How to Install and Set Up cliamp

Install cliamp with the one-line script on Linux/macOS (curl -fsSL https://cliamp.stream/install.sh | sh), or use Homebrew, AUR, Nix, or Go. Windows users get builds from Releases. After installing, run cliamp setup to connect streaming services and media servers, and add ffmpeg and yt-dlp if you need the extra codecs and sources they unlock.

Install cliamp

Pick the method that matches your system. Each command below is the one published on cliamp.stream.

The site describes the install as "one line," and the script route is the shortest path on Linux and macOS. If you already manage packages with Homebrew, AUR, or Nix, use that instead so upgrades stay in your normal workflow. The Go route builds from source via the module path.

Expected result: the cliamp binary is on your PATH. Verify by running cliamp — the player should start in your terminal.

Run first-time setup

After install, run:

cliamp setup

The setup walkthrough guides you through configuring streaming services and media servers. This is where you connect the sources you actually use — for example Spotify, Qobuz, Tidal, YouTube Music, Plex, Jellyfin, Emby, Navidrome, Lyrion, or Yandex Music — rather than configuring everything at once.

What to expect: setup is interactive, so have your account details or server addresses ready for the services you plan to use. Sources you skip can be added later; setup is not a one-shot gate.

Add optional dependencies

Two external tools extend what cliamp can play. They are optional — install them only if you need the formats or sources they cover.

ffmpeg — extra audio codecs

Install ffmpeg if you play AAC, ALAC, Opus, or WMA files. Without it, those codecs are the gap; the rest of the player works normally.

yt-dlp — additional streaming sources

Install yt-dlp for YouTube, SoundCloud, Mixcloud, Bandcamp, Bilibili, and NetEase. If your library is local files plus a self-hosted server, you can skip this.

A quick check after installing either tool: start cliamp and play a file or source in the relevant format. If playback starts, the dependency is wired up correctly.

Try a first stream

Once setup is done, you can confirm everything works with a radio stream, which needs no account:

cliamp --provider radio

The site's own example uses a station playlist URL:

cliamp https://radio.cliamp.stream/lofi/stream.pls

Expected result: the terminal UI opens with a playlist, transport controls, EQ, and volume indicators, and the stream begins playing. From there, browse stations by country or genre in the Catalog and press f to favorite one — favorites are saved locally by station URL and keep the station name and region after a restart.

Common snags

• Command not found after install: the binary's directory isn't on your PATH. With the Go route, that's usually $(go env GOPATH)/bin; with Homebrew or AUR, reopen your shell.
• A file won't play: check whether it's AAC, ALAC, Opus, or WMA and install ffmpeg if so.
• YouTube or SoundCloud fails: yt-dlp is missing or outdated — update it first.
• A streaming service isn't listed: rerun cliamp setup and add it there rather than expecting it to appear automatically.
• Windows: there is no script or package-manager line on the site; use the Releases page.

What you get once it's running

All sources — streaming services, self-hosted libraries, local files, podcasts, and roughly 58,000 radio stations — run through the same playlist, 10-band equalizer, 31 visualizers, synced lyrics, and Lua plugin pipeline. That single-interface design is the reason setup matters: connect your sources once, and the rest of the player behaves the same regardless of where the audio comes from.