*arr Stack

The *arr stack automates media library management - finding, downloading, and organizing content.

Components

Service	Purpose
Prowlarr	Indexer manager
Sonarr	TV show management
Radarr	Movie management
Lidarr	Music management
Readarr	Book/audiobook management

Docker Compose Setup

Full Stack

services:
  prowlarr:
    image: lscr.io/linuxserver/prowlarr:latest
    container_name: prowlarr
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=Europe/Oslo
    volumes:
      - ./config/prowlarr:/config
    ports:
      - "9696:9696"
    networks:
      - arr

  sonarr:
    image: lscr.io/linuxserver/sonarr:latest
    container_name: sonarr
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=Europe/Oslo
    volumes:
      - ./config/sonarr:/config
      - /data:/data
    ports:
      - "8989:8989"
    networks:
      - arr
      - proxy

  radarr:
    image: lscr.io/linuxserver/radarr:latest
    container_name: radarr
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=Europe/Oslo
    volumes:
      - ./config/radarr:/config
      - /data:/data
    ports:
      - "7878:7878"
    networks:
      - arr
      - proxy

  transmission:
    image: lscr.io/linuxserver/transmission:latest
    container_name: transmission
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=Europe/Oslo
      - TRANSMISSION_WEB_HOME=/config/flood-for-transmission/
    volumes:
      - ./config/transmission:/config
      - /data/downloads:/downloads
    ports:
      - "9091:9091"
      - "51413:51413"
      - "51413:51413/udp"
    networks:
      - arr

networks:
  arr:
  proxy:
    external: true

Directory Structure

# Critical: Use a unified data structure
/data/
├── downloads/
│   ├── complete/
│   │   ├── movies/
│   │   └── tv/
│   └── incomplete/
├── media/
│   ├── movies/
│   └── tv/
└── config/
    ├── prowlarr/
    ├── sonarr/
    ├── radarr/
    └── transmission/

Mount /data to all containers so hardlinks work:

volumes:
  - /data:/data

Setup Order

1. Prowlarr - Configure indexers first
2. Download Client - Set up Transmission/qBittorrent
3. Sonarr/Radarr - Connect to Prowlarr and download client
4. Jellyfin - Point to media directories

Prowlarr Setup

Add Indexers

1. Go to Indexers > Add Indexer
2. Search for your indexer
3. Configure credentials/API keys
4. Test and save

Connect to *arr Apps

1. Go to Settings > Apps
2. Add Sonarr:
3. Prowlarr Server: http://prowlarr:9696
4. Sonarr Server: http://sonarr:8989
5. API Key: from Sonarr settings
6. Add Radarr similarly

Sonarr Configuration

Root Folders

1. Go to Settings > Media Management
2. Add Root Folder: /data/media/tv

Quality Profiles

1. Go to Settings > Profiles
2. Recommended profile:
3. HDTV-1080p and above
4. Prefer WEBDL/BluRay

Download Client

1. Go to Settings > Download Clients
2. Add Transmission:
3. Host: transmission
4. Port: 9091
5. Category: tv

Import Lists (Optional)

1. Go to Settings > Import Lists
2. Add Trakt, Plex, or custom lists

Radarr Configuration

Root Folders

1. Go to Settings > Media Management
2. Add Root Folder: /data/media/movies

Quality Profiles

Similar to Sonarr, customize for movies.

Download Client

Same as Sonarr, use category movies.

Download Client Setup

Transmission

environment:
  - TRANSMISSION_WEB_HOME=/config/flood-for-transmission/  # Better UI
  - USER=admin
  - PASS=adminpassword

Settings in Transmission: 1. Download directory: /downloads/complete 2. Incomplete directory: /downloads/incomplete

qBittorrent Alternative

services:
  qbittorrent:
    image: lscr.io/linuxserver/qbittorrent:latest
    container_name: qbittorrent
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=Europe/Oslo
      - WEBUI_PORT=8080
    volumes:
      - ./config/qbittorrent:/config
      - /data/downloads:/downloads
    ports:
      - "8080:8080"
      - "6881:6881"
      - "6881:6881/udp"

Hardlinks vs Copies

With proper directory structure, *arr apps use hardlinks (instant, no extra space).

Requirements: - Same filesystem for downloads and media - Same mount point in all containers - Correct PUID/PGID

Verify hardlinks work:

# After import, check inode
ls -i /data/downloads/complete/movies/Movie.mkv
ls -i /data/media/movies/Movie\ \(2020\)/Movie.mkv
# Should show same inode number

Recyclarr (Quality Profiles)

Automatically sync quality profiles from TRaSH Guides:

services:
  recyclarr:
    image: ghcr.io/recyclarr/recyclarr:latest
    container_name: recyclarr
    volumes:
      - ./config/recyclarr:/config
    environment:
      - TZ=Europe/Oslo

# config/recyclarr/recyclarr.yml
sonarr:
  sonarr:
    base_url: http://sonarr:8989
    api_key: your-api-key

    quality_definition:
      type: series

    quality_profiles:
      - name: WEB-1080p
        reset_unmatched_scores: true

radarr:
  radarr:
    base_url: http://radarr:7878
    api_key: your-api-key

    quality_definition:
      type: movie

    quality_profiles:
      - name: HD Bluray + WEB
        reset_unmatched_scores: true

Reverse Proxy

Traefik Labels

services:
  sonarr:
    labels:
      - "traefik.enable=true"
      - "traefik.http.routers.sonarr.rule=Host(`sonarr.${DOMAIN}`)"
      - "traefik.http.routers.sonarr.entrypoints=https"
      - "traefik.http.routers.sonarr.tls.certresolver=letsencrypt"
      - "traefik.http.routers.sonarr.middlewares=authelia@docker"
      - "traefik.http.services.sonarr.loadbalancer.server.port=8989"

Backup

What to Backup

• /config/*/ - All config directories
• Databases are in config directories

Automated Backup

Each arr app has built-in backup: 1. System > Backup* 2. Configure schedule 3. Backup stored in /config/Backups/

Troubleshooting

Logs

docker logs sonarr
docker logs radarr
docker logs prowlarr

Common Issues

1. Import fails
2. Check permissions (PUID/PGID)
3. Verify directory structure

4. Check disk space

5. No indexers in Sonarr/Radarr

6. Sync from Prowlarr: Settings > Apps > Sync

7. Downloads stuck

8. Check download client connection

9. Verify category matches

10. Hardlinks not working

11. Same filesystem required
12. Check mount paths match

API Keys

Find API keys at: - Sonarr: Settings > General - Radarr: Settings > General - Prowlarr: Settings > General

See Also

• Media Stack Overview
• Jellyfin Setup
• Reverse Proxy