remote-desktop-audio-config_skill

This skill diagnoses and fixes PulseAudio and xRDP audio routing on NixOS, ensuring hardware detection, USB devices, and reliable RDP sound.

Python

0

GitHub Stars

1

Bundled Files

2 months ago

Catalog Refreshed

4 months ago

First Indexed

Readme & install

Copy the install command, review bundled files from the catalogue, and read any extended description pulled from the listing source.

Installation

Preview and clipboard use veilstrat where the catalogue uses aiagentskills.

npx veilstrat add skill yousufjoyian/claude-skills --skill remote-desktop-audio-config

SKILL.md8.9 KB

Overview

This skill diagnoses and fixes audio device detection and routing for NixOS systems accessed via xRDP (Windows Remote Desktop). It focuses on PulseAudio hardware detection, xrdp audio redirection, and USB audio device handling. The goal is to restore local hardware output or RDP passthrough reliably and permanently where possible.

How this skill works

The skill inspects PulseAudio sinks, sources, modules, and ALSA kernel devices to determine whether hardware cards are visible to the xRDP PulseAudio instance. It examines xrdp-specific PulseAudio config, xrdp-chansrv logs for RDPSND negotiation, and system USB/ALSA state. Fixes include runtime module loading, NixOS config edits to include module-udev-detect in xRDP default.pa, and guidance to restart services or chansrv for channel reinitialization.

When to use it

No audio devices appear in an xRDP remote session (only xrdp-sink/source visible)
Sound does not reach the RDP client despite xrdp-sink being default
USB audio devices (headphones, DAC) are not detected by the workstation
You need to switch between workstation hardware output and RDP passthrough
After reconnecting RDP and audio stops working or shows send failures

Best practices

Verify kernel-level ALSA devices (/proc/asound/cards) before editing PulseAudio configs
Prefer adding load-module module-udev-detect to /etc/xrdp/pulse/default.pa for a permanent NixOS fix
Use full Disconnect (not just closing window) on Windows to force rdpsnd renegotiation
Restart pulseaudio --user or kill xrdp-chansrv only as controlled recovery steps
Test changes with a generated test tone and check pulseaudio and chansrv logs for errors

Example use cases

A workstation shows only xrdp virtual sinks; load module-udev-detect at runtime or add it to xrdp default.pa
RDP client hears no audio after reconnection; disconnect fully, restart pulseaudio, then reconnect
USB headphones connected via a switcher are routed to laptop; set workstation default sink to xrdp-sink for passthrough
Automated diagnostic run to collect pactl lists, ALSA cards, USB devices, and chansrv log for triage
NixOS packaging: update whisper-dictation.nix to remove incorrect module names and rely on stock default.pa includes

FAQ

xRDP uses its own PulseAudio default.pa that may not load module-udev-detect, so ALSA cards are invisible; load module-udev-detect or add it to /etc/xrdp/pulse/default.pa.

Audio works locally but not over RDP after reconnecting?

The rdpsnd channel may not have reinitialized. Do a full Disconnect → Reconnect, check chansrv logs for format negotiation, or restart pulseaudio and reconnect.