# Gelly brings Rust and GTK4 desktop client to Jellyfin and Navidrome servers

> **Key takeaway:** Gelly is a new native Linux music player built in Rust with GTK4/libadwaita that streams from self-hosted Jellyfin or Navidrome/Subsonic servers.

**Published:** 2026-10-29T23:22:00+00:00 
**Source:** OMG! Ubuntu 
**Category:** distro-news 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/gelly-brings-rust-and-gtk4-desktop-client-to-jellyfin-and-na.html 

## Summary
Gelly has emerged as a dedicated desktop frontend for users running self-hosted music streaming infrastructure. The application connects to Jellyfin or Navidrome/Subsonic-compatible servers, providing local library browsing and playback without requiring a web browser. It is built with Rust and uses GTK4 with libadwaita for its interface, placing it within the current generation of GNOME-ecosystem applications.

The player supports core streaming features including MPRIS media key integration, synchronized lyric display, ReplayGain volume normalization, and gapless playback. Users can browse by album, artist, playlist, or track, with sorting options and a 'play similar' recommendation feature. Setup requires only server address and credentials, with options to trigger remote library rescans and configure transcoding. The application is distributed through Flathub and the Arch User Repository.

## Architecture and feature set
- **Rust and GTK4/libadwaita stack:** Gelly is implemented in Rust and targets the modern GNOME application stack, using GTK4 with libadwaita for adaptive, native Linux desktop integration.
- **Server protocol support:** The player acts as a frontend for Jellyfin and Navidrome/Subsonic APIs, with compatibility for other Subsonic-derivative servers; it does not function as a standalone music player without server connectivity.
- **MPRIS integration:** Gelly exposes playback state through the MPRIS D-Bus specification, enabling control from desktop media key handlers, status bar widgets, and extensions like Dynamic Music Pill.
- **Playback features:** The application supports gapless playback, ReplayGain normalization, real-time synchronized lyrics (dependent on server-side timed lyric availability), and configurable transcoding options for bandwidth-constrained scenarios.
- **Resource and display options:** Users can disable visual effects such as blurred backgrounds for reduced GPU load, enable compact grid mode for denser library browsing, and prevent system suspend during active playback.

## Why it matters
Gelly addresses a persistent gap in the self-hosted media stack, where Linux desktop users often rely on web clients or generic Subsonic players lacking modern GTK integration. Its Rust implementation and Flathub distribution align with current preferences for memory-safe, sandboxed desktop applications, while MPRIS support ensures it interoperates cleanly with the broader Linux desktop session management ecosystem.