play
Idempotent
Start Ableton Live transport and read back the is_playing status to confirm playback is running. Optionally set the playhead to a specific beat or resume from the current position before starting.
Instructions
Start transport playback and read back the is_playing status.
Returns:
Dictionary reporting the start call and the read-back is_playing flag.
Note:
The read-back proves the transport is running, not that anything is audible:
a muted track, an empty Arrangement or a track with no instrument all play
silently. Use stop to halt, and set_arrangement_time to move the playhead
without starting.
Leave the transport as it was found. Nothing here stops it on its own, and a
set left playing keeps playing for whoever is at the machine.
A Session clip that has played leaves its track in Session view, and the
track then ignores the Arrangement until Live's Back to Arrangement button
is pressed. ``song.back_to_arranger`` reports that state and cannot clear
it: measured 2026-09-07 against Live 12.4.5, writing it false reads back
``not_observed`` and the value stays true.
Input Schema
TableJSON Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| from_beat | No | Cue the playhead to this beat before starting, in beats from the start of the Arrangement. Omit to start from wherever the playhead already sits. | |
| continue_playing | No | True resumes from the current position instead of restarting. Ignored when from_beat is given, since that sets the position. |
Output Schema
TableJSON Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
No arguments | |||