MAKO has been released as a Decky plugin in version 4.6.0, codenamed “Tempest”.

MAKO is a Vulkan layer solution for the Steam Deck that provides frame generation, upscaling, shader effects and adaptive frame rate targets for games.

New features include an adjustable GPU headroom of 5 to 20%, faster frame generation with less CPU and GPU overhead, per-game shader customization and improved controller navigation. After installing, you also need to select Install MAKO Renderer in the plugin.

Release Codename: Tempest

• GPU Headroom: Under Performance, choose a 5%, 10%, 15% or 20% GPU reserve and adjust it live during Frame Generation. The matching Renderer gradually reduces real FPS using supported AMD utilization readings. Off by default, saved per profile and power mode, and mutually exclusive with Dynamic Cadence Recovery.
• Faster Frame Generation: The matching Renderer reduces CPU and GPU overhead in Fixed and Adaptive with FP16 or FP32.
• More efficient FP16 Quality: The matching Renderer automatically uses a leaner compute path for supported native FP16 Quality models on AMD’s RADV driver, without adding image buffers.
• Lower overhead for Quality and Lighter: Less CPU time spent submitting GPU work in Fixed 2x and Adaptive steps that produce one generated frame.
• Lower FG working-buffer memory: Generated outputs share temporary image storage, reducing private buffer allocations at higher multipliers.
• Less CPU work for Scaling and Shaders: The matching Renderer reuses scaling preparation, and the bundled shader system reduces temporary allocations during frame presentation.
• Adaptive and FIFO stability: Proven Adaptive workloads are preserved after brief image-availability misses, and Smooth Cadence pacing is retained through short cadence dips.
• More reliable multiplier checks: Adaptive checks the real-frame cost after pacing settles and refreshes older comparisons when needed. When both workloads reach the target, MAKO prefers the lower multiplier.
• Better use of frame-cap waits: Eligible capped Fixed and Adaptive paths coordinate frame preparation with output timing, avoiding consecutive pacing waits.
• Gamescope timing compatibility: Improved bridge feedback handling, VRR timing interpretation and presentation deadlines. Does not require replacing SteamOS’s Gamescope.
• Customize shaders per game: Select Customize shaders to adjust bundled and compatible custom effects with sliders, toggles, choices and colour controls. Changes apply live and save with the selected profile.
• Clearer shader controls: Palettes use colour swatches, sliders and exact-value fields.
• Smoother controller navigation: Focused controls stay visible when entering settings tabs or leaving the effects list. Unavailable actions are skipped.
• Shared MangoHud layouts: Profiles with MangoHud enabled can use an optional ~/.config/mako-render/mangohud.conf, shared with the standalone Renderer launcher.
• Native FPS above the Adaptive target: With Fractional Adaptive and Automatic Real Frame Priority, sustained native FPS can exceed Target FPS without generation.
• More complete translations: More consistent translated labels across MAKO Decky and the configuration app, plus improved Japanese translations.
• Better support reports: With diagnostics enabled, MAKO Decky retains ten launch sessions instead of five. Reports preserve Wayland errors and multi-line failure details.

Required MAKO Renderer update: Installing the ZIP updates MAKO Decky, but does not replace the shared native Renderer. Open the plugin and select Install MAKO Renderer afterwards.

Source: GitHub