# Frequently Asked Questions [#frequently-asked-questions]

{(() => {
  const sections = [];
  let currentFaqs = [];
  let currentSection = null;
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    if ('section' in faq) {
      if (currentFaqs.length > 0) {
        sections.push(
          <Accordions type="multiple" key={'faqs-' + currentSection}>
            {currentFaqs}
          </Accordions>
        );
        currentFaqs = [];
      }
      sections.push(<h2 key={faq.section + i}>{faq.section}</h2>);
      currentSection = faq.section;
    } else {
      currentFaqs.push(
        <CopyableFAQ
          key={faq.question}
          id={faq.question}
          question={faq.question}
          value={faq.question}
        >
          <ReactMarkdown>{faq.markdown.split('\n').slice(1).join('\n')}</ReactMarkdown>
        </CopyableFAQ>
      );
    }
  });
  if (currentFaqs.length > 0) {
    sections.push(
      <Accordions type="multiple" key={'faqs-last'}>
        {currentFaqs}
      </Accordions>
    );
  }
  return sections;
  })()}








### Get Started [#get-started]

<Cards>
  <CardLink icon="GrInstallOption" title="Install" href="/docs/get-started/install" />

  <CardLink icon="FaSignInAlt" title="Sign In" href="/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in" />

  <CardLink icon="TbUsers" title="Multi-Account" href="/docs/get-started/multi-account" />

  <CardLink icon="FaTools" title="Build It Yourself" href="/docs/get-started/build-it-yourself" />
</Cards>

### Guides [#guides]

<Cards>
  <CardLink icon="TbCardsFilled" title="Card Farming" href="/docs/features/card-farming" />

  <CardLink icon="FaAward" title="Achievement Unlocker" href="/docs/features/achievement-unlocker" />

  <CardLink icon="FaAward" title="Achievement Manager" href="/docs/features/achievement-manager" />

  <CardLink icon="TbBuildingStore" title="Inventory Manager" href="/docs/features/inventory-manager" />

  <CardLink icon="TbPlayerPlay" title="Playtime Booster" href="/docs/features/playtime-booster" />

  <CardLink icon="TbHourglassLow" title="Auto-Idle" href="/docs/features/auto-idle" />

  <CardLink icon="TbHeart" title="Favorites" href="/docs/features/favorites" />

  <CardLink icon="TbGift" title="Free Games" href="/docs/features/free-games" />
</Cards>

### Miscellaneous [#miscellaneous]

<Cards>
  <CardLink icon="FaSteam" title="Steam Credentials" href="/docs/steam-credentials" />

  <CardLink icon="FaQuestion" title="FAQs" href="/docs/faq" />

  <CardLink icon="FaQuoteRight" title="Troubleshooting" href="/docs/troubleshooting" />
</Cards>








# What is Steam Game Idler PRO? [#what-is-steam-game-idler-pro]

First and foremost, Steam Game Idler is completely free to use, and always will be. All of the core features of SGI are available to all users at no cost.

Steam Game Idler **PRO** is an optional way to support the development of SGI. To thank you for your support, **PRO** subscribers receive a range of additional benefits that enhance the SGI experience.

There are two subscription tiers available: **Casual** and **Gamer**, each unlocking a different set of benefits.

By subscribing to **PRO**, you help with the ongoing development and maintenance of SGI, ensuring that it continues to improve and evolve over time.

<Callout type="info">
  Every tier, **including Free**, has access to every core feature:

  * Card Farming
  * Achievement Unlocker
  * Achievement Manager
  * Inventory Manager
  * Playtime Booster
  * and so on..

  PRO only unlocks the automation/convenience extras listed below
</Callout>

| Feature                                                                            |  Free  | Casual ($2/mo) | Gamer ($4/mo) |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :----: | :------------: | :-----------: |
| Multi-account support via [Steam Sign-in](/docs/get-started/multi-account)         |    1   |        3       |       10      |
| Unlock achievements for multiple games at once                                     |    1   |        3       |       32      |
| Ad-free experience                                                                 | <No /> |     <Yes />    |    <Yes />    |
| Exclusive themes                                                                   | <No /> |     <Yes />    |    <Yes />    |
| Custom background image                                                            | <No /> |     <Yes />    |    <Yes />    |
| Custom fonts                                                                       | <No /> |     <Yes />    |    <Yes />    |
| Unique Discord chat role                                                           | <No /> |     <Yes />    |    <Yes />    |
| Real-time live support                                                             | <No /> |     <Yes />    |    <Yes />    |
| Automatic games list updates                                                       | <No /> |     <Yes />    |    <Yes />    |
| Automatic Steam Credentials retrieval                                              | <No /> |     <No />     |    <Yes />    |
| Automatic free game redemption                                                     | <No /> |     <No />     |    <Yes />    |
| Automatic card farming                                                             | <No /> |     <No />     |    <Yes />    |
| Sell duplicate inventory items                                                     | <No /> |     <No />     |    <Yes />    |
| Import achievement unlock timings                                                  | <No /> |     <No />     |    <Yes />    |
| Custom Steam status while [signed in with Steam](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in) | <No /> |     <No />     |    <Yes />    |

<p className="text-xs text-muted-foreground -mt-4">
  \* Prices are in USD and exclude taxes. Billed monthly, cancel anytime.
</p>

## FAQ [#faq]

<Accordions type="multiple">
  <Accordion title="How to Subscribe to PRO" id="how-to-subscribe">
    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Open Steam Game Idler
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Click the <MockButton type="go-pro" /> badge in the app's title bar
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Select your desired subscription tier &#x2A;(Casual or Gamer)*
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Click <MockButton type="pay-stripe" /> or <MockButton type="pay-paypal" /> depending on your preferred payment method, then complete your purchase
      </Step>

      <Step>
        You will receive an email containing your **license key**
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Open Steam Game Idler, navigate to <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Subscription" />, paste your license key into the input field, and click <MockButton type="activate" />

        Your license key is tied to one device at a time. To transfer it to a new device, activate it on the new device and confirm the transfer when prompted.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How to Cancel PRO Subscription" id="how-to-cancel">
    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Open Steam Game Idler
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Navigate to <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Subscription" />
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Click <MockButton type="manage-subscription" />
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Follow the prompts to confirm your cancellation
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    After cancellation, you will retain access to **PRO** benefits until the end of your current billing period.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Transferring to a New Device" id="transfer-device">
    Your license key is tied to one device at a time. To transfer it to a new device:

    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Open Steam Game Idler on your **new device**
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Navigate to <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Subscription" />
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Enter your license key and click <MockButton type="activate" />
      </Step>

      <Step>
        A prompt will appear asking you to confirm the transfer. Click <MockButton type="continue" />
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    Your subscription will immediately become active on the new device. The previous device will lose access on its next launch.

    If you reinstalled the app on the **same machine**, your key will activate without any transfer prompt as the device is recognised by its hardware ID.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Switch Between PRO Tiers" id="switch-tiers">
    To switch between **PRO** tiers, simply cancel your current subscription and subscribe to your desired tier following the standard subscription process.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Invoices and Receipts" id="invoices-receipts">
    After subscribing to Steam Game Idler **PRO**, you will receive an email receipt for your purchase. To view your billing history and upcoming invoices:

    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Open Steam Game Idler
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Navigate to <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Subscription" />
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Click <MockButton type="manage-subscription" />
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Follow the prompts to view your billing history and invoices
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Refund Policy" id="refund-policy">
    As **PRO** subscriptions are a donation rather than a normal subscription service, they are generally non-refundable. However, refunds can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

    If there was a mistake, unexpected charge, or issue with your subscription, please use the in-app help desk to contact support or send an email to [contact@steamgameidler.com](mailto:contact@steamgameidler.com).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Fraudulent Chargebacks" id="fraudulent-chargebacks">
    Chargebacks are when a payment made on your credit card or bank account is reversed, typically when the customer disputes a charge or claims it was unauthorized.

    Steam Game Idler is a small independent project, and fraudulent chargebacks have a significant negative impact.

    If a chargeback is filed on your **PRO** subscription without prior communication, your access to Steam Game Idler and all of its features may be revoked permanently.

    If you believe a charge was made to your account in error, please contact support via the in-app help desk or send an email to [contact@steamgameidler.com](mailto:contact@steamgameidler.com).
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>






# Steam Credentials [#steam-credentials]

Steam Credentials are used to verify which of your games have card drops remaining, as well as fetching and listing your inventory items on the Steam market.

<Callout type="info">
  Steam Credentials are a separate set of Steam Community session cookies used only by [Card Farming](/docs/features/card-farming) and [Inventory Manager](/docs/features/inventory-manager) to check card drops and list items on the marketplace

  Users using [Steam Sign-in](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in) with a [Gamer tier subscription](/pro) do not need to manually enter their Steam credentials.
</Callout>

<Callout type="info">
  You must get your cookies from [https://steamcommunity.com/](https://steamcommunity.com/) and not [https://store.steampowered.com/](https://store.steampowered.com/)
</Callout>

<Callout title="Do not share these credentials with anyone" type="error">
  These credentials allow limited access to your Steam account, but they do not allow access to changing your password, email address, or other sensitive information
</Callout>

## Manual Method [#manual-method]

<div className="relative w-3/4 aspect-video rounded-2xl overflow-hidden">
  <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xrxg8ZlSnJ4?&rel=0" title="SGI Manual Method" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerPolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" className="left-0 w-full h-full" />
</div>

<Steps>
  <Step>
    #### Log In to the Steam Community Website [#log-in-to-the-steam-community-website]

    Open your browser and log in to [https://steamcommunity.com/](https://steamcommunity.com/) with the account you use with SGI
  </Step>

  <Step>
    #### Find Your Steam Cookies [#find-your-steam-cookies]

    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Press "**F12**" to open the Developer Tools
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Navigate to the "**Application*&#x2A;" tab &#x2A;(or "**Storage**" on Firefox)*
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Under "**Cookies**", select `https://steamcommunity.com/`
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Copy the "**value**" for both "**sessionid**" and "**steamLoginSecure**"
      </Step>

      <Step>
        **OPTIONAL:** If you have either a "**steamParental**" or "**steamMachineAuth**" cookie, you will need to copy its "**value**" as well
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    #### Add Credentials to SGI [#add-credentials-to-sgi]

    <Steps>
      <Step>
        Open SGI and go to <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Steam Credentials" />
      </Step>

      <Step>
        Paste your credentials into the appropriate fields and click <MockButton type="save" />
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Step>

  <Step>
    #### Reauthentication [#reauthentication]

    Steam credentials expire after a certain period of time. When this happens, repeat the steps above
  </Step>

  <Step>
    #### Signing Out [#signing-out]

    To clear your stored credentials, click the <MockButton type="content" content="Clear" /> button
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Automated Method &#x2A;(Pro Gamer tier)* [#automated-method-pro-gamer-tier]

<div className="relative w-3/4 aspect-video rounded-2xl overflow-hidden">
  <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GY3QEE-SPrY?&rel=0" title="SGI Manual Method" allow="accelerometer; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerPolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" className="left-0 w-full h-full" />
</div>

<Callout type="warn">
  This method will not work if you have [Family View](https://store.steampowered.com/parental/) enabled on your Steam account. You &#x2A;*must disable [Family View](https://store.steampowered.com/parental/)** to use this method.
</Callout>

<Steps>
  <Step>
    #### Open SGI and Navigate to the Settings [#open-sgi-and-navigate-to-the-settings]

    Open SGI and go to <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Steam Credentials" />
  </Step>

  <Step>
    #### Sign In [#sign-in]

    On the <MockButton type="content" content="Automatic" /> tab, click <MockButton type="content" content="Sign In" /> and sign in to your Steam account in the new window via:

    * Username and password
    * Scanning the QR Code
  </Step>

  <Step>
    #### Automatic Cookie Retrieval [#automatic-cookie-retrieval]

    Once signed in, SGI will automatically retrieve your `sessionid` and `steamLoginSecure` cookies and close the window
  </Step>

  <Step>
    #### Reauthentication [#reauthentication-1]

    Steam credentials expire after a certain period of time. SGI will attempt to automatically refresh your credentials when this happens. If automatic validation does happen to fail, you can still manually click <MockButton type="content" content="Reauthenticate" /> and your credentials will be refreshed automatically
  </Step>

  <Step>
    #### Signing Out [#signing-out-1]

    To clear your stored credentials, or to sign in to another account, click the <MockButton type="content" content="Sign Out" /> button
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Callout type="info">
  Setting credentials here also fills in the same saved credentials on the Card Farming and Inventory Manager connect prompts, and vice versa. You only need to do this once
</Callout>






# Troubleshooting [#troubleshooting]

This page covers common issues and their solutions when using Steam Game Idler.

