diff --git a/gostations b/gostations
index 93e3b33..f59f7f5 100755
Binary files a/gostations and b/gostations differ
diff --git a/internal/player/player.go b/internal/player/player.go
index 9f6ba27..5bcf6db 100644
--- a/internal/player/player.go
+++ b/internal/player/player.go
@@ -1,11 +1,17 @@
 package player
 
 import (
+	"bufio"
+	"encoding/json"
 	"fmt"
+	"net"
 	"os"
 	"os/exec"
+	"path/filepath"
 	"runtime"
 	"strings"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
 )
 
 // Player abstracts execution of a media player for a stream URL.
@@ -15,6 +21,22 @@ type Player interface {
 	// until the player exits (or returns immediately for background/IPC impls).
 	Play(url string, extraArgs ...string) error
 	Stop() error // best effort
+
+	// Metadata returns the latest stream/song title observed (e.g. from icy or media-title).
+	// Returns "" if unknown or not supported by the impl.
+	Metadata() string
+
+	// Control methods. Best-effort; return nil if unsupported.
+	Pause() error
+	Resume() error
+	Mute() error
+	Unmute() error
+	Next() error // e.g. playlist-next or station skip; may be no-op for single stream
+	Prev() error
+
+	// Volume controls (relative, best effort; mpv uses "add volume ±5" etc.)
+	VolumeUp() error
+	VolumeDown() error
 }
 
