> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.clickwheel.fm/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Convert FLAC for iPod

> Create iPod-playable MP3 copies of selected FLAC albums.

Stock iPod firmware can't play FLAC. `clickwheel convert` creates separate MP3
copies, adds them to the library index, and leaves your source files unchanged.
The MP3s then flow through the normal selection and sync workflow.

Conversion is always explicit. A normal iPod sync skips FLAC rather than
transcoding it automatically.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install ffmpeg" titleSize="h3">
    Conversion requires `ffmpeg` on your `PATH`:

    ```bash theme={null}
    brew install ffmpeg
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose albums" titleSize="h3">
    Open the interactive album picker:

    ```bash theme={null}
    clickwheel convert
    ```

    Use the space bar to select albums, then press Enter to start. You can also
    target an artist or convert every FLAC album:

    ```bash theme={null}
    clickwheel convert --artist "Nirvana"
    clickwheel convert --artist "Nirvana" --album "Nevermind"
    clickwheel convert --all-flac
    ```

    See the [Library command reference](/reference/cli/library) for every
    option.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Load the MP3 copies" titleSize="h3">
    Converted tracks are indexed automatically. Select them and continue with
    the usual preview and sync:

    ```bash theme={null}
    clickwheel select
    clickwheel diff
    clickwheel sync
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Output and reruns

By default, clickwheel writes MP3s to `~/.clickwheel/transcoded` at 320 kbps.
The output mirrors your library's folder structure but stays outside
`music_dir`, so the scanner and Plex don't mistake the copies for source music.

Change the destination or bitrate in your config:

```yaml title="~/.clickwheel/config.yaml" theme={null}
transcode_dir: '/Volumes/iPod Music/Transcoded'
transcode_bitrate: 256
```

Reruns skip tracks whose source and converted copy haven't changed. Pass
`--force` when you intentionally want to rebuild an existing MP3. See
[Configuration](/reference/configuration) for the corresponding environment
variables.