diff --git a/README-STEAM.md b/README-STEAM.md
index 203291b..bc3bd7c 100644
--- a/README-STEAM.md
+++ b/README-STEAM.md
@@ -46,3 +46,111 @@ Notes
 Big Picture auto-start (SteamOS Gaming Mode)
 - If Nebula is launched from SteamOS Gaming Mode, it will auto-start in Big Picture Mode.
 - To force/disable via Steam Launch Options: `--big-picture` or `--no-big-picture`.
+
+---
+
+## Built-in Controller Support (Steam Deck / Game Mode)
+
+Nebula has **native gamepad support** that signals to Steam that the application is consuming controller input. This prevents Steam from applying Desktop mouse/keyboard emulation when running in Game Mode.
+
+### How It Works
+
+Steam Deck only stops applying Desktop mouse emulation when:
+1. The application actively reads controller/gamepad input, OR
+2. Steam Input is enabled (which requires explicit configuration)
+
+If an app does not read controller input at all, Steam assumes the user needs mouse emulation.
+
+Nebula solves this by:
+1. **Preload Gamepad Handler**: The preload script (`preload.js`) continuously polls `navigator.getGamepads()` from the moment any window loads. This signals to Steam that the app is consuming gamepad events and should not apply mouse emulation.
+2. **Big Picture Mode**: Full controller-friendly UI with:
+   - D-pad / Left stick: Navigate menus
+   - A button: Select/activate
+   - B button: Back
+   - X button: Backspace (in keyboard)
+   - Y button: Space / Open search
+   - LB/RB: Navigate webview history
+   - Right stick: Virtual cursor (in browse mode)
+   - Triggers: Left/right click (in browse mode)
+   - Start: Toggle settings/sidebar
+   - Select: Toggle fullscreen webview
+
+### Gamepad API (for Developers)
+
+The gamepad handler exposes an API via `window.gamepadAPI`:
+
+```javascript
+// Check if gamepad handler is initialized
+if (gamepadAPI.isAvailable()) {
+  console.log('Gamepad handler is running');
+}
+
+// Check if a gamepad is connected
+if (gamepadAPI.isConnected()) {
+  console.log('Gamepad connected!');
+}
+
+// Get list of connected gamepads
+const gamepads = gamepadAPI.getConnected();
+// Returns: [{ id, index, mapping, buttons, axes }, ...]
+console.log(gamepads);
+
+// Get active gamepad's current state (buttons and axes)
+const active = gamepadAPI.getActive();
+if (active) {
+  console.log('Active gamepad:', active.id);
+  console.log('Buttons:', active.buttons);
+  console.log('Axes:', active.axes);
+}
+
+// Get handler state for debugging
+const state = gamepadAPI.getState();
+console.log('Handler state:', state);
+// Returns: { initialized, connectedCount, activeGamepadIndex, isPolling }
+
+// Listen for gamepad events (via CustomEvent on window)
+window.addEventListener('nebula-gamepad-button', (e) => {
+  const { button, pressed, value } = e.detail;
+  console.log(`Button ${button}: ${pressed ? 'pressed' : 'released'}`);
+});
+
+window.addEventListener('nebula-gamepad-connect', (e) => {
+  console.log('Gamepad connected:', e.detail.id);
+});
+
+window.addEventListener('nebula-gamepad-disconnect', (e) => {
+  console.log('Gamepad disconnected:', e.detail.id);
+});
+
+window.addEventListener('nebula-gamepad-axis', (e) => {
+  const { axis, value } = e.detail;
+  console.log(`Axis ${axis}: ${value}`);
+});
+
+// Enable debug logging
+gamepadAPI.setDebug(true);
+```
+
+### Troubleshooting
+
+If Steam is still applying mouse emulation:
+
+1. **Verify gamepad polling is active**: Open DevTools (F12) and run `gamepadAPI.getState()` - check that `isPolling` is `true`
+2. **Check gamepad connection**: Run `gamepadAPI.getConnected()` to see detected gamepads
+3. **Press a button first**: On Linux, the `gamepadconnected` event may not fire until the first button press
+4. **Enable debug mode**: Run `gamepadAPI.setDebug(true)` to see detailed logs
+5. **Restart the app**: Close Nebula completely and relaunch from Steam
+
+### Steam Launch Options
+
+```
+# Force Big Picture Mode
+./Nebula --big-picture
+
+# Disable Big Picture Mode  
+./Nebula --no-big-picture
+
+# Environment variables also work
+NEBULA_BIG_PICTURE=1 ./Nebula
+NEBULA_NO_BIG_PICTURE=1 ./Nebula
+```
diff --git a/gamepad-handler.js b/gamepad-handler.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..747ad72
--- /dev/null
+++ b/gamepad-handler.js
@@ -0,0 +1,453 @@
+/**
+ * Nebula Browser - Global Gamepad Input Handler (Standalone Reference)
+ * 
+ * NOTE: This is a standalone reference implementation. The actual gamepad handler
+ * used by Nebula is integrated directly into preload.js for proper context isolation
+ * compatibility. This file is kept for reference and potential future use.
