Stretto

Stretto is an open-source, self-hosted web application that functions as a music player. It sources audio tracks from YouTube and SoundCloud for playback within a web browser, allowing users to build a personalized music library without hosting the raw audio files on their own server. The application acts as a management layer that organizes these external sources into a cohesive listening experience.

The application operates by linking every track in the user library to a corresponding video or song from YouTube or SoundCloud. To facilitate playback, it utilizes a companion Chrome extension that downloads the tracks directly to the browser. Users can deploy the server using Docker and Docker Compose for a containerized setup or by running it manually on a system with Node.js and MongoDB. Access is provided via a web interface that supports progressive web app functionality.

Key features

• Automatic lyric fetching for the active song
• iTunes search integration for adding tracks to the library
• Support for multiple visual themes
• Android compatibility via the Kiwi Browser
• Progressive Web App architecture
• Integration with YouTube and SoundCloud
• Direct browser downloads via a Chrome extension

The technical architecture relies on a Node.js backend and a MongoDB database for storing user data and track links. To enable the necessary API connections, the server requires a .env file containing client IDs for Google, Spotify, and SoundCloud. This integration allows the software to fetch metadata and search for tracks across different music databases. The use of a progressive web app framework ensures that the interface remains responsive across different screen sizes, provided the browser supports the required extensions.

For mobile users, the software is compatible with Android devices through the use of the Kiwi Browser, which allows the necessary browser extensions to function on a mobile platform. This setup enables the music player to maintain its functionality outside of a traditional desktop environment.

Stretto is designed for users who want a self-hosted interface to organize and stream audio from public web platforms.