Install

There are two programs: freemkv — one binary that is both a command-line tool and a native desktop app — and the autorip service (a hands-off web app). Both are a single download with no runtime or dependencies. Grab a prebuilt binary, or build from source.

freemkv picks its face from how you start it: run freemkv <args> for the CLI, or open the app (on macOS today; Windows next) for a window. It’s the same binary either way — the desktop app just adds a UI over the same engine.

For per-OS setup (where files live, how to reach the optical drive, and platform quirks), see your platform page (macOS, Windows, Linux).

Prebuilt binaries

Go to the Download page; it detects your OS and hands you the right build. Download and run it — one self-contained file, no dependencies. The exact steps differ per OS, so follow your platform page:

• macOS: the desktop app as a .dmg (drag to Applications, open, rip), or a standalone CLI binary for scripts and brew.
• Windows: the CLI freemkv.exe (the desktop app is in development).
• Linux: the CLI binary (chmod +x and run; drive access via the cdrom group).

Every build has a matching .sha256 checksum on its releases page — freemkv for the CLI, autorip for the service.

autorip

autorip is a web app: insert a disc and it rips automatically to MKV, with progress, settings, and history in the browser. It runs on Windows, macOS, or Linux as a single binary, or (on Linux) as a Docker container.

# binary: download, make it executable, start the service
./autorip serve          # then open http://localhost:8080

For the Docker image, a full docker-compose.yml, a systemd unit, drive permissions, and every setting, see autorip → Deploy. Blu-ray and 4K UHD also need decryption keys; DVDs work out of the box.

Build from source

Pure Rust: clone and build with Cargo. The CLI and autorip live in separate repos, so build each one on its own:

# freemkv CLI
git clone https://github.com/freemkv/freemkv
cd freemkv
cargo build --release
# binary at target/release/freemkv

# autorip service
git clone https://github.com/freemkv/autorip
cd autorip
cargo build --release
# binary at target/release/autorip

Next steps

• Platforms: per-OS setup, file locations, and drive access.
• CLI reference: every subcommand, flag, and stream URL.
• Decryption Keys: what Blu-ray and UHD need before they decrypt.