Spotify is probably the most-used application on my computer. If I'm working, browsing the web, or just messing around with a new bit of software, I'm probably also listening to music. But I have a gripe with the app that years of updates haven't solved: it's boring. Spotify doesn't have the most elegant interface, nor does it give users a lot of options for customizing it. That's where Spicetify comes in. This CLI (command line interface) tool makes it easy to tweak Spotify with custom themes and third-party extensions that enhance its functionality. Sure, it can be a bit technical to set up, but the end results are definitely worth it.

Spicetify has been around for a while, and although I've never heard of anyone seeing an account ban for using it, you should still proceed with caution. Avoid using extensions that circumvent Spotify premium features, like adBlockify.

This tool adds a bit of spice to Spotify

Customize the interface to your liking

I initially installed Spicetify through PowerShell. At the same time, I installed the Spicetify Marketplace — an in-app browser that lets me view themes, extensions, and more without ever leaving Spotify. It's a handy tool, and it reduces the hassle of manually installing further content through the terminal. From the Marketplace, adding a new theme is as simple as selecting it and clicking "install."

Of course, doing things this way does limit customization. Some themes have multiple color schemes, and how to swap between those isn't abundantly clear. I found that easier to do in the terminal. The theme I'm using in the above screenshots is custom; I found the instructions on Reddit and tweaked the .ini files of the SpicetifyDefault theme to achieve these results.

Outside of changing the look of Spotify, Spicetify also lets users install extensions and other tools. For instance, I have Beautiful Lyrics installed. This plugin not only shows the lyrics of whatever I'm listening to, but also provides the option to shift lyrics from foreign scripts into a more Romanized font. For someone who listens to a lot of anime themes, I like being able to follow along without trying to recall long-forgotten Hiragana lessons.

Extensions range from useful (like Beautiful Lyrics) to downright silly. There's even an option to install a Sonic the Hedgehog graphic that runs along the play bar at the bottom of the screen.

The majority of changes are client-side

It's for the aesthetic

Spicetify primarily works on the client side of things. Spotify's terms of use aren't entirely clear on the permissibility of a tool like this. In theory, Spicetify violates section three of Spotify's ToS: a section that prohibits the use of any tool not expressly permitted by the terms. That said, a violation doesn't necessarily mean Spotify is going to take action. Spicetify has been a popular tool for a long time, and since the majority of the changes are merely aesthetic on your desktop (for example, changing the colors of the interface), the risk is minimal.

However, some extensions are designed to give access to Spotify Premium features for free, and that's where the line blurs a bit. Using anything like that could draw the ire of Spotify's team and result in an account ban, so be cautious in how you implement Spicetify.

The options are mind-boggling

The community has provided a ridiculous amount of content

I briefly mentioned that there were some silly options, like a Sonic the Hedgehog playback bar. The choices don't stop there. You can choose a dancing duck, Oneko, even Pikachu, and Ash. Spicetify is a great tool for those who want to tinker and make Spotify their own, and it opens up a world of possibilities for nearly every aspect of the interface. You can choose to disable specific elements, change cover art, and a whole lot more.

There are also "apps" you can download, like a Visualizer (for those of you old enough to be nostalgic for Winamp) and a page of listening statistics if you don't want to wait around for Spotify Wrapped at the end of the year. Fair warning, though: the statistics app currently seems to be broken, with several people flagging it on the GitHub page. I couldn't get it to work in my testing, either.

Installation can be tricky, and there's no mobile version

It's not for the faint of tech-savvy

The Spicetify Marketplace makes installing features much easier. For the most part, all of the themes and extensions are one-click additions. However, some of the more advanced features require manual installation through GitHub. While it's not impossible, it can take a bit of trial and error to figure out. That said, if you can get past the initial Spicetify download, you can probably figure your way through the other features.

While it can all be done through the command line interface, I'd suggest installing PowerShell. Spicetify's website has step-by-step instructions with code you can copy and paste into PowerShell to clear that first hurdle. Unfortunately, Spicetify is desktop-only. There isn't a mobile version available, although I would love to change the UI to match my existing color scheme.

If you listen to a lot of music through Spotify, it's worth the effort

For those who like to personalize everything

If you're someone who likes to put your own spin on everything you use, Spicetify is worth the time it takes to set up. If you're reasonably comfortable working with the terminal, it won't take long at all. You'll spend more time looking through all the available extensions and themes and tweaking them to fit your personality, but that's half the fun. If you aren't familiar with CLI tools, it might take a bit more time, but there is extensive documentation available to help you through it (as well as YouTube tutorials).

Spicetify is what Spotify has been missing

As I said, Spotify is one of my most-used apps, if not the absolute most-used. I use it in the car while my wife and I are traveling (although we listen to a lot more kids' music these days), while I'm cleaning up around the house, and even while I'm relaxing and reading a book. I love exploring new genres of music and finding little-known artists. Spicetify just makes that journey more enjoyable and reminds me of the media players I grew up using.