<Callout type="info">
  Always check the [FAQ](/docs/faq) section first, as many common questions are answered there
</Callout>

## Preliminary Checks [#preliminary-checks]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Check System Requirements [#check-system-requirements]

    * Windows 10/11 or Linux (64-bit)
    * Internet connection
    * Steam client installed and running (only required if you use [Legacy Sign-in](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in#legacy-sign-in), which is Windows-only — Linux supports Steam Sign-in only)
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Verify Your Sign-In [#verify-your-sign-in]

    * If using [Steam Sign-in](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in#steam-sign-in), make sure you completed any Steam Guard prompt fully
    * If using [Legacy Sign-in](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in#legacy-sign-in), make sure the Steam client is running and you're signed in to at least one account
    * Your Steam profile is set to public (required for some features regardless of sign-in method)
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Check SGI Installation [#check-sgi-installation]

    * SGI is installed in the default location
    * You're running the latest version
    * Windows Defender/antivirus isn't blocking SGI
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Installation Issues [#installation-issues]

<Accordions type="multiple">
  <Accordion title="SGI won't install" id="install-fails">
    * Make sure you downloaded the installer from the official [GitHub releases page](https://github.com/zevnda/steam-game-idler/releases) or [steamgameidler.com](https://steamgameidler.com). Files from other sources may be incomplete or modified
    * Right-click the installer and select **Run as administrator**
    * Temporarily disable your antivirus/Windows Defender during installation (see below), then re-enable it afterwards
    * Make sure you have enough free disk space
    * If the installer hangs or crashes, restart your PC and try again
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Antivirus or Windows Defender is blocking SGI" id="antivirus-blocking">
    SGI's installer and its bundled helper process (`SteamUtility.exe`, used for idling, achievement management, and Steam Sign-in) are not code-signed with a paid certificate, so Windows SmartScreen and some antivirus programs may flag them as "unknown publisher" or quarantine them. This is a false positive.

    <Steps>
      <Step>
        ### If SmartScreen blocks the installer [#if-smartscreen-blocks-the-installer]

        Click **More info**, then **Run anyway**
      </Step>

      <Step>
        ### If your antivirus quarantines or deletes a file [#if-your-antivirus-quarantines-or-deletes-a-file]

        Restore the file from quarantine, then add an exclusion for SGI's install folder (default: `C:\Program Files\Steam Game Idler\`) and for `%appdata%\com.zevnda.steam-game-idler\`
      </Step>

      <Step>
        ### If a feature won't start because SteamUtility.exe is removed [#if-a-feature-wont-start-because-steamutilityexe-is-removed]

        Re-run the installer to restore the missing file, after adding the exclusion above
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    <Callout type="info">
      If you'd like to verify the source code yourself, SGI's source code is entirely public. See the [GitHub repository](https://github.com/zevnda/steam-game-idler)
    </Callout>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Missing .NET Framework / SteamUtility errors" id="dotnet-missing">
    SGI's idling, sign-in, and achievement features rely on a bundled helper process (`SteamUtility.exe&#x60;) which requires the **.NET Framework 4.8** runtime. Most Windows 10/11 installs already include this, but if idling, sign-in, or achievement actions fail immediately with no clear error:

    * Install the [.NET Framework 4.8 runtime](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet-framework/net48) from Microsoft
    * Restart your PC after installing, then try again
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I need admin rights to install or update SGI" id="admin-rights">
    SGI installs per-machine by default (available to all Windows users on the PC), which requires administrator privileges. If you don't have admin rights:

    * Ask an administrator to run the installer once
    * Updates are installed silently in the background and also require the original install permissions. If updates consistently fail, reinstall with an administrator account
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>

## Startup Issues [#startup-issues]

<Accordions type="multiple">
  <Accordion title="SGI won't start/run at all" id="wont-start">
    <Steps>
      <Step>
        ### Check for a hidden window or tray icon [#check-for-a-hidden-window-or-tray-icon]

        SGI's main window is hidden until it finishes loading, and may also be set to start minimized. Look for the SGI icon in your system tray (bottom-right of the taskbar, click the &#x2A;*^** arrow to see hidden icons)
      </Step>

      <Step>
        ### Check for leftover processes [#check-for-leftover-processes]

        Open **Task Manager** and look for `steam-game-idler.exe` and `SteamUtility.exe`. If either is running but nothing appears, end both processes and relaunch SGI
      </Step>

      <Step>
        ### Check the log file [#check-the-log-file]

        If SGI ran before, open today's log file from <MockButton type="view-log-file" /> in [Debug Settings](/docs/settings/debug) and check it for errors from the last session
      </Step>

      <Step>
        ### Reset window state [#reset-window-state]

        A corrupted window-position file can prevent the window from appearing. Close SGI completely (including via Task Manager), then delete `%appdata%\com.zevnda.steam-game-idler\.window-state.json` (if present) and relaunch
      </Step>

      <Step>
        ### Reinstall [#reinstall]

        If none of the above works, uninstall SGI, restart your PC, and reinstall the latest version
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="SGI is open in the system tray but I can't see the main window" id="tray-no-window">
    This usually means **Start minimized to tray** is enabled, or the window was closed to tray and is simply hidden.

    * **Left-click** the SGI icon in the system tray to show and focus the main window
    * If clicking the tray icon does nothing, right-click it and select **Show**
    * If the window still doesn't appear, it may be positioned off-screen (see below)
    * To stop SGI from starting minimized, go to <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → General" /> and disable **Start minimized**
    * Can also happen if **WebView2** is missing or outdated. Download the "Evergreen Bootstrapper" via [Microsoft's WebView2 download page](https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/webview2/) and relaunch SGI
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The window appears off-screen, too small, or in the wrong position" id="window-offscreen">
    SGI remembers its window size and position between sessions. If you changed monitor setups (e.g. disconnected a second monitor) the window may open off-screen.

    * Try pressing **Win + Shift + Left/Right Arrow** while the window is focused (use Alt+Tab to focus it) to move it back to your main display
    * Right-click the SGI taskbar icon and choose **Move** (or **Maximize**) if available
    * As a last resort, fully close SGI, delete `%appdata%\com.zevnda.steam-game-idler\.window-state.json`, and relaunch. This resets the window to its default size and position
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="SGI starts but crashes or closes immediately" id="crash-on-start">
    * Check the most recent log file (in the `logs` folder next to where SGI stores its settings, see [Debug Settings](/docs/settings/debug)) for the last recorded entries before the crash
    * Make sure your Windows is up to date. Tauri-based apps depend on the WebView2 runtime, which ships with Windows 10/11 but can be repaired via [Microsoft's WebView2 download page](https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/webview2/) if missing or corrupted
    * If your settings file is corrupted, SGI may fail to start. Open the settings folder via <MockButton type="open-settings-file" /> in [Debug Settings](/docs/settings/debug) (or `%appdata%\com.zevnda.steam-game-idler\cache\` for an installed build) and rename or move `settings.json` elsewhere, then relaunch. SGI will recreate it with defaults
    * Try reinstalling the latest version
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>

## Sign-In Issues [#sign-in-issues]

<Accordions type="multiple">
  <Accordion title="'Steam Sign-in' fails or gets stuck" id="agent-signin-stuck">
    * Make sure you have an active internet connection
    * Double check your username and password. If you're not sure, try signing in on [steamcommunity.com](https://steamcommunity.com/) directly first
    * If using the QR code, make sure you scanned it with the **Steam** mobile app's own QR scanner (top-right icon), not a generic QR app, and approve the prompt on your phone
    * An unscanned QR code expires after a short time and will automatically refresh itself, so there's no need to reopen the sign-in screen
    * Close the sign-in window and try again. It can occasionally get stuck on a stale attempt
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="No Steam accounts show up on the Legacy Sign-in screen" id="no-accounts">
    Legacy Sign-in reads your locally saved Steam logins to populate the account picker.

    * Make sure the Steam client is installed and that you've logged in to your account(s) through Steam at least once
    * Open Steam and sign in normally, then restart SGI
    * If you use **Steam Guard**, complete the login fully (don't cancel at the 2FA prompt) before switching to SGI
    * If you'd rather not deal with the local Steam client at all, use [Steam Sign-in](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in#steam-sign-in) instead
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="A 'Steam is closed' warning appears while using SGI" id="steam-closed-warning">
    This only affects **Legacy Sign-in** accounts, which depend on the local Steam client staying open and signed in. If Steam closes, is restarted, or you sign out of it while SGI is running, any active idling/farming/unlocking for that account is stopped and this warning appears until Steam is running and signed in again.

