ns-usbloader VS hb-appstore

Only thing going on the SD card is Atmosphere and Hekate take the content out of the folders and drop it onto the root of the SD card. Tegra RCM GUI is a Windows app, won't work with Linux, it just injects a payload that's needed to boot the system if it's shut off, can use this app with Linux https://github.com/developersu/ns-usbloader

wget https://github.com/developersu/ns-usbloader/releases/download/v7.0/ns-usbloader-7.0.jar

I know most people here swear by DBI but I have never had it work for me. I used awoo https://github.com/Huntereb/Awoo-Installer on my switch and nsusbloader https://github.com/developersu/ns-usbloader on my PC and they have worked flawlessly for installing all my backups from my computer's HDD. If DBI is giving you trouble maybe try a different installer?

ns-usbloader is your friend. https://github.com/developersu/ns-usbloader/releases/tag/v7.0 Works with all OS

Update: Am now using the Awoo method to install wirelessly with NS-loader on PC and its progressing the install well over 40 percent so far. Maybe the problem was with DBI being on applet mode? I cant remember if that was my mistake earlier. I'll let you know if that XCI ended up legit or not.

That's kind of a broad question. Is the switch already modified and on a recent firmware version? Updating both the software you use for the hacked Switch (like Atmosphere) and updating your firmware are the first things that need to be done. Then it's a matter of installing the game in a way that works for you. Personally I used this Switch app called Awoo combined with NS-USBloader on my PC to easily transfer and install the game over my home connection since I couldn't copy a file that large onto my microSD.

There's no shop but you can use awoo with ns-usbloader

Do not use Retroarch, instead use MelonDS (you can find it in the homebrew store or here) and enable ARM Jit Recompiler. It should work fine, but I had some text troubles when I tried Mario & Luigi Partners in Time and I suggest to install switchroot Android to use emulators there

install the homebrew appstore GITHUB - HB APPSTORE if you haven't already. Try the emulators. Retroarch, Tesla for system information overlays, Daybreak for updating firmware, 90DNS to test if you are properly blocking the Nintendo servers. FTPD for FTP. NUT (Windows app) for Tinfoil, makes USB transfers easy. Especially useful if you need to convert XCI to NSP. Once you get bored. Install Android.

Homebrew app store - you can install many homebrews like retroarch, goldleaf, incognito, themes and more

It's better to just Google the app your after and get it off their GitHub so you know the apps are updated for example if you want tinfoil Google tinfoil and then copy all the apps you want into your switch folder this will put them all in the album. But here is the nro for the Hb store https://github.com/fortheusers/hb-appstore/releases

wiiu.hacks.guide and an app on the homebrew appstore that I forget the name of, i think it's called am64ds patcher?

The guide isn't meant to give you homebrew applications, only the required ones. I would recommend getting the homebrew appstore to easilly get any app you want (including tinfoil). You can get it from https://github.com/fortheusers/hb-appstore/releases and you have to just put it in the "Switch" folder in your sd card. From there just open hombrew menu and it will be there

You can find the appstore here -- https://github.com/fortheusers/hb-appstore/releases. As it says, this is one of those that wants to be in its own folder, so sdmc:\switch\appstore\appstore.nro.

It sounds like you are new to Wii U hacking, so I recommend that you use wiiu.hacks.guide to homebrew your Wii U if it isn't homebrewed already. If it is, I recommend you get the Homebrew AppStore (if you don't know how to install it, look here). That way if you have a question like this again, you can check there first or use Google before asking us.

Try downloading a fresh copy of the homebrew app store and replacing the one in your "switch" folder on the SD card. Make sure your time and date are correct on the switch