snapcast-ops

name	snapcast-ops
description	Reference material for Snapcast server config, client flags, group semantics, and JSON-RPC control. Loaded when working on Snapcast topology.

snapcast-ops

Bundled references for working with the Snapcast server and clients in this repo. Read the relevant file when you need it; don't dump everything into context.

Files

• snapserver-conf.md — /etc/snapserver.conf structure: [server], [stream], [http], [tcp], group definitions, version differences.
• snapclient-flags.md — snapclient CLI flags: --host, --soundcard, --hostID, --player, --latency, --instance.
• groups-and-streams.md — how groups, streams, and clients relate; the JSON-RPC vs config-file persistence distinction.
• jsonrpc-cheatsheet.md — common JSON-RPC calls (Server.GetStatus, Group.SetStream, Group.SetClients, Client.SetVolume).
• troubleshooting-matrix.md — symptom → likely cause → fix table.

Working principles

1. Config file = persistent. JSON-RPC = runtime. Anything you want to survive a restart goes in /etc/snapserver.conf.
2. Reload over restart. systemctl reload snapserver keeps clients connected; restart drops them.
3. HostID is identity. A snapclient's --hostID is its stable name across the snapserver's database. Don't let it default to MAC unless you've thought about it.
4. One client, one group. Always.
5. Sinks are fragile. Bind by stable name (alsa_output.usb-Vendor_Model-...), not by index.