Zaparoo Frontend
Zaparoo Frontend is a TV and controller-friendly interface for browsing and launching your Zaparoo Core media library on MiSTer FPGA. It runs on the MiSTer display and uses Core as its backend, so media scanning, launching, metadata, favorites, and token writing stay in Zaparoo Core.
Frontend does not replace physical tokens, the Zaparoo App, the Web UI, or the TUI. It gives Zaparoo an on-screen browser for users who want to browse artwork or launch games from the TV.
Quick start
- Install or update Frontend on MiSTer.
- Start Frontend. It connects to the local Core service.
- If your media database is empty, run the first-time media scan.
- Optional: add artwork and metadata for game covers, descriptions, and variant names.
- Optional: customize artwork, Hub icons, and system names.
On MiSTer, Frontend launches through Core. For platform-specific launcher details, see the MiSTer launcher documentation.
Using Frontend
Frontend starts at your library hub. From there you can browse categories, systems, games, favorites, recents, and folders. Games launch through Core, so launcher configuration and media paths follow your normal Zaparoo setup.
Use the options menu to manage the item you are viewing. Depending on context, it can launch a system core, change a system launcher, update the media database, scrape metadata, hide or unhide a category or system, write an NFC token, or discover alternate Arcade versions.
While browsing games, open the View menu and choose Go to... to jump by letter or bucket instead of paging through long lists.
The Other category holds launchable items that have no normal game file behind them, such as ROM-less MiSTer cores. You can launch them like any other game or write them to a token.
The Settings screen is split into Display, Browsing, Language, Controls, Library, and Support pages. Common browsing preferences include grid or list layout, preferred artwork type, system logo style, hidden item visibility, original filename display, regional system names, clock format, mouse support, and reduced motion.
Controls
The default keyboard controls are:
| Action | Default keys |
|---|---|
| Move | Arrow keys |
| Select | Enter |
| Back | Escape |
| Options menu | Tab |
| View menu | Space |
| Previous page | PageUp |
| Next page | PageDown |
MiSTer will automatically map your controller buttons to these keys.
Support logs
If you need help troubleshooting Frontend, open Settings, then Support, then Upload log file. Frontend uploads a support bundle and shows a link you can share in Discord or a GitHub issue.
The upload includes a support summary, the Frontend log tail, and the Core log tail when Core is reachable.
Credits
A big thank you to Andrea Bogazzi, BossRighteous, and Tim Wilsie for creating Zaparoo Frontend with Wizzo.
Source and license
The Frontend source code is available under the PolyForm Noncommercial License 1.0.0. Non-commercial use is allowed under that license. For commercial licensing, contact legal@zaparoo.org.