    * Reopen the Steam client and make sure you're signed in to the same account
    * This doesn't affect [Steam Sign-in](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in#steam-sign-in) accounts, since they don't need a local Steam client at all
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Signed in, but my games list is empty or incomplete" id="empty-games-list">
    * Your Steam profile (or at least your **game details**) must be set to **Public** for SGI to read your library. Check this in your Steam profile's privacy settings
    * Try clicking <MockButton type="content" content="Refresh" /> on the <MockButton type="your-games" /> page
    * Try toggling **Settings → Debug → Clear Data** as a last resort if the cached games list is stuck (note this signs out every account and clears all local data)
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>

## Idling Issues [#idling-issues]

<Accordions type="multiple">
  <Accordion title="A game won't start idling" id="idle-wont-start">
    * If using **Legacy Sign-in**, make sure the Steam client is running and you're signed in to the same account you're using in SGI
    * Make sure the game is actually owned on this account. SGI can't idle games you don't own
    * Check the log file (<MockButton type="view-log-file" /> in [Debug Settings](/docs/settings/debug)) for a "Failed to start idling" message
    * If you recently reinstalled SGI, make sure `SteamUtility.exe` wasn't removed by your antivirus (see [Antivirus or Windows Defender is blocking SGI](#antivirus-blocking))
    * Close and reopen SGI, then try idling the game again
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="A game shows as idling in SGI but Steam doesn't show it as 'Currently in game'" id="idle-not-reflected">
    * Give it a minute, since there's a short delay before Steam's status updates
    * Make sure Steam itself is online (not in **Offline Mode**), as idling relies on Steam's servers being reachable
    * If using **Legacy Sign-in**, restarting Steam (not SGI) while a game is idling can desync the status. Stop and restart idling for that game
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Idling stops by itself" id="idle-stops">
    * Make sure your PC isn't going to sleep. Adjust Windows power settings so it stays awake while idling
    * If using **Legacy Sign-in**, Steam will stop "in-game" status if you launch the same game manually, or if Steam restarts/updates in the background
    * Check the log file for errors around the time idling stopped
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Leftover SteamUtility.exe processes after closing SGI or a crash" id="leftover-processes">
    If SGI is force-closed (e.g. via Task Manager, or a crash) before it can clean up, helper processes can be left running.

    * Open **Task Manager**, find any `SteamUtility.exe` entries, and select **End Task** for each
    * This won't affect your Steam library or achievements. It only stops the helper process
    * To avoid this in future, close SGI normally (via the tray menu **Quit** option) rather than force-closing it
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>

## Card Farming & Inventory Manager Issues [#card-farming--inventory-manager-issues]

<Accordions type="multiple">
  <Accordion title="&#x22;Not logged in&#x22; or authentication errors" id="card-farming-not-logged-in">
    Card Farming and Inventory Manager rely on [Steam Credentials](/docs/steam-credentials), Steam Community session cookies which are separate from your SGI sign-in and expire periodically.

    * Go to **Settings → Steam Credentials** and re-authenticate (see the [Steam Credentials](/docs/steam-credentials) guide)
    * If you're on a **Gamer** tier account using **Steam Sign-in**, this normally happens automatically. Check that your subscription is still active
    * If you use **Family View** or have a **Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator**, make sure you complete the full login (these accounts often need the additional `steamMachineAuth` cookie)
    * Session cookies typically last a few hours to a few weeks. If farming worked before and suddenly stops with login errors, this is the most common cause
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Card Farming isn't detecting card drops" id="card-farming-no-drops">
    * Make sure the games you're farming actually have **remaining card drops** for your account. Check your Badges page on Steam
    * Make sure your Steam profile's **game details/inventory** are set to Public
    * Re-authenticate if your session has expired (see above)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Listing cards on the Marketplace fails" id="market-listing-fails">
    * Make sure your Steam account doesn't have a **trade or market restriction** (new accounts, accounts without a phone number, or VAC-banned accounts can't use the Market)
    * Make sure you have **Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator** enabled for at least 7 days. Valve requires this for market access
    * If you're listing many items quickly, Steam may rate-limit you. Wait a few minutes and try again
    * Re-authenticate if your session cookies have expired
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>

## Achievement Manager & Unlocker Issues [#achievement-manager--unlocker-issues]

<Accordions type="multiple">
  <Accordion title="Achievements list is empty or won't load" id="achievements-empty">
    * Make sure the game actually has achievements (some games genuinely have none)
    * Try toggling the **refresh/refetch** option for that game to force SGI to re-fetch the achievement schema from Steam
    * If using **Legacy Sign-in**, make sure the Steam client is running and online
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Unlocking, locking, or toggling an achievement fails" id="achievement-toggle-fails">
    * If using **Legacy Sign-in**, make sure the Steam client is running and you're signed in to the matching account
    * Make sure the game isn't currently being idled by another tool, or already running through Steam itself, which can conflict with `SteamUtility.exe`
    * Check the log file for a specific error
    * Some games use **Family Sharing** or third-party anti-cheat that blocks stat writes. These games generally can't be modified
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Achievement Unlocker isn't progressing" id="achievement-unlocker-stuck">
    * Make sure SGI is open (it can be minimized to tray, but not fully closed) for scheduled unlocking to continue
    * Check your unlock order, delay, and schedule settings under [Settings → Achievement Unlocker](/docs/settings/achievement-unlocker)
    * If you imported custom unlock timings, make sure the achievement names match exactly. See [Import Timings](/docs/features/achievement-unlocker/import-timings)
    * Check the log file for errors during the scheduled run
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>

## Settings & Data Issues [#settings--data-issues]

<Accordions type="multiple">
  <Accordion title="My settings reset, or SGI behaves like a fresh install" id="settings-reset">
    SGI stores app-wide settings in one `settings.json`, plus a separate file per feature (Achievement Unlocker, Card Farming, Inventory Manager, Free Games) for each signed-in Steam account. If any of these files becomes corrupted or unreadable, SGI falls back to that file's defaults automatically rather than failing to start.

    * Click <MockButton type="open-settings-file" /> in [Debug Settings](/docs/settings/debug) to locate your settings folder
    * If you have a previously exported settings backup, re-import it (see [Export Settings](/docs/settings/debug#export-settings))
    * Switching accounts in SGI loads separate per-feature settings files for that account. This is expected, not a bug
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I fully reset SGI?" id="full-reset">
    <Steps>
      <Step>
        ### Try Reset Settings first [#try-reset-settings-first]

        Click <MockButton type="reset-settings" /> in <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Debug" />. This restores defaults without touching your games list or cached data
      </Step>

      <Step>
        ### Use Clear Data for a full wipe [#use-clear-data-for-a-full-wipe]

        Click <MockButton type="clear-data" /> in <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Debug" />. This removes all locally stored data and signs out every account

        <Callout type="warn">
          This is irreversible and will require you to sign in and reconfigure SGI again. Your Steam account and library are not affected.
        </Callout>
      </Step>

      <Step>
        ### Manual reset [#manual-reset]

        If SGI won't open at all, close it completely and delete the folder `%appdata%\com.zevnda.steam-game-idler\`, then relaunch
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>

## Update Issues [#update-issues]

<Accordions type="multiple">
  <Accordion title="&#x22;Check for updates&#x22; does nothing, or no updates are found" id="update-check-nothing">
    * Make sure you have an active internet connection
    * SGI checks for updates via GitHub. If GitHub is unreachable from your network (e.g. blocked by a firewall/VPN), the check will fail silently
    * You can always download the latest release manually from the [GitHub releases page](https://github.com/zevnda/steam-game-idler/releases)
    * **Portable** builds don't support automatic updates. Download and replace the executable manually
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Update downloads but SGI doesn't restart, or restarts into the old version" id="update-stuck">
    * Manually close SGI completely (including from the system tray and Task Manager), then reopen it
    * If the version number still hasn't changed, uninstall and reinstall using the latest installer from GitHub
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>

## General Performance Issues [#general-performance-issues]

<Accordions type="multiple">
  <Accordion title="SGI is using high CPU or memory" id="high-cpu-memory">
    * If using **Legacy Sign-in**, idling many games simultaneously spawns a separate helper process per game. This is normal, but idling a very large number of games at once will increase resource usage. **Steam Sign-in** accounts idle through one shared session instead, which uses noticeably less
    * Check **Task Manager** to confirm whether the usage comes from `steam-game-idler.exe`, `SteamUtility.exe` or `webview2.exe` processes
    * Update to the latest version, as performance fixes are released regularly. See the [Changelog](/changelog)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="SGI feels slow or unresponsive" id="sgi-slow">
    * A large Steam library (thousands of games) can make initial loading slower. Give it a moment on first launch after sign-in
    * Running several **Steam Sign-in** accounts at once (see [Multi-Account](/docs/get-started/multi-account)) uses more memory and network than a single account. Reduce the number of concurrently signed-in accounts if resources are tight
    * Check the log file ([Debug Settings](/docs/settings/debug)) for repeated errors that may indicate a stuck background task
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>

## Linux-Specific Notes [#linux-specific-notes]

<Accordions type="multiple">
  <Accordion title="Which Linux install format should I use?" id="linux-which-format">
    `.deb` and `.rpm` are recommended — they run under native Wayland and don't have the AppImage's performance caveat below, plus they support the desktop's normal application launcher integration. The trade-off is no in-app automatic updates (see [Install](/docs/get-started/install#linux) for the full comparison). Use the AppImage if you want automatic updates, or if your distro doesn't provide a compatible `.deb`/`.rpm`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The AppImage feels slower or laggier than the .deb/.rpm install" id="linux-appimage-lag">
    This is expected, not a bug. The AppImage runs through a compatibility layer (XWayland) on a Wayland desktop, which has a real, hardware-independent performance cost. A `.deb`/`.rpm` install runs under native Wayland with no such layer. Switch to `.deb`/`.rpm` if this is noticeable for you.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="A few visual quirks on Linux" id="linux-visual-quirks">
    A handful of small, cosmetic differences from Windows are known platform limitations, not bugs, and aren't fixable from SGI's side:

    * The window doesn't have rounded corners (Windows gets this from Windows 11's own window manager; Linux desktops have no equivalent for an undecorated window)
    * Left-clicking the tray icon always opens the tray menu instead of showing the window (a Linux tray-icon protocol limitation with no left/right-click distinction)
    * One extra click is sometimes needed after dragging the window by its titlebar (a currently-open upstream GTK issue)
    * An AppImage's taskbar/dock icon may show as generic instead of the SGI icon, even though the tray icon is correct — install via `.deb`/`.rpm` if this bothers you, since desktop icon integration is an AppImage ecosystem limitation, not something specific to SGI
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Missing dependency errors on install" id="linux-missing-deps">
    A `.deb`/`.rpm` install pulls in its required system libraries (WebKitGTK, GTK, `libayatana-appindicator3`, `libsecret`) automatically via your package manager. If you see a missing-dependency error anyway, make sure your package manager's repositories are up to date (`sudo apt update` / `sudo dnf check-update`) and try reinstalling. The AppImage bundles most of what it needs, so this shouldn't affect it.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Sign-in fails or 'Your Steam session isn't active anymore' error" id="linux-keyring-secret-service">
    SGI securely saves your session using your OS's built-in keyring. If your Linux setup doesn't have one running or SGI can't access it, you will need to fix this on your system, since SGI can't install or unlock it for you.