 // IsInstalled reports whether the named executable is on PATH.
@@ -71,6 +93,16 @@ func (p *legacyPlayer) Stop() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+func (p *legacyPlayer) Metadata() string { return "" }
+func (p *legacyPlayer) Pause() error     { return nil }
+func (p *legacyPlayer) Resume() error    { return nil }
+func (p *legacyPlayer) Mute() error      { return nil }
+func (p *legacyPlayer) Unmute() error    { return nil }
+func (p *legacyPlayer) Next() error      { return nil }
+func (p *legacyPlayer) Prev() error      { return nil }
+func (p *legacyPlayer) VolumeUp() error   { return nil }
+func (p *legacyPlayer) VolumeDown() error { return nil }
+
 // isShellMeta reports if name looks like it contains shell metachars (defense in depth).
 func isShellMeta(name string) bool {
 	return strings.ContainsAny(name, ";|&`$(){}[]<>\n\r\t ")
@@ -89,3 +121,200 @@ func isInstalledLegacy(name string) bool {
 	cmd := exec.Command("/bin/sh", "-c", "command -v "+name) // still used on some old paths; prefer LookPath above
 	return cmd.Run() == nil
 }
+
+// NewMpv returns an mpv-based player using JSON IPC over a unix socket for
+// non-blocking background playback, control (pause/mute/etc), and streamed
+// metadata observation (media-title / metadata). Falls back gracefully to
+// audio-only if IPC socket cannot be connected (still starts the mpv process).
+func NewMpv(program string, baseArgs ...string) Player {
+	return &mpvPlayer{
+		program:  program,
+		baseArgs: baseArgs,
+	}
+}
+
+type mpvPlayer struct {
+	program  string
+	baseArgs []string
+
+	socket string
+	cmd    *exec.Cmd
+	conn   net.Conn
+
+	mu     sync.Mutex
+	title  string
+	paused bool
+	muted  bool
+}
+
+func (p *mpvPlayer) Play(url string, extra ...string) error {
+	// unique socket per run
+	p.socket = filepath.Join(os.TempDir(), fmt.Sprintf("gostations-mpv-%d-%d.sock", os.Getpid(), time.Now().UnixNano()))
+	_ = os.Remove(p.socket)
+
+	args := append([]string{}, p.baseArgs...)
+	args = append(args, extra...)
+	args = append(args,
+		"--no-terminal",
+		"--really-quiet",
+		"--vo=null",
+		"--input-ipc-server="+p.socket,
+		"--idle=no",
+		url,
+	)
+
+	p.cmd = exec.Command(p.program, args...)
+	// detached: no stdio attach so TUI remains responsive
+	if err := p.cmd.Start(); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// give mpv a moment to create the socket
+	time.Sleep(150 * time.Millisecond)
+	for i := 0; i < 30; i++ {
+		if _, err := os.Stat(p.socket); err == nil {
+			break
+		}
+		time.Sleep(30 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+
+	conn, err := net.DialTimeout("unix", p.socket, 500*time.Millisecond)
+	if err != nil {
+		// audio may still be playing; controls/metadata unavailable
+		return nil
+	}
+	p.conn = conn
+
+	// observe properties we care about
+	p.send(map[string]any{"command": []any{"observe_property", 1, "media-title"}})
+	p.send(map[string]any{"command": []any{"observe_property", 2, "metadata"}})
+	p.send(map[string]any{"command": []any{"observe_property", 3, "pause"}})
+	p.send(map[string]any{"command": []any{"observe_property", 4, "mute"}})
+
+	go p.readLoop()
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (p *mpvPlayer) send(cmd map[string]any) {
+	if p.conn == nil {
+		return
+	}
+	b, _ := json.Marshal(cmd)
+	_, _ = p.conn.Write(append(b, '\n'))
+}
+
+func (p *mpvPlayer) readLoop() {
+	sc := bufio.NewScanner(p.conn)
+	for sc.Scan() {
+		var msg map[string]any
+		if json.Unmarshal(sc.Bytes(), &msg) != nil {
+			continue
+		}
+		if msg["event"] != "property-change" {
+			continue
+		}
+		id, _ := msg["id"].(float64)
+		data := msg["data"]
+		p.mu.Lock()
+		switch id {
+		case 1:
+			if s, ok := data.(string); ok {
+				p.title = s
+			}
+		case 2:
+			if m, ok := data.(map[string]any); ok {
+				if t, ok := m["title"].(string); ok && t != "" {
+					p.title = t
+				} else if t, ok := m["icy-title"].(string); ok && t != "" {
+					p.title = t
+				}
+			}
+		case 3:
+			if b, ok := data.(bool); ok {
+				p.paused = b
+			}
+		case 4:
+			if b, ok := data.(bool); ok {
+				p.muted = b
+			}
+		}
+		p.mu.Unlock()
+	}
+}
+
+func (p *mpvPlayer) Metadata() string {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	defer p.mu.Unlock()
+	return p.title
+}
+
+func (p *mpvPlayer) Pause() error {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	p.paused = true
+	p.mu.Unlock()
+	p.send(map[string]any{"command": []any{"set_property", "pause", true}})
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (p *mpvPlayer) Resume() error {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	p.paused = false
+	p.mu.Unlock()
+	p.send(map[string]any{"command": []any{"set_property", "pause", false}})
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (p *mpvPlayer) Mute() error {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	p.muted = true
+	p.mu.Unlock()
+	p.send(map[string]any{"command": []any{"set_property", "mute", true}})
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (p *mpvPlayer) Unmute() error {
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	p.muted = false
+	p.mu.Unlock()
+	p.send(map[string]any{"command": []any{"set_property", "mute", false}})
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (p *mpvPlayer) Next() error {
+	p.send(map[string]any{"command": []any{"playlist-next"}})
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (p *mpvPlayer) Prev() error {
+	p.send(map[string]any{"command": []any{"playlist-prev"}})
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (p *mpvPlayer) VolumeUp() error {
+	p.send(map[string]any{"command": []any{"add", "volume", 5}})
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (p *mpvPlayer) VolumeDown() error {
+	p.send(map[string]any{"command": []any{"add", "volume", -5}})
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (p *mpvPlayer) Stop() error {
+	if p.conn != nil {
+		p.send(map[string]any{"command": []any{"quit"}})
+		_ = p.conn.Close()
+		p.conn = nil
+	}
+	if p.cmd != nil && p.cmd.Process != nil {
+		_ = p.cmd.Process.Kill()
+		p.cmd = nil
+	}
+	_ = os.Remove(p.socket)
+	p.mu.Lock()
+	p.title = ""
+	p.paused = false
+	p.muted = false
+	p.mu.Unlock()
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/internal/player/player_test.go b/internal/player/player_test.go
index b450f85..c006a6e 100644
--- a/internal/player/player_test.go
+++ b/internal/player/player_test.go
@@ -24,3 +24,22 @@ func TestLegacyPlayer_BadCommand(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	_ = p.Stop()
 }
+
+func TestMpvInterfaceAndControls(t *testing.T) {
+	p := NewMpv("echo") // won't really play, but exercises creation + interface
+	_ = p.Play("http://example.com/stream")
+	_ = p.Pause()
+	_ = p.Resume()
+	_ = p.Mute()
+	_ = p.Unmute()
+	_ = p.Next()
+	_ = p.Prev()
+	_ = p.VolumeUp()
+	_ = p.VolumeDown()
+	if p.Metadata() != "" {
+		t.Log("mpv metadata (may be empty for echo stub)")
+	}
+	_ = p.Stop()
+	// must satisfy Player fully
+	var _ Player = p
+}
diff --git a/internal/ui/ui.go b/internal/ui/ui.go
index 6290266..c622b9d 100644
--- a/internal/ui/ui.go
+++ b/internal/ui/ui.go
@@ -6,15 +6,37 @@ import (
 	"io"
 	"log"
 	"strings"
+	"time"
 
