Wiki/wiki-rtd/docs/wiki_development/testing/release-candidate-testing.md

# Release Candidate: Cooker Testing

If you are on SteamOS make sure you are in `Desktop Mode` before you begin.

**Do not use the the Rowan Skye Method**
We do not recommend to blindly install the Cooker without reading this guide and just hope for the best aka the `Rowan Skye Method`. This is only recommended for chaotic blue dragonic wolfkin testers living on the edge.

## Step 1: Take some Backups

First take some backups:

- Make a copy of `~/.var/app/net.retrodeck.retrodeck/` folder and name it `old.net.retrodeck.retrodeck`
- Make a full back up or partial backups of the retrodeck folder normally under `~/retrodeck` or sdcard/other drive.

**Notes on the retrodeck folder back up:**

Generally, very few things would target the roms folder, but the other folders could be targeted for various scripts. Our recommendation would be to back up the full `/retrodeck` folder, but as a tester you can decide how much you want to risk.

Disclamer: The RetroDECK Team also had never had any major data loss so far and we do cooker updates almost daily.



## Step 2: Download the Cooker

- Download the latest cooker release from: https://github.com/XargonWan/RetroDECK-cooker/releases/latest to your download folder
- Make a note of the version id, is a randomly generated word written like cooker-0.8.0b-**HelloWorld**, in this example it's "HelloWorld"

## Step 3: Terminal

Open the terminal window.

### Remove and Install

- `flatpak remove net.retrodeck.retrodeck` and press (y) yes to remove RetroDECK. If you have more then one version installed for some reason choose to remove all versions.
- `flatpak install --user --bundle --noninteractive -y "~/Downloads/RetroDECK-cooker.flatpak"` this will install RetroDECK Cooker.

### First Run

**IMPORTANT:**

Check for the message `"In version 0.8.0b, the following changes were made that required config file updates/reset or other changes to the filesystem:"` in the terminal. This is a sign that tell you the post update migration is running, this is crucial for RetroDECK's upgrade to fully happen.

**Start RetroDECK:**

After the installation is complete type: `flatpak run --command=sh net.retrodeck.retrodeck` followed by `retrodeck`.
The upgrade process will now start.


## Step 4: Upgrade

**IMPORTANT:**

Under **NO** circumstances press the `Full Wipe and Fresh Install` button. That is **NOT** to be confused with Configurators `Reset RetroDECK` option, but this a `Nuke Everything` option. It will remove all of RetroDECK including all ROMS/BIOS/Downloaded Media and everything else you have forever.

### Upgrading:

- Press the `Upgrade` button and keep the installation moving until all the steps are complete and RetroDECK will launch.
- Quit RetroDECK again and save all the output from the terminal into a text file.

## Step 5: Start testing

On the SteamOS return to `Game Mode` for this step.

Feel free to test all the new features of 0.8.0b and report any issues.

- Configurator
- External Controller Profiles
- Emulators / Engines

All logs will be saved in the new `retrodeck/logs` folder

Thank you! ❤️