Switchroot Depot

Switchroot Depot is a Python-based desktop application that simplifies downloading all necessary files for Switchroot (Linux and Android) on the Nintendo Switch.

It scans official build sources for Linux distros, LineageOS, and compatible MindTheGapps packages. It then presents them in a unified list and downloads your selection using a multi-threaded, segmented download manager to maximize speed.

The tool automatically organizes all downloaded files (including bootloader files, boot images, and other dependencies) into the correct folder structure required by Hekate.

Features

• Unified Downloader: Fetches all available builds for LineageOS (Tablet and TV) and Switchroot Linux (Ubuntu, L4T) into one simple list.
• Automatic GApps Matching: Automatically finds and bundles the correct MindTheGapps release for each LineageOS build.
• Multi-Connection Downloading: Uses parallel connections to download large files (like OS images) much faster, similar to a dedicated download manager.
• Automatic File Organization: Creates a clean, ready-to-use folder structure for your SD card (e.g., Android-TV/, bootloader/ini/, switchroot/install/) and places all files in their correct locations.
• Dependency Handling: Automatically downloads all required dependencies for Android, such as bootloader files, boot images, and .ini configurations.
• Build Caching: Caches the list of builds locally for 24 hours to provide a near-instant startup.
• Customizable Settings: Allows configuration of download connections, chunk size, and an optional GitHub PAT to prevent API rate-limiting.

How to Use

There are two ways to run Switchroot Depot.

Option 1: The Launcher (Recommended for Windows)

The easiest way to get started on Windows is by using the provided launcher.

1. Go to the Releases section on GitHub.
2. Download SwitchrootDepot.exe.
3. Run the executable. It will automatically install all necessary dependencies and launch the application.

Option 2: Running from Source (Manual)

If you prefer to run the script directly, you can do so using Python. This method is required for Linux or macOS.

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/sthetix/SwitchrootDepot.git
   cd switchroot-depot
   

2. Create and activate a virtual environment (venv):

   # On Windows
   python -m venv venv
   .\venv\Scripts\activate
   
   # On macOS/Linux
   python3 -m venv venv
   source venv/bin/activate
   

3. Install the required dependencies:

   pip install ttkbootstrap requests
   

4. Run the application:

   python SwitchrootDepot.py
   

Configuration

The application relies on several JSON files located in its root directory:

• components.json: This is the main configuration file. It defines the API URLs to scan, the Linux distros to look for, and the list of required files for Android.
• settings.json: This file stores your personal settings, such as your GitHub PAT (to avoid rate limits) and download preferences.
• last_scan.json: This is a cache file used to store the results of the last server scan. Deleting it will force a full refresh on the next launch.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

Acknowledgements

• This tool is built on the great work of the Switchroot team.
• The user interface is made possible by ttkbootstrap.
• Android builds are provided by the LineageOS team.
• GApps packages are provided by the MindTheGapps team.

Support My Work

If you find this project useful, please consider supporting me by buying me a coffee!