steamlayer 0.1.0

Patch Steam games to use the Goldberg emulator — replaces Steam API DLLs, writes DLC config, and restores originals on demand.

steamlayer

Patches Steam games to run through the Goldberg emulator.
Finds the AppID, grabs DLC info, swaps the DLLs, backs up the originals. One command.

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What it does

You point it at a game folder. It figures out the AppID (or you tell it), pulls DLC metadata from Steam, backs up the original steam_api.dll files, drops in Goldberg's replacements, and writes the config. If something breaks or you just want your files back, --restore undoes everything cleanly.

7-Zip, Goldberg, and Steamless are downloaded automatically on first run — you don't install them manually.

[!WARNING] steamlayer is under active development and not yet production-ready. Expect rough edges, and always keep --restore in mind.

Installation

pip install steamlayer

Or with pipx if you want it isolated:

pipx install steamlayer

Requirements:

• Python 3.13+
• Windows
• 7-Zip somewhere on your system for the very first run (after that steamlayer manages its own copy).

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Usage

steamlayer "C:\Games\Portal 2"

That's the common case. It'll do everything automatically. If AppID detection gets it wrong, pass it explicitly:

steamlayer "C:\Games\Portal 2" --appid 620

Not sure what it's going to do? Run with --dry-run first:

steamlayer "C:\Games\Portal 2" --dry-run

Game uses SteamStub DRM? Let steamlayer strip it automatically:

steamlayer "C:\Games\Portal 2" --unpack

Something broke, want your files back:

steamlayer "C:\Games\Portal 2" --restore

All options

Flag	Description
-a, --appid <id>	Skip auto-detection and use this AppID
-d, --dry-run	Show what would happen, don't touch anything
-n, --no-network	Use cached data only, no requests
-r, --restore	Put the original DLLs back and clean up
-u, --unpack	Auto-strip SteamStub DRM via Steamless before patching
-y, --yolo	Accept lower-confidence AppID matches
-v / -vv	More output (-v = info, -vv = debug)
--cache-dir <path>	Override the cache location (default: ~/.steamlayer/.cache)
--no-defender-check	Skip the Defender warning
--version	Print the version and exit

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How it works

AppID detection — checks for steam_appid.txt or .acf manifest files in the game folder first. If nothing's there, it searches a locally-cached community index, then falls back to the Steam store API. If two results look equally likely, it asks you to pick. Pass --yolo to lower the confidence threshold (useful for sequels or non-standard folder names).

DLC metadata — fetches the DLC list from the Steam API and resolves names using the same community index. Anything missing from the index gets looked up individually. Results are cached for a week so repeat runs are fast.

SteamStub detection — before patching, steamlayer scans every .exe in each DLL's directory for SteamStub DRM. It recognises v1.x (via SteamDRMP.dll import) and v3.x (via the 0xCAFEDEAD header magic in the .bind section). If wrapped executables are found and --unpack wasn't passed, it warns you. With --unpack, Steamless strips the DRM automatically and the original executable is vaulted alongside the DLLs.

Patching — finds every steam_api.dll and steam_api64.dll in the game tree, vaults the originals to <game>/__original_files__/, and copies in the right Goldberg DLL (x32 or x64). Config files go in a steam_settings/ folder next to each DLL, plus a steam_appid.txt at the game root.

Restore — moves the vaulted DLLs (and any vaulted executables) back, deletes the steam_settings/ directories, cleans up loose config files, and removes the vault once it's empty. Safe to re-run if it fails partway through.

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Windows Defender

If real-time protection is on, add a folder exclusion before running:

Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings → Exclusions → Add an exclusion → Folder

C:\Users\<you>\.steamlayer\vendors

Swapping Steam DLLs looks suspicious enough that Defender will sometimes quarantine Goldberg's or Steamless's files mid-download. The exclusion keeps that from happening. It only covers this one folder, nothing else on your system.

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Troubleshooting

7-Zip bootstrap fails — steamlayer needs an existing 7z.exe to pull in its own copy. Make sure it's in PATH or installed at the default location (C:\Program Files\7-Zip\).

Wrong game detected — use --appid. You can find the right ID on SteamDB or in the store URL.

Defender quarantined something mid-install — add the exclusion above and re-run. steamlayer will re-download and retry cleanly.

SteamStub warning at runtime — the game executable is wrapped with SteamDRM. Re-run with --unpack to strip it automatically, or unpack manually with Steamless first.

Game broken after patching — run --restore. If that also fails partway through, run it again — it picks up where it left off.

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Disclaimer

This tool is intended for use with software you legitimately own. Use responsibly.