beets/docs/plugins/random.rst
2026-01-07 16:27:27 +01:00

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Random Plugin
=============
The ``random`` plugin provides a command that randomly selects tracks or albums
from your library. This can be helpful if you need some help deciding what to
listen to.
First, enable the plugin named ``random`` (see :ref:`using-plugins`). You'll
then be able to use the ``beet random`` command:
.. code-block:: shell
beet random
>> Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass - The Harbor Is Yours
Usage
-----
The basic command selects and displays a single random track. Several options
allow you to customize the selection:
.. code-block:: shell
Usage: beet random [options]
Options:
-h, --help show this help message and exit
-n NUMBER, --number=NUMBER
number of objects to choose
-e, --equal-chance each field has the same chance
-t TIME, --time=TIME total length in minutes of objects to choose
--field=FIELD field to use for equal chance sampling (default:
albumartist)
-a, --album match albums instead of tracks
-p PATH, --path=PATH print paths for matched items or albums
-f FORMAT, --format=FORMAT
print with custom format
Detailed Options
----------------
``-n, --number=NUMBER``
Select multiple items at once. The default is 1.
``-e, --equal-chance``
Give each distinct value of a field an equal chance of being selected. This
prevents artists with many albums/tracks from dominating the selection.
**Implementation note:** When this option is used, the plugin:
1. Groups items by the specified field
2. Shuffles items within each group
3. Randomly selects groups, then items from those groups
4. Continues until all groups are exhausted
Items without the specified field (``--field``) value are excluded from the
selection.
``--field=FIELD``
Specify which field to use for equal chance sampling. Default is
``albumartist``.
``-t, --time=TIME``
Select items whose total duration (in minutes) is approximately equal to
TIME. The plugin will continue adding items until the total exceeds the
requested time.
``-a, --album``
Operate on albums instead of tracks.
``-p, --path``
Output filesystem paths instead of formatted metadata.
``-f, --format=FORMAT``
Use a custom format string for output. See :doc:`/reference/query` for
format syntax.
Examples
--------
Select multiple items:
.. code-block:: shell
# Select 5 random tracks
beet random -n 5
# Select 3 random albums
beet random -a -n 3
Control selection fairness:
.. code-block:: shell
# Ensure equal chance per artist (default field: albumartist)
beet random -e
# Ensure equal chance per genre
beet random -e --field genre
Select by total playtime:
.. code-block:: shell
# Select tracks totaling 60 minutes (1 hour)
beet random -t 60
# Select albums totaling 120 minutes (2 hours)
beet random -a -t 120
Custom output formats:
.. code-block:: shell
# Print only artist and title
beet random -f '$artist - $title'
# Print file paths
beet random -p
# Print album paths
beet random -a -p