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  MUSIC REMOTE  -  Read Me First
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Play your own music library on your PC and control it from your phone
(or any browser on your home WiFi). Nothing is uploaded anywhere - it
all runs on your own computer.

This version is for Windows 10 / 11.


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QUICK START
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1. Unzip this folder somewhere you'll keep it, e.g. C:\Music Remote

2. Double-click the file called:

       Setup Installer - CLICK HERE for INSTALL

   (It's the one with the little gear icon.)

   - If Windows shows a blue "Windows protected your PC" box,
     click "More info", then "Run anyway". That's normal for a
     small self-made app.

   - The first time, it installs the tools it needs and then says
     "close this window and run the installer again". Just do that:
     close it and double-click the installer one more time.

3. When it finishes, a DASHBOARD opens in your web browser.


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POINT IT AT YOUR MUSIC
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On the dashboard that opened:

- Click the big  "Choose music folder"  button.
- A normal Windows "pick a folder" window appears - select the
  folder your music lives in, and click OK.
- It starts loading your tracks straight away (a big library keeps
  processing in the background for a while - that's fine).


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GET THE REMOTE ON YOUR PHONE
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- Make sure your phone is on the SAME WiFi as this PC.
- On the dashboard, scan the QR code with your phone camera.
- Your phone opens the remote. Browse by track / artist / date,
  search, make playlists, and hit play. The music plays out of your
  PC's speakers and streams to your phone.


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EVERYDAY USE
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- To start it again later: double-click  start.cmd
- PC dashboard:  http://localhost:8765/pc
- Add music: just drop files into your music folder. They show up on
  the remote automatically within a few seconds.


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TROUBLESHOOTING
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My phone can't connect:
  - Confirm the phone is on the SAME WiFi as the PC.
  - The first time the server runs, Windows may ask to allow it
    through the firewall - click "Allow access" (Private networks).

The installer closes instantly / says a command isn't recognised:
  - Run it once more. After it installs Node/ffmpeg/Python the first
    time, the window must be closed and reopened so Windows sees the
    new tools. The installer tells you when to do this.

A track shows a clock icon and won't play:
  - It's still being converted (a one-time step for some formats).
    Give it a moment and it'll work.


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OPTIONAL
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- bpm / key search needs the Python step during install. If that step
  fails, the player still works fully - you just won't get bpm/key tags.

- The "Ask" search box (natural language) needs Claude Code installed
  on this PC. Without it, the normal instant search still works.

- Auto-start with Windows: press Win+R, type  shell:startup , press
  Enter, then right-drag start.cmd into that folder and choose
  "Create shortcuts here".


Enjoy.
