A normal Quiver-based launcher first. Optional Archipelago and Jev tools on top.
AP Port Studio is a community fork of Quiver Launcher. It keeps Quiver's library, catalog, game downloads, release management, artwork, supported mods and launcher settings, then adds guided setup, genre tools and a native Archipelago workshop.
You can use it only as a launcher. Leave Jev disabled and ignore the Archipelago panel. You do not need an AI account, OpenRouter key, Archipelago server, Codex, Claude or Python to organize and launch your games.
Credit belongs to the foundation's makers: Quiver Launcher was created by Thomas Georgiadis and its contributors, building on SirDiabo's GitHubLauncher. Most of the launcher experience comes from their work. Please visit and support Quiver, its catalog and Patreon. Their copyright notices and MIT license are preserved.
Download for Windows · Quick start · Feature guide · FAQ · How it works · Website
- What this project is
- Choose how much you want to use
- Download and first launch
- The Quiver launcher features
- Optional Jev genre suggestions
- Optional native Archipelago workshop
- Scene feed and release monitoring
- Where your data lives
- Updates and compatibility
- Troubleshooting
- Build and contribute
- Validation and current scope
- Credits and project history
This is Quiver-based launcher software with optional extensions. The familiar catalog-to-library-to-launch workflow is the starting point.
The code foundation is Quiver Launcher v3.5.1-rc.3, commit 0660ac5471b01afd9355cf568e9748c43fde8317. This fork adds:
- Eight-step first-run setup, Skip tutorial, and Help & setup → Redo tutorial.
- Genre sorting and optional Jev-assisted genre suggestions.
- User-configured credentials stored securely on Windows.
- Native Archipelago Play / Develop / Watch beside the library.
- A configurable native AP profile editor.
- Console-port discovery using The Gaming Emporium.
- An optional, source-only APWorld developer kit and engineering example.
- Its own public name, icon and application identity.
The existing Quiver options and workflows are retained for supported platforms and apps. Their game-specific requirements still apply: mod sources must be configured, the release must support your platform, and a port may need original game data. This fork has its own application-update identity.
This is independently maintained. The original makers have not been asked to endorse or support these additions. UPSTREAM.md records provenance; TRADEMARKS.md preserves the upstream naming policy.
| Your goal | What you need | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| A normal Quiver-based launcher | Windows and your games/ports | Library, App Catalog and Settings; ignore the optional panels |
| A neatly organized library | Existing tags or manually chosen genres | Tags, filters and Genre (A-Z) |
| AI genre suggestions | Your own optional OpenRouter key | Enable Jev, request a suggestion and review it |
| Playing a prepared native AP integration | Compatible port/mod/client/APWorld setup | Configure a profile and explicitly launch it from Play |
| Native AP development with friends | Source/hooks or an adapter, plus development tools | Develop: profiles, notes, evidence and optional kit |
| Keeping an eye on projects | Internet for public release/feed checks | Scene strip and AP Watch |
The launcher and workshop work without paid AI. Jev advises on genres; deterministic application code handles operations.
Windows x64 is the packaged target. The portable ZIP includes the .NET runtime.
- Open Releases.
- Download APPortStudio-0.1.0-win-x64.zip, or the Windows ZIP on a later release.
- Extract the entire ZIP into a writable folder. Keep the files together.
- Run APPortStudio.exe.
- Follow the startup guide, or choose Skip tutorial at any step.
- Choose the folder for new installs. Use this folder saves that choice.
- Open App Catalog, select the exact project, Add to library, then download from Library.
- Complete the port's own game-file/setup steps, then launch from its card.
A downloaded executable is different from a prepared game. Some ports ship a setup launcher or extractor; complete their instructions first.
Already have your games? Add the corresponding project/manual entry, use Locate Existing Install, and select the prepared executable through Launch Options. Changing the default install folder controls future downloads; it does not silently move existing games.
The shared package starts empty. It includes no personal library, keys, game media, saves, private AP profiles, seeds or server credentials.
Help & setup remains available outside locked kiosk mode. Redo tutorial replays setup without resetting the library, settings or native profiles.
These are inherited launcher capabilities, not features invented by AP Port Studio.
| Area | Retained capability | Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Library | Cards, search, installed/hidden views, name and last-played sorting | Library |
| App Catalog | Quiver catalog search/filters, details and adding projects | App Catalog |
| Your own entries | Repository-backed and manually managed local games/apps | + Add |
| Existing installs | Link files already on disk and choose an executable | Locate Existing Install / Launch Options |
| Downloads | Release-asset selection and supported archive extraction | Card Download |
| Game updates | Update review, per-entry Auto Update and background-check settings | Update Now / Auto Update, Settings → General |
| Version management | Deliberate release selection and verification status | Versions → Change Version |
| Repository hosts | GitHub, GitLab and Codeberg support from this base | Entry form and Settings → Advanced |
| Organization | Tags, saved filters, search and hidden entries | Sidebar and Customize → Edit Tags |
| Artwork | Local custom covers or default catalog artwork | Add Custom Image / Remove Custom Image |
| Supported mods | Configured Thunderstore/GameBanana browsing and management | Card Mods, when configured |
| Launch tools | Executable selection, shortcuts and Steam integration where applicable | Launch Options |
| Appearance | Theme colors, background, music, scale and card layout | Appearance / App Cards settings |
| Controls | Keyboard/gamepad navigation and control settings | Settings → Controls |
| Kiosk/tray | Fullscreen browsing/launching, optional PIN and tray/close behavior | Settings → General |
| Your app list | Local JSON or remote list displayed in the catalog | Advanced → My app list |
| Library protection | Validated saves and recovery snapshots | Recovery guide |
Catalog apps follow Quiver's verified-release metadata. Auto Update does not mean every brand-new upstream build is installed immediately. Verification status, release assets and platform suitability still matter.