    * **GNOME desktops** (Ubuntu, Fedora Workstation, etc.): usually works automatically. If not, install it and log back in:
      ```bash
      sudo apt install gnome-keyring   # Ubuntu/Debian
      sudo dnf install gnome-keyring   # Fedora
      ```
    * **KDE Plasma desktops** (Kubuntu, Fedora KDE, etc.): go to **System Settings → KDE Wallet*&#x2A; and enable &#x2A;*"Enable the KDE Wallet subsystem"**
    * **Minimal desktops/tiling window managers** (Sway, i3, Hyprland, etc.): install it, then set it to start with your session — check your window manager's documentation for how to autostart it
      ```bash
      sudo pacman -S gnome-keyring   # Arch-based
      ```
    * **Bazzite and similar handheld/console distros**: sign in from **Desktop Mode**, not **Gaming Mode** — Gaming Mode's console-style session doesn't reliably support the keyring, which is a known limitation of that mode, not an SGI bug

    Already installed but still failing? It's likely locked or not running for your current session, rather than missing:

    * **GNOME**: open **Passwords and Keys** from your app menu. If the "Login" keyring shows a lock icon, click it and unlock with your password
    * **KDE Plasma**: open **KWallet Manager** (search "wallet" in your app menu) and unlock your wallet
    * **Auto-login users** (no password at your login screen): your keyring can't auto-unlock without a login password to unlock it with, so it stays locked every session. Unlock it manually as above each time, or open your keyring/wallet app and set it to use a blank password so it unlocks automatically
    * **Minimal desktops/tiling window managers**: if you just installed `gnome-keyring`, it still won't be running until your next login (or your session's autostart config is set up) — log out and back in, or start it once with `gnome-keyring-daemon --start --components=secrets` before relaunching SGI
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Where does SGI store its data on Linux?" id="linux-data-location">
    `~/.local/share/com.zevnda.steam-game-idler` — the equivalent of Windows' `%appdata%\com.zevnda.steam-game-idler\` referenced elsewhere on this page. The log file and settings file live there too, same structure as Windows.
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>

## Getting Help [#getting-help]

If these troubleshooting steps don't solve your issue:

1. **Check the [FAQ](/docs/faq)** for additional solutions
2. **Search existing issues** on the [GitHub repository](https://github.com/zevnda/steam-game-idler/issues)
3. **Create a new issue** with:
   * Detailed description of the problem
   * Steps to reproduce
   * Your system information (OS/version, Steam version)
   * Which sign-in method you're using (Steam Sign-in or Legacy Sign-in)
   * Relevant log file excerpts
   * Screenshots if applicable

<Callout type="info">
  When reporting issues, never share your Steam credentials or personal information
</Callout>






# Automatically Idle Steam Games on Startup [#automatically-idle-steam-games-on-startup]

Automatic idler lets you build a list of games that SGI will start idling automatically every time it launches. Once configured, you don't need to manually start anything. SGI handles it in the background.

This works best when combined with [Run At Startup](/docs/settings/general#run-at-startup) and [Start Minimized](/docs/settings/general#start-minimized), so SGI launches silently at login and begins idling your games without any input from you.

<Callout type="info">
  You can idle a maximum of 32 games simultaneously, across every SGI feature combined. This limit is set by the Steam client.
</Callout>

## Setting Up Automatic Idler [#setting-up-automatic-idler]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="auto-idle" /> in the sidebar
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Go to the <MockButton type="all-games" /> tab and click the <MockButton type="context-add" /> button on individual games to add them to your queue
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Switch to the <MockButton type="content" content="Queue" /> tab to review what you've added
  </Step>

  <Step>
    The next time SGI launches, the games in this list will be idled automatically

    Alternatively, click <MockButton type="start-manually" /> to start idling them right now without waiting for a restart
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Enabling and Disabling Individual Games [#enabling-and-disabling-individual-games]

Each game card in the <MockButton type="content" content="Queue" /> tab has a switch that lets you toggle it on or off without removing it from the list. Games that are switched off will be skipped when idling starts, both on launch and when using <MockButton type="start-manually" />.

This is useful when you want to temporarily pause idling a specific game while keeping it in your list for later.

<DocsCTA />






# Favorites [#favorites]

Favorites lets you pin specific games to their own page for quick access, separate from your full library.

<Callout type="info">
  Favoriting a game doesn't start idling it, farm cards for it, or unlock its achievements. It's purely a shortcut list. Use [Playtime Booster](/docs/features/playtime-booster), [Card Farming](/docs/features/card-farming), or the [Achievement Unlocker](/docs/features/achievement-unlocker) for that
</Callout>

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="favorites" /> in the sidebar
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Go to the <MockButton type="all-games" /> tab and click the <MockButton type="context-add" /> button on individual games to add them to your favorites
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Switch to the <MockButton type="content" content="Favorites" /> tab to see your favorited games
  </Step>
</Steps>

<DocsCTA />






# Manually Add a Game by App ID [#manually-add-a-game-by-app-id]

Sometimes Steam or the app's developer removes a game from the Steam store entirely, and even though you still technically own it, it can no longer be found automatically. This feature is also useful for adding content like DLC, soundtracks, videos, and tools from your library that SGI doesn't automatically detect.

<Callout type="info">
  Manual Add doesn't verify the App ID against Steam. Double check the ID is correct by using a tool like [SteamDB](https://steamdb.info/).
</Callout>

## Where It's Available [#where-its-available]

The <MockButton type="manual-add" /> button appears in the header of these pages:

* [Favorites](/docs/features/favorites)
* [Card Farming](/docs/features/card-farming)
* [Achievement Unlocker](/docs/features/achievement-unlocker)
* [Auto-Idle](/docs/features/auto-idle)

Each page adds the game to its own list only. For example, adding a game manually in Card Farming doesn't also add it to Favorites or Automatic Idler. Repeat the process on each page where you want it to appear.

## Adding a Game [#adding-a-game]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Click the <MockButton type="manual-add" /> button in the top-right of the page header
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Enter a name for the game and its Steam App ID

    You can find a game's App ID in its Steam store URL, e.g. `store.steampowered.com/app/252950` has an App ID of `252950`. If the game is no longer available on the Steam store, you can use a tool like [SteamDB](https://steamdb.info/)
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="content" content="Add" /> to add it to the list
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Once a game has been added, you can right-click it to bring up a menu where you can idle it, view its achievements, and easily add it to other lists
  </Step>
</Steps>

<DocsCTA />






# How to Idle Steam Games and Boost Playtime [#how-to-idle-steam-games-and-boost-playtime]

Idling a game increases its playtime hours without you needing to actually play it. This is useful for reaching the playtime needed to start receiving trading card drops, padding your Steam profile stats, or simply keeping a game "running" in the background.

<Callout type="info">
  You can idle a maximum of 32 games simultaneously, across every SGI feature combined. This limit is set by the Steam client.
</Callout>

## Start Idling a Game [#start-idling-a-game]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="your-games" /> in the sidebar
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click the <MockButton type="start-idle" /> button on individual games to begin idling them
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="idling-games" /> in the sidebar to see everything currently idling
  </Step>
</Steps>

<DocsCTA />






# Build It Yourself [#build-it-yourself]

SGI's source code is fully public on [GitHub](https://github.com/zevnda/steam-game-idler). The desktop app is a [Tauri](https://tauri.app/) app (Rust + Next.js), and it drives a bundled helper process, `SteamUtility`, built from a separate C#/.NET project at `libs/SteamUtility/`.

## Prerequisites [#prerequisites]

* [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/en/download/prebuilt-installer) >= 20.0
* [pnpm](https://pnpm.io/installation) - the project uses pnpm workspaces, not npm/yarn
* [Rust](https://www.rust-lang.org/tools/install) (stable toolchain)
* [.NET SDK](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download) >= 8.0 (`libs/SteamUtility` targets `net8.0` only)

**Windows only:**

* [VS Build Tools](https://visualstudio.microsoft.com/visual-cpp-build-tools/) = latest, with the "Desktop development with C++" workload
* [WebView2](https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/Microsoft-edge/webview2/) = latest (*pre-installed on Windows 11 and newer Windows 10 versions*)

**Linux only:**

* [Tauri's Linux prerequisite](https://v2.tauri.app/start/prerequisites/#linux) system dependencies for your distro

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Clone Repo [#clone-repo]

    ```bash
    git clone https://github.com/zevnda/steam-game-idler.git
    cd ./steam-game-idler
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Install Dependencies [#install-dependencies]

    ```bash
    pnpm install
    ```

    This installs dependencies for both the root app and the `docs/` workspace package
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Build SteamUtility [#build-steamutility]

    ```bash
    dotnet build ./libs/SteamUtility/SteamUtility.csproj
    ```

    This outputs `SteamUtility` to `src-tauri/target/debug/libs/` (or `release/libs/` for a release build); `pnpm tauri dev`/`pnpm tauri build` expect it to already be there
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Create Environment Files [#create-environment-files]

    Create a `.env` file in the root of `./steam-game-idler` and add a `KEY` variable containing your [Steam Web API Key](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey)

    <Files>
      <Folder name="steam-game-idler">
        <Folder name="public" />

        <Folder name="libs" />

        <Folder name="docs" />

        <Folder name="src">
          <Folder name="pages" />

          <Folder name="features" />

          <Folder name="shared" />
        </Folder>

        <Folder name="src-tauri">
          <Folder name="tauri.conf.json" />
        </Folder>

        <File name=".env" className="bg-fd-primary/10 text-fd-primary hover:bg-fd-primary/20 hover:text-fd-primary" />

        <File name="pnpm-lock.yaml" />

        <File name="package.json" />
      </Folder>
    </Files>

    ```ini title=".env" copy
    KEY="ABC123******789XYZ"
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Development or Production Build [#development-or-production-build]

    ```bash
    # Development
    pnpm td       # shorthand for `tauri dev`

    # Production
    pnpm tb       # shorthand for `tauri build`, outputs to `src-tauri/target/release/bundle/`
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Other Useful Scripts [#other-useful-scripts]

Run these from the repo root:

| Script            | What it does                                         |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| `pnpm typecheck`  | `tsc --noEmit` for the desktop app                   |
| `pnpm lint`       | ESLint for the desktop app                           |
| `pnpm dd`         | Starts the docs site dev server (this site)          |
| `pnpm build:docs` | Production build of the docs site                    |
| `pnpm build:libs` | Builds the `./libs/SteamUtility.csproj`              |
| `pnpm i18n:check` | Checks `en-US.json` for duplicate translation values |






# How to Sign In [#how-to-sign-in]

SGI has two ways to sign in. They both give you access to the same features, with some [documented exceptions](#whats-different-between-the-two). Choose the one that works best for you.

## Steam Sign-in [#steam-sign-in]

This is the recommended method. SGI signs in directly to Steam's servers so it doesn't need the Steam client installed or running on your PC at all.

<Callout type="info">
  SGI never sees or stores your password. Your information is sent directly to Steam's own servers to establish the sign-in, the same as signing in through the official Steam client or mobile app
</Callout>

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Open SGI [#open-sgi]

    On first launch, you'll land on the sign-in screen
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Choose Steam Sign-in [#choose-steam-sign-in]

    Click <MockButton type="steam-sign-in" />
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Sign in [#sign-in]

    * Enter your Steam **username and password**, or
    * Use the <MockButton type="qr-sign-in" /> panel shown next to it, and scan the code with the Steam mobile app
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Steam Guard [#steam-guard]

    If prompted, approve the sign-in from your Steam mobile app, or enter the Steam Guard code sent to your email
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Continue [#continue]

    Once signed in, you're taken straight to the dashboard automatically
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Legacy Sign-in [#legacy-sign-in]

Use this if you'd rather not enter your Steam username/password into SGI at all. It requires the Steam client to already be installed, running, and signed in.