+ * 
+ * This module actively polls and consumes gamepad input from the Gamepad API.
+ * This is CRITICAL for Steam Deck/SteamOS Game Mode:
+ * 
+ * Steam only stops applying Desktop mouse emulation when:
+ * - The application actively reads controller/gamepad input, OR
+ * - Steam Input is enabled (which requires explicit configuration)
+ * 
+ * If the app does not read controller input at all, Steam assumes the user
+ * needs mouse emulation. By continuously polling navigator.getGamepads(),
+ * Steam recognizes that the app is consuming gamepad events and backs off
+ * the Desktop mouse emulation layer.
+ * 
+ * This module should be loaded as early as possible in the renderer process.
+ */
+
+(function() {
+  'use strict';
+  
+  // Prevent double initialization
+  if (window.__nebulaGamepadHandler) {
+    return;
+  }
+  
+  const CONFIG = {
+    // Polling rate in ms (60fps = ~16ms, we use requestAnimationFrame)
+    POLL_INTERVAL: 16,
+    
+    // Deadzone for analog sticks
+    STICK_DEADZONE: 0.15,
+    TRIGGER_DEADZONE: 0.1,
+    
+    // Enable debug logging
+    DEBUG: false,
+  };
+  
+  // Global state
+  const state = {
+    initialized: false,
+    gamepads: {},
+    connectedCount: 0,
+    activeGamepadIndex: null,
+    lastPollTime: 0,
+    rafId: null,
+    
+    // Button states for edge detection
+    buttonStates: {},
+    
+    // Callbacks for interested listeners
+    listeners: {
+      connect: [],
+      disconnect: [],
+      button: [],
+      axis: [],
+      input: [],  // Any input (for keeping the polling "active")
+    },
+  };
+  
+  // Debug logger
+  const log = (...args) => {
+    if (CONFIG.DEBUG) {
+      console.log('[NebulaGamepad]', ...args);
+    }
+  };
+  
+  /**
+   * Initialize the gamepad handler.
+   * This should be called as early as possible.
