playdex

Playdex is a desktop application designed to organize and launch ROM collections stored on local drives. Built with Tauri 2 (Rust) and React, it serves as a comprehensive library manager that indexes existing ROM files without downloading games. The core functionality revolves around accurate identification: it scans folders, computes CRC32, MD5, and SHA1 hashes (even inside archives), and uses this data to match games against metadata providers like ScreenScraper and TheGamesDB for cover art and descriptions. Key features include sophisticated platform detection using magic numbers and file structure analysis, support for disc images (CUE/BIN) and archives, and verification against No-Intro/Redump DAT files to ensure dump integrity. It also supports ROM hacks by applying IPS, UPS, or BPS patches to copies of original ROMs. For launching, it integrates with RetroArch and standalone emulators, managing core selection and cheat files automatically. The app tracks playtime, manages save states, and offers multiple UI skins optimized for keyboard, mouse, or controller navigation. Playdex emphasizes local data privacy, storing metadata in SQLite and fetching artwork via a private protocol, while providing tools for bulk metadata updates and library cleanup.