<Callout type="warning">
  You must have the [Steam client](https://store.steampowered.com/about) installed, running, and signed in to at least one account
</Callout>

<Callout type="info">
  Legacy Sign-in only supports one signed-in account at a time. This is a real limitation of the Steam client itself, not something SGI can lift. To use more than one account at once, sign in to the additional accounts with [Steam Sign-in](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in#steam-sign-in) instead
</Callout>

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Install Steam [#install-steam]

    Download and install the [Steam client](https://store.steampowered.com/about)
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Sign in to Steam [#sign-in-to-steam]

    Sign in to your Steam account via the Steam client
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Choose Legacy Sign-in [#choose-legacy-sign-in]

    Open SGI and click <MockButton type="legacy-sign-in" /> on the sign-in screen
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Select your account [#select-your-account]

    If you're signed in to more than one account in the Steam client, SGI lists all of them; choose yours by clicking its avatar
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Continue [#continue-1]

    Click <MockButton type="continue" /> to proceed to the dashboard
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What's different between the two [#whats-different-between-the-two]

SGI behaves differently depending on which method you used to sign in. This is because each method talks to and interacts with Steam in a different way. The table below summarizes the differences:

|                            | **Steam Sign-in**                                         | **Legacy Sign-in**                                             |
| -------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Steam client required?     | No                                                        | Yes, must be installed, running, and signed in                 |
| Sign-in method             | Steam username/password, or QR code sign-in               | Pick from accounts already signed in to the local Steam client |
| Multiple accounts at once? | Yes, see [Multi-Account](/docs/get-started/multi-account) | No, one account at a time                                      |
| Play games while idling?   | No                                                        | Yes                                                            |

Everything else (Card Farming, Achievement Unlocker, Achievement Manager, Inventory Manager, Idling, Automatic Idler, Favorites) works the same regardless of which method you used.






# Install [#install]

SGI supports **Windows** (10/11, 64-bit) and **Linux** (64-bit). Follow the steps below for your OS and install method.

## Windows Installer [#windows-installer]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Download [#download]

    Download `Steam.Game.Idler_X.X.X_x64-setup.exe` from the [latest release](https://github.com/zevnda/steam-game-idler/releases/latest/) page on GitHub
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Install [#install-1]

    Run the installer and follow the steps of the installation guide
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Run [#run]

    After installation, you can launch SGI in a few different ways:

    * Select "Run Steam Game Idler" and click "Finish" when prompted
    * Run `Steam Game Idler.exe` from the installation directory
      * Defaults to `C:/Program Files/Steam Game Idler`
    * Use the desktop shortcut created by the installer
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Windows Portable [#windows-portable]

<Callout type="warn">
  The portable version does not support automatic updates. You'll need to download and replace the executable manually for each new release
</Callout>

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Download [#download-1]

    Download `Steam.Game.Idler_X.X.X_x64-portable.zip` from the [latest release](https://github.com/zevnda/steam-game-idler/releases/latest/) page on GitHub
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Extract [#extract]

    Extract the contents of the `.zip` file to any folder you want
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Run [#run-1]

    Open the folder and run `Steam Game Idler.exe`
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Linux [#linux]

<Callout type="info">
  Linux supports [Steam Sign-in](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in#steam-sign-in) only
</Callout>

<Callout type="info">
  SGI needs a working [OS keyring](https://specifications.freedesktop.org/secret-service/latest/) to securely store your session. This is preconfigured on most desktops, but if sign-in fails, or you get a "your Steam session isn't active anymore" error — see [this troubleshooting entry](/docs/troubleshooting#linux-keyring-secret-service)
</Callout>

<Callout type="warn">
  The `.deb` / `.rpm` versions do not support automatic updates. You'll need to download and install the new package manually for each release
</Callout>

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Download [#download-2]

    Download the file matching your distro/format from the [latest release](https://github.com/zevnda/steam-game-idler/releases/latest/) page on GitHub:

    * **Debian/Ubuntu-based**: `Steam.Game.Idler_X.X.X_amd64.deb`
    * **Fedora/openSUSE-based**: `Steam.Game.Idler_X.X.X-1.x86_64.rpm`
    * **Any distro**: `Steam.Game.Idler_X.X.X_amd64.AppImage`
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Install [#install-2]

    * **deb**:
      ```bash
      sudo dpkg -i Steam.Game.Idler_X.X.X_amd64.deb
      ```
    * **rpm**:
      ```bash
      sudo rpm -i Steam.Game.Idler_X.X.X-1.x86_64.rpm
      ```
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Run [#run-2]

    * **deb/rpm**: launch SGI from your desktop's application launcher
    * **AppImage**: make it executable and run it directly
      ```bash
      chmod +x Steam.Game.Idler_X.X.X_amd64.AppImage
      ./Steam.Game.Idler_X.X.X_amd64.AppImage
      ```
  </Step>
</Steps>






# Multi-Account [#multi-account]

SGI can keep several **Steam Sign-in** accounts signed in and running at the same time, each with its own idling, card farming, and achievement unlocking happening independently. You switch between them from one app window without signing out.

## How Many Accounts Can I Add? [#how-many-accounts-can-i-add]

The number of **Steam Sign-in** accounts you can have signed in at the same time depends on your [subscription tier](/docs/pro):

|                                   | Free | Casual | Gamer |
| --------------------------------- | :--: | :----: | :---: |
| Concurrent Steam Sign-in accounts |   1  |    3   |   10  |

<Callout type="info">
  You can still have one **Legacy Sign-in** account signed in alongside your **Steam Sign-in** accounts, regardless of tier. It doesn't count against this limit
</Callout>

## Adding an Account [#adding-an-account]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Open the account switcher [#open-the-account-switcher]

    Click your account name/avatar at the bottom of the sidebar
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Add another account [#add-another-account]

    Click <MockButton type="add-account" />
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Sign in [#sign-in]

    Follow the same [Steam Sign-in](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in#steam-sign-in) or [Legacy Sign-in](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in#legacy-sign-in) steps for the new account
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Switching Between Accounts [#switching-between-accounts]

Click your account name/avatar at the bottom of the sidebar, then click the account you want to switch to. Every account you've added keeps idling, farming, and unlocking in the background while you're viewing a different one. Switching only changes which account's dashboard you're looking at.

## Signing Out [#signing-out]

Click your account name/avatar at the bottom of the sidebar and click <MockButton type="sign-out" /> on the account you no longer want signed in.






# Achievement Unlocker Settings [#achievement-unlocker-settings]

You'll find these options under <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Achievement Unlocker" />.

## Idle While Unlocking [#idle-while-unlocking]

Keep the game running in the background while achievements are being unlocked

When enabled, SGI will idle the current game during the unlocking process, increasing its playtime alongside the achievements. This makes the activity look more consistent with natural gameplay.

## Run Multiple Games At Once [#run-multiple-games-at-once]

Work through several queued games concurrently instead of one at a time &#x2A;(Pro Casual tier)*

When enabled, games in the Achievement Unlocker queue are processed concurrently instead of one at a time, each with its own independent unlock schedule. Casual subscribers can run up to 3 games at once; Gamer subscribers can run up to 32, both within the combined limit of 32 games idling at once shared with every other idling feature (see [Playtime Booster](/docs/features/playtime-booster)).

## Skip Hidden Achievements [#skip-hidden-achievements]

Skip achievements that the game developer has marked as hidden

Hidden achievements don't reveal their unlock conditions in Steam. Enable this if you prefer to discover and unlock these naturally yourself, while still automating the rest.

## Unlock Interval [#unlock-interval]

Set how long SGI waits between unlocking each achievement &#x2A;(in minutes)*

You specify a minimum and maximum range. After unlocking an achievement, SGI picks a random wait time within that range before unlocking the next one. This randomization makes the unlock pattern look more natural.

For example, with a range of `60` to `180` minutes, SGI will wait between 1 and 3 hours between each unlock.

* **Minimum value:** 1 minute
* **Maximum value:** 2880 minutes (48 hours)

Per-achievement delays set in the [Custom Order](/docs/features/achievement-unlocker/custom-order-and-unlock-delay) page override this global interval for individual achievements.

## Only Unlock During A Schedule [#only-unlock-during-a-schedule]

Restrict achievement unlocking to a specific time window

When enabled, SGI will only unlock achievements while inside your scheduled time range. Outside of those hours, the Achievement Unlocker continues running but pauses unlocking until the window opens again.

For example, setting a range of `09:00` to `17:00` means SGI will only unlock achievements during business hours and wait overnight without stopping.

## Start Another Task When Done [#start-another-task-when-done]

Automatically start another feature once the Achievement Unlocker queue is empty

Enable the checkbox and choose either **Card Farming** or **Auto-Idle** from the dropdown to have it start automatically once every queued game has finished unlocking.






# Card Farming Settings [#card-farming-settings]

You'll find these options under <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Card Farming" />.

## Hours Until Farmable [#hours-until-farmable]

How many hours of playtime a game needs before its card drops are considered reachable

See [How It Works](/docs/features/card-farming/how-it-works) for more information on how this setting affects farming behavior.

## Farm Multiple Games At Once [#farm-multiple-games-at-once]

Farm up to 32 games concurrently instead of one at a time. In some cases this can cause cards to drop significantly slower.

## Automatically Farm Cards [#automatically-farm-cards]

Periodically check for owned games with card drops remaining and automatically start farming them &#x2A;(Pro Gamer tier)*

When enabled, SGI monitors your library on a recurring schedule and starts a farming cycle without you needing to trigger it manually.

## Skip Refundable Games &#x2A;(Steam Sign-in only)* [#skip-refundable-games-steam-sign-in-only]

Don't farm a game while it's still inside Steam's refund window

Skips farming any game bought within the last 14 days that has under 2 hours of playtime, since Steam considers it still eligible for a refund.

## Skip Unplayed Games [#skip-unplayed-games]

Skip games that have never been played &#x2A;(0 playtime)* during card farming

<Callout type="info">
  **Skip Unplayed Games** and **Unplayed Games Only** are mutually exclusive: enabling one will disable the other.
</Callout>

## Unplayed Games Only [#unplayed-games-only]

Only farm cards for games that have never been played &#x2A;(0 playtime)*

<Callout type="info">
  **Skip Unplayed Games** and **Unplayed Games Only** are mutually exclusive: enabling one will disable the other.
</Callout>

## Start Another Task When Done [#start-another-task-when-done]

Automatically start another feature once Card Farming finishes

Enable the checkbox and choose either **Achievement Unlocker** or **Auto-Idle** from the dropdown to have it start automatically once your current farming cycle completes.






# Customization Settings [#customization-settings]

You'll find these options under <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Customization" />.

## Disable Tooltips [#disable-tooltips]

Hide the small informational pop-ups that appear when hovering over elements in the app

Tooltips provide extra context for buttons and settings, but can feel repetitive once you're familiar with the app. Enable this to turn them off.

## Show Recommended Carousel [#show-recommended-carousel]

Show or hide the recommended games carousel on the **Your Games** page

The recommended carousel surfaces games in your library that you haven't played yet. Disable this if you prefer a cleaner view.

## Show Recently Played Carousel [#show-recently-played-carousel]

Show or hide the recently played games carousel on the **Your Games** page

The recently played carousel shows the last few games you've run through Steam. Disable this if you don't need quick access to recent games.

