How to Try rmpc Without Installing It

rmpc's documentation includes a "Try without installing" entry point, so you can preview the TUI before committing to a local setup. Use it when you want to evaluate the interface and interaction model first, then decide whether to install rmpc and configure it against your own MPD server.

What the no-install option gives you

The rmpc site lists three starting points: Get Started, Try without installing, and Next steps (Install, Configure, Reference, Themes). The "Try without installing" path exists specifically so you can see the client running without going through the install flow.

What this means in practice:

• You can look at the TUI layout, colors, and general feel before installing anything.
• You don't need a working local MPD setup just to preview the interface.
• It's an evaluation step, not a replacement for a real installation — once you like it, you move on to Install and Configure.

Steps

1. Open the rmpc documentation site (rmpc.mierak.dev).
2. Find the "Try without installing" link — it sits alongside "Get Started" near the top of the page.
3. Follow that entry to launch or preview the client.
4. Explore the interface: navigation, panels, and key bindings.
5. If it fits your workflow, go back and follow Install, then Configure to point rmpc at your MPD instance.

Expected result: you've seen rmpc's TUI and interaction style without a local install or MPD configuration.

Check your version first

The documentation page carries an explicit warning: it covers the development version of rmpc, and you should make sure your version matches the selected documentation. If you later install a released version, some options or screens may differ from what you previewed. Keep this in mind when comparing the demo against your installed build.

When to skip the preview

The no-install route is a look-and-feel check, not a functional test against your music library. Skip it and go straight to Install + Configure if:

• You already know you want a TUI MPD client.
• You need to verify behavior against your actual MPD server, playlists, or themes.
• You're evaluating configuration options — those live under Reference and Themes, and require a real setup to apply.

After the preview

Once you've decided rmpc is worth keeping, the documented next steps are:

Themes are worth a look even during evaluation — browsing predefined and user-submitted themes tells you how much visual customization is available before you invest time in configuration.