Roku Control
Control Roku devices over your local network using the External Control Protocol (ECP). No authentication, cloud services, or complex setup required - just local HTTP commands.
Prerequisites
- Roku device on the same network as OpenClaw
- Roku's IP address (can be discovered automatically)
Setup (First Time)
1. Discover your Roku:
python3 scripts/roku_control.py discover
This will show all Roku devices on your network with their IP addresses.
2. Save the IP address:
Note your Roku's IP (e.g., 192.168.1.100) for use in commands.
3. Test connectivity:
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 info
Common Operations
Device Information
# Get device details
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 info
# List all installed apps
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 apps
# See what's currently playing
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 active
Navigation & Control
# Navigate menus
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key Up
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key Down
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key Left
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key Right
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key Select
# Go home
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key Home
# Go back
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key Back
Playback
# Play/pause
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key Play
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key Pause
# Rewind/fast forward
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key Rev
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key Fwd
# Instant replay (back 10 seconds)
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key InstantReplay
Volume & Power
# Volume control (Roku TV or HDMI-CEC enabled)
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key VolumeUp
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key VolumeDown
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key VolumeMute
# Power off
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key PowerOff
Launch Apps
# Launch by app ID (faster)
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 launch 12 # Netflix
# Launch by app name (case-insensitive)
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 launch Netflix
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 launch YouTube
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 launch "Disney+"
Search & Text Input
# Send search text
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 text "Breaking Bad"
# This is much faster than individual key presses for searches
Natural Language Translation
Map user requests to commands:
Navigation:
- "Go to home screen" →
key Home - "Go back" →
key Back - "Scroll down" / "Move down" →
key Down - "Select this" / "Click" →
key Select
Playback:
- "Play" / "Resume" →
key Play - "Pause" →
key Pause - "Rewind" →
key Rev - "Fast forward" →
key Fwd - "Go back 10 seconds" / "Replay that" →
key InstantReplay
Volume:
- "Turn up the volume" →
key VolumeUp - "Turn down the volume" →
key VolumeDown - "Mute" / "Unmute" →
key VolumeMute
Apps:
- "Open Netflix" →
launch Netflix - "Launch YouTube" →
launch YouTube - "Start Hulu" →
launch Hulu
Search:
- "Search for Breaking Bad" →
text "Breaking Bad" - "Find Stranger Things" → Open search + send text
Power:
- "Turn off the TV" →
key PowerOff
Common App IDs
See references/common-apps.md for a comprehensive list.
Quick reference:
- Netflix: 12
- YouTube: 837
- Hulu: 2285
- Disney+: 291097
- Amazon Prime Video: 13
- HBO Max: 61322
- The Roku Channel: 151908
To get app IDs for your specific Roku:
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip <ip> apps
Complete Key Reference
See references/remote-keys.md for all supported remote keys.
Common keys: Home, Back, Up, Down, Left, Right, Select, Play, Pause, Rev, Fwd, VolumeUp, VolumeDown, VolumeMute, PowerOff, Search, Info
Advanced Workflows
Watch Netflix
# Go home, launch Netflix
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key Home
sleep 1
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 launch 12
Search and Play
# Open search, send text, select first result
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key Search
sleep 1
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 text "The Office"
sleep 1
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key Select
Quick Replay
# Go back 10 seconds and resume
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key InstantReplay
sleep 1
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key Play
Movie Night Setup
# Launch streaming app, adjust volume
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 launch "Disney+"
sleep 2
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key VolumeDown
python3 scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key VolumeDown
Device Mapping
Store your Roku IP in references/roku.json:
{
"living_room": {
"ip": "192.168.1.100",
"name": "Living Room TV",
"model": "Roku Ultra"
},
"bedroom": {
"ip": "192.168.1.101",
"name": "Bedroom Roku",
"model": "Roku Streaming Stick+"
}
}
Then reference by friendly name in conversations.
Troubleshooting
"No Roku devices found"
- Ensure Roku is powered on and connected to network
- Check that OpenClaw and Roku are on same network/subnet
- Some routers block SSDP discovery - try manual IP if known
- Verify Roku's network settings in Settings → Network
"Connection timeout"
- Verify IP address is correct
- Ping the Roku:
ping <roku-ip> - Check firewall isn't blocking port 8060
- Roku may have changed IP (use DHCP reservation)
"Key not working"
- Some keys only work on Roku TVs (volume, power, inputs)
- Volume keys require HDMI-CEC or Roku TV
- Power commands may not be supported on older devices
- Check references/remote-keys.md for compatibility
App won't launch
- Verify app is installed: run
appscommand - Use correct app ID (case-sensitive for name matching)
- Some apps require additional authentication in their own UI
Discovery not finding device
- Try manual IP if you know it: check router DHCP leases
- Roku's IP is shown in Settings → Network → About
- Set static IP or DHCP reservation for reliability
Integration with Other Skills
Movie Night Routine
Combine with Govee lights skill:
# Dim lights
for light in "living room" "tv lights"; do
python3 govee-lights/scripts/govee_control.py brightness "$light" 15
python3 govee-lights/scripts/govee_control.py temp "$light" 2700
done
# Launch streaming app
python3 roku-control/scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 launch Netflix
# Set comfortable volume
python3 roku-control/scripts/roku_control.py --ip 192.168.1.100 key VolumeDown
Notes
- ECP protocol works entirely over LAN (no internet required)
- No authentication or API keys needed
- Commands are instant (local network speed)
- Multiple Roku devices can be controlled independently
- Works with Roku TVs, streaming sticks, and boxes
- Power-on commands not supported (ECP limitation - Roku must be awake)
- For power-on, use HDMI-CEC or network wake features if available
Limitations
- Cannot power on a fully-off Roku (ECP only works when device is on)
- Volume/power commands limited to Roku TVs or HDMI-CEC setups
- No feedback on success/failure for some commands
- Text input is character-by-character (slower for long searches)
- Discovery requires SSDP (some networks block multicast)