Playerctl is a command-line utility and library for controlling media players that implement the MPRIS D-Bus Interface Specification. It provides a consistent way to work with compatible media players without needing player-specific commands.
It is particularly useful for binding playback actions to media keys, integrating track information into status bars, and scripting media-player behaviour. The accompanying playerctld daemon keeps track of player activity so commands can be directed to the most recently active player.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Play, pause, stop, resume, and toggle playback.
- Skip to the next or previous track.
- Seek to an absolute position or move forwards and backwards within a track.
- Read and change player volume.
- Query playback status and track metadata.
- Open local files and remote media URLs in supported players.
- Control loop and shuffle settings.
- Select individual players, prioritised groups of players, or all available players.
- Ignore selected players when choosing a target.
- Format metadata and property output using templates and helper functions.
- Follow metadata, position, volume, and status changes continuously.
- Includes playerctld, which orders players according to recent activity.
- Provides a library with GObject introspection support for use from other programming languages.
Website: github.com/altdesktop/playerctl
Support:
Developer: playerctl contributors
License: GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0
playerctl is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| MPRIS Tools | |
|---|---|
| playerctl | MPRIS media player command-line controller |
| mpris-ctl | Minimalistic command-line interface tool for controlling audio players |
| mpv-mpris | mpv plugin to control the player using standard media keys |
| mpd-mpris | MPRIS protocol for MPD |
| mprisence | Bridges MPRIS-compatible media players |
| empress | MPRIS media controls made simple |
| mpris-scrobbler | Minimalistic user daemon |
| MPRIS MiniPlayer | Displays whatever media in a MPRIS compatible player is playing. |
| mpdris2-rs | Expose MPD playback through MPRIS2 |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
 LinuxLinks helps you discover the best free and open source software for Linux. Explore our extensive collection of recommended applications, including alternatives to popular proprietary software.We also publish software reviews, Linux tutorials, hardware reviews, free programming books and articles covering the wider open source community. Browse our Linux resources to discover more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application we haven't covered? Suggest a program for inclusion. Has your software been featured on LinuxLinks? Display one of our Featured on LinuxLinks badges on your website or GitHub README. |
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.