DCS Interface is a plugin for the Streamdeck that allows communication with DCS via lua UDP sockets for both receiving updates of the simulation state as well as sending commands to interact with the clickable cockpits.
DCS Interface is a plugin that allows you to create buttons and interfaces that update with DCS events.
There are currently three settings for each Streamdeck button you create:
- DCS Command - Specify which button/switch you want to activate in game (allows setting of any clickable object in a cockpit).
- Streamdeck buttons support push-button, switch, and increment (dials, levers, etc.) input types.
- Stream Deck Plus rotary encoders support rotation with separate CW/CCW increment values and encoder press for fixed values.
- Image Change Settings - Specify a function within the DCS simulation to monitor and change the display of the Streamdeck image conditionally.
- Examples: Lamps for Warnings/Modes, Switch states
- Title Text Change Settings - Specify a function in the DCS simulation which will be monitored and its text is displayed as the Streamdeck button Title.
- Examples: UFC text displays, scratchpads, radio displays
Can also support multiple physical Streamdecks at once, including Stream Deck Plus with rotary encoder support.
The plugin supports both official DCS modules and community aircraft modules installed in your DCS Saved Games directory.
When using the ID Lookup window to find control IDs:
-
DCS World Install Directory: Path to your DCS installation (e.g.,
C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World)- This is where official modules are located
-
DCS Saved Games Directory: Path to your DCS saved games folder (e.g.,
%userprofile%\Saved Games\DCS)- This is where community modules are typically installed
- Leave empty if you don't use community modules
The plugin will automatically:
- Scan both directories for installed aircraft modules
- Merge the module lists for easy access
- Search both locations when loading clickabledata for a selected module
This allows seamless integration of community aircraft alongside official modules in your Stream Deck configuration.
The plugin now supports Stream Deck Plus rotary encoders with the following capabilities:
- Rotation Control: Separate clockwise (CW) and counter-clockwise (CCW) increment values per tick
- Press Action: Send a fixed value when pressing the encoder button
- LCD Display: Real-time display of DCS values on the encoder LCD screen
- Value Mapping: Map numeric DCS values to custom text (e.g., "0.2" → "OFF", "0.8" → "ARMED")
- Automatic Gauge: Visual indicator bar based on minimum/maximum value ranges
- Live Updates: Changes to mappings take effect immediately without restart
Configure encoders using the dedicated Property Inspector with intuitive controls for all settings.
More detailed instructions can be found in: Settings Help Documentation.
Example of Settings to Display Master Caution Lamp:
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For the DCS plugin to work you will first need DCS-ExportScripts installed, detailed instructions are on their Wiki. This is the backend that is relied on for communication with the DCS game.
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To install the DCS Interface Streamdeck plugin, you will need to download and run the installer
com.ctytler.dcs.streamDeckPluginfrom Releases. -
Also within Releases is an optional
icon_library.zipyou can download for use with Streamdeck Profiles.
If you have a prior version already installed on your StreamDeck, you will have to uninstall it first before installing the latest version. To do this right-click on one of the DCS Interface button types in the right-side panel and click "Uninstall".
To see the version of the plugin installed on the StreamDeck, right-click on one of the DCS Interface button types in the right-side panel.
If you plan to only use DCS Interface for Streamdeck with the DCS-ExportScript and not Ikarus, you can modify the file DCS-ExportScript\Config.lua to have the following settings (where IkarusPort is changed from 1625 to 1725 for DCS Interface) to get everything connected:
-- Ikarus a Glass Cockpit Software
ExportScript.Config.IkarusExport = true -- false for not use
ExportScript.Config.IkarusHost = "127.0.0.1" -- IP for Ikarus
ExportScript.Config.IkarusPort = 1725 -- Port Ikarus (1625)
ExportScript.Config.IkarusSeparator = ":"
If you are interested in using the export script to support both Streamdeck and Ikarus, instructions can be found in the Settings Help Documentation - Enabling Both DCS Interface & Ikarus.
A walkthrough of installation and configuration can be found at the below link, along with other instructional videos.
DCS Interface for Streamdeck Video Instructions
The Sources folder contains the source code of the plugin. The primary components are as follows:
Sources
├── com.ctytler.dcs.sdPlugin Plugin package where the built frontend and backend are combined
│ ├── manifest.json Definition of Streamdeck plugin metadata
│ ├── bin Location for compiled C++ and lua scripts called by plugin
│ ├── helpDocs Help documentation within plugin
│ ├── images Default icon images
│ └── propertyinspector Javascript and html used by plugin (Button settings and windows)
├── backend-cpp The backend of the plugin (Manages Simulator/Streamdeck State), written in C++
│ ├── ElgatoSD Elgato Streamdeck SDK source and utilities
│ ├── SimulatorInterface Classes for interacting with the simulator state
│ ├── StreamdeckContext Classes for maintaining state of individual Streamdeck buttons
│ │ ├── ExportMonitors Classes that monitor simulator export data for individual buttons
│ │ ├── SendActions Classes that define button press and release actions
│ ├── StreamdeckInterface Executable that interfaces C++ code with Streamdeck plugin
│ ├── Test Unit test infrastructure and target
│ ├── Utilities Generic utilities for UDP socket and string manipulation
│ ├── Vendor Third party source code
│ └── Windows Visual Studio solution settings
└── frontend-react-js The frontend of the plugin (Configuration window), written in ReactJS
The project now supports CMake for easier, version-independent builds with automatic dependency management.
Windows (Release):
Tools\build_plugin_cmake.batThis will:
- Build both C++ backend and React frontend
- Run all unit tests
- Generate the plugin file at
Release/com.ctytler.dcs.streamDeckPlugin
Windows (Debug Mode):
Tools\build_plugin_cmake.bat -debugDebug mode will:
- Build with source maps for JavaScript/React debugging
- Link plugin to Stream Deck in development mode
- Enable Stream Deck developer mode
- Restart the plugin automatically
- Access Property Inspector debugging at
http://localhost:23654/ - Attach Visual Studio debugger to
com.ctytler.dcs.exefor C++ debugging
cd Sources\backend-cpp
mkdir build
cd build
cmake .. -G "Visual Studio 17 2022" -A x64
cmake --build . --config ReleaseFor Debug builds:
cmake --build . --config DebugSee Sources/backend-cpp/BUILD_CMAKE.md for detailed CMake documentation.
The original MSBuild script is still available: Tools/build_plugin.bat
Before running the .bat file you will need to:
- Install MSBuild to compile C++ (comes with Microsoft Visual Studio or Build Tools)
- Install npm for Windows
- Add your install location of MSBuild.exe to your PATH environment variable:
- Click start button to search and select "Edit environment variables for your account"
- Under "User variables for ..." select the "Path" row and choose "Edit"
- Add a New path of your MSBuild.exe install location, such as "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio\2022\Community\MSBuild\Current\Bin"
Build Requirements:
- Visual Studio 2022 (Platform Toolset v143) or newer
- npm for Windows
- C++17 compiler support