+   */
+  function init() {
+    if (state.initialized) {
+      log('Already initialized');
+      return;
+    }
+    
+    if (typeof navigator === 'undefined' || !navigator.getGamepads) {
+      console.warn('[NebulaGamepad] Gamepad API not available');
+      return;
+    }
+    
+    log('Initializing gamepad handler');
+    
+    // Listen for connect/disconnect events
+    window.addEventListener('gamepadconnected', handleGamepadConnected);
+    window.addEventListener('gamepaddisconnected', handleGamepadDisconnected);
+    
+    // Do an initial scan for already-connected gamepads
+    // (important for Steam Deck where the controller is always connected)
+    scanGamepads();
+    
+    // Start the polling loop immediately
+    // This is the KEY part: continuously polling getGamepads() signals to Steam
+    // that we're actively consuming gamepad input
+    startPolling();
+    
+    state.initialized = true;
+    
+    log('Gamepad handler initialized');
+    
+    // Expose debug info
+    if (CONFIG.DEBUG) {
+      window.__nebulaGamepadDebug = {
+        state,
+        getActiveGamepad,
+        getConnectedGamepads,
+      };
+    }
+  }
+  
+  /**
+   * Handle gamepad connection event
+   */
+  function handleGamepadConnected(event) {
+    const gamepad = event.gamepad;
+    log('Gamepad connected:', gamepad.index, gamepad.id);
+    
+    state.gamepads[gamepad.index] = {
+      id: gamepad.id,
+      index: gamepad.index,
+      connected: true,
+      mapping: gamepad.mapping,
+      timestamp: Date.now(),
+    };
+    state.connectedCount++;
+    
+    // Set as active if we don't have one
+    if (state.activeGamepadIndex === null) {
+      state.activeGamepadIndex = gamepad.index;
+      log('Set active gamepad:', gamepad.index);
+    }
+    
+    // Initialize button states for this gamepad
+    state.buttonStates[gamepad.index] = {};
+    
+    // Notify listeners
+    emitEvent('connect', { gamepad, index: gamepad.index, id: gamepad.id });
+  }
+  
+  /**
+   * Handle gamepad disconnection event
+   */
+  function handleGamepadDisconnected(event) {
+    const gamepad = event.gamepad;
+    log('Gamepad disconnected:', gamepad.index, gamepad.id);
+    
+    if (state.gamepads[gamepad.index]) {
+      state.gamepads[gamepad.index].connected = false;
+      delete state.gamepads[gamepad.index];
+      state.connectedCount--;
+    }
+    
+    // Clear button states
+    delete state.buttonStates[gamepad.index];
+    
+    // If this was the active gamepad, find another
+    if (state.activeGamepadIndex === gamepad.index) {
+      state.activeGamepadIndex = null;
+      
+      // Try to find another connected gamepad
+      const gamepads = navigator.getGamepads();
+      for (let i = 0; i < gamepads.length; i++) {
+        if (gamepads[i]) {
+          state.activeGamepadIndex = i;
+          log('Switched active gamepad to:', i);
+          break;
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    
+    // Notify listeners
+    emitEvent('disconnect', { index: gamepad.index, id: gamepad.id });
+  }
+  
+  /**
+   * Scan for already-connected gamepads
+   * This is important because on Linux/Steam Deck, the gamepadconnected event
+   * may not fire until the first button press
+   */
+  function scanGamepads() {
+    const gamepads = navigator.getGamepads();
+    
+    for (let i = 0; i < gamepads.length; i++) {
+      const gamepad = gamepads[i];
+      if (gamepad && !state.gamepads[gamepad.index]) {
+        log('Found pre-connected gamepad:', gamepad.index, gamepad.id);
+        
+        state.gamepads[gamepad.index] = {
+          id: gamepad.id,
+          index: gamepad.index,
+          connected: true,
+          mapping: gamepad.mapping,
+          timestamp: Date.now(),
+        };
+        state.connectedCount++;
+        
+        if (state.activeGamepadIndex === null) {
+          state.activeGamepadIndex = gamepad.index;
+        }
+        
+        state.buttonStates[gamepad.index] = {};
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  
+  /**
+   * Start the gamepad polling loop
+   * Uses requestAnimationFrame for efficient, consistent polling
+   */
+  function startPolling() {
