Start here
From installer to first song in a few minutes.
1. Install Parson
Download the package for Windows, macOS, or Linux and follow the platform's installation prompts. The desktop application includes both the player and the local server.
2. Create the first account
Open Parson. Enter a username and a password of at least 8 characters. The first account becomes the administrator.
The setup endpoint is intentionally open until the first account is created.
Complete this step promptly on the host or a trusted network before exposing
port 1993 to any untrusted device.
3. Choose a music folder
Select Choose folder, open the folder that contains your music, then select Use this folder. A folder can be on a local drive, external drive, or a network location already mounted in Windows.
4. Wait for the initial scan
Parson discovers files, reads tags, builds the library and search index, and prepares artwork. You can leave the page open; progress updates automatically. Large libraries and slower external drives take longer.
5. Start listening
Open an album, artist, or song and press Play. The player stays available at the bottom of the app. Search, queue, repeat, seeking, lyrics, playlists, likes, and history work without further setup.
6. Connect another device
Keep Parson running and put both devices on the same trusted network. Open
http://computer-name:1993 in a current browser on the other device and sign
in. If the page does not load, use the host's local IP address and see
Connecting devices.
That is the normal setup. You do not need to configure a port, hostname, or reverse proxy for use at home.