# MPDired

> Emacs front-end (client) for Music Player Daemon (mpd)

**Wikidata**: [Q125199103](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125199103)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mpdired

## Summary
MPDired is a free software front-end (client) for Music Player Daemon (MPD), written in Emacs Lisp. It provides a directory-like interface (similar to Dired) for managing and controlling MPD from within GNU Emacs. Developed by Manuel Giraud, MPDired was first released in 2024 and is distributed through GNU ELPA.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Emacs front-end (client) for Music Player Daemon (MPD)
- **Creator**: Manuel Giraud (research engineer)
- **First release**: 2024 (version 1)
- **Latest stable version**: 3 (as of 2025)
- **License**: GNU General Public License (GPL)
- **Platform**: GNU Emacs
- **Programming language**: Emacs Lisp
- **Distribution**: GNU ELPA (Emacs Lisp Package Archive)
- **Inspired by**: Dired (Emacs directory editor)
- **Part of**: GNU Project
- **Operating system**: Cross-platform (compatible with GNU Emacs)

## FAQs
### Q: What is MPDired used for?
A: MPDired is used to control and manage Music Player Daemon (MPD) from within GNU Emacs, providing a directory-like interface for browsing and playing music.

### Q: Who developed MPDired?
A: MPDired was developed by Manuel Giraud, a research engineer and programmer.

### Q: How is MPDired distributed?
A: MPDired is distributed through GNU ELPA, the official package repository for Emacs Lisp packages.

### Q: Is MPDired free software?
A: Yes, MPDired is free software licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).

### Q: What is the latest version of MPDired?
A: The latest stable version of MPDired is version 3, released in 2025.

## Why It Matters
MPDired bridges the gap between GNU Emacs and Music Player Daemon (MPD), allowing users to manage their music library and playback directly from within their Emacs environment. This integration enhances productivity for users who rely on Emacs for their workflow, providing a seamless way to control MPD without leaving their text editor. By leveraging Emacs Lisp, MPDired ensures compatibility with GNU Emacs and adheres to the principles of free software. Its development as part of the GNU Project underscores its alignment with the broader goals of open-source software. MPDired’s existence demonstrates the extensibility of Emacs and the value of specialized tools tailored to specific workflows.

## Notable For
- **First release in 2024**, marking a new addition to Emacs-based music management tools.
- **Integration with MPD**, providing a dedicated interface for controlling MPD within Emacs.
- **Distribution via GNU ELPA**, ensuring broad accessibility to Emacs users.
- **Inspired by Dired**, maintaining a familiar directory-like navigation model.
- **Cross-platform compatibility**, working seamlessly with GNU Emacs across different operating systems.

## Body
### Overview
MPDired is an Emacs front-end for Music Player Daemon (MPD), designed to provide a directory-like interface for managing and controlling MPD from within GNU Emacs. It is written in Emacs Lisp and distributed through GNU ELPA, the official package repository for Emacs Lisp packages.

### Development and Release
- **Creator**: Manuel Giraud, a research engineer and programmer.
- **First release**: Version 1 on March 11, 2024.
- **Latest stable version**: Version 3, released on March 15, 2025.
- **Maintained by**: Manuel Giraud.

### Technical Details
- **Programming language**: Emacs Lisp.
- **Platform**: GNU Emacs.
- **Operating system**: Cross-platform, compatible with GNU Emacs.
- **License**: GNU General Public License (GPL).
- **Distribution**: GNU ELPA (Emacs Lisp Package Archive).
- **Source code repository**: Hosted on GNU Savannah, accessible via cgit and Gitweb.

### Features and Functionality
- **Interface**: Provides a directory-like interface (similar to Dired) for managing MPD.
- **Inspiration**: Inspired by Dired, maintaining a familiar navigation model.
- **Integration**: Seamlessly integrates with MPD, allowing users to control playback and manage their music library directly from Emacs.

### Significance
- **Alignment with GNU Project**: MPDired is part of the GNU Project, aligning with the broader goals of free software.
- **Enhanced productivity**: Facilitates music management within the Emacs environment, enhancing productivity for users who rely on Emacs for their workflow.
- **Extensibility**: Demonstrates the extensibility of Emacs and the value of specialized tools tailored to specific workflows.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "MPDired",
  "description": "Emacs front-end (client) for Music Player Daemon (MPD)",
  "applicationCategory": "Music",
  "operatingSystem": "GNU Emacs",
  "license": "https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-3.0.html",
  "creator": {
    "@type": "Person",
    "name": "Manuel Giraud"
  },
  "datePublished": "2024-03-11",
  "softwareVersion": "3",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://elpa.gnu.org/packages/mpdired.html",
    "https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs/elpa.git/tree/?h=externals/mpdired"
  ]
}

## References

1. Free Software Directory
2. [[GNU ELPA] Mpdired version 1. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2024-03/msg00028.html)
3. [New GNU ELPA package: mpdired - A dired-like client for Music Player Daemon. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu-emacs/2024-03/msg00002.html)
4. [new single file package: mpdired.el. 2024](https://mail.gnu.org/archive/html/emacs-devel/2024-03/msg00242.html)
5. [[ELPA] new single file package: mpdired.el. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/emacs-devel/2024-03/msg00242.html)
6. [Mpdired version 1. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2024-03/msg00028.html)
7. [[GNU ELPA] Mpdired version 2. 2024](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2024-05/msg00059.html)
8. [[GNU ELPA] Mpdired version 3. 2025](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2025-03/msg00061.html)
9. [Source](https://elpa.gnu.org/packages/mpdired.html)