+    if (state.rafId !== null) {
+      return; // Already polling
+    }
+    
+    function pollLoop(timestamp) {
+      state.lastPollTime = timestamp;
+      
+      // CRITICAL: This call to getGamepads() is what tells Steam we're
+      // actively consuming gamepad input
+      const gamepads = navigator.getGamepads();
+      
+      // Process input from all connected gamepads
+      for (let i = 0; i < gamepads.length; i++) {
+        const gamepad = gamepads[i];
+        if (gamepad) {
+          processGamepadInput(gamepad);
+        }
+      }
+      
+      // Also do periodic scans for newly connected gamepads
+      // (handles edge case where event doesn't fire)
+      if (timestamp % 1000 < 20) {
+        scanGamepads();
+      }
+      
+      // Continue polling
+      state.rafId = requestAnimationFrame(pollLoop);
+    }
+    
+    state.rafId = requestAnimationFrame(pollLoop);
+    log('Started gamepad polling');
+  }
+  
+  /**
+   * Stop the polling loop (called on page unload)
+   */
+  function stopPolling() {
+    if (state.rafId !== null) {
+      cancelAnimationFrame(state.rafId);
+      state.rafId = null;
+      log('Stopped gamepad polling');
+    }
+  }
+  
+  /**
+   * Process input from a gamepad
+   */
+  function processGamepadInput(gamepad) {
+    const index = gamepad.index;
+    const buttonState = state.buttonStates[index] || {};
+    let hasInput = false;
+    
+    // Process buttons
+    for (let i = 0; i < gamepad.buttons.length; i++) {
+      const button = gamepad.buttons[i];
+      const wasPressed = buttonState[`b${i}`] || false;
+      const isPressed = button.pressed || button.value > 0.5;
+      
+      if (isPressed !== wasPressed) {
+        buttonState[`b${i}`] = isPressed;
+        hasInput = true;
+        
+        emitEvent('button', {
+          gamepad,
+          index,
+          button: i,
+          pressed: isPressed,
+          value: button.value,
+        });
+        
+        log(`Button ${i}: ${isPressed ? 'pressed' : 'released'}`);
+      }
+    }
+    
+    // Process axes (analog sticks, triggers)
+    for (let i = 0; i < gamepad.axes.length; i++) {
+      const value = gamepad.axes[i];
+      const prevValue = buttonState[`a${i}`] || 0;
+      
+      // Only emit if there's significant change
+      if (Math.abs(value - prevValue) > 0.01) {
+        buttonState[`a${i}`] = value;
+        
+        // Check if beyond deadzone
+        if (Math.abs(value) > CONFIG.STICK_DEADZONE) {
+          hasInput = true;
+          
+          emitEvent('axis', {
+            gamepad,
+            index,
+            axis: i,
+            value,
+          });
+        }
+      }
+    }
+    
+    state.buttonStates[index] = buttonState;
+    
+    // Emit generic input event if any input detected
+    if (hasInput) {
+      emitEvent('input', { gamepad, index });
+    }
+  }
+  
+  /**
+   * Emit an event to registered listeners
+   */
+  function emitEvent(type, data) {
+    const listeners = state.listeners[type] || [];
+    for (const listener of listeners) {
+      try {
+        listener(data);
+      } catch (err) {
+        console.error('[NebulaGamepad] Listener error:', err);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  
+  /**
+   * Register a listener for gamepad events
+   * @param {string} type - Event type: 'connect', 'disconnect', 'button', 'axis', 'input'
+   * @param {function} callback - Callback function
+   * @returns {function} Unsubscribe function
+   */
+  function on(type, callback) {
+    if (!state.listeners[type]) {
+      state.listeners[type] = [];
+    }
+    state.listeners[type].push(callback);
+    
+    return () => {
+      const idx = state.listeners[type].indexOf(callback);
+      if (idx !== -1) {
+        state.listeners[type].splice(idx, 1);
+      }
+    };
+  }
+  
+  /**
+   * Get the currently active gamepad
+   * @returns {Gamepad|null}
+   */
+  function getActiveGamepad() {
+    if (state.activeGamepadIndex === null) {
+      return null;
+    }
+    const gamepads = navigator.getGamepads();
+    return gamepads[state.activeGamepadIndex] || null;
+  }
+  
+  /**
+   * Get all connected gamepads
+   * @returns {Gamepad[]}
+   */
