Settings Explained
This reference provides detailed explanations of all settings available in Cinephage's web interface. For environment variables (Docker/command-line configuration), see Environment Variables.
Overview
Cinephage settings are organized into categories accessible from the Settings menu:
| Category | Purpose |
|---|---|
| General | Core application settings |
| Media Management | Root folders, file naming, import behavior |
| Profiles | Quality profiles, language profiles, custom formats |
| Integrations | Download clients, indexers, subtitle providers, notifications |
| Tasks | Monitoring task configuration |
| Live TV | IPTV provider configuration |
General Settings
Basic Configuration
TMDB API Key
Path: Settings > General > TMDB API Key
Your API key from The Movie Database. Required for fetching movie and TV show metadata.
- Format: 32-character alphanumeric string
- Required: Yes
- Default: None
- Create a free account at themoviedb.org
- Go to Settings > API
- Click "Request an API Key"
- Select "Developer"
- Fill in the application details
- Copy the "API Key" (not the Read Access Token)
External URL
Path: Settings > General > External URL
The public-facing URL for your Cinephage instance. Used for generating external links and webhook callbacks.
- Format: Full URL with protocol
- Examples:
http://192.168.1.100:3000https://cinephage.yourdomain.com
- Required: No
If not set, Cinephage uses the BETTER_AUTH_URL environment variable or infers from incoming requests.
Security
Authentication
Path: Settings > General > Security
Configure user authentication settings:
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Require Authentication | Force login for all users | Enabled |
| Session Duration | How long users stay logged in | 7 days |
| Password Requirements | Minimum password complexity | 8 characters |
Media Management
Root Folders
Path: Settings > Media Management > Root Folders
Root folders define where Cinephage stores your media library. You need at least one root folder for movies and one for TV shows.
| Property | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Display name for the folder | "Movies", "TV Shows" |
| Path | Absolute path inside container | /media/movies |
When using Docker, use the container path, not the host path:
- ✅ Correct:
/media/movies(if mounted as/media) - ❌ Incorrect:
/mnt/media/movies(host path)
Adding Root Folders
- Click Add Root Folder
- Enter a descriptive name
- Enter the container path
- Select the media type (Movies or TV)
- Choose default quality profile
- Click Save
- Ensure Cinephage has read/write permissