Does "free" mean I can cloak in addition to another action (focus, TL, etc) after executing a (non red) maneuver? Or do I still only get one actions, this is just added to the list available?

Just one action, because the card has the Action: header.

It's probably worded this way because none of the scum ships have Cloak on their action bar.

Ok... Looking at the card I see the confusion.

In this case you perform an action like normal, that is your one action per turn you get. That action lets you perform a 'free' cloaking action. So you only get to do that one action this turn.

The reason it's a free action is because it's not an action that's listed on the ships action bar.

Nevermind

A free action is any action you are allowed to take in addition to your normal 1 action per turn.

If a card just says it gives you the ability to perform an action, and is not instructing you to actually perform that action, then it is just giving you the ability, you still have to be able to perform an action somehow (like with your normal once per turn action) to actually use it.

If an ability says to just take a free action at a certain time, it can be any action you are normally allowed to take. If an ability specifies a particular type of free action, like "take a free cloak action" then it has to be that kind of action but it is still in addition to your normal actions.

Pay attention to the timing of things too. Many free actions are given at times other than the perform action step. Advanced cloaking device, for example, gives you a free cloak action after you attack, in the combat phase, long after you have already taken your normal action for the round.

In this case I believe he is referencing the Illicit Upgrade Cloaking Device, which has the wording:

SMALL SHIP ONLY.

ACTION: Perform a free cloak action.

At the end of each round, if you are cloaked, roll 1 attack die. On a focus result, discard this card, then decloak or discard your cloak token.

Therefore this counts toward the normal one action they would get during the Perform Action step.

****. Was hoping I had edited it before anyone could quote it.

To the OP, it would be useful when asking questions to specify exactly what cards are creating the confusion and supply their actual text, if possible.

Does "free" mean I can cloak in addition to another action (focus, TL, etc) after executing a (non red) maneuver? Or do I still only get one actions, this is just added to the list available?

When you move you take an action

This is your action step.

So a free action let's you take one outside of this step

Advanced cloak for example let's you take a free cloak action after you attack.

Since after you attack your perform action step has already past

Another example is if you fly over an asteroid, or bump into another ship, you lose your action step.

However If there is another means, let's say Lando does a green maneuver and is St range 1 he can give a free focus action to the ship that flew over the asteroid or bumped another ship.

Lastly if your stressed you cannot do any actions. Free (outside the action step), or regular actions after movement.

If a card instructs you to assign a Focus or target lock, that is not an action.

So with fire control systems if you are stressed and shoot at a ship, you may aquire a target lock.

This is not an action

Sorry, hope I didn't confuse you.

The reason it says "free action" on a card like this is because the card also has the header ACTION:

If it has the header action it means you are triggering an action to use the card and then getting a free action from that.

If the card didn't say "free" before action you wouldn't be able to perform it since you already took an action for the turn which is triggering the ACTION header on the card. This is why errata was added to Expert Handling.

Learn to play page 11:

... and a free action may be performed in addition to the standard action.

ACTION: Perform a free cloak action.

You perform two actions. Your normal action allows you to execute the card text following the header. As part of that action you perform a 2nd action, the free cloak action. Without the word "free" you could not perform the action from that upgrade card at all.