audacious

Play audio files

TLDR

Launch the GUI

$ audacious

Start a new instance and play an audio

$ audacious [[-N|--new-instance]] [path/to/audio]

Enqueue a specific directory of audio files

$ audacious [[-e|--enqueue]] [path/to/directory]

Start or stop playback

$ audacious [[-t|--play-pause]]

Skip forwards ([fwd]) or backwards ([rew]) in the playlist

$ audacious --[fwd|rew]

Stop playback

$ audacious [[-s|--stop]]

Start in CLI mode (headless)

$ audacious [[-H|--headless]]

Exit as soon as playback stops or there is nothing to playback

$ audacious [[-q|--quit-after-play]]

-h, --help
    Show help options

-V, --version
    Output version information

-p, --play
    Start playback

-u, --pause
    Pause current song

-P, --playpause
    Toggle play/pause

-S, --stop
    Stop playback

-r, --prev
    Previous song

-n, --next
    Next song

--volume-up
    Increase volume by 5%

--volume-down
    Decrease volume by 5%

--volume-set=PERCENT
    Set volume to PERCENT%

-s, --show-mainwin
    Show main window

--show-equalizer
    Show equalizer window

--show-playlist-manager
    Show playlist manager

-q, --quit
    Quit audacious

--clear-playlist
    Clear current playlist

--add-to-playlist=FILE
    Add FILE to playlist end

-t, --play-file=FILE
    Play FILE immediately

--seek=mm:ss
    Seek to absolute position

-l, --load-playlist=FILE
    Load playlist from FILE

--import-m3u-playlist=DIR
    Import M3U files from DIR

--queue
    Queue current song

DESCRIPTION

Audacious is a versatile, extensible audio player for Linux and Unix-like systems. Forked from Beep Media Player (BMP), it inherits the lightweight design and skinning capabilities of XMMS. It features a plugin-based architecture supporting numerous audio formats via backends like FFmpeg, MAD, and FLAC. Users can control playback, manage playlists, and adjust volume directly from the command line. The player emphasizes low resource usage, custom Winamp 1.x/2.x skins, and a familiar interface for XMMS users. Command-line options allow queuing files, seeking, volume control, and window management without launching the full GUI every time. Ideal for embedding in scripts or remote control via D-Bus.

CAVEATS

Many control options require an Audacious instance to be running (single-instance mode by default via D-Bus). Files added play after current track unless using --play-file. Skins and plugins must be installed separately.
Not all options work in headless mode.

PLUGIN ARCHITECTURE

Extensible via input/output/effect/visualization plugins (e.g., scrobbler, alarm). Configure in GUI Preferences.
Core features: Winamp skins, 10/15-band equalizer, playlist tabs.

IPC CONTROL

Supports D-Bus for scripting/integration. Use audtool (separate tool) for advanced playlist/queue operations.

HISTORY

Released in 2009 as a fork of Beep Media Player (BMP, 2003 fork of XMMS). Developed to revive simple, skin-based playback amid complex modern players. XMMS2 influenced early design. Active development through Audacious 4.x (2023+), adding native Windows/macOS ports, improved plugin support, and modern decoders.