How to Install and Use Wine Cellar Plugin

Intro

This guide assumes you’ve already installed Junk Store via Decky Loader.
If you haven’t, check out our tutorial here:

How to Install Junk Store

If you’re not sure how to change the Proton version used for a game, refer to:

How to Check/Change Proton Version

What is Wine Cellar?

Wine Cellar is a Decky plugin that makes it super easy to download and manage different versions of Proton—without switching to desktop mode.

Yes, there are other tools like ProtonUp-Qt, but Wine Cellar is the most Deck-friendly option. We recommend it because it’s simple, clean, and works right inside Game Mode.

When Should I Use a Different Proton Version?

If you launch a game and it:

Shows a black screen, then closes back to the game page
Doesn’t start at all

Then you probably need to switch your Proton version.

To find the best version for your game:

Check ProtonDB.com
Or visit our known-working game lists:
- Epic Games Known to Work
- GOG Games Known to Work

How to Install Wine Cellar

Installing Wine Cellar is just like installing Junk Store.

Step 1: Search in Decky Store

Open the Decky Plugin Store
Use the search bar to find Wine Cellar
Click Install

Wine Cellar in Decky Store

Step 2: Confirm Installation

When asked, press A to confirm and begin the install.

Install Wine Cellar

Installing Wine Cellar

Step 3: Open Wine Cellar

Press the three dots (QAM button) on your Steam Deck
Select Wine Cellar
Press A to open it
Press A again on Manage

Open Wine Cellar Plugin

Manage Menu

Step 4: View Installed Proton Versions

The Wine Cellar Dashboard will show all Proton versions currently installed
From here you can install, remove, or update versions

Proton Installed List

How to Install New Proton Versions

We recommend using GE-Proton versions because they support more games and fix more issues than the default versions.

Step 1: Find Your Version

Scroll to the GE-Proton version you want
Move to the three dots, then press A

Choose Proton to Install

Confirm Install Selection

Step 2: Install and Reboot

It will now install (e.g., GEProton 9-12)
Once finished, restart your Steam Deck to apply it

Installing Proton Version

Extracting Files

Restart Prompt

After restarting, go back to the game you want to run and hit Play.

Game Proton Selected

Game Start Screen

How to Uninstall Old Proton Versions

Got a Proton version you don’t need anymore? Here’s how to clean it up:

In the Wine Cellar Dashboard, scroll to the installed version
Move to the three dots and press A
Confirm the uninstall

Select to Uninstall

Uninstall Confirm

That’s it! The version will be removed from your system.

Final Tips

You can set different Proton versions per game
Once you set it, it stays saved (even after reboot)
If unsure which Proton to use, start with GEProton 9-7
Use ProtonDB for up-to-date community tips

Need More Help?

If you run into trouble, check out: