LG WebOS TV API Server

A modern REST API server to control LG WebOS Smart TVs, built with Node.js and Express.

Features

• 🔍 Automatic TV discovery using SSDP/UPnP
• 🔐 Secure WebSocket authentication with credential storage
• 🎮 Full TV control via REST API
• 📡 Real-time event subscriptions - Listen to volume, channel, and app changes!
• 🔎 webOS Unified Search - Search content across ALL installed streaming apps (Netflix, Disney+, etc.)
• ⚡ Built with Express for reliability
• 📝 TypeScript for type safety

MCP Server (for AI Agents)

This repo also includes an MCP server over HTTP exposing TV tools for AI agents (Claude Desktop, MCP-compatible runtimes).

• Start server (HTTP):
  • MCP_HTTP_PORT=3333 npm run mcp
  • Endpoint: POST http://localhost:3333/mcp
• Connect from MCP client (example config):
  • { "mcpServers": { "lgtv": { "url": "http://localhost:3333/mcp" } } }
• Tools:
  • tv.discover — find TVs on the network
  • tv.connect — connect and initiate pairing (PIN on TV)
  • tv.pair — complete pairing with { pin }
  • tv.list_saved_tvs — list stored TVs/credentials
  • tv.status and tv.disconnect
  • tv.power — { action: 'on'|'off' }
  • tv.volume_up, tv.volume_down, tv.set_volume, tv.get_volume
  • tv.remote — { action: 'up'|'down'|'left'|'right'|'ok'|'back'|'home' }
  • tv.list_apps, tv.open_app — { appId, contentId?, params? }
  • tv.media — { action: 'play'|'pause'|'stop'|'rewind'|'fastForward' }

Setup:

1. Install deps including the MCP SDK:

npm install
npm install @modelcontextprotocol/sdk

1. Run the MCP server (HTTP):

MCP_HTTP_PORT=3333 npm run mcp

1. In your MCP client config, point to the URL http://localhost:3333/mcp.

Notes:

• Power on may require Wake-on-LAN on some TVs; tv.power { action: 'on' } works when the TV is reachable in standby.
• The server uses the same SQLite credential store as the REST API for seamless reconnects.
• To expose your MCP server remotely via ngrok:
  • ngrok http http://localhost:3333
  • Use the resulting https://xxxxx.ngrok.app/mcp URL in your client.
  • For stricter security set:
    • MCP_DNS_PROTECT=1
    • MCP_ALLOWED_HOSTS=localhost,127.0.0.1,xxxxx.ngrok.app
    • MCP_ALLOWED_ORIGINS=https://xxxxx.ngrok.app

Prerequisites

• Node.js v18+ installed
• LG WebOS Smart TV on the same network
• TV must be turned on and country set to US/UK (India region may have WebSocket disabled)

Quick Start

1. Install Dependencies

cd lgtv-api
npm install

2. Start the Server

npm run dev

The server will start on http://localhost:3000

3. Discover Your TV

curl http://localhost:3000/api/discover

This will scan your network and return available LG TVs.

4. Connect to TV (PIN Pairing)

Step 1: Initiate Pairing

curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/connect \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"ip": "192.168.1.100"}'

This will display a 6-digit PIN on your TV screen.

Step 2: Complete Pairing

curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/pair \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"pin": "123456"}'

Replace 123456 with the actual PIN shown on your TV. The API will automatically save the authentication token for future connections.

5. Control Your TV

# Volume up
curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/volume/up

# Volume down
curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/volume/down

# Set volume to 50
curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/volume/set \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"volume": 50}'

# Mute
curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/volume/mute \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"mute": true}'

# Send notification to TV
curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/system/notify \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"message": "Hello from the API!"}'

API Endpoints

Discovery & Connection

Method	Endpoint	Description
GET	/api/discover	Discover TVs on network
POST	/api/connect	Connect to TV (body: {ip, secure})
POST	/api/disconnect	Disconnect from TV
GET	/api/status	Check connection status

Volume Control

Method	Endpoint	Description
POST	/api/volume/up	Increase volume
POST	/api/volume/down	Decrease volume
POST	/api/volume/set	Set volume (body: {volume: 0-100})
GET	/api/volume	Get current volume
POST	/api/volume/mute	Mute/unmute (body: {mute: true/false})

Media Control

Method	Endpoint	Description
POST	/api/media/play	Play
POST	/api/media/pause	Pause
POST	/api/media/stop	Stop
POST	/api/media/rewind	Rewind
POST	/api/media/fastforward	Fast forward

System Control

Method	Endpoint	Description
POST	/api/system/power-off	Turn off TV
POST	/api/system/screen-off	Turn off screen only
POST	/api/system/screen-on	Turn on screen
GET	/api/system/info	Get TV system info
POST	/api/system/notify	Show notification (body: {message})

Application Control

Method	Endpoint	Description
GET	/api/apps	List installed apps
POST	/api/apps/launch	Launch app (body: {appId, contentId?, params?})
GET	/api/apps/current	Get current app

Channel Control

Method	Endpoint	Description
POST	/api/channels/up	Channel up
POST	/api/channels/down	Channel down
GET	/api/channels	List all channels
GET	/api/channels/current	Get current channel
POST	/api/channels/set	Set channel (body: {channelId})

Input Source Control

Method	Endpoint	Description
GET	/api/inputs	List input sources (HDMI, etc.)
POST	/api/inputs/set	Switch input (body: {inputId})

Real-Time Subscriptions (SSE)

Method	Endpoint	Description
GET	/api/subscribe/volume	Subscribe to volume/mute changes
GET	/api/subscribe/channel	Subscribe to channel changes
GET	/api/subscribe/app	Subscribe to app/input changes
GET	/api/subscribe/all	Subscribe to all events
GET	/api/subscriptions	List active subscriptions

📡 See SUBSCRIPTIONS.md for detailed guide and examples!

webOS Unified Search

Search content across ALL installed streaming apps using webOS's native search service.

