Changes aren't reflected in iTunes (until a file is played)

beaTunes supports two kinds of libraries:

1. Directory based libraries
   
2. iTunes based libraries

In the case of directory based libraries beaTunes manipulates the files directly, in the case of iTunes based libraries, beaTunes tells iTunes to manipulate the files. By telling iTunes about it, beaTunes also ensures that iTunes always shows current information and does not have to rescan the files.

To check what kind of library you have, open the beaTunes preferences, select the General tab and check out the entry under the heading Music Library. If it starts with FileSystem, you have a directory based library.

• beaTunes4: To create an iTunes based library, open the File menu and choose New Library.
• beaTunes3: To create an iTunes based library, open the beaTunes preferences, select the General tab and click on the +-button under the current name of your library.

It will let you choose between directory and iTunes. Choose iTunes. Then, in the the file open dialog, select your iTunes Music Library.xml file. Based on the library file, beaTunes will find your music files, wherever they are.