## Font [#font]

Change the font used throughout the SGI interface &#x2A;(non-default fonts require Pro Casual tier)*

Every font is bundled with the app, so switching never needs a download. Pro fonts are unlocked with a [Casual or Gamer subscription](/pro).

## Background Image [#background-image]

Set a custom background image for the SGI window &#x2A;(Pro Casual tier)*

Click <MockButton type="content" content="Choose image" /> to upload any common image file (PNG, JPG, WEBP, etc.) from your computer to use as a background. It's applied as a subtle overlay behind the main UI. Click <MockButton type="clear" /> to remove it and return to the default appearance.

## Theme [#theme]

Change the color scheme of SGI &#x2A;(non-default themes require Pro Casual tier)*

| Theme   | Availability      |
| ------- | ----------------- |
| Default | Free              |
| Blue    | Pro (Casual tier) |
| Red     | Pro (Casual tier) |
| Purple  | Pro (Casual tier) |
| Pink    | Pro (Casual tier) |
| Orange  | Pro (Casual tier) |
| Black   | Pro (Casual tier) |
| White   | Pro (Casual tier) |

Click any theme swatch to preview and apply it immediately. Pro themes are unlocked with a [Casual or Gamer subscription](/pro).






# Debug [#debug]

You'll find these tools under <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Debug" />. If something isn't working as expected, start here before reporting a bug.

## Logs [#logs]

The Logs panel displays a live view of SGI's internal activity, including errors and events from features like Card Farming and Achievement Unlocker.

* Click <MockButton type="view-log-file" /> to open today's log file
* Click <MockButton type="clear-logs" /> to clear the log view

<Callout type="info">
  Logs are written to a new file every day, kept in a `logs` folder next to where SGI stores its
  settings and cache: `<install folder>/logs/` for the Windows portable version, or your OS's
  app-data location otherwise (`%appdata%\com.zevnda.steam-game-idler\` on Windows,
  `~/.local/share/com.zevnda.steam-game-idler/` on Linux). <MockButton type="view-log-file" />
  always opens the right one for you, so you don't need to remember the exact path.
</Callout>

If you're reporting a bug on GitHub, include the relevant log files to help diagnose the issue. See the [Troubleshooting](/docs/troubleshooting) guide for more information.

## Reset Settings [#reset-settings]

<Callout type="warn">
  This action is irreversible
</Callout>

Click <MockButton type="reset-settings" /> to reset all of SGI's settings back to default

This is useful if you've misconfigured something and want to start fresh without wiping everything.

## Clear Data [#clear-data]

<Callout type="warn">
  This action is irreversible. You will be signed out of every account in SGI.
</Callout>

Click <MockButton type="clear-data" /> to sign every account out, stop any running automation, and clear all locally-stored app data on this device (settings, feature queues, logs, recent searches, inventory locks, etc).

Use this as a last resort if SGI is behaving unexpectedly and [Reset Settings](/docs/settings/debug#reset-settings) hasn't resolved the issue.

## Export Settings [#export-settings]

Click <MockButton type="export-settings" /> to copy your current SGI settings to the clipboard. Use this to:

* Back up your configuration before making changes
* Transfer your settings to another machine
* Attach to a bug report when opening an issue on GitHub

## Open Settings File [#open-settings-file]

Click <MockButton type="open-settings-file" /> to open the folder where SGI stores its settings file in File Explorer. Useful for manually inspecting the file, or pasting in an exported settings backup to restore a previous configuration.






# Free Games Settings [#free-games-settings]

You'll find these options under <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Free Games" />.

## Free Game Notifications [#free-game-notifications]

Get a system notification when a new free Steam game becomes available

SGI periodically checks for new free games and will notify you when one appears. Note that notifications may not be immediate. There can be a short delay depending on when SGI last checked.

To avoid being notified about games you already own, make sure your games list is up to date by clicking <MockButton type="content" content="Refresh" /> in <MockButton type="your-games" />.

## Auto Redeem Free Games [#auto-redeem-free-games]

Automatically add free Steam games to your account as soon as they become available &#x2A;(Pro Gamer tier)*

When enabled, SGI will claim free games on your behalf without any input from you. What else this requires depends on how you [signed in](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in):

* **Steam Sign-in**: no extra step needed, just turn this on
* **Legacy Sign-in**: you must also click <MockButton type="content" content="Sign in to Steam" /> on this tab first, and stay signed in, for auto-redeem to work

<Callout type="info">
  If you enable Auto Redeem, consider also enabling [Free Game Notifications](#free-game-notifications) so you can see which games were claimed on your behalf.
</Callout>

Also see: [What Counts as a Free Game?](/docs/features/free-games/what-counts-as-a-free-game)






# Individual Game Settings [#individual-game-settings]

You'll find this page under <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Game Settings" />. Use it to set per-game limits for playtime, idling, card farming, and achievement unlocking. Select a game from the list, then configure its limits below. Every limit set to `0` means unlimited.

<Callout type="info">
  Enable **Only show games with custom settings** to filter the game list down to just the games you've already customized.
</Callout>

## Playtime [#playtime]

These limits apply everywhere a game can be idled: manual [Playtime Booster](/docs/features/playtime-booster), [Auto-Idle](/docs/features/auto-idle), [Achievement Unlocker](/docs/features/achievement-unlocker), and [Card Farming](/docs/features/card-farming) all respect them.

### Max Playtime (All Games) [#max-playtime-all-games]

Automatically stop a game, and remove it from every queue, once its total playtime reaches this many minutes. Applies to every game unless it has its own override below.

### Max Playtime [#max-playtime]

Same as above, but for the selected game only. Overrides &#x2A;*Max Playtime (All Games)** when set.

## Idling [#idling]

These limits only apply to manually and automatically idled games. Card Farming and Achievement Unlocker have their own separate caps below.

### Max Idle Time (All Games) [#max-idle-time-all-games]

Set a default maximum idle time (in minutes) that applies to all games. Individual per-game limits take priority over this value when set.

### Max Idle Time [#max-idle-time]

Set the maximum idle time (in minutes) for the selected game. SGI will stop idling this game when the time limit is reached, overriding the value above.

## Card Farming [#card-farming]

These limits only apply to Card Farming sessions.

### Max Card Farming Time (All Games) [#max-card-farming-time-all-games]

Set a default maximum farming time (in minutes) that applies to all games. Individual per-game limits take priority over this value when set.

### Max Card Farming Time [#max-card-farming-time]

Set the maximum farming time (in minutes) for the selected game. SGI will stop farming this game when the time limit is reached, overriding the value above.

### Max Card Drops [#max-card-drops]

Set the maximum number of card drops to farm for the selected game before stopping.

Note that because card drop timing is not precisely predictable, SGI will try to stay within this limit but it may not always be exact.

## Achievement Unlocker [#achievement-unlocker]

### Max Achievement Unlocks [#max-achievement-unlocks]

Set the maximum number of achievements to unlock for the selected game. SGI will stop unlocking and remove the game from the Achievement Unlocker queue once this limit is reached.






# General Settings [#general-settings]

You'll find these options under <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → General" />.

## Always Online [#always-online]

Prevents Steam from setting your status as away while SGI is running &#x2A;(Legacy Sign-in only)*

When enabled, SGI will automatically switch your Steam status back to online if it changes to away, offline, or invisible while the app is running. This is useful when you want to appear active on Steam while games are idling in the background.

Only available for accounts using [Legacy Sign-in](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in) (a real local Steam client). **Steam Sign-in** accounts don't need this. See [Online Status](#online-status) below, which covers the same need without any periodic re-checking required.

## Online Status &#x2A;(Steam Sign-in only)* [#online-status-steam-sign-in-only]

Choose what online status friends see while signed in

Pick which status (Online, Away, Busy, Snooze, Looking to Trade, Looking to Play, Invisible, or Offline) your account shows to friends. Unlike Legacy Sign-in's Always Online above, this status doesn't drift back to Away on its own, so there's nothing to periodically refresh. It's set once and stays that way until you change it.

## Custom Status While Idling &#x2A;(Steam Sign-in only · Pro Gamer tier)* [#custom-status-while-idling-steam-sign-in-only--pro-gamer-tier]

Replace the "Playing \[game]" text friends see while idling

Set your own custom message to show instead of the game's name while idling. You can set this before, during, or after idling starts. It only becomes visible to friends once you're actually idling a game you own.

## Show Games Only &#x2A;(Steam Sign-in only)* [#show-games-only-steam-sign-in-only]

Hide DLC, soundtracks, videos, and tools from your library

When enabled, only owned games and family-shared games are shown in your library, filtering out non-game items like DLC, soundtracks, videos, and tools. Changing this refreshes your games list.

## Run At Startup [#run-at-startup]

Automatically launch SGI when your computer starts

SGI will be registered to launch at login (Windows startup programs, or your Linux desktop's autostart mechanism) so it runs in the background whenever you log in, without needing to open it manually. Works best when paired with [Start Minimized](#start-minimized).

## Start Minimized [#start-minimized]

Launch SGI to the system tray instead of showing the main window

When enabled, SGI opens silently in the background on startup. You can access it at any time by clicking the SGI icon in the system tray. Pairs well with [Run At Startup](#run-at-startup) for a fully hands-off setup.

## Close to Tray [#close-to-tray]

Keep SGI running when you close the window

When enabled, clicking the X button minimizes SGI to the system tray instead of exiting it. To fully close the app, right-click the system tray icon and select `Quit`.

## Automatically Update Games List [#automatically-update-games-list]

Silently refresh your games list in the background so it stays current without a manual refresh &#x2A;(Pro Casual tier)*

When enabled, SGI periodically checks for changes to your Steam library, such as newly purchased or removed games, and updates the list without requiring a manual refresh. The check runs every 5 minutes by default, or every minute if you've set your own [Steam Web API Key](#steam-web-api-key) below (the shared built-in key checks less often to stay within Steam's rate limits).

## Language [#language]

Choose the display language for SGI

The language is set automatically based on your system settings, but you can change it to any supported language from the dropdown. If you'd like to help translate SGI into your language, see the [contribution guide](https://github.com/zevnda/steam-game-idler/discussions/148).

## Steam Web API Key [#steam-web-api-key]

Use your own Steam Web API key to access private profile data

By default, SGI fetches your profile and game data from public Steam APIs. Providing your own API key lets SGI access data even when your Steam profile is set to private.

* API keys are free for all Steam accounts. [Get yours here](https://steamcommunity.com/dev/apikey)
* The API key must belong to the same Steam account you're signed into in SGI. If you use multiple accounts, you'll need to set the key for each one separately
* Some features may still be limited with a private profile even with an API key
* Your key is validated against Steam before it's saved, and stored securely rather than in a plain settings file






# Inventory Manager Settings [#inventory-manager-settings]

You'll find these options under <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Inventory Manager" />.

<Callout type="info">
  The price you set is what the **buyer pays**. SGI accounts for Steam's 15% transaction fee automatically, so your received amount will be less. See [Marketplace Fees](/docs/features/inventory-manager/marketplace-fees) for details.
</Callout>

## Currency [#currency]

Choose the currency used for price display in SGI

This affects prices shown throughout the [Inventory Manager](/docs/features/inventory-manager), including suggested sell prices fetched from the Steam marketplace.

