Usage

This guide covers how to use SomaFM Player effectively.

First Run

When you first run soma-player, you'll see the channel selection screen:

soma-player

The interface will show:

• A list of available SomaFM channels
• Channel descriptions and current listener counts
• Navigation instructions at the bottom

Basic Controls

Channel Selection Screen

• ↑/↓ Arrow Keys - Navigate through channels
• Enter - Select and start playing a channel
• Q - Quit the application

Playing Mode

Once a channel is selected and playing:

• C - Change channel (opens overlay)
• P - Pause/Resume playback
• +/= - Increase volume by 5%
• -/_ - Decrease volume by 5%
• Q/Esc - Quit application

Channel Selection Overlay

While music is playing, press C to open the channel selection overlay:

• ↑/↓ Arrow Keys - Navigate channels
• Enter - Switch to selected channel
• Esc - Cancel and return to playing mode
• Q - Quit application

Interface Elements

Main Display

The playing interface shows:

• Current Channel - Name and description
• Now Playing - Artist and track information (when available)
• Volume Level - Current volume percentage
• Spectrum Visualizer - Real-time frequency visualization
• Controls - Available keyboard shortcuts

Spectrum Visualizer

The built-in spectrum visualizer features:

• Real-time Animation - Responds to music frequency data
• Auto-scaling - Adapts to your terminal size
• Color Gradient - Low frequencies (blue) to high frequencies (red)
• Smart Pausing - Stops animating when playback is paused

Volume Control

Volume can be adjusted in 5% increments:

• Range: 0% to 100%
• Default: 50%
• Persistence: Volume settings are automatically saved
• Instant: Changes apply immediately

Popular Channels

Some recommended SomaFM channels to try:

• Groove Salad - Ambient/downtempo perfect for work
• Secret Agent - Spy jazz and lounge music
• Lush - Lush, gorgeous vocals
• Drone Zone - Ambient space music for deep listening
• Beat Blender - Electronic music

Tips for Best Experience

1. Terminal Size: Use a terminal window at least 80x24 for optimal display
2. Audio Quality: Ensure your system audio is properly configured
3. Network: Stable internet connection recommended for uninterrupted streaming
4. Colors: Enable 256-color support in your terminal for best visuals

Keyboard Shortcuts Quick Reference