iPodRocks

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Getting Started ​

This guide walks you through installing iPodRocks, adding your library and a device, and running your first sync.

Install ​

Download the installer for your platform from the Releases page:

  • Linux — AppImage
  • macOS — .zip
  • Windows — .exe (portable)

Build from source ​

See Installation for build instructions.

First launch ​

When you open iPodRocks, you land on the Welcome screen. Use the sidebar to move between panels:

  • Welcome — Overview and quick links
  • Dashboard — Library stats, devices, shadow libraries, recent activity
  • Library — Your music catalog
  • Devices — Connected players
  • Playlists — Smart, Genius, and Savant playlists
  • Sync — Copy music to a device

Click the gear icon (top right) to open Settings when you need to configure the OpenRouter API or harmonic analysis.

Add a library folder ​

  1. Open Library from the sidebar.
  2. Click + Add Folder.
  3. Enter a name (e.g. "My Music") and choose the path to your music root (e.g. /home/user/Music).
  4. Select the content type: Music, Podcasts, or Audiobooks.
  5. Click Add Folder.

iPodRocks scans all subfolders recursively for audio files (MP3, FLAC, AAC, OGG, Opus, WAV, AIFF, and more). Your files should have proper tags (artist, album, title, etc.) — iPodRocks reads them to build the catalog.

After adding, a scan runs automatically. You can run Scan Library again anytime to pick up new or changed files.

Add a device ​

  1. Connect your Rockbox or mountable device and ensure it is mounted (e.g. /media/ipod).
  2. Open Devices from the sidebar.
  3. Click + Add Device.
  4. Enter a name and the root mount path of the device.
  5. Choose a codec configuration (Direct Copy, MP3, AAC, Musepack, Opus, etc.).
  6. Click Add Device.

The app creates Music, Podcasts, Audiobooks, and Playlists folders on the device if they do not exist.

Run your first sync ​

  1. Open Sync from the sidebar.
  2. Select your device from the dropdown.
  3. Choose Full sync (music, podcasts, audiobooks, playlists) or Custom sync (pick albums, artists, genres, playlists).
  4. Click Start Sync.

Progress is shown in a modal. When it finishes, your device is ready to use.

Next steps ​

  • Library — Add folders, scan, create shadow libraries
  • Devices — Configure codecs, check device status
  • Playlists — Create Smart, Genius, or Savant playlists
  • Settings — OpenRouter API (for Savant and Assistant), harmonic analysis
  • Troubleshooting — Common issues and fixes