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Pocket Harbor

Pocket Harbor is a controller-first library manager for Linux handhelds. Its core is prepared for multiple operating-system profiles, while DarkOS ARM64 is the only current, tested release target. The release ZIP includes an ARM64 executable and Python 3.14, so neither Python, uv, nor a package manager is required on the handheld.

Install on DarkOS Use the downloader

What it does

  • Searches the remote library by a case-insensitive title prefix.
  • Remembers the download store selected during first-run setup. It can be changed later in Settings.
  • Downloads selected Minerva files without requiring an external torrent client.
  • Accepts an empty search to list the complete selected catalogue, including All platforms.
  • Downloads a selected game and moves it into the target's correct ROM folder on SD1 or SD2.
  • Installs bundled BIOS files first, checks both SD cards, and offers required missing firmware through RetroBIOS.
  • Provides a manual BIOS catalogue search for required and optional firmware.
  • Caches each store/platform game catalogue as structured JSON for fast local searching and safe stale-cache fallback when a store is unavailable.
  • Caches compatibility scores and RetroBIOS metadata locally and refreshes them only when requested in Settings.
  • Updates and deletes installed games while preserving multi-file .cue and .m3u groups.
  • Queues an EmulationStation game-list refresh after every install, update, or deletion, keeps the TUI open, and applies one refresh when the user exits.
  • Filters console families outside the supported handheld class, including PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, Wii, Switch, Nintendo 3DS, and PS Vita.
  • Shows a compatibility level and title-match confidence before download when the optional compatibility catalogue has a reliable match.

Controller-first

The TUI reads the handheld controls directly from /dev/input/js*. Up/down moves through menus and supports press-and-hold scrolling. The on-screen keyboard uses an evenly spaced fixed grid with letter, symbol, and accented-character pages. All four directions navigate and X submits the current search—even when it is empty.

The interface is available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese. Select a language under Settings; the choice applies immediately and is retained after upgrades.

Standalone device package

The application and launcher are independent. Copy the release's tools content to the ROM card, put the card back in the device, and launch it from EmulationStation's Tools menu.