CrossHook

Free plan Linux

What CrossHook is

CrossHook is a free, open-source Linux launcher for trainers, mods, and patches used with Steam and Proton games, including on Steam Deck. It supports Steam App Launch, direct Proton Run, and native Linux launches. It can discover Steam libraries, installed games, App IDs, Proton versions, and compatdata paths, then save game, trainer, and launch settings as reusable profiles. Users can browse, import, export, and sync shared profiles through Git-based community taps, with commit pinning for reproducible installs. For games with a Steam App ID, the profile editor can show ProtonDB compatibility tiers and community suggestions. CrossHook can preview commands before running them and offers curated Proton launch optimizations with vendor-specific options. Its Windows game installation flow uses Proton Run and lets users review the generated profile before saving. Diagnostic bundles include system information, application state, and relevant logs. Trainer scripts are stored with owner-only 0700 permissions because they may contain sensitive environment variable values. Public releases are Flatpak bundles for x86_64 Linux, the supported packaged format. The latest listed release is v0.6.0, dated 2026-07-02.

Who it suits

CrossHook suits Linux and Steam Deck players who use trainers, mods, or patches with Steam and Proton games. It also suits users who want reusable and shareable launch profiles.

What it does well

Supports Steam Deck controller and touchscreen navigation.
Profiles can be shared through Git-based community taps.
Commands can be previewed before execution.
Diagnostic bundles include relevant logs.
Open-source under the MIT License.

What to know first

Flatpak is the only supported packaged format.
Native launch mode cannot run the two-step trainer workflow.
macOS support is planned, not currently listed as available.
Automatic updates are not supported.

Limits

Native launch does not support the two-step trainer workflow because the trainers are Windows executables that need Proton. Current public releases are Flatpak bundles for x86_64 Linux, and automatic updates are unavailable.

Getting started

Install the Flatpak bundle on x86_64 Linux
Launch CrossHook and let it discover Steam libraries and installed games
Choose Steam App Launch, Proton Run, or native Linux launch
Create or import a profile for the game and trainer
Review commands and save the generated profile

Verdict

CrossHook combines Steam and Proton discovery with reusable profiles and several launch paths, including Steam Deck support. Note that two-step trainer workflows require Proton rather than native launch mode.

Questions

What does CrossHook launch?

It launches trainers, mods, and patches for Steam and Proton games through Steam App Launch, direct Proton Run, or native Linux launches.

Is CrossHook free?

Yes. CrossHook is free, open-source software released under the MIT License.

How are profiles shared?

Users can browse, import, export, and sync profiles through Git-based community taps. Commit pinning supports reproducible installs.

Does it support Steam Deck?

Yes. CrossHook supports Steam Deck, including controller and touchscreen navigation in Gaming Mode.

Which package format is available?

Current public releases provide a Flatpak bundle for x86_64 Linux, and Flatpak is the supported packaged format.

Can native launch run two-step trainers?

No. Native launch cannot support that workflow because the trainers are Windows executables that require Proton.

Facts from CrossHook's own pages

Community integrations: Users can browse, import, export, and sync shared profiles from Git repository taps. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Community sharing: Users can browse, import, and export profiles through Git-based community taps, with commit pinning for reproducible installs. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Diagnostics: It includes a profile health dashboard, post-launch failure diagnostics, a console log viewer, and diagnostic bundle export. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Distribution: The supported packaged distribution is a Flatpak bundle, and releases provide bundles for x86_64 Linux. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Launch controls: CrossHook can preview the commands it will execute and offers curated Proton launch optimizations with vendor-specific options. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Launch modes: It supports Steam App Launch, Proton Run, and native Linux process launch modes. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
License: CrossHook is open-source software under the MIT License. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Limit: The native launch mode does not support the two-step trainer workflow because trainers are Windows executables that need Proton. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
macOS status: The README says macOS support is planned for a future release. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Profiles: Users can save and load per-game launch profiles, duplicate or rename them, and pin favorites. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
ProtonDB: The profile editor can show ProtonDB compatibility tiers and advisory community suggestions for games with a Steam App ID. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose: CrossHook is a native Linux launcher for trainers, mods, and patches for Steam and Proton games, including on Steam Deck. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Release status: The releases page lists v0.6.0, dated 2026-07-02, as the latest release. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Security: Exported trainer scripts are written with owner-only 0700 permissions because they may contain sensitive environment variable values. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Steam Deck: CrossHook supports Steam Deck, including controller and touchscreen navigation in Gaming Mode. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Steam Deck controls: Its adaptive Deck layout supports gamepad navigation and touchscreen use in Steam Deck Gaming Mode. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Steam discovery: It automatically discovers installed Steam games, App IDs, Proton versions, and compatdata paths. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Support and contributions: The README directs bug reports and feature requests to Forgejo issue templates and welcomes contributions on Forgejo. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
What it does: CrossHook is a native Linux launcher for trainers, mods, and patches used with Steam and Proton games. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Windows game installation: An Install Game flow installs Windows games through proton run and lets users review the generated profile before saving it. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026

Where CrossHook stands on Freedom251

Game Trainers#15 of 30