Getting Started

Getting Started

Cadence is a native local music player and library manager for macOS 26 and later. Version 0.1.0 is an early source-only build: there is no signed, notarized, App Store, or GitHub binary release yet.

What Cadence manages

Cadence copies confirmed imports into a package at:

~/Music/Cadence.library

The original files you selected remain unchanged. The managed package contains Cadence's audio copies, artwork, linked lyrics, metadata, import manifests, and recoverable Trash. It is a working library, not a backup of your source music.

First launch

1. Build and run Cadence from Xcode using the instructions in Building from Source.
2. Open Import Music from the sidebar.
3. Choose files or a folder, or drag supported audio into the window.
4. Review metadata, duplicate decisions, and linked LRC files.
5. Confirm the import. Cadence does not write to its package during Scan or Review.
6. Browse the result in All Tracks, Albums, or Artists.

Main sections

• Library provides recent music and the main listening surface.
• All Tracks, Albums, and Artists browse the production catalog.
• Tags organizes tracks with direct, inherited, and excluded assignments.
• Smart Collections evaluates reusable rules without moving files.
• Playlists preserves a manual track order.
• Import Music runs Scan, Review, Import, and Complete.
• Trash restores or permanently removes managed copies.
• Settings controls playback, appearance, sidebar order, and project links.

Important limits

• Cadence supports line-timed LRC lyrics, not word-level synchronization.
• Spatialized stereo is not presented as Dolby Atmos.
• The full build and test gate currently requires Xcode 27 locally.
• Imported originals outside Cadence.library are never deleted by Cadence.