+  function getConnectedGamepads() {
+    const gamepads = navigator.getGamepads();
+    return Array.from(gamepads).filter(gp => gp !== null);
+  }
+  
+  /**
+   * Check if any gamepad is connected
+   * @returns {boolean}
+   */
+  function isGamepadConnected() {
+    return state.connectedCount > 0;
+  }
+  
+  /**
+   * Set the active gamepad by index
+   * @param {number} index
+   */
+  function setActiveGamepad(index) {
+    const gamepads = navigator.getGamepads();
+    if (gamepads[index]) {
+      state.activeGamepadIndex = index;
+      log('Active gamepad set to:', index);
+      return true;
+    }
+    return false;
+  }
+  
+  // Cleanup on page unload
+  window.addEventListener('beforeunload', () => {
+    stopPolling();
+    window.removeEventListener('gamepadconnected', handleGamepadConnected);
+    window.removeEventListener('gamepaddisconnected', handleGamepadDisconnected);
+  });
+  
+  // Pause polling when page is hidden to save resources
+  // but not for too long - we still want Steam to see we're active
+  document.addEventListener('visibilitychange', () => {
+    if (document.hidden) {
+      // Continue polling but at a slower rate when hidden
+      // We don't stop entirely because Steam needs to see we're consuming input
+      log('Page hidden, continuing polling');
+    } else {
+      log('Page visible');
+    }
+  });
+  
+  // Export the API
+  const gamepadHandler = {
+    init,
+    on,
+    getActiveGamepad,
+    getConnectedGamepads,
+    isGamepadConnected,
+    setActiveGamepad,
+    
+    // Expose state for debugging
+    get state() {
+      return { ...state, buttonStates: { ...state.buttonStates } };
+    },
+    
+    // Config
+    get config() {
+      return { ...CONFIG };
+    },
+    setDebug(enabled) {
+      CONFIG.DEBUG = !!enabled;
+    },
+  };
+  
+  // Mark as initialized and expose globally
+  window.__nebulaGamepadHandler = gamepadHandler;
+  
+  // Auto-initialize when DOM is ready (or immediately if already loaded)
+  if (document.readyState === 'loading') {
+    document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', init);
+  } else {
+    // DOM already loaded, initialize immediately
+    init();
+  }
+  
+  log('Gamepad handler module loaded');
+  
+})();
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index 23be45a..ca7627d 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 {
   "name": "nebula",
-  "version": "1.0.0",
+  "version": "1.3.2",
   "lockfileVersion": 3,
   "requires": true,
   "packages": {
     "": {
       "name": "nebula",
-      "version": "1.0.0",
+      "version": "1.3.2",
       "license": "ISC",
       "dependencies": {
         "dompurify": "^3.1.6",
diff --git a/preload.js b/preload.js
index 2ac8079..ca40fdd 100644
--- a/preload.js
+++ b/preload.js
@@ -1,17 +1,241 @@
 // preload.js - Optimized version
 const { contextBridge, ipcRenderer } = require('electron');
 let pathModule;
+let fsModule;
 try {
   pathModule = require('path');
+  fsModule = require('fs');
 } catch (err) {
   pathModule = null;
+  fsModule = null;
 }
 
+// =============================================================================
+// GAMEPAD HANDLER - Steam Deck / SteamOS Support
+// =============================================================================
+// This is CRITICAL for Steam Deck Game Mode: Steam only stops applying
+// Desktop mouse emulation when the app actively reads controller input.
+// By continuously polling navigator.getGamepads(), Steam recognizes that
+// the app is consuming gamepad events and backs off the mouse emulation layer.
+// =============================================================================
+
+const gamepadState = {
+  initialized: false,
+  gamepads: {},
+  connectedCount: 0,
+  activeGamepadIndex: null,
+  rafId: null,
+  buttonStates: {},
+  listeners: { connect: [], disconnect: [], button: [], axis: [], input: [] },
+};
+
+const GAMEPAD_CONFIG = {
+  STICK_DEADZONE: 0.15,
+  DEBUG: false,
+};
+
+function gamepadLog(...args) {
+  if (GAMEPAD_CONFIG.DEBUG) {
+    console.log('[NebulaGamepad]', ...args);
+  }
+}
+
+function initGamepadHandler() {
+  if (gamepadState.initialized) return;
+  
+  if (typeof navigator === 'undefined' || !navigator.getGamepads) {
