Uploaded July 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How would you like a simple command-line tool to control all your favorite media players on Linux? Using a window manager and need to map your media keys without pulling your hair out? With Playerctl, all your media worries are over. You can now pass in a simple command and have your last-used media player do your bidding. Plus, you can get the metadata of what's currently playing and stick it in your status bar. All this and more with the magic of the MPRIS media player controller playerctl...
Playerctl GitHub: github.com/altdesktop/playerctl
Playerctl daemon systemd startup script: wiki.archlinux.org/title/MPRIS#Control_utilities
Watch my videos on Odysee: odysee.com/$/invite/@ericnmurphy:9
My website: https://ericmurphy.xyz
My GitHub: github.com/ericmurphyxyz
Get a VPS and host a website with Vultr: vultr.com/?ref=9005580-8H (affiliate link)
0:00 Intro
1:03 Installation
1:19 Basic usage
2:23 Starting playerctld to get the last used media player
4:33 Binding media keys
5:44 Excluding certain media players
6:42 Getting the currently playing song name in your status bar
9:14 Conclusion
How would you like a simple command-line tool to control all your favorite media players on Linux? Using a window manager and need to map your media keys without pulling your hair out? With Playerctl, all your media worries are over. You can now pass in a simple command and have your last-used media player do your bidding. Plus, you can get the metadata of what's currently playing and stick it in your status bar. All this and more with the magic of the MPRIS media player controller playerctl...
Playerctl GitHub: github.com/altdesktop/playerctl
Playerctl daemon systemd startup script: wiki.archlinux.org/title/MPRIS#Control_utilities
Watch my videos on Odysee: odysee.com/$/invite/@ericnmurphy:9
My website: https://ericmurphy.xyz
My GitHub: github.com/ericmurphyxyz
Get a VPS and host a website with Vultr: vultr.com/?ref=9005580-8H (affiliate link)
0:00 Intro
1:03 Installation
1:19 Basic usage
2:23 Starting playerctld to get the last used media player
4:33 Binding media keys
5:44 Excluding certain media players
6:42 Getting the currently playing song name in your status bar
9:14 Conclusion
