Not speaking from experience, just what I’ve read.
You don’t have to dilate for forever per se. As time goes on you have to do dilation like activities less and less often to maintain it. I’m not sure if there’s a lower limit to how often, but I think there is. Also note I said “dilation like activities”. So after a while, it doesn’t strictly have to be dilation.
If I’ve said anything wrong, please let me know. Again, this is just what I remember from reading and isn’t something I’ve experienced myself.
You can theoretically run the other program with Proton as well. Just if that helps get your other software up and running. =)