 	tea "github.com/charmbracelet/bubbletea"
 	"github.com/charmbracelet/bubbles/list"
 	"github.com/charmbracelet/lipgloss"
 
+	"github.com/gmgauthier/gostations/internal/config"
 	"github.com/gmgauthier/gostations/internal/data"
+	playerpkg "github.com/gmgauthier/gostations/internal/player"
 	"github.com/gmgauthier/gostations/internal/radio"
 )
 
+var (
+	// hintKeyStyle gives trigger keys a colorful background + foreground so they pop in the hint row.
+	hintKeyStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
+			Foreground(lipgloss.Color("15")).
+			Background(lipgloss.Color("63")).
+			Bold(true)
+
+	// hintTextStyle dims the descriptive labels next to the keys.
+	hintTextStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
+			Foreground(lipgloss.Color("245"))
+
+	// hintBarStyle renders the entire hint row as a full-width bar with subtle background.
+	// The key badges (with their own bg) will stand out on top of this bar.
+	hintBarStyle = lipgloss.NewStyle().
+			Background(lipgloss.Color("236")).
+			Foreground(lipgloss.Color("245")).
+			PaddingLeft(2)
+)
+
 // item wraps a station for the bubbles list.
 type item struct {
 	station    radio.Station
@@ -60,12 +82,22 @@ func (d listDelegate) Render(w io.Writer, m list.Model, index int, listItem list
 	fmt.Fprintf(w, "%s\n%s", title, desc)
 }
 
-// App is the root model. Currently focused on selection (playback integration later).
+// App is the root model. Supports list selection + playback view (winamp-ish).
 type App struct {
 	list              list.Model
 	quitting          bool
 	currentSearchTerm string
 	favs              *data.Favorites
+	width             int
+	height            int
+
+	// player and playback state (two-stage UI)
+	player      playerpkg.Player
+	playing     bool
+	playingItem item
+	nowPlaying  string // streamed metadata title
+	paused      bool
+	muted       bool
 }
 
 func NewApp(initial []radio.Station) *App {
@@ -103,7 +135,7 @@ func NewApp(initial []radio.Station) *App {
 		title = "GoStations - Your Favorites"
 	}
 	l.Title = title
-	l.SetShowStatusBar(true)
+	l.SetShowStatusBar(false)
 	l.SetFilteringEnabled(true)
 	l.Styles.Title = lipgloss.NewStyle().Bold(true).Foreground(lipgloss.Color("63"))
 
@@ -138,7 +170,32 @@ func NewApp(initial []radio.Station) *App {
 		return ranks
 	}
 