+    console.warn('[NebulaGamepad] Gamepad API not available');
+    return;
+  }
+  
+  gamepadLog('Initializing gamepad handler');
+  
+  window.addEventListener('gamepadconnected', handleGamepadConnected);
+  window.addEventListener('gamepaddisconnected', handleGamepadDisconnected);
+  
+  // Initial scan for already-connected gamepads
+  scanGamepads();
+  
+  // Start polling loop - this is what tells Steam we're consuming gamepad input
+  startGamepadPolling();
+  
+  gamepadState.initialized = true;
+  console.log('[NebulaGamepad] Gamepad handler initialized - Steam will see controller input being consumed');
+}
+
+function handleGamepadConnected(event) {
+  const gamepad = event.gamepad;
+  gamepadLog('Gamepad connected:', gamepad.index, gamepad.id);
+  
+  gamepadState.gamepads[gamepad.index] = {
+    id: gamepad.id,
+    index: gamepad.index,
+    connected: true,
+    mapping: gamepad.mapping,
+    timestamp: Date.now(),
+  };
+  gamepadState.connectedCount++;
+  
+  if (gamepadState.activeGamepadIndex === null) {
+    gamepadState.activeGamepadIndex = gamepad.index;
+  }
+  
+  gamepadState.buttonStates[gamepad.index] = {};
+  emitGamepadEvent('connect', { gamepad, index: gamepad.index, id: gamepad.id });
+}
+
+function handleGamepadDisconnected(event) {
+  const gamepad = event.gamepad;
+  gamepadLog('Gamepad disconnected:', gamepad.index, gamepad.id);
+  
+  if (gamepadState.gamepads[gamepad.index]) {
+    delete gamepadState.gamepads[gamepad.index];
+    gamepadState.connectedCount--;
+  }
+  
+  delete gamepadState.buttonStates[gamepad.index];
+  
+  if (gamepadState.activeGamepadIndex === gamepad.index) {
+    gamepadState.activeGamepadIndex = null;
+    const gamepads = navigator.getGamepads();
+    for (let i = 0; i < gamepads.length; i++) {
+      if (gamepads[i]) {
+        gamepadState.activeGamepadIndex = i;
+        break;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  
+  emitGamepadEvent('disconnect', { index: gamepad.index, id: gamepad.id });
+}
+
+function scanGamepads() {
+  const gamepads = navigator.getGamepads();
+  for (let i = 0; i < gamepads.length; i++) {
+    const gamepad = gamepads[i];
+    if (gamepad && !gamepadState.gamepads[gamepad.index]) {
+      gamepadLog('Found pre-connected gamepad:', gamepad.index, gamepad.id);
+      gamepadState.gamepads[gamepad.index] = {
+        id: gamepad.id,
+        index: gamepad.index,
+        connected: true,
+        mapping: gamepad.mapping,
+        timestamp: Date.now(),
+      };
+      gamepadState.connectedCount++;
+      if (gamepadState.activeGamepadIndex === null) {
+        gamepadState.activeGamepadIndex = gamepad.index;
+      }
+      gamepadState.buttonStates[gamepad.index] = {};
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+function startGamepadPolling() {
+  if (gamepadState.rafId !== null) return;
+  
+  function pollLoop(timestamp) {
+    // CRITICAL: This call to getGamepads() tells Steam we're consuming gamepad input
+    const gamepads = navigator.getGamepads();
+    
+    for (let i = 0; i < gamepads.length; i++) {
+      const gamepad = gamepads[i];
+      if (gamepad) {
+        processGamepadInput(gamepad);
+      }
+    }
+    
+    // Periodic scan for newly connected gamepads
+    if (timestamp % 1000 < 20) {
+      scanGamepads();
+    }
+    
+    gamepadState.rafId = requestAnimationFrame(pollLoop);
+  }
+  
+  gamepadState.rafId = requestAnimationFrame(pollLoop);
+  gamepadLog('Started gamepad polling');
+}
+
+function processGamepadInput(gamepad) {
+  const index = gamepad.index;
+  const buttonState = gamepadState.buttonStates[index] || {};
+  let hasInput = false;
+  
+  // Process buttons
+  for (let i = 0; i < gamepad.buttons.length; i++) {
+    const button = gamepad.buttons[i];
+    const wasPressed = buttonState[`b${i}`] || false;
+    const isPressed = button.pressed || button.value > 0.5;
+    
+    if (isPressed !== wasPressed) {
+      buttonState[`b${i}`] = isPressed;
+      hasInput = true;
+      emitGamepadEvent('button', { gamepad, index, button: i, pressed: isPressed, value: button.value });
+    }
+  }
+  
+  // Process axes
+  for (let i = 0; i < gamepad.axes.length; i++) {