## Default Price [#default-price]

Choose how SGI determines the default price when listing items

* **Highest Buy Order**: lists at the highest price someone is currently willing to pay for the item. This is more likely to sell quickly
* **Lowest Sell Order**: lists at the lowest price another seller is currently asking. This may take longer to sell but can yield a slightly higher return

This setting only affects the default price applied when using <MockButton type="list-all" />. You can always override the price on individual items.

## Price Adjustment [#price-adjustment]

Add or subtract a fixed amount from every item's sale price

Useful for undercutting the market or adding a small buffer above the default price. For example, setting `-0.05` reduces every listing price by $0.05.

If the adjusted price falls below your [Sell Limit](#sell-limit) minimum, the item will not be listed.

## Sell Limit [#sell-limit]

Set a minimum and maximum price range for listings

Items whose final price falls outside this range will be skipped and not listed for sale. This protects you from accidentally selling valuable items too cheaply or listing common items at unrealistic prices.

For example, with a minimum of `0.05` and a maximum of `2.00`, only items priced between $0.05 and $2.00 will be listed.

## Sell Delay [#sell-delay]

Set how long SGI waits between listing each item &#x2A;(in seconds)*

Steam's marketplace API has strict rate limits. If you list items too quickly, Steam will temporarily block further listings. A higher delay is safer if you're selling a large number of items.

<Callout type="info">
  Manually fetching a price also has a fixed 5-second cooldown between clicks, separate from this setting
</Callout>






# Keybinds [#keybinds]

You'll find this reference list under <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Keybinds" />. It's read-only. Shortcuts can't be remapped.

## Zoom [#zoom]

| Action     | Shortcut                             |
| ---------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Zoom in    | `Ctrl` `+` (or `Ctrl` + scroll up)   |
| Zoom out   | `Ctrl` `-` (or `Ctrl` + scroll down) |
| Reset zoom | `Ctrl` `0`                           |

## Navigation [#navigation]

| Action          | Shortcut   |
| --------------- | ---------- |
| Next page       | `Ctrl` `]` |
| Previous page   | `Ctrl` `[` |
| Open search     | `/`        |
| Toggle settings | `Ctrl` `,` |
| Toggle sidebar  | `Ctrl` `W` |






# Subscription Settings [#subscription-settings]

You'll find this tab under <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Subscription" />

## Status [#status]

Shows whether you're currently subscribed and which tier (**Casual** or **Gamer**), along with your renewal or cancellation date.

* Click <MockButton type="manage-subscription" /> to open your billing portal (Stripe or PayPal, depending on how you subscribed) to update payment details, view invoices, or cancel
* If you're on **Casual**, an <MockButton type="upgrade" /> button also appears next to it to move up to **Gamer**

## License Key [#license-key]

Once you've subscribed, you'll receive a license key by email.

* **Activate**: paste your license key and click <MockButton type="activate" /> to unlock PRO on this device
* **Copy**: click <MockButton type="copy" /> to copy your currently-activated key to the clipboard
* **Clear**: click <MockButton type="clear" /> to remove the key from this device, deactivating PRO here (your subscription itself isn't cancelled, you can re-activate on any device later)

<Callout type="info">
  Your license key is tied to one device at a time. Activating it on a new device while it's already active elsewhere will prompt you to confirm transferring it. See [Transferring to a New Device](/docs/pro#faq)
</Callout>






# Custom Order & Unlock Delay [#custom-order--unlock-delay]

The Custom Order & Unlock Delay feature lets you set the exact order in which achievements are unlocked, and allows you to skip any that you don't want unlocked.

The `unlock delay` is how long SGI waits after unlocking one achievement before unlocking the next. For example, if you set a delay of 10 minutes on achievement one, SGI will unlock achievement one, wait 10 minutes, and then unlock achievement two.

Per-achievement unlock delays override the global value set in [<MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Achievement Unlocker → Unlock Interval" />](/docs/settings/achievement-unlocker#unlock-interval). If no per-achievement unlock delay is set, the [Unlock Interval](/docs/settings/achievement-unlocker#unlock-interval) value is used.

You can customize the order, set delays, or both. Each step is optional.

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Follow steps 1 and 2 from the [Default Mode](/docs/features/achievement-unlocker#default-mode) section
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Switch to the <MockButton type="content" content="Queue" /> tab
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="unlock-order" /> below the game you want to customize
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Drag and drop achievements by grabbing the <MockButton type="grabber" /> to set their unlock order
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="checkbox" /> to deselect achievements and skip them from being unlocked
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Enter a value (in minutes) in **Delay before first unlock** to set how long SGI waits before unlocking the very first achievement
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Enter a delay (in minutes) in the input field of each achievement to set how long SGI waits after unlocking that achievement before unlocking the next one
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="save-alt" /> and then click <MockButton type="achievement-unlocker-action" />
  </Step>
</Steps>






# Import Timings [#import-timings]

The Import Timings feature lets you copy the unlock order and achievement delays from another Steam user's profile. This is useful for matching a specific playstyle or replicating naturally-timed unlocks.

<Callout type="info">
  The target profile and their game details must be set to public on Steam. You can verify this by viewing their games list in an incognito browser window.
</Callout>

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Follow steps 1 and 2 from the [Default Mode](/docs/features/achievement-unlocker#default-mode) section
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Switch to the <MockButton type="content" content="Queue" /> tab
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="unlock-order" /> below the game you want to customize
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="import-timings" /> in the top-right of the custom order page
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Enter the target user's **SteamID64**, **profile URL**, or **username** and click <MockButton type="content" content="Import" />

    * To find users with legitimate achievements, try achievement tracking sites like [Steam Hunters](https://steamhunters.com/), search for the game, open the **Players** tab, and copy a username from there
  </Step>

  <Step>
    The achievement list will be reordered to match their unlock sequence, with delays calculated from the time between each unlock. Any achievement not unlocked by the target profile will be skipped. You can still adjust the order and delays manually before saving
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="save-alt" /> and then click <MockButton type="achievement-unlocker-action" />
  </Step>
</Steps>






# How to Unlock Steam Achievements Automatically [#how-to-unlock-steam-achievements-automatically]

The Achievement Unlocker automatically unlocks achievements for your Steam games over time, with customizable delays and ordering to mimic natural gameplay.

<Callout type="info">
  Configure this feature's settings in [Settings → Achievement Unlocker](/docs/settings/achievement-unlocker) before using it
</Callout>

### Default Mode [#default-mode]

In default mode, achievements are unlocked in order of global achievement rarity (most common first), with the delay set in [<MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Achievement Unlocker → Unlock Interval" />](/docs/settings/achievement-unlocker#unlock-interval).

If you want to define a custom order, and dial in more accurate delays, use the [Custom Order & Unlock Delay](/docs/features/achievement-unlocker/custom-order-and-unlock-delay)

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="achievement-unlocker" /> in the sidebar
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Go to the <MockButton type="all-games" /> tab and click the <MockButton type="context-add" /> button on individual games to add them to your queue
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Optionally, you can customize the unlock order and set delays for individual achievements by [following these steps](/docs/features/achievement-unlocker/custom-order-and-unlock-delay)
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Switch to the <MockButton type="content" content="Queue" /> tab to review what you've added, then click <MockButton type="achievement-unlocker-action" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

While running, each active game shows a live countdown to its next achievement, with the next several upcoming achievements listed below it.

<DocsCTA />






# How to Manage Steam Achievements Manually [#how-to-manage-steam-achievements-manually]

The Achievement Manager lets you manually unlock and lock achievements for any game in your library, as well as modify game statistics. Unlike the [Achievement Unlocker](/docs/features/achievement-unlocker), this is a one-by-one manual tool: useful for targeting specific achievements without automation.

### Achievements [#achievements]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="your-games" /> in the sidebar
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click the <MockButton type="achievement-manager" /> button on individual games to open them in the achievement manager
  </Step>

  <Step>
    On the achievement manager screen you will see a list of achievements for that game, if any are available

    Click <MockButton type="unlock" /> or <MockButton type="lock" /> next to an achievement to unlock or lock it individually

    Click  <MockButton type="unlock-all" /> or <MockButton type="lock-all" /> in the page header to affect every achievement at once

    Use the <MockButton type="checkbox" /> next to each achievement to toggle its state, then click <MockButton type="content" content="Save changes" /> to apply the changes
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Callout type="info">
  Some achievements/statistics are marked **Protected** and can't be modified. See [Special Flags](/docs/features/achievement-manager/special-flags)
</Callout>

### Statistics [#statistics]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="your-games" /> in the sidebar
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click the <MockButton type="achievement-manager" /> button on individual games to open them in the achievement manager
  </Step>

  <Step>
    On the achievement manager screen, click the <MockButton type="content" content="Statistics" /> tab in the page header. You will see a list of statistics for that game, if any are available
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Change the `value` of any statistics you want to modify and click <MockButton type="save-changes" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

<DocsCTA />




# Special Flags [#special-flags]

Some achievements and statistics have restrictions [set by the game's developer](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/features/achievements#game_server_stats:~:text=Stats%20and%20achievements%20that%20are%20settable%20by%20game%20servers%20cannot%20be%20set%20by%20clients) that affect what you can change. These are indicated directly in the UI.

* **Protected:** Only the game's official servers can modify these. The unlock/lock buttons will be disabled for protected achievements
* **IncrementOnly:** This statistic can only increase in value. You can raise it from 5 to 6, but not lower it from 5 to 4
* **Hidden:** The achievement's description is blurred by default. Hover over it to reveal the text

For statistics, any active flags are shown directly beneath the stat value in the Statistics tab.






# Blacklisting Games [#blacklisting-games]

You can blacklist specific games from being farmed for cards by going to the <MockButton type="content" content="Games With Drops" /> tab and clicking the <MockButton type="blacklist" /> button on individual games.

Blacklisted games will not be farmed for cards, even if they have card drops remaining. A blacklisted game is automatically removed from your whitelist.

To view or un-blacklist games, switch to the <MockButton type="content" content="Blacklisted" /> tab.






# Reasons Cards May Not Be Dropping [#reasons-cards-may-not-be-dropping]

New Steam accounts and accounts that have recently refunded a game fall under the [Limited User Account](https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/71D3-35C2-AD96-AA3A&#x29; restrictions and may have to spend a minimum of **$5.00 USD**, and/or wait three hours before the first card will drop.

