iTunes / Apple Music library as a collection source

[jvgomg]

Feature Request

Use an iTunes or Apple Music library as a collection source for syncing to iPod.

Description

podkit currently supports directory and Subsonic sources for music collections. Many iPod users already have their music organized in iTunes or Apple Music, with curated metadata, playlists, ratings, and artwork. Supporting the iTunes/Apple Music library as a collection source would let these users sync their existing library to iPod via podkit without needing to maintain a separate directory structure or media server.

This could work by reading the iTunes Library XML file (or the newer Library.musiclibrary database on macOS) to discover tracks, metadata, and playlists. Since the actual audio files are already on the local filesystem, podkit would read file paths from the library database rather than scanning directories.

Use Cases

• Sync an existing iTunes library to iPod without restructuring files or setting up a media server
• Leverage iTunes/Apple Music metadata (ratings, play counts, playlists) as the source of truth for iPod sync
• Users migrating from iTunes sync who want to keep using their existing library organization
• macOS users who manage their music in Apple Music but want more control over iPod sync than Apple provides

Status

Later — not yet scheduled. Vote and comment to help us prioritise.