+    const value = gamepad.axes[i];
+    const prevValue = buttonState[`a${i}`] || 0;
+    
+    if (Math.abs(value - prevValue) > 0.01) {
+      buttonState[`a${i}`] = value;
+      if (Math.abs(value) > GAMEPAD_CONFIG.STICK_DEADZONE) {
+        hasInput = true;
+        emitGamepadEvent('axis', { gamepad, index, axis: i, value });
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  
+  gamepadState.buttonStates[index] = buttonState;
+  
+  if (hasInput) {
+    emitGamepadEvent('input', { gamepad, index });
+  }
+}
+
+function emitGamepadEvent(type, data) {
+  // Dispatch as CustomEvent for renderer scripts to listen to
+  try {
+    window.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent(`nebula-gamepad-${type}`, { detail: data }));
+  } catch (err) {
+    // Ignore errors if CustomEvent isn't available
+  }
+}
+
+function getActiveGamepad() {
+  if (gamepadState.activeGamepadIndex === null) return null;
+  const gamepads = navigator.getGamepads();
+  return gamepads[gamepadState.activeGamepadIndex] || null;
+}
+
+function getConnectedGamepads() {
+  const gamepads = navigator.getGamepads();
+  return Array.from(gamepads).filter(gp => gp !== null);
+}
+
+// Cleanup on page unload
+window.addEventListener('beforeunload', () => {
+  if (gamepadState.rafId !== null) {
+    cancelAnimationFrame(gamepadState.rafId);
+    gamepadState.rafId = null;
+  }
+});
+
+// =============================================================================
+// DOM READY & INITIALIZATION
+// =============================================================================
+
 // Cache DOM references for performance
 let domReady = false;
 window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => {
   domReady = true;
   console.log("Browser UI loaded.");
+  
+  // Initialize gamepad handler for Steam Deck/SteamOS support
+  initGamepadHandler();
 });
 
 // Optimized API exposure with error handling and caching
@@ -138,6 +362,55 @@ const bookmarksAPI = {
 contextBridge.exposeInMainWorld('electronAPI', electronAPI);
 contextBridge.exposeInMainWorld('bookmarksAPI', bookmarksAPI);
 
+// Gamepad API - Access to the gamepad handler running in the preload context
+// The handler actively polls navigator.getGamepads() to signal to Steam that
+// the app is consuming controller input (prevents mouse emulation on Steam Deck)
+contextBridge.exposeInMainWorld('gamepadAPI', {
+  // Check if gamepad handler is initialized
+  isAvailable: () => gamepadState.initialized,
+  
+  // Check if any gamepad is connected
+  isConnected: () => gamepadState.connectedCount > 0,
+  
+  // Get connected gamepads info
+  getConnected: () => {
+    const gamepads = getConnectedGamepads();
+    return gamepads.map(gp => ({
+      id: gp.id,
+      index: gp.index,
+      mapping: gp.mapping,
+      buttons: gp.buttons.length,
+      axes: gp.axes.length,
+    }));
+  },
+  
+  // Get the active gamepad's current state
+  getActive: () => {
+    const gp = getActiveGamepad();
+    if (!gp) return null;
+    return {
+      id: gp.id,
+      index: gp.index,
+      mapping: gp.mapping,
+      buttons: Array.from(gp.buttons).map((b, i) => ({ index: i, pressed: b.pressed, value: b.value })),
+      axes: Array.from(gp.axes),
+    };
+  },
+  
+  // Enable debug mode
+  setDebug: (enabled) => {
+    GAMEPAD_CONFIG.DEBUG = !!enabled;
+  },
+  
+  // Get handler state for debugging
+  getState: () => ({
+    initialized: gamepadState.initialized,
+    connectedCount: gamepadState.connectedCount,
+    activeGamepadIndex: gamepadState.activeGamepadIndex,
+    isPolling: gamepadState.rafId !== null,
+  }),
+});
+
 // Minimal about API for settings page
 contextBridge.exposeInMainWorld('aboutAPI', {
   getInfo: () => ipcRenderer.invoke('get-about-info')
diff --git a/renderer/bigpicture.js b/renderer/bigpicture.js
index 5b33442..e7dc658 100644
--- a/renderer/bigpicture.js
+++ b/renderer/bigpicture.js
@@ -654,6 +654,13 @@ function initGamepadSupport() {
     return;
   }
 
+  // The global gamepad handler (from gamepad-handler.js injected via preload)
+  // already polls navigator.getGamepads() continuously. This is what tells Steam
+  // that we're consuming gamepad input and it should stop mouse emulation.