Method	Endpoint	Description
POST	/api/search/content	Search content in Netflix, Disney+, etc. (body: {query})
POST	/api/search/launch-home	Launch Home app with search - Opens TV's search UI (body: {query})
POST	/api/search/launch-result	Launch specific content (body: {appId, contentId, params})
GET	/api/search/suggestions?q=query	Get search suggestions for partial queries

No authentication needed - Works directly through TV connection!

Examples

webOS Unified Search

The webOS Unified Search feature lets you search for movies, TV shows, and content across all your installed streaming apps (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, etc.) using webOS's native search service.

No authentication required - Just connect to your TV!

Launch TV Search (Recommended!)

The easiest way - opens the TV's native search interface:

# Launch Home app with search for "Avengers"
curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/search/launch-home \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"query": "Avengers"}'

# This opens the TV's Home app with "Avengers" search populated
# You'll see search results on your TV screen instantly!

Search via API

Search programmatically and get results as JSON:

# Search for "Avengers" across all installed streaming apps
curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/search/content \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"query": "Avengers"}'

# Search for a TV show
curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/search/content \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"query": "Breaking Bad"}'

Response:

{
  "success": true,
  "query": "Avengers",
  "results": {
    "apps": [
      {
        "appId": "netflix",
        "title": "Netflix",
        "results": [
          {
            "title": "Avengers: Endgame",
            "uri": "...",
            "thumbnail": "..."
          }
        ]
      },
      {
        "appId": "com.disney.disneyplus-prod",
        "title": "Disney+",
        "results": [
          {
            "title": "Avengers: Infinity War",
            "uri": "...",
            "thumbnail": "..."
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Get Search Suggestions

# Get suggestions for partial query
curl "http://localhost:3000/api/search/suggestions?q=Aven"

Launch Specific Content (Advanced)

If your TV returns structured search results with app and content IDs, you can launch specific content:

# Launch Netflix with specific content ID
curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/search/launch-result \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "appId": "netflix",
    "contentId": "80057281"
  }'

# Launch Disney+ with content and params
curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/search/launch-result \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "appId": "com.disney.disneyplus-prod",
    "contentId": "series/12345",
    "params": {"season": 1, "episode": 1}
  }'

How it works:

• Method 1 (Recommended): Launch Home app with search - Opens TV's native search UI

  • Your TV performs the search and shows results visually
  • User can browse and select content directly on TV
  • Most reliable method across all TV models

• Method 2: API search (if supported) - Returns structured JSON results

  • Some TV models return search results with appId and contentId
  • These can be used to programmatically launch specific content
  • Falls back to Method 1 if not supported

Note: Most consumer LG TVs use Method 1 (visual search). Structured API results are typically available on developer/commercial models.

Listen to Real-Time Events

# Subscribe to volume changes (keeps connection open)
curl -N -H "Accept: text/event-stream" \
  http://localhost:3000/api/subscribe/volume

# Now use your TV remote to change volume - you'll see events in real-time!

See SUBSCRIPTIONS.md for complete guide with JavaScript, Python, and Node.js examples!

Launch YouTube

# First, get list of apps to find YouTube's appId
curl http://localhost:3000/api/apps

# Launch YouTube
curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/apps/launch \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"appId": "youtube.leanback.v4"}'

# Launch YouTube with specific video
curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/apps/launch \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"appId": "youtube.leanback.v4", "contentId": "v=dQw4w9WgXcQ"}'

Switch to HDMI 1

# Get list of inputs
curl http://localhost:3000/api/inputs

# Switch to HDMI 1
curl -X POST http://localhost:3000/api/inputs/set \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"inputId": "HDMI_1"}'

Get TV Info

curl http://localhost:3000/api/system/info

Configuration

Environment Variables

• PORT - Server port (default: 3000)

Secure vs Non-Secure Connection

Newer LG TVs require secure WebSocket connections (wss://:3001). Older models use non-secure (ws://:3000).

{
  "ip": "192.168.1.100",
  "secure": true  // Use true for newer TVs, false for older ones
}

Credentials Storage

Authentication credentials are automatically saved to tv-credentials.json in the project root. This file contains:

{
  "ip": "192.168.1.100",
  "clientKey": "authentication-token-from-tv",
  "secure": true
}

Keep this file secure and don't commit it to version control!

Development

Run in Development Mode

npm run dev

This will watch for file changes and automatically restart the server.

Run in Production

npm start

Troubleshooting

TV Not Discovered

• Ensure TV is on and connected to the same network
• Check firewall settings (UDP port 1900 must be open)
• Some routers block multicast traffic - check router settings

Connection Reset by Peer

• Your TV likely requires secure connection - try "secure": true
• Older TVs may require "secure": false

Authentication Failed

• Delete tv-credentials.json and reconnect
• Make sure you accept the pairing prompt on TV screen
• TV may have been factory reset - credentials need to be regenerated

Command Returns Error

• Check that TV is on and connected
• Verify you're connected first with /api/status
• Some commands may not work depending on TV state (e.g., channel controls when watching Netflix)

Architecture

The implementation consists of:

1. Discovery Module (src/tv/discovery.ts) - SSDP/UPnP device discovery
2. Client Module (src/tv/client.ts) - WebSocket client with authentication
3. Commands Module (src/tv/commands.ts) - High-level TV control commands
4. Store Module (src/tv/store.ts) - Credential persistence
5. API Server (src/index.ts) - Express REST API server

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License

MIT

Credits

Based on the protocol analysis of PyWebOSTV