Install cast-web-api on Raspberry Pi using the Snap Store

Want to control your Google Cast devices easily? cast-web-api is a great tool for that! If you have a Raspberry Pi, you can install it using the Snap Store quickly.

This guide will walk you through the process. Don’t worry, it’s simple, and you’ll have your media devices talking to each other in no time!

What is cast-web-api?

cast-web-api allows you to communicate with Google Cast devices like smart speakers, Nest hubs, and Chromecast. It turns them into a flexible API that you can control from apps or automation tools.

For example, you can control volume, play or stop media, and even integrate with platforms like Home Assistant or SmartThings.

Why Use the Snap Store?

Installing software on a Raspberry Pi can sometimes be confusing. But with Snaps, it’s much easier. Snaps are self-contained packages that include everything an app needs to run.

Benefits of using snaps:

Easy to install and update
Works on many Linux distributions
Secure and sandboxed

What You Need

Before we start, make sure you have:

A Raspberry Pi running Raspberry Pi OS (or Ubuntu)
Internet connection
Basic knowledge of using the terminal

Step-by-Step Installation

Step 1: Update Your System

Before installing anything new, it’s always good to update your Raspberry Pi. Open the terminal and run:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Snap

If you don’t have Snap installed yet, install it with:

sudo apt install snapd -y

Then, enable and start the Snap service:

sudo systemctl enable --now snapd

Snap is now ready to use!

Step 3: Install cast-web-api

Now, install cast-web-api using Snap with this command:

sudo snap install cast-web-api

This will download and install everything needed.

How to Use cast-web-api

After installation, start the service with:

snap run cast-web-api

By default, it runs on port 3000. You can access it from a browser or API client by going to:

http://your-raspberry-pi-ip:3000

Testing Your Setup

Make sure it works by listing connected devices. Open your browser and go to:

http://your-raspberry-pi-ip:3000/devices

If everything is set up correctly, you’ll see a list of your Google Cast devices!

Next Steps

Now that cast-web-api is running, try these ideas:

Integrate with Home Assistant
Create a custom script to control volume
Automate media playback with a smart home system

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed cast-web-api on your Raspberry Pi using Snap.

Now you have a powerful way to control Google Cast devices in your smart home. Experiment with automation and integrations to make your setup even smarter.