Controller support for FTL: Faster Than Light on Linux: play it with a gamepad, without changing the game files.
- Zones: the D-pad and sticks jump between rooms, doors, event choices, beacons and buttons
- Door mode: hold L2 to jump between doors, tap it to toggle a room's doors
- Wheels for weapons, crew, systems, ship orders and abilities, in the game's own art
- Tap and hold actions on every button
- Fast forward while a button is held
- Help: hold Start for the controls table
- Editable layout in
ftlpad.ini, re-read while the game runs - Free cursor mode: the D-pad and sticks move the game's cursor
- Larger text in event boxes and tooltips on screens smaller than 1280x720
- Build check: on an FTL build other than Steam 1.6.13 or GOG 1.6.12, ftlpad stays inactive and the game runs without it
Requires the native Linux build of FTL: 1.6.13 from Steam or 1.6.12 from GOG. The Windows and macOS builds are not supported. The steps below are for Steam.
-
Download
ftlpad-linux-x86_64.tar.gzfrom the latest release and unpack it anywhere, e.g.~/ftlpad/. -
In Steam, open FTL's Properties > General > Launch Options and enter:
~/ftlpad/ftlpad-linux-x86_64/ftlpad.sh %command% -
In Properties > Controller, set Steam Input to Disabled for FTL.
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In Properties > Compatibility, leave Force the use of a specific Steam Play compatibility tool off.
See Linux for GOG, running without Steam and troubleshooting.
Hold Start in the game for the controls table. See Controls.
Settings and bindings are in ftlpad.ini. See Configuration.
See Building.
If you find the project useful, here is how you can help:
- Tell other people about it. Sharing the project helps it reach more users.
- Report bugs and request features in Issues. Feedback is welcome.
- Star the repo. It helps the project get noticed and keeps me motivated.
- Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi.
- FTL: Faster Than Light by Subset Games
Copyright (C) 2026 Maxim Gorin. ftlpad is free software under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later, with the additional terms in NOTICE.
ftlpad is an unofficial mod, not affiliated with or endorsed by Subset Games. FTL: Faster Than Light is a trademark of Subset Games.