-	return &App{list: l, favs: favs}
+	p := newPlayerForTUI()
+	return &App{
+		list:   l,
+		favs:   favs,
+		width:  80,
+		height: 24,
+		player: p,
+	}
+}
+
+// newPlayerForTUI creates the appropriate Player for interactive TUI use.
+// Prefers mpv + IPC for background + controls + metadata; falls back to legacy
+// (which will be non-interactive in TUI context).
+func newPlayerForTUI() playerpkg.Player {
+	pname := "mpv"
+	if v, err := config.Get("player.command"); err == nil && v != "" {
+		pname = v
+	}
+	var base []string
+	if v, err := config.Get("player.options"); err == nil && v != "" {
+		base = strings.Fields(v) // split e.g. "--no-video --volume=50"
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(pname, "mpv") {
+		return playerpkg.NewMpv(pname, base...)
+	}
+	return playerpkg.NewLegacy(pname, base...)
 }
 
 func (a *App) Init() tea.Cmd {
@@ -148,6 +205,71 @@ func (a *App) Init() tea.Cmd {
 func (a *App) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 	switch msg := msg.(type) {
 	case tea.KeyMsg:
+		if a.playing {
+			switch msg.String() {
+			case "q", "ctrl+c":
+				if a.player != nil {
+					_ = a.player.Stop()
+				}
+				a.quitting = true
+				return a, tea.Quit
+			case "s", "S", "x", "X":
+				// stop playback and return to list view
+				if a.player != nil {
+					_ = a.player.Stop()
+				}
+				a.playing = false
+				a.nowPlaying = ""
+				a.paused = false
+				a.muted = false
+				return a, nil
+			case " ", "p", "P":
+				if a.player != nil {
+					if a.paused {
+						_ = a.player.Resume()
+						a.paused = false
+					} else {
+						_ = a.player.Pause()
+						a.paused = true
+					}
+				}
+				return a, nil
+			case "m", "M":
+				if a.player != nil {
+					if a.muted {
+						_ = a.player.Unmute()
+						a.muted = false
+					} else {
+						_ = a.player.Mute()
+						a.muted = true
+					}
+				}
+				return a, nil
+			case "left", "h", "H":
+				if a.player != nil {
+					_ = a.player.Prev()
+				}
+				return a, nil
+			case "right", "l", "L":
+				if a.player != nil {
+					_ = a.player.Next()
+				}
+				return a, nil
+			case "up", "down":
+				if a.player != nil {
+					if msg.String() == "up" {
+						_ = a.player.VolumeUp()
+					} else {
+						_ = a.player.VolumeDown()
+					}
+				}
+				return a, nil
+			default:
+				// swallow other keys in playback (don't leak to list)
+				return a, nil
+			}
+		}
+		// not in playback: normal list key handling
 		switch msg.String() {
 		case "q", "ctrl+c":
 			a.quitting = true
@@ -163,9 +285,19 @@ func (a *App) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 				}
 			}
 			if i, ok := a.list.SelectedItem().(item); ok {
-				// Placeholder: for now just show what would be played.
-				// Later: switch to playback model + use player.Play
-				a.list.Title = "Would play: " + i.station.Name + " (press q)"
+				// Transition to playback view (two-stage TUI).
+				a.playing = true
+				a.playingItem = i
+				a.nowPlaying = i.station.Name
+				a.paused = false
+				a.muted = false
+				if a.player != nil {
+					// launch in goroutine so TUI doesn't block even if using legacy player
+					// (for mpv+IPC this returns immediately anyway)
+					go func() { _ = a.player.Play(i.station.Url) }()
+				}
+				// start polling for streamed metadata (works for both legacy stub + real mpv ipc)
+				return a, metadataPollCmd(a.player)
 			}
 			return a, nil
 		case "f":
@@ -220,7 +352,19 @@ func (a *App) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
 			}
 		}
 	case tea.WindowSizeMsg:
-		a.list.SetSize(msg.Width-4, msg.Height-4)
+		a.width = msg.Width
+		a.height = msg.Height
+		// Reserve space for the hint row we append below the list in View().
