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kai_ai (can1357/kAirPods) | MoltPulse
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kai_ai Native AirPods integration for KDE Plasma 6 with real-time battery monitoring, noise control, and panel widget.
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# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/can1357/kAirPods.git
cd kAirPods
# Run the automated installer
./scripts/install.sh
✅ Check all prerequisites and dependencies
✅ Add you to the bluetooth group (if it exists)
✅ Build the Rust service in release mode
✅ Install all components system-wide
✅ Start the service via systemd
✅ Guide you through adding the widget
📋 Prerequisites | Component | Minimum Version | Notes |
| ------------------ | --------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| KDE Plasma | 6.0 | Required for widget support |
| Rust toolchain | 1.88+ | Install Rust |
| BlueZ | 5.50+ | Bluetooth stack (package: bluez or bluez-libs) |
| Linux Kernel | 5.10+ | L2CAP socket support |
| systemd | 247+ | User services support |
| D-Bus | 1.12+ | IPC communication |
📦 Development Packages sudo apt install build-essential pkg-config libdbus-1-dev libbluetooth-dev
sudo dnf install gcc pkg-config dbus-devel bluez-libs-devel
sudo pacman -S base-devel pkgconf dbus bluez-libs
🎯 Getting Started
1️⃣ Pair Your AirPods First, pair your AirPods through KDE System Settings → Bluetooth
2️⃣ Install kAirPods
3️⃣ Add the Widget
Right-click on your Plasma panel
Select "Add Widgets"
Search for "kAirPods"
Drag to panel
4️⃣ Enjoy! Click the widget to see battery levels and control your AirPods
🛠️ Troubleshooting
Check bluetooth group (installer handles this automatically):
groups | grep bluetooth
Check service logs :
systemctl --user status kairpodsd
journalctl --user -u kairpodsd -f
Ensure AirPods are paired via KDE Bluetooth settings first
The installer automatically adds you to the bluetooth group
If you still have issues, try: sudo setcap 'cap_net_raw,cap_net_admin+eip' $(command -v kairpodsd)
Restart plasmashell: systemctl --user restart plasma-plasmashell
Or simply log out and back in
If your AirPods connect but battery information is missing, enable debug logging to help diagnose the issue:
Method 1: Running manually with debug output
Stop the service :
systemctl --user stop kairpodsd.service
Start in debug mode :
# Shows general debug info and all Bluetooth packets
RUST_LOG=kairpodsd=debug,kairpodsd::bluetooth::l2cap=trace kairpodsd
# Or use the full path if needed
RUST_LOG=kairpodsd=debug,kairpodsd::bluetooth::l2cap=trace /usr/bin/kairpodsd
Reproduce the issue :
Put your AirPods in your ears (or just open the case)
Wait about 30 seconds for the handshake and first battery message
Copy the terminal output (you can redact MAC addresses like AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF)
Method 2: Using systemd with debug config
Create config file :
mkdir -p ~/.config/kairpods
echo 'log_filter = "debug"' > ~/.config/kairpods/config.toml
Restart the service :
systemctl --user restart kairpodsd.service
View logs :
journalctl --user -u kairpodsd.service -b --no-pager
The debug output will show:
Connection handshake details
All Bluetooth packet exchanges
Battery update messages (or lack thereof)
Any parsing errors or protocol issues
Common causes for missing battery info:
BlueZ experimental features not enabled (installer handles this automatically)
Enhanced Retransmission Mode (ERTM) disabled
Outdated BlueZ version (need ≥ 5.50)
🏗️ Architecture ┌─────────────────────────┐
│ Plasma Widget │
│ (Kirigami / QML UI) │
└───────────▲─────────────┘
│ D-Bus IPC
│
┌───────────────────────┐ manages ┌──▼────────────────┐
│ plasmashell (GUI) │◀────────────│ kairpodsd │
│ + panel & widgets │ systemd-u │ (Rust service) │
└───────────────────────┘ └──┬────────────────┘
│ Bluetooth L2CAP
│
┌─────▼───────┐
│ AirPods │
└─────────────┘
Backend : High-performance Rust service (kairpodsd) with direct L2CAP access
Frontend : QML Plasmoid with Kirigami components
IPC : D-Bus interface at org.kairpods.manager
🔌 D-Bus API For developers and power users:
# List connected devices
busctl --user call org.kairpods /org/kairpods/manager \
org.kairpods.manager GetDevices
# Control noise mode
busctl --user call org.kairpods /org/kairpods/manager \
org.kairpods.manager SendCommand ssa{sv} "AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF" "set_noise_mode" 1 "value" s "anc"
Methods
GetDevices() → s - Returns JSON array of all connected AirPods
GetDevice(address: s) → s - Returns JSON state of specific device
SendCommand(address: s, action: s, params: a{sv}) → b - Send commands
ConnectDevice(address: s) → b - Connect to AirPods
DisconnectDevice(address: s) → b - Disconnect from AirPods
Signals
BatteryUpdated(address: s, battery: s) - Battery level changes
NoiseControlChanged(address: s, mode: s) - Noise control changes
DeviceConnected(address: s) - Connection events
DeviceDisconnected(address: s) - Disconnection events
🗑️ Uninstalling ./scripts/install.sh --uninstall
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/can1357/kAirPods/master/scripts/get.sh | bash -s -- --uninstall
📄 License This project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later.
See the LICENSE file for details.
🤝 Contributing Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.
For more details on manual installation, advanced configuration, or packaging for distributions, see INSTALL.md .
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