If your account isn't Limited and cards still aren't dropping, one of the following is usually the cause:

* **No card drops remaining** — each game only awards half a card set (rounded up) per license, plus extra drops for in-game spending on free-to-play titles. Check the game's remaining drop count on its [badge page](https://steamcommunity.com/my/badges).
* **Offline mode** — Steam can't register playtime or issue drops for a game while your account is not connected to the Steam servers (e.g. no internet connection). This is not the same as setting your account status to "Offline", which has no affect on whether cards will drop or not.
* **Not enough playtime yet** — most games (especially those purchased within the last 14 days) need around 2-3 hours of accumulated playtime before the first card drops, separate from the Limited Account delay above. This is to prevent users from buying games, farming them for cards, and then refunding the game before the 2-hour playtime refund limit is reached. This is only true for some users and not all.
* **Newly added Steam store games** — games that are newly added to the Steam store can take until Steam's next weekly maintenance (Wednesdays, Pacific time) to register, and drops may not count until then.
* **Different per-game intervals** — each game's developer can set their own [card drop interval](https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/features/inventory/schema#PlaytimeDrops). Most games drop a card every 30 minutes, while others can take up to 2 hours
* **An unstable internet connection** while idling can prevent a completed drop timer from being tracked correctly.
* **The game is [marked as private](https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/1150-C06F-4D62-4966)** on your Steam profile.
* **The game was obtained through Family Sharing** — only the license owner's account receives card drops.
* **The game is in your [Card Farming blacklist](/docs/features/card-farming/blacklisting-games)**.






# How Card Farming Works [#how-card-farming-works]

Card Farming runs in two phases, switching between them automatically as needed:

1. **Building playtime** — not every account needs this
   * Some Steam accounts may have restrictions on getting card drops until a game passes a certain amount of playtime, while others can drop cards immediately with no wait at all. Account restrictions usually aren't permanent and it can change over time (e.g. refunding a game can turn a previously unrestricted account into a restricted one — see below).
   * Games that haven't cleared this threshold yet are idled in batches of up to 32 first to get the necessary playtime needed to start dropping cards.
   * You can, and should test this yourself by following the [How To Check If Your Account Is Restricted](#how-to-check-if-your-account-is-restricted) steps below to see if your account is restricted or not. If you've confirmed your account isn't restricted, go to <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Card Farming" /> and set [Hours until farmable](/docs/settings/card-farming#hours-until-farmable) to `0` to skip this phase entirely.
2. **Farming** — once a game has enough playtime, Card Farming switches to farming it on its own until all of its remaining cards have dropped, then moves on to the next game that's ready. If no games are ready, it will go back to the first phase and continue building playtime until a game is ready to farm again.

During both phases, Card Farming will periodically start and stop games to ensure that Steam registers playtime correctly, and can even help promote card drops. It is recommended you set your Steam status to "Offline" or "Invisible" to prevent spamming your friends with status updates. You may also see `SteamUtility` processes starting and stopping in your desktop's task manager, this is normal and expected behavior.

### How To Check If Your Account Is Restricted [#how-to-check-if-your-account-is-restricted]

Since there's no way to look this up directly, the only reliable way to know for sure is a short test

<Callout type="info">
  This isn't a one-time answer. Restriction status can change (requesting a refund is a common trigger), so it's worth repeating this test occasionally rather than assuming your first result holds forever.
</Callout>

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Pick 3-5 games you own that have card drops remaining and **zero recorded playtime**. Go to the <MockButton type="content" content="Games With Drops" /> tab and click the <MockButton type="context-add" /> button on each of those games to add them to your whitelist
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Go to <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Card Farming" /> and temporarily set [Hours until farmable](/docs/settings/card-farming#hours-until-farmable) to `0`

    Also make sure [Farm multiple games at once](/docs/settings/card-farming#farm-multiple-games-at-once) is **disabled** so that only one game is farmed at a time
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="card-farming" /> in the sidebar, then click <MockButton type="card-farming-action" /> to start farming those games
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Monitor the progress of each game for roughly 30-60 minutes

    * If **any** of them dropped a card within roughly the first 30-60 minutes, your account isn't restricted, and you can leave **Hours Until Farmable** at `0`
    * If **none** of them dropped anything for several hours, your account is likely restricted. Note roughly how long the first drop took and set **Hours Until Farmable** to match — `3` is a reasonable starting point if you'd rather skip testing altogether
  </Step>
</Steps>






# How to Farm Steam Trading Cards Automatically [#how-to-farm-steam-trading-cards-automatically]

The Card Farming feature allows you to automatically farm trading cards from your Steam games without needing to download or play them. This is ideal for users looking to collect cards for badge crafting or marketplace sales efficiently.

<Callout type="warn">
  Because Card Farming is a bit more complex than other features, it is recommended to read the [How It Works](/docs/features/card-farming/how-it-works) page first.
</Callout>

<Callout type="info">
  You must add your [Steam Credentials](/docs/steam-credentials) before you can use this feature.

  Users using [Steam Sign-in](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in) with a [Gamer tier subscription](/pro) do not need to manually enter their Steam credentials.
</Callout>

### Farm All Games With Drops Remaining [#farm-all-games-with-drops-remaining]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="card-farming" /> in the sidebar, then click <MockButton type="card-farming-action" />

    Card Farming will automatically work through all games with card drops remaining in an optimized order, with no extra setup needed
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Farm Specific Games Only [#farm-specific-games-only]

If you'd rather farm specific games instead, add those games to your whitelist. While any games are in the whitelist, only those games will be farmed, ignoring all other games.

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="card-farming" /> in the sidebar
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Go to the <MockButton type="content" content="Games With Drops" /> tab and click the <MockButton type="context-add" /> button on individual games to add them to your whitelist
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Switch to the <MockButton type="content" content="Whitelist" /> tab to review what you've added, then click <MockButton type="card-farming-action" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Card Farming Tabs [#card-farming-tabs]

* **Games With Drops**: shows all games in your account with card drops remaining
* **Whitelisted**: games you've chosen to farming specifically — leave empty to automatically farm all game with drops
* **Blacklisted**: games excluded from farming entirely, [read more](/docs/features/card-farming/blacklisting-games)

<DocsCTA />






# How to Claim Free Steam Games Automatically [#how-to-claim-free-steam-games-automatically]

The Free Games feature allows you to discover and claim free games on Steam, either manually or automatically. This is perfect for users who want to expand their game library without spending money.

<Callout type="info">
  DLC, free-to-play games, and games that you already own are not shown in the Free Games list
</Callout>

## Manual Redemption [#manual-redemption]

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="free-games" /> in the sidebar
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click the <MockButton type="content" content="Claim" /> button on individual games to claim them
  </Step>

  <Step>
    A Steam store login window will open, sign in to your Steam account in the new window via:

    * Username and password
    * Scanning the QR Code

    Optionally, if you would prefer to not sign into your Steam account, you can visit the game's Steam store page in your browser and claim it manually.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    After claiming a free game, refresh your games list by clicking <MockButton type="content" content="Refresh" /> in the page header of <MockButton type="your-games" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Automated Redemption [#automated-redemption]

How you enable this depends on how you [signed in](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in)

<Steps>
  <Step>
    ### Steam Sign-in [#steam-sign-in]

    Just enable [Auto Redeem Free Games](/docs/settings/free-games#auto-redeem-free-games) in <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Free Games" />, no separate sign-in step needed
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Legacy Sign-in [#legacy-sign-in]

    Go to <MockButton type="context-cog" content="Settings → Free Games" /> and click <MockButton type="content" content="Sign in to Steam" /> and sign in to your Steam account in the new window via:

    * Username and password
    * Scanning the QR Code
  </Step>

  <Step>
    ### Automatic Claiming [#automatic-claiming]

    As free games become available, SGI will automatically attempt to redeem them to your Steam account
  </Step>
</Steps>

<DocsCTA />




# Notifications [#notifications]

When new free games are detected, SGI will show a notification in the bottom-right corner of your screen. You can disable [Free Game Notifications](/docs/settings/free-games#free-game-notifications) in the settings.




# What Counts as a Free Game [#what-counts-as-a-free-game]

SGI only considers a game to be free if it is temporarily available for `$0.00` as part of a promotion or sale on the Steam store.

This is different to free-to-play games, which have no price and are always available for free. Free-to-play games are not shown in the Free Games list.






# How to Manage and Sell Steam Inventory Items Automatically [#how-to-manage-and-sell-steam-inventory-items-automatically]

The Inventory Manager feature allows you to manage your Steam inventory directly within SGI, including the ability to view all your marketable items (trading cards, foil cards, emoticons, backgrounds, and more) and sell them on the Steam marketplace.

<Callout type="warn">
  This feature uses an undocumented Steam API endpoint with strict rate limits to fetch card prices. If you encounter errors while selling cards or fetching card prices, please try increasing the [Sell Delay](/docs/settings/inventory-manager#sell-delay), or wait a few hours before trying  again
</Callout>

<Callout type="info">
  You must add your [Steam Credentials](/docs/steam-credentials) before you can use this feature.

  Users using [Steam Sign-in](/docs/get-started/how-to-sign-in) with a [Gamer tier subscription](/pro) do not need to manually enter their Steam credentials.
</Callout>

<Callout type="info">
  Configure this feature's settings in [Settings → Inventory Manager](/docs/settings/inventory-manager) before using it
</Callout>

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="inventory-manager" /> in the sidebar
  </Step>

  #### Sell individual items [#sell-individual-items]

  <Steps>
    <Step>
      Find the item you want to sell and input a sale price
    </Step>

    <Step>
      Click the <MockButton type="list-card" /> button to list the item
    </Step>
  </Steps>

  #### Sell multiple selected items [#sell-multiple-selected-items]

  <Steps>
    <Step>
      Find the items you want to sell and input a sale price for each one
    </Step>

    <Step>
      Click <MockButton type="list-selected" /> to list the selected items
    </Step>
  </Steps>

  #### Sell all items [#sell-all-items]

  <Steps>
    <Step>
      Click <MockButton type="list-all" /> to list all items in your inventory
    </Step>
  </Steps>

  #### Sell duplicate items [#sell-duplicate-items]

  <Steps>
    <Step>
      Click <MockButton type="sell-dupes" /> to automatically list all duplicate items for sale, keeping one copy of each
    </Step>
  </Steps>

  <Step>
    Confirm each listing via the Steam mobile app, the [Steam market page](https://steamcommunity.com/market/), or via email depending on your [Steam Guard](https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/06B0-26E6-2CF8-254C) settings
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click <MockButton type="refresh" /> in the page header to update your card list
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Removing Listings [#removing-listings]

Click <MockButton type="remove-all" /> to remove all your active listings from the Steam marketplace.

<DocsCTA />




# Marketplace Fees [#marketplace-fees]

Steam charges a [15% transaction fee](https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/61F0-72B7-9A18-C70B#steamfee) on each marketplace sale, which is made up of two parts:

* **Steam Transaction Fee (5%)**: This goes to Valve for facilitating the transaction.
* **Game Publisher Fee (10%)**: This goes to the publisher of the game the item is from (not just Valve games; all publishers receive this fee for their own items).

SGI automatically accounts for the 15% Steam transaction fee when you set a sale price. The price you enter is what the **buyer pays**. SGI works out the correct listing price so that the buyer pays exactly that amount.

> If you set a price of `$0.50`, the buyer pays `$0.50` and you receive `$0.44` after fees.






# Pricing Details [#pricing-details]

When you use <MockButton type="list-all" />, the price used depends on your [Default Sell Option](/docs/settings/inventory-manager#default-sell-option) setting:

* **Highest Buy Order**: lists each item at its `highest_buy_order`. If that price isn't available, it falls back to the `lowest_sell_order`. If neither price is available, the item won't be listed.
* **Lowest Sell Order**: lists each item at its `lowest_sell_order`. If that price isn't available, the item won't be listed.