MBXHub
What is MBXHub?
MBXHub transforms MusicBee into a network-accessible music service.
MusicBee is the best music player and media library software on the planet. MBXHub extends its greatness across your network - enabling control from any device, integration with any system, and access from anywhere on your local network.
Why MBXHub?
MusicBee has the best library management and audio quality of any music player. The closest thing to an official remote solution is MBRC (MusicBee Remote Control) - a proprietary TCP protocol with mobile apps for Android and iOS. HALRAD has documented the MBRC protocol. It works, but it's a closed protocol that takes some effort to speak.
MBXHub takes a different approach: an open RESTful API that any HTTP client can consume.
The research question: Can we expose 100% of MusicBee's capabilities over a standard protocol that any client can consume?
The answer: Yes. MBXHub implements 140+ REST endpoints covering the entire MusicBee plugin API. WebSocket events provide real-time state. No custom protocols to learn - if your platform speaks HTTP, it speaks MBXHub.
Design Principles
- Complete coverage - Every MusicBee API method is exposed. No functionality left behind.
- Standard protocols - REST and WebSocket. Anyone can easily use from any platform - no need to dig into proprietary formats.
- Local network first - No cloud, no internet, no accounts. Your music stays on your network.
- Easy as 1-2-3 - Install, configure firewall, open a browser.
!wait don't stop the tape - the REST API and WebSocket enable full-featured remote clients on any platform.
Out of the Box
Now Playing Dashboard - Built-in web UI. Album art, playback controls, volume, ratings, shuffle - all in your browser. Install the plugin, open http://localhost:8080, done.
ARiA - Input simulation ready when you need it. Wake your PC, send keystrokes, control what's beyond MusicBee.
Use Cases
- Control playback from your phone while listening on desktop speakers
- Build custom dashboards - or just use the one that's included
- Integrate with home automation (play music when you get home)
- Create scripts that manage your library
- Anything that speaks HTTP can talk to MusicBee
Project Status
MBXHub
- ✓ MBXHub - REST API (140+ endpoints), Now Playing UI, WebSocket events
- ✓ MBXQ - Queue Services, TrueShuffle, Influences
- ✓ Discovery - Network auto-discovery
- ✓ PartyMode - Guest requests, DJ controls, display page
- ✓ AutoQ - Vibe-based track selection with tiered reactions
- ✓ Shell - Standalone EXE with SMTC bridge, Windows app identity, auto-reconnect
- ○ MBXRemote - Cross-platform client (planned for 1.0)
- ○ MBXSync - Library synchronization (planned for 1.0)
- ○ MBXCast - Streaming (planned for 1.0)
Get Started
Ready to try MBXHub? Visit the project site for downloads, documentation, and the full API reference.