---
title: Pianobar +1 Pandora CLI
slug: pianobar-1-pandora-cli
published_at: 2016-02-01 00:00:00 +0000
updated_at: 2024-07-27 21:59:27 +0000
summary: In this article, you will learn how to use Pianobar, a CLI tool, to play Pandora without browser tabs. Boost your productivity and enjoy your tunes! 🎵💻
tags: []
author: CJ Avilla
url: https://www.cjav.dev/articles/pianobar-1-pandora-cli
type: article
---

# Pianobar +1 Pandora CLI

*Published: February 01, 2016*

If you’re like me, you jam to pandora while writing code. Currently my favorite station is “Indie Electronic Radio.” Are you also a home row hero? @Nathan, I’m lookin at you. 🙂

As a web developer I make heavy use of the browser, often multiple browsers. My current go-to is Chrome, but I’ll often run admin tools in Safari and / or run tests in Firefox.

One problem with my workflow is that I constantly create and destroy tabs and sometimes accidentally close the browser tab that pandora is running in. How do you get over this annoying little productivity suck?


**Option one**: Pony up for the pro version of pandora and run the desktop app. I could do this, but I’m fine with the advertisements.

**Option II**: Run a second Chrome window with just the pandora tab. The issue here is that when using CMD+tab to switch application focus, I’ll additionally have to hit the CMD+` to change browser windows. eww.

**Option best**: CLI PANDORA! There is a command line utility called `pianobar` available via homebrew that allows you to play pandora. No more accidentally closing a browser window. I can have either a split in tmux dedicated to pianobar, or a separate iTerm tab. To get started simply:

```bash
brew install pianobar
pianobar
```

It will prompt you for your credentials and then display a list of your stations. I haven’t used/needed any documentation because the interface is so intuitive. (`spacebar` to pause/play and `n` to skip to the next song).

Hope this comes in handy for you home row heroes out there! 🙂


---

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