Use Change Version to inspect releases and deliberately choose a build. Unverified/blocked releases may need confirmation. Keep different ports, randomizers and AP variants separate when they serve different purposes.
The mod browser needs compatible mod-source/path metadata and a game that accepts that format. A Mods button does not create a universal mod API.
Choose a local cover with Customize → Add Custom Image; Remove Custom Image restores default art. This release does not include an integrated Google/Bing image-search picker.
Kiosk mode limits the interface to browsing/launching. Ctrl+Alt+K unlocks or locks the session; a configured PIN is needed to unlock. This is an application setting, not a replacement for Windows' own account/session restrictions.
See the feature guide for everyday usage.
Jev starts disabled. Manual tags and genre sorting work without it.
Jev is TypeSafe's typed decision model, accessed through OpenRouter. Here it suggests a primary genre from a selected public title and allowlisted catalog tags. It is not a chat assistant, an APWorld generator or a permission system.
- Open Help & setup → API keys & Jev.
- Enter your own OpenRouter API key in the masked field and save it.
- Enable Jev and choose typesafe/jev-1.13 or ~typesafe/jev-latest.
- Set the daily cap; the default is 20 request attempts.
- Use Jev Genres for a small missing-genre batch, or Customize → Suggest Genre with Jev for one eligible entry.
- Review the data-confirmation prompt and proposed genre/confidence; apply it only if you agree.
- Select Genre (A-Z) in the sort menu.
Saving a key, enabling the setting or opening Help does not call the model. Failed attempts count toward the cap. Cached results can avoid a new paid request. The local cap is not a dollar limit; configure OpenRouter key spending controls too.
Only selected public titles and allowlisted public tags enter the decision state. Installation paths, ROMs, ISOs, saves, private tags and other credentials are excluded. Results remain advisory.
A repository token helps repository requests; it does not enable Jev. Normal launcher use needs no OpenRouter key, separate TypeSafe account or private agent workspace.
Read OPTIONAL_INTEGRATIONS.md for encryption, cache and request details, and the Decisions API.
Archipelago lets players find items for one another across different games. An APWorld describes a game's items, locations, options and progression logic; a client/mod/adapter connects the running game to the server.
The workshop keeps that work beside your installed ports. It does not automatically make every recompilation/decompilation an AP game.
Native mods or adapters can communicate directly with AP. An emulator bridge is not a requirement for every integration. The game still needs reliable hooks for checks, received items, reconnect/save behavior and goals. Separate public references include SOTN on SymphonyRecomp and MMRecompRando; neither is bundled.
Add/link the port → Archipelago → Your library → select the exact variant → Track selected port.
Tracking makes a separate workshop record, not a duplicate library card or a compatibility certificate. Initial readiness stays Needs investigation.
Under Develop → Configure native profile, choose a profile name, prepared executable/script and working folder. Optionally add a source folder, setup guide and ports used by that setup.
Saving does not launch it, extract disc data or install an APWorld. In Play, select the profile, review required-file status and explicitly choose Launch AP profile. Server/slot/password configuration belongs in the integration's own client.
Keep notes, source/setup links and evidence attached to the exact port/mod/client/APWorld versions. Configure your own paths and profiles.
Readiness should include:
- A real location/check reaching the server.
- An incoming item affecting the game correctly.
- Progression and goals matching the APWorld.
- Reconnect/item replay without duplicate effects.
- Save/load and seed/slot isolation.
A source repository or public mod SDK can help development; neither alone proves those behaviors. Jev's genre confidence does not establish AP compatibility.
The included DeveloperKit is optional source tools. Test kit example and Build example APWorld exercise a synthetic fixture, not the selected game. Its private runtime needs explicit preparation with your own AP development checkout. Nothing installs Python/AP at startup. See the kit README.
Check tracked releases compares configured game/AP repository tags with saved baselines. The panel may refresh observations when opened after its cache threshold. It does not automatically install releases or upgrade AP profiles.
Keep a tested game/mod/APWorld/seed combination until you review an update's compatibility.
The Recomp Scene strip uses The Gaming Emporium RSS, its recent additions and platform tags to focus on console recompilations/decompilations.
It cycles discovery links and retains cache fallback. A listing is a discovery reference, not proof of upstream authenticity, installation readiness or AP support. Open the original project and follow its supported release/setup instructions.