+		a.list.SetSize(msg.Width-4, msg.Height-5)
+	case metadataMsg:
+		if msg.title != "" && a.playing {
+			a.nowPlaying = msg.title
+		}
+		// continue polling while in playback
+		if a.playing && a.player != nil {
+			return a, metadataPollCmd(a.player)
+		}
+		return a, nil
 	case searchResultsMsg:
 		if msg.err != nil {
 			a.list.Title = fmt.Sprintf("Search error: %v (press / to search again)", msg.err)
@@ -269,7 +413,111 @@ func (a *App) View() string {
 	if a.quitting {
 		return "Thanks for using GoStations!\n"
 	}
-	return "\n" + a.list.View() + "\n\n(type to filter current list • ENTER while filtering = server search for term & refresh list • f = toggle ★ favorite • q quit • --legacy for old UI)\n"
+	if a.playing {
+		// playback view (no list, custom winamp-style + optional adapted hint)
+		return "\n" + a.renderPlayback() + "\n" + a.renderHint() + "\n"
+	}
+	return a.list.View() + "\n" + a.renderHint() + "\n"
+}
+
+// renderHint builds the terse, colorful bottom hint row as a full-width bar.
+// The bar has a subtle background so the whole row looks like a distinct footer.
+// Trigger keys use a colorful bg/fg badge (on top of the bar bg).
+func (a *App) renderHint() string {
+	k := func(key string) string {
+		return hintKeyStyle.Render("[" + key + "]")
+	}
+	t := hintTextStyle.Render
+
+	var content string
+	if a.playing {
+		content = k("S") + t(" Stop/List  ") + k("SPACE") + t(" Pause  ") + k("M") + t(" Mute  ") + k("←→") + t(" Skip  ") + k("↑↓") + t(" Vol  ") + k("Q") + t(" Quit")
+	} else {
+		content = k("/") + t(" Filter  (") + k("ENTER") + t(" Search / Play)  ") +
+			k("Q") + t(" Quit  ") +
+			k("f") + t(" Favorite Toggle")
+	}
+
+	w := a.width
+	if w <= 0 {
+		w = 80
+	}
+
+	// Apply dynamic width + the bar background. PaddingLeft gives margin so text
+	// doesn't hug the left edge (roughly aligns with list content inset).
+	return hintBarStyle.Width(w).Render(content)
+}
+
+// renderPlayback draws a classic winamp-ish playback screen with metadata viewer
+// and a row of control "buttons". Called when a.playing.
+func (a *App) renderPlayback() string {
+	w := a.width
+	if w < 20 {
+		w = 60
+	}
+	boxW := min(w-4, 70)
+
+	box := lipgloss.NewStyle().
+		Border(lipgloss.RoundedBorder()).
+		BorderForeground(lipgloss.Color("63")).
+		Padding(1, 2).
+		Width(boxW)
+
+	dispW := min(boxW-6, 58)
+	display := lipgloss.NewStyle().
+		Background(lipgloss.Color("235")).
+		Foreground(lipgloss.Color("46")). // classic green lcd
+		Width(dispW).
+		Height(5).
+		Padding(1, 1).
+		Align(lipgloss.Left)
+
+	// build the "screen" text
+	lines := []string{
+		lipgloss.NewStyle().Bold(true).Render("NOW PLAYING"),
+		"",
+		truncate(a.playingItem.station.Name, dispW-2),
+	}
+	if a.nowPlaying != "" {
+		lines = append(lines, truncate(a.nowPlaying, dispW-2))
+	} else {
+		lines = append(lines, "(waiting for stream metadata...)")
+	}
+	lines = append(lines, truncate(a.playingItem.station.Url, dispW-4))
+
+	screen := display.Render(strings.Join(lines, "\n"))
+
+	// button row (text buttons, stateful)
+	playBtn := "[ > ]"
+	if a.paused {
+		playBtn = "[|| ]"
+	}
+	muteBtn := "[M]"
+	if a.muted {
+		muteBtn = "[M*]"
+	}
+	btnRow := fmt.Sprintf("%s  %s  %s  %s  %s  %s  %s",
+		"[<<]", "[>>]", muteBtn, playBtn, "[VOL-]", "[VOL+]", "[ X ]")
+
+	help := lipgloss.NewStyle().Faint(true).Render("left/right or h/l: skip  |  ↑↓: volume  |  space/p: pause  |  m: mute  |  s/x: stop & list")
+
+	inner := lipgloss.JoinVertical(lipgloss.Left,
+		lipgloss.NewStyle().Bold(true).Foreground(lipgloss.Color("63")).Render("GoStations"),
+		"",
+		screen,
+		"",
+		btnRow,
+		help,
+	)
+
+	return box.Render(inner)
+}
+
+func min(a, b int) int {
+	if a < b {
+		return a
+	}
+	return b
 }
 
