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kaon

github.com/natbro/kaon Steam Communities & Tools Open-source projectOpen source

Tools, and instructions for more easily installing and launching Windows games via Wine or CrossOver directly in the macOS Steam client

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github.com/natbro/kaon
kaon homepage screenshot

About kaon

Kaon is a preliminary set of configurations, tools and instructions for installing and running Windows games via Wine or CrossOver while using the macOS Steam client. It configures the macOS client to use Windows install and play logic, connects a Windows Steam library as a shared library, and adds custom launch options that start games in a specified CrossOver bottle through included scripts, with SteamWorks functions handled through the Windows Steam client.

Use requires a macOS Steam installation and a CrossOver installation with the Windows Steam client in its own bottle on the same volume, plus manual setup. The project notes rough edges, including the need to keep both Steam clients running and possible launch timeouts if the Windows client is not pre-launched.

Key features

  • Force macOS Steam client to use Windows install/play logic via config file
  • Share Windows Steam library with macOS Steam client on same volume
  • Launch games into specified CrossOver bottle via shell scripts
  • Add custom Windows launch options with modified metadata editor
  • Debug launch issues with logging launch script
  • Use Windows Steam client for SteamWorks friends, achievements, validation
Best for: Mac users who have CrossOver and both macOS and Windows Steam installations and want to launch Windows games from the macOS Steam client.
Good for
  • Retains use of the native macOS Steam client for library and Play actions
  • Preserves SteamWorks communication for friends, achievements and ownership validation via the Windows client
  • Provides a logging launch script for diagnosing launch problems
Watch out for
  • Described as preliminary with hacky rough edges
  • Requires macOS Steam and CrossOver Windows Steam installations on the same volume
  • Requires both Steam clients to run, and may time out without cancel UI if Windows client is not pre-launched

kaon at a glance

Type
Open-source project
Pricing
Not confirmed. Check the site
Platforms
Linux, macOS, Windows
Open source
Yes · Source code
Language
English
Last checked
Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
Listed
Oct 5, 2026
open sourcegamelinuxmacos

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kaon FAQ

What do I need to use Kaon?
A working macOS Steam client and a working CrossOver installation with the Windows Steam client installed in its own bottle, both on the same volume.
How do games start from the macOS client?
After adding a custom Windows launch option with the modified metadata editor, choosing that option at Play launches the game into the specified CrossOver bottle through the Kaon scripts.
What if the Windows Steam client is not already running?
The macOS client may time out waiting and lose the cancel indicator, so the project suggests being patient or pre-launching the Windows client.
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Listing maintained by Chris McClure and the WebIndexly editors · Updated Oct 8, 2026 · How we rank