Apple TV

Control Apple TV via pyatv. Use for play/pause, navigation, volume, launching apps, power control, and checking what's playing. Triggers on "Apple TV", "TV", "what's playing", "pause TV", "play TV", "turn off TV".

Apple TV Control

Control Apple TV via the pyatv library.

Requirements

pipx install pyatv --python python3.11

Note: pyatv requires Python ≤3.13. Python 3.14+ has breaking asyncio changes. Use --python python3.11 or python3.13 with pipx.

Configuration

Config file at ~/clawd/config/appletv.json:

{
  "name": "Living Room",
  "id": "DEVICE_ID",
  "ip": "192.168.x.x",
  "credentials": {
    "companion": "...",
    "airplay": "..."
  }
}

First-Time Pairing

# Find your Apple TV
atvremote scan

# Pair Companion protocol (required)
atvremote --id <DEVICE_ID> --protocol companion pair

# Pair AirPlay protocol (for media)
atvremote --id <DEVICE_ID> --protocol airplay pair

Save the credentials to the config file.

Quick Commands

Status & Playing

scripts/appletv.py status     # Full status with now playing
scripts/appletv.py playing    # What's currently playing

Playback Control

scripts/appletv.py play       # Play/resume
scripts/appletv.py pause      # Pause
scripts/appletv.py stop       # Stop
scripts/appletv.py next       # Next track/chapter
scripts/appletv.py prev       # Previous

Navigation

scripts/appletv.py up         # Navigate up
scripts/appletv.py down       # Navigate down
scripts/appletv.py left       # Navigate left
scripts/appletv.py right      # Navigate right
scripts/appletv.py select     # Press select/OK
scripts/appletv.py menu       # Menu button
scripts/appletv.py home       # Home screen

Volume

scripts/appletv.py volume_up
scripts/appletv.py volume_down

Power

scripts/appletv.py turn_on    # Wake from sleep
scripts/appletv.py turn_off   # Put to sleep
scripts/appletv.py power      # Toggle

Apps

scripts/appletv.py apps       # List installed apps
scripts/appletv.py app Netflix
scripts/appletv.py app YouTube
scripts/appletv.py app "Disney+"

Discovery

scripts/appletv.py scan       # Find Apple TVs on network

Example Interactions

• "What's playing on the TV?" → scripts/appletv.py status
• "Pause the TV" → scripts/appletv.py pause
• "Turn off the Apple TV" → scripts/appletv.py turn_off
• "Open Netflix on TV" → scripts/appletv.py app Netflix