 // searchCmd performs an async station search (used for in-TUI lookups via the filter box).
@@ -286,6 +534,25 @@ type searchResultsMsg struct {
 	err      error
 }
 
+// metadataMsg carries an update to the now-playing stream title from the player.
+type metadataMsg struct {
+	title string
+}
+
+// metadataPollCmd returns a repeating-ish poll that checks the player's
+// Metadata() and emits updates. (Simple, works whether player is mpvIPC or stub.)
+func metadataPollCmd(p playerpkg.Player) tea.Cmd {
+	if p == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
+	return tea.Tick(800*time.Millisecond, func(t time.Time) tea.Msg {
+		if title := p.Metadata(); title != "" {
+			return metadataMsg{title: title}
+		}
+		return nil // no change; next tick will try again
+	})
+}
+
 // Run starts the TUI (alt screen).
 func Run(initial []radio.Station) error {
 	p := tea.NewProgram(NewApp(initial), tea.WithAltScreen())
diff --git a/internal/ui/ui_test.go b/internal/ui/ui_test.go
index 421da04..a174f1a 100644
--- a/internal/ui/ui_test.go
+++ b/internal/ui/ui_test.go
@@ -4,9 +4,12 @@ import (
 	"encoding/json"
 	"os"
 	"path/filepath"
+	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
 	tea "github.com/charmbracelet/bubbletea"
+	"github.com/charmbracelet/lipgloss"
+	"github.com/muesli/termenv"
 
