The commands
| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
| /play | Starts playback (no effect if music is already playing) |
| /pause | Pauses (if music is playing) |
| /playpause or /toggle | Play or pause, depending on the state |
| /stop | Stops playback |
| /next | Next track |
| /prev or /previous | Previous track |
| /show | Shows the RustMusic window |
| /exit or /quit | Quits RustMusic |
The /, - and -- prefixes are all accepted (/play, -play, --play), regardless of upper and lower case. Several commands can follow one another: they run in order.
App open or closed
- RustMusic is already open: the command is passed to the existing window, without bringing it to the front (except with /show).
- RustMusic is not open: it starts and runs the command as soon as the interface is ready. /show and /exit only act if RustMusic is already open.
- Without a command, a second launch simply brings back the existing window.
On Windows, macOS and Linux
Windows: run RustMusic.exe with the command. The program’s full path is in the properties of its shortcut (right-click → Properties → Target).
"C:\path\to\RustMusic.exe" /nextmacOS: the program is inside the app bundle.
/Applications/RustMusic.app/Contents/MacOS/RustMusic /nextLinux: with the AppImage, pass the command to the file itself. For the .deb and .rpm packages, reuse the command from the Exec line of the RustMusic launcher (its .desktop file).
./RustMusic_0.4.3_amd64.AppImage /nextStream Deck, shortcuts and scripts
- Stream Deck and programmable key software: create an action that opens a program, with RustMusic and the command as its argument (/playpause, /next…).
- Keyboard shortcut on Windows: create a shortcut to RustMusic.exe, add the command at the end of the Target, then pick a combination in “Shortcut key”.
- On Linux, add a custom shortcut in your desktop’s keyboard settings; on macOS, a “Run Shell Script” action in the Shortcuts app.
- Music alarm clock: the Windows Task Scheduler (or cron on Linux) can start RustMusic with /play at the time of your choice.
If you simply want the music to start again each time RustMusic opens, turn on “Play on startup” in Settings → General → Startup instead.
Frequently asked questions
Do the commands bring the window forward?
No, except /show: the command is passed to RustMusic without bringing it to the front.
Can I set the volume from the command line?
Not for now: the commands control playback (play, pause, stop, next, previous), the window and quitting.
Can I pass a specific file as an argument?
Not yet: paths passed as arguments are ignored by the launch commands.
Does it work on macOS and Linux?
Yes, the commands are the same on all three systems; only the program’s path changes.
Your music, at the press of a key
RustMusic can be controlled from the command line, a Stream Deck, a shortcut or a script. Free, open source, no account.