rmpc
A modern, configurable terminal-based MPD client with album art support via various terminal image protocols.
What is rmpc?
Rmpc is a terminal-based client for the Music Player Daemon (MPD) that provides a modern, configurable interface for playing and managing music. It solves the need for a visually rich terminal music player by supporting album art display through various terminal image protocols and offering extensive customization options.
Users of Music Player Daemon (MPD) who prefer terminal-based applications and want a feature-rich, visually appealing client with album art support and high configurability.
Developers choose Rmpc for its modern design, album art display in terminals, deep configurability, and unique features like Cava integration and YouTube playback, setting it apart from other MPD clients.
Overview
A modern, configurable, terminal based MPD Client with album art support via various terminal image protocols
Use Cases
Best For
- Managing and playing music from MPD in a terminal environment
- Displaying album art in terminals that support graphics protocols
- Customizing every aspect of a music player's UI and keybindings
- Integrating music visualization with Cava directly in the terminal
- Playing music from YouTube through an MPD client
- Automating music player tasks via scripting and CLI mode
Not Ideal For
- Users who prefer graphical interfaces and do not want to use a terminal-based application.
- Environments where the terminal lacks support for image display protocols like Kitty or Sixel, making album art unavailable.
- Projects requiring advanced playlist management features beyond basic creation and editing.
- Users who want a standalone music player without the need to configure and run MPD separately.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Supports multiple terminal protocols including Kitty, Sixel, and Iterm2, enabling visual album covers in compatible terminals, as highlighted in the README.
Allows customization of headers, queue columns, color themes, and keybindings with vim-like defaults, offering flexibility tailored to user preferences.
Includes Cava integration for real-time music visualization directly in the terminal, a unique feature that enhances the auditory experience.
Can play music directly from YouTube, expanding music sources beyond local files managed by MPD, as noted in the key features.
Offers CLI mode and script hooks for automation, making it extensible for advanced users who need to integrate with other tools.
Cons
The README admits the project is still maturing, with rare but possible breaking changes, which could affect stability for risk-averse users.
Album art, a key selling point, requires terminals that support specific image protocols; otherwise, users miss out on this visual feature.
Only provides basic playlist management, which may be insufficient for users needing complex operations like smart playlists or extensive editing.
Requires Music Player Daemon to be installed and configured separately, adding an extra layer of complexity compared to all-in-one solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
SpotifydA spotify daemon
Spotify PlayerA Spotify player in the terminal with full feature parity
ncspotCross-platform ncurses Spotify client written in Rust, inspired by ncmpc and the likes.
GlicolGraph-oriented live coding language and music/audio DSP library written in Rust
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