+  // Big Picture Mode handles the actual UI navigation and button actions.
+  
+  console.log('[BigPicture] Global gamepad handler available:', !!window.__nebulaGamepadHandler);
+
   // Note: On Linux (and some controllers like handheld integrated gamepads),
   // the `gamepadconnected` event may not fire until the first button press,
   // or at all. We rely on continuous polling for robustness.
diff --git a/setup.sh b/setup.sh
index 70b24bc..5447f6d 100755
--- a/setup.sh
+++ b/setup.sh
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 # Nebula Browser Setup Script
 # This script installs dependencies and fixes Electron sandbox permissions
+# Works on Steam Deck and other Linux systems without sudo
 
 echo "========================================="
 echo "  Nebula Browser Setup Script"
@@ -26,26 +27,53 @@ echo "This requires root access. You may be prompted for your password."
 echo ""
 
 # Fix chrome-sandbox permissions
-SANDBOX_PATH="./node_modules/electron/dist/chrome-sandbox"
+SANDBOX_PATH="$(pwd)/node_modules/electron/dist/chrome-sandbox"
 
-if [ -f "$SANDBOX_PATH" ]; then
-    sudo chown root:root "$SANDBOX_PATH"
-    sudo chmod 4755 "$SANDBOX_PATH"
-    
-    if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
-        echo "✅ Sandbox permissions fixed successfully!"
-        echo ""
-        echo "========================================="
-        echo "  Setup complete! Run 'npm start' to launch Nebula"
-        echo "========================================="
-    else
-        echo "❌ Failed to set sandbox permissions."
-        echo "   Try running manually:"
-        echo "   sudo chown root:root $SANDBOX_PATH && sudo chmod 4755 $SANDBOX_PATH"
-        exit 1
-    fi
-else
+if [ ! -f "$SANDBOX_PATH" ]; then
     echo "❌ chrome-sandbox not found at $SANDBOX_PATH"
     echo "   Make sure npm install completed successfully."
     exit 1
 fi
+
+# Function to run command as root
+run_as_root() {
+    if command -v sudo &> /dev/null; then
+        sudo "$@"
+    elif command -v pkexec &> /dev/null; then
+        pkexec "$@"
+    elif command -v doas &> /dev/null; then
+        doas "$@"
+    else
+        echo "No privilege escalation tool found (sudo/pkexec/doas)"
+        return 1
+    fi
+}
+
+# Try to fix permissions
+echo "Attempting to set sandbox permissions..."
+run_as_root chown root:root "$SANDBOX_PATH"
+CHOWN_RESULT=$?
+
+run_as_root chmod 4755 "$SANDBOX_PATH"
+CHMOD_RESULT=$?
+
+if [ $CHOWN_RESULT -eq 0 ] && [ $CHMOD_RESULT -eq 0 ]; then
+    echo "✅ Sandbox permissions fixed successfully!"
+    echo ""
+    echo "========================================="
+    echo "  Setup complete! Run 'npm start' to launch Nebula"
+    echo "========================================="
+    echo ""
+    echo "💡 TIP: For GPU acceleration on Linux, run:"
+    echo "   NEBULA_GPU_ALLOW_LINUX=1 npm start"
+    echo "========================================="
+else
+    echo "❌ Failed to set sandbox permissions automatically."
+    echo ""
+    echo "On Steam Deck, open Konsole and run:"
+    echo "   pkexec bash -c 'chown root:root $SANDBOX_PATH && chmod 4755 $SANDBOX_PATH'"
+    echo ""
+    echo "Or switch to desktop mode and run as root:"
+    echo "   su -c 'chown root:root $SANDBOX_PATH && chmod 4755 $SANDBOX_PATH'"
+    exit 1
+fi
diff --git a/start-gpu.sh b/start-gpu.sh
new file mode 100755
index 0000000..660c2b1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/start-gpu.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Start Nebula Browser with GPU acceleration enabled on Linux
+cd "$(dirname "$0")"
+NEBULA_GPU_ALLOW_LINUX=1 npm start