 	"github.com/gmgauthier/gostations/internal/radio"
 )
@@ -26,6 +29,9 @@ func TestApp_BasicKeyHandling(t *testing.T) {
 	// Send window size
 	model, _ = app.Update(tea.WindowSizeMsg{Width: 80, Height: 24})
 	a := model.(*App)
+	if a.width != 80 {
+		t.Errorf("expected app.width=80 after WindowSizeMsg, got %d", a.width)
+	}
 	if a.list.Width() == 0 {
 		t.Log("list size not updated (may be ok in test)")
 	}
@@ -138,3 +144,109 @@ func TestNewAppTitleForFavorites(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+func TestRenderHint_Visual(t *testing.T) {
+	// Force color output so lipgloss always emits the bg/fg ANSI codes for the key badges
+	// (in real TUI this happens automatically on a pty).
+	prevProfile := lipgloss.ColorProfile()
+	lipgloss.SetColorProfile(termenv.TrueColor)
+	defer lipgloss.SetColorProfile(prevProfile)
+
+	app := NewApp(nil)
+	app.width = 120 // simulate a typical terminal width to exercise full-width bar
+	h := app.renderHint()
+
+	// Basic sanity: all the documented trigger keys are present in output.
+	for _, want := range []string{"[/]", "[ENTER]", "[Q]", "[f]"} {
+		if !strings.Contains(h, want) {
+			t.Errorf("renderHint missing %s in %q", want, h)
+		}
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(h, "\x1b[") {
+		t.Errorf("expected ANSI color codes from hintKeyStyle (bg+fg), got plain: %q", h)
+	}
+	// Show what a user will see (the escapes will be interpreted by the terminal in real run).
+	visible := strings.ReplaceAll(h, "\x1b", "\\x1b")
+	t.Logf("HINT ROW RENDERED (with forced color profile, width=120): %s", visible)
+
+	// Rough check that the bar filled to (near) requested width (after ANSI codes).
+	// We strip the known key/badge escapes for a simple length heuristic on the plain text + pads.
+	plainish := strings.ReplaceAll(h, "\x1b[1;97;48;5;63m", "")
+	plainish = strings.ReplaceAll(plainish, "\x1b[0m", "")
+	plainish = strings.ReplaceAll(plainish, "\x1b[38;5;245m", "")
+	if len(plainish) < 100 {
+		t.Errorf("expected bar to be nearly full width (len after basic strip ~120), got %d: %q", len(plainish), plainish)
+	}
+}
+
+// stubPlayer is a no-op player for unit tests (avoids real mpv exec + socket in tests).
+type stubPlayer struct{}
+
+func (stubPlayer) Play(url string, extra ...string) error { return nil }
+func (stubPlayer) Stop() error                          { return nil }
+func (stubPlayer) Metadata() string                     { return "Fake Song Title [stream]" }
+func (stubPlayer) Pause() error                         { return nil }
+func (stubPlayer) Resume() error                        { return nil }
+func (stubPlayer) Mute() error                          { return nil }
+func (stubPlayer) Unmute() error                        { return nil }
+func (stubPlayer) Next() error                          { return nil }
+func (stubPlayer) Prev() error                          { return nil }
+func (stubPlayer) VolumeUp() error                      { return nil }
+func (stubPlayer) VolumeDown() error                    { return nil }
+
+func TestApp_PlaybackView(t *testing.T) {
+	stations := []radio.Station{
+		{Name: "Test Radio", Url: "http://example.com/stream", Codec: "MP3", Bitrate: "128"},
+	}
+	app := NewApp(stations)
+	// override with stub so no real process in test
+	app.player = stubPlayer{}
+
+	// size so render works
+	app.Update(tea.WindowSizeMsg{Width: 80, Height: 24})
+
+	// press enter on first (only) item
+	app.Update(tea.KeyMsg{Type: tea.KeyEnter})
+
+	if !app.playing {
+		t.Fatal("expected to be in playing state after enter")
+	}
+	if app.playingItem.station.Name != "Test Radio" {
+		t.Errorf("wrong station: %s", app.playingItem.station.Name)
+	}
+	if app.nowPlaying == "" {
+		t.Error("nowPlaying should be initialized")
+	}
+
+	// poll would have set it
+	app.Update(metadataMsg{title: "Fake Song Title [stream]"})
+	if !strings.Contains(app.nowPlaying, "Fake") {
+		t.Errorf("metadata not applied: %s", app.nowPlaying)
+	}
+
+	// exercise volume keys (no-op on stub, but covers the handler)
+	app.Update(tea.KeyMsg{Type: tea.KeyUp})
+	app.Update(tea.KeyMsg{Type: tea.KeyDown})
+
+	// render while still playing (with metadata)
+	v := app.renderPlayback()
+	if !strings.Contains(v, "Test Radio") || !strings.Contains(v, "NOW PLAYING") {
+		t.Errorf("playback render missing expected content: %s", v)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(v, "Fake Song") {
+		t.Logf("note: metadata may not be in this render snapshot")
+	}
+
+	// check playing-mode hint bar includes volume
+	app.playing = true
+	h := app.renderHint()
+	if !strings.Contains(h, "Vol") || !strings.Contains(h, "↑↓") {
+		t.Errorf("playing hint missing volume info: %s", h)
+	}
+
+	// press s to stop
+	app.Update(tea.KeyMsg{Type: tea.KeyRunes, Runes: []rune{'s'}})
+	if app.playing {
+		t.Error("expected stopped after 's'")
+	}
+}
+