Now Playing Integrations

Now Playing Integrations

The Now Playing module displays track metadata, cover art, progress, and transport controls from supported local providers. It is independent of Prism's audio capture: the song shown does not determine which device the analyzers hear.

Showing the module

Enable Now Playing under Settings > Modules. Its display controls can independently show or hide:

• Cover;
• Title;
• Artist;
• Bar;
• Time;
• Controls.

All six are enabled by default. Hide elements to make a compact ticker or cover-only popout.

Provider priority

Open Settings > Now Playing > Configure... and drag providers into priority order. Prism evaluates available providers in that order. The highest-priority configured provider that begins playing takes control immediately.

Priority is useful when more than one supported player is open. It is not a playlist order and does not start an application by itself.

Astra

Astra integration reads Astra's local API and can send supported previous, play/pause, and next commands.

The default server address is:

http://127.0.0.1:38401

Enter the address and Astra API token, then save. The token is stored through the operating system's secure credential storage rather than in a Prism profile.

• Leaving the token box blank when saving keeps the token already stored.
• Clear Token removes the stored credential.
• A custom address is useful only when Astra has deliberately been exposed at another trusted address.

Providers remain active while the Now Playing module is visible or its dedicated configuration window is open. Hiding the module alone does not stop checks while that window remains open. Close it as well when you want unused provider connections to stop. Opening the rack's general settings alone does not activate provider checks; use Configure... to open the dedicated window.

Spotify

Spotify uses local operating-system playback integration and does not require a Spotify developer API key.

• macOS reads Spotify.app and may request Automation permission.
• Linux uses the MPRIS media interface.
• Windows uses the system media session.

Metadata and controls depend on what the installed Spotify client and operating system expose. If controls are unavailable for a particular session, the buttons remain disabled rather than guessing.

TIDAL

TIDAL reads local playback without a TIDAL account login or developer key in Prism. Start a supported client, open the configuration window, and use Retry if its session has not appeared.

Platform	Metadata and artwork	Playback controls
Windows	Reads the local TIDAL system media session	Play/pause, previous, and next when exposed by the session
macOS	Track information and progress while TIDAL owns system Now Playing; artwork only when macOS supplies it	Use the TIDAL app; Prism does not provide TIDAL transport controls on macOS
Linux	Reads a compatible dedicated client such as TIDAL Hi-Fi through MPRIS	Available when the client exposes them

On macOS, install TIDAL.app and keep it playing as the active system media source. Compatibility depends on macOS exposing the local information. On Linux, enable MPRIS in the client and ensure gdbus can reach the same desktop session bus. Browser tabs are not supported as TIDAL sources.

Provider priority affects metadata selection, not the audio device or Bridge being analyzed. Selecting TIDAL here does not route its audio into Prism.

Provider status

The settings page can show a provider as idle, connecting, connected/live, unavailable, or in error. Use Retry after correcting a temporary application, permission, network, or credential problem. Use Configure when the provider needs settings.

The transport controls are enabled only when an active provider reports that the corresponding action is supported.

Security and privacy

• Keep Astra bound to localhost unless remote access is intentionally secured.
• Treat an Astra API token like a password; do not put it in screenshots, themes, profiles, or bug reports.
• Provider credentials are not included in .prsm files.
• Linux secure storage requires a supported desktop keyring. Prism reports an error rather than writing a secret insecurely when no supported keyring is available.

Troubleshooting metadata

If the module is empty or stale:

1. Confirm the module is visible, or open Now Playing > Configure... to keep provider checks active.
2. Confirm the intended provider is playing and is above other active providers in priority.
3. Open provider settings and check its status.
4. For Astra, confirm Astra's local API is enabled, the address is reachable, and the token is current.
5. For Spotify on macOS, review Automation permission for Prism; on Linux, confirm the player exposes an MPRIS session.
6. For TIDAL, check the platform requirements above; missing macOS transport buttons are expected.
7. Select Retry after changing the provider state.

See Troubleshooting for operating-system permission and secure-storage guidance.