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 Using Plugins). You'll then be able to use the beet random command:

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:

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 Queries for format syntax.

Examples#

Select multiple items:

# Select 5 random tracks
beet random -n 5

# Select 3 random albums
beet random -a -n 3

Control selection fairness:

# 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:

# 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:

# Print only artist and title
beet random -f '$artist - $title'

# Print file paths
beet random -p

# Print album paths
beet random -a -p