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Playnite Setup
Garoh edited this page Aug 9, 2025
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1 revision
Complete guide for configuring Playnite with Sunshine-AIO for the ultimate gaming library streaming experience.
Playnite is a unified game library manager that consolidates games from all platforms into a single interface, perfect for streaming. It supports:
- Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Xbox Game Pass
- Origin, Uplay, Battle.net, Itch.io
- Emulators and standalone games
- Custom categories and metadata
- Sunshine-AIO installed with Playnite component selected
- Game launchers already installed (Steam, Epic, etc.)
- Controllers configured for couch gaming
- Moonlight client set up on streaming device
1. Language and Theme:
Language: English (or your preference)
Theme: Fullscreen theme (recommended for streaming)
Database Location: Default (C:\Users\[user]\AppData\Roaming\Playnite)
2. Library Integration:
✅ Steam - Import Steam games
✅ Epic Games Store - Import Epic games
✅ GOG - Import GOG games
✅ Xbox Game Pass - Import Game Pass titles
✅ Origin - Import Origin games
✅ Uplay - Import Ubisoft games
⬜ Emulators - Configure later if needed
3. Metadata Sources:
✅ IGDB - Primary game database
✅ SteamGridDB - Game artwork
✅ YouTube - Game trailers
✅ HowLongToBeat - Game completion times
Settings for Streaming:
Interface → Fullscreen:
- Theme: Modern or Console-style
- Top Panel: Show only essential items
- Game Details: Minimal information
- Background: Dynamic game artwork
Controller Navigation:
Input → Fullscreen:
- Guide Button: Open game menu
- Menu Button: Playnite main menu
- View Button: Filter options
- Shoulder Buttons: Quick navigation
Sunshine App Configuration:
{
"name": "Playnite Fullscreen",
"cmd": "C:\\Program Files\\Playnite\\Playnite.FullscreenApp.exe",
"working-dir": "C:\\Program Files\\Playnite",
"prep-cmd": [],
"detached": []
}Alternative Desktop Mode:
{
"name": "Playnite Desktop",
"cmd": "C:\\Program Files\\Playnite\\Playnite.DesktopApp.exe",
"working-dir": "C:\\Program Files\\Playnite",
"prep-cmd": [],
"detached": []
}For Better Streaming Experience:
{
"prep-cmd": [
"taskkill /f /im Discord.exe /t",
"taskkill /f /im Spotify.exe /t",
"net stop \"Windows Search\""
]
}Display Optimization:
{
"prep-cmd": [
"powershell.exe -file optimize_display.ps1"
]
}Playnite Watcher enhances streaming by:
- Monitoring game sessions for better statistics
- Automatic launcher management
- Stream-specific optimizations
- Performance monitoring
Check if Installed:
dir "tools\PlayniteWatcher"
# Should show PlayniteWatcher.exe and configuration filesManual Setup (if needed):
- Download from tools folder
- Extract to Playnite Watcher directory
- Run PlayniteWatcher.exe as Administrator
- Configure monitoring settings
Basic Settings:
{
"monitor_playnite": true,
"log_game_sessions": true,
"optimize_for_streaming": true,
"auto_close_launchers": false
}For Streaming (Fullscreen):
- Modern - Clean, controller-friendly
- Console - Console-like experience
- Stardust - Visually appealing
- Night - Dark theme for better contrast
Theme Installation:
1. Playnite → Add-ons → Browse
2. Search for theme name
3. Download and Install
4. Settings → Appearance → Theme
Fullscreen Layout:
Main View:
- Grid View: 4x3 or 3x2 for TV viewing
- Game Details: Minimal overlay
- Filters: Quick access sidebar
- Search: Easily accessible
Game View:
- Large cover art
- Essential information only
- Quick action buttons
- Controller-friendly navigation
Custom Fields:
Add custom fields for streaming:
- Streaming Quality: Excellent/Good/Poor
- Controller Support: Full/Partial/None
- Stream Notes: Special requirements
- Last Streamed: Tracking usage
Create these categories:
🎮 Stream Favorites - Best streaming games
🏆 Competitive - Low-latency games
🎬 Story Games - Single-player experiences
👥 Multiplayer - Online gaming
🕹️ Local Co-op - Couch gaming
📱 Controller Only - No KB/M needed
⚡ Quick Play - Short gaming sessions
Auto-categorization Rules:
Steam Games with "Controller" tag → Controller Only
Games with multiplayer → Multiplayer
Games under 2 hours completion → Quick Play
Essential Metadata:
- Cover Art - High resolution for streaming
- Background Images - Fullscreen themes
- Game Descriptions - Help with selection
- Tags - For filtering and organization
- Play Time - Track usage
Custom Scripts:
// Auto-tag games for streaming compatibility
if (game.platform == "Steam" && game.features.includes("Full Controller Support")) {
game.tags.push("Stream Ready");
}For Steam Games:
1. Enable Steam Input in Steam settings
2. Configure controller in Steam Big Picture
3. Test in Playnite → should work automatically
4. Create custom configurations per game type
Controller Templates:
- Action Games - Standard gamepad
- FPS Games - Gyro aiming enabled
- Strategy Games - Mouse emulation
- Racing Games - Analog triggers optimized
Controller Setup:
1. Add games to Steam as non-Steam games
2. Configure Steam Input for each game
3. Launch through Steam from Playnite
4. Or use native controller support if available
Performance Options:
Advanced → Performance:
- Disable animations: For lower latency
- Reduce metadata loading: Faster startup
- Cache game images: Smoother browsing
- Minimize background tasks: More resources for games
Memory Management:
Advanced → Application:
- Close Playnite when game starts: Optional
- Minimize to tray: Saves resources
- Disable fullscreen optimizations: Windows 10/11
Large Libraries:
Tools → Database:
- Regular database cleanup
- Remove unused metadata
- Optimize image sizes
- Archive old game data
Issue: Playnite opens locally but not via Moonlight
Solutions:
-
Check Sunshine app path:
Verify: C:\Program Files\Playnite\Playnite.FullscreenApp.exe Test locally: Run the exact command -
Disable Global Prep Commands:
- Sunshine Web UI → Configuration
- Uncheck "Global Prep Commands"
- Test Playnite streaming
-
Run as Different User:
{ "cmd": "runas /user:Administrator \"C:\\Program Files\\Playnite\\Playnite.FullscreenApp.exe\"" }
Steam Input Issues:
-
Disable Steam Input for Playnite:
- Steam → Settings → Controller
- Desktop Configuration → Disable for Playnite
-
Configure Playnite Controller:
- Playnite → Settings → Input
- Configure controller manually
- Test each button mapping
Launcher Issues:
- Update game launchers (Steam, Epic, etc.)
- Verify game installation paths in Playnite
- Check launcher login status
- Run Playnite as Administrator
Optimization Steps:
- Close unnecessary launchers
- Disable Playnite animations
- Reduce streaming bitrate
- Use wired network connection
Useful Playnite Scripts:
// Auto-close launchers after game ends
function onGameStopped(game) {
if (game.platform == "Steam") {
// Keep Steam running
return;
}
// Close other launchers
closeProcess(game.platform + ".exe");
}Streaming Optimization Script:
# optimize_for_streaming.ps1
Stop-Process -Name "Discord" -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Stop-Process -Name "Spotify" -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Set-Process -Name "Playnite.FullscreenApp" -ProcessorAffinity 0xFRecommended Extensions:
- Extra Metadata Tools - Enhanced game info
- Duplicate Hider - Clean up duplicates
- How Long To Beat - Game length info
- Success Story - Achievement tracking
- Game Activity - Detailed play tracking
For Streaming:
- Fullscreen Helper - Better fullscreen mode
- Controller Support - Enhanced controller features
- Night Theme - Better for dark rooms
Playnite on Steam Deck:
1. Add Playnite as non-Steam game
2. Configure Steam Input template
3. Use Desktop mode for setup
4. Stream from Windows PC with Playnite
Recommended Settings:
- Resolution: 1280x800 for Steam Deck native
- Interface: Large text and buttons
- Controller: Steam Deck native support
Moonlight Mobile + Playnite:
- Touch controls: Enable in Moonlight
- On-screen keyboard: For search/navigation
- Portrait mode: Some games support it
- Virtual controller: For non-controller games
For troubleshooting specific games or advanced configurations, see the Troubleshooting Guide or Gaming Setup FAQ.