The scene feed, ordinary game updates and AP Watch are separate features. Discovery does not automatically install or certify anything.
Normal Windows portable data is kept beside the application:
| File/folder | Purpose |
|---|---|
| apps.json | Library entries and metadata |
| settings.json | Preferences and install destination |
| Apps/ or your chosen folder | Managed installs |
| Cache/ | Catalog/artwork/feed data and optional typed Jev cache/attempt ledger |
| Backups/ | Library recovery snapshots |
| onboarding.json | Tutorial seen/skipped state |
| integrations.json | Nonsecret Jev enable/model/cap settings |
| archipelago-workshop.registry.json | Tracked native projects/profiles |
| archipelago-workshop.settings.json | Developer-kit path |
| DeveloperKit/ | Public tools; private runtime prepared only if you choose |
Credentials are separate: Windows uses DPAPI CurrentUser encryption under %LOCALAPPDATA%\APPortStudio\credentials, outside the normal portable folder. Each user supplies their own keys.
Back up your configured library, settings, profiles and game saves. Share clean release ZIPs rather than a working library containing personal state.
Keep these versions distinct: the AP Port Studio application, its pinned Quiver base, each game/port, its mod/client/APWorld, and your generated seed/session. Updating one does not automatically prove the others compatible.
- Application: manually download from this fork's Releases. An automatic AP Port Studio/Velopack update feed is not configured yet. Official Quiver binaries do not replace the fork.
- Game: normal Quiver update controls and verification behavior are retained. Some games' own launchers manage internal builds.
- AP integration: Watch provides observations; review and test compatibility before changing a working setup.
| Situation | First check |
|---|---|
| Empty first-run library | Expected; add/link your own projects |
| Release service/API limit reached | Retry later or configure your own repository token in Advanced |
| Downloaded game will not launch | Complete its game-data setup and choose the right executable/platform |
| Jev disabled/missing key | Configure optional settings, or use manual genres |
| Jev failure | Key, provider availability/credit and attempt cap; no automatic paid retries |
| No Mods browser | Compatible source/path metadata and game format |
| AP says Needs investigation | Add actual game-specific evidence; a saved launcher is insufficient |
| Kit action cannot run | Prepare its private runtime explicitly |
| Duplicate titles | Compare repositories/variants before removing anything |
| Want setup again | Help & setup → Redo tutorial |
| Damaged library | Preserve current files and follow recovery |
See the FAQ for more details.
Source builds need .NET 10 SDK, Git and PowerShell 7 on Windows.
git clone https://github.com/baconspaceman/AP-Port-Studio.git
Set-Location AP-Port-Studio
dotnet build QuiverLauncher.Desktop/QuiverLauncher.Desktop.csproj -c Release -m:1 -p:UseSharedCompilation=false
pwsh -NoProfile -File scripts/Build-Portable.ps1
pwsh -NoProfile -File scripts/Verify-Shareable.ps1 -Path artifacts/APPortStudio-win-x64Build-Portable needs a fresh output directory. Internal project names/namespaces remain inherited for understandable upstream comparisons; public identifiers are independent.
With Codex, Claude or another assistant, start with AGENTS.md, this README and architecture. A suitable request is:
Read AGENTS.md and README.md. Explain the Quiver foundation and optional additions, then help me build and configure my own copy. Keep keys, game files and private libraries out of commits. Do not run paid inference or gameplay without my approval.
Preserve original notices/credits, use mock providers in tests, keep variants distinct and provide evidence appropriate to your change. Fork-specific issues belong in this tracker.
The 0.1.0 packaging run passed 166 focused application tests and 35 pure developer-kit tests. Thirteen screens were rendered, the source ZIP built from fresh extraction, the executable passed a hidden version check, and archive paths/digests and checked credential/personal-state patterns were validated.
These are targeted checks, not every inherited option on every game/controller/platform. Live paid Jev calls and game-specific AP gameplay were not part of that validation.
Windows x64 portable is the packaged/tested target. Other inherited source targets remain available for development, but this release does not certify or supply Linux/macOS/Android packages.
Release assets include SHA256SUMS.txt and RELEASE-CHECKS.json to identify delivered files and validation scope.
- Thomas Georgiadis / tgeorgiadis and Quiver contributors: the primary launcher, catalog integration, library, downloads, release handling, mod management and interface.
- SirDiabo and GitHubLauncher contributors: the earlier open-source foundation.
- Archipelago contributors and game-specific maintainers: multiworld framework, APWorlds, native hooks and clients.
- Native port/recomp/decomp developers: the games this launcher manages.
- TypeSafe and OpenRouter: optional Jev decisions.
- Avalonia, .NET and dependency maintainers: the application platform.
Quiver's work is the foundation. AP Port Studio adds optional tools around it and retains the original MIT notices. The fork uses its own icon/identifiers under upstream's naming policy. See LICENSE, UPSTREAM.md and TRADEMARKS.md.
Thank you to the original makers for publishing the source that makes this community extension possible.