodlist.com/settings/).

---

## Step 7: Launch Sequence

- **Always launch the "Star Wars Genesis" entry that Jackify added to Steam.** Launching through the normal Starfield entry can break the install.
- The entry opens Mod Organizer 2. If asked about **nxm links**, click **Yes**.
- In the dropdown at the top right of Mod Organizer 2, select **Star Wars Genesis** and click **Run**. (Older guides said SFSE; current Genesis uses its own entry.) **Do not click Unlock.**
- The first launch can take several minutes. Under Proton, one or two crashes during the first launches while shaders compile are normal; relaunch.
- Start a **New Game** and let it fully load. If you spawn in the vanilla mining shaft, quit completely and restart once. If it happens again, or the game looks like plain Starfield, the documents are not where the game reads them; recheck Step 5.
- After creating your character, make a **manual save**, fully restart the game, and load that save. If the save option is greyed out, open and close your inventory.
- Avoid changing V-Sync, Dynamic Resolution, Dialogue Camera, DLSS or frame generation away from the [recommended settings](https://genesismodlist.com/settings/). Genesis reports these causing crashes and infinite loading.

---

## Update Protocol

How to update an existing Star Wars Genesis install on Ubuntu. Before starting, read the official guides that apply to you on the [Updating page](https://genesismodlist.com/updating/): Existing Save, Modified Genesis (added mods), HD Overhaul.

### 1. In-game preparation (crucial)

Existing saves must **not** be in any ship or city. Go to a random moon, exit your ship, and make a manual save. Load that save after updating.

> **Upgrading from 8.7.0 or older:** delete `vcruntime140_1.dll` from the Starfield game folder if it exists. Default native Steam path:
>
> ```bash
> rm -f ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/Starfield/vcruntime140_1.dll
> ```
>
> Adjust the path for Flatpak Steam or a secondary library.

### 2. Close Mod Organizer 2 and update Starfield if required

Close the game and Mod Organizer 2 completely. Only let Steam update Starfield if the Updating page lists the pending version as supported.

### 3. Get the new .wabbajack file

Repeat Step 3. Method A overwrites the old file with the current one. Method B requires re-running the new `StarWarsGenesisSetup.exe`.

### 4. Run Jackify

Install from the new `.wabbajack` with the **exact same** installation directory as before: `~/Games/STARFIELD/Star Wars Genesis/Game`. Selecting just the `Star Wars Genesis` folder produces the "same place as your Wabbajack compiler" error.

If asked to **confirm file deletion** of old mods, choose **Continue**.

### 5. Documents and settings

The official instructions say to run `GENESIS_DOCUMENTS.bat`, which does not work on Linux. Repeat **Step 5** (re-download the documents archive, since it may have changed) and **Step 6**.

### 6. Launch

Launch the Star Wars Genesis Steam entry, click **Yes** on the nxm prompt if shown, select **Star Wars Genesis** in the Mod Organizer 2 dropdown, and run.

Troubleshooting:

- [Existing Save Issues](https://genesismodlist.com/existing-save-issues/)
- [Stuck in Main Menu](https://genesismodlist.com/stuck-in-main-menu/)
- [Self Help](https://genesismodlist.com/self-help/)

### Optional: keep a downgrade backup

Genesis recommends keeping a copy of the Starfield game folder so an accidental update can be rolled back. This needs well over 100 GB of free space.

```bash
cp -a ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/common/Starfield ~/Games/Starfield-1.16.244-backup
```

To roll back, empty the live Starfield folder and copy the backup's contents into it.

---

## Sources

- [Star Wars Genesis: Install](https://genesismodlist.com/install/)
- [Star Wars Genesis: Updating](https://genesismodlist.com/updating/)
- [Star Wars Genesis: Linux Support](https://genesismodlist.com/linux-support/)
- [Star Wars Genesis: Manual Documents Step](https://genesismodlist.com/manual-documents-step/)
- [Universal distro guide (Janin, Codeberg)](https://codeberg.org/Janin/genesis-modlist-linux-install-guide)
- [Jackify README and wiki](https://github.com/Omni-guides/Jackify)
- [Jackify: Installing Additional Tools](https://github.com/Omni-guides/Jackify/wiki/Installing-Additional-Tools)
- [Microsoft: Install PowerShell 7 on Ubuntu](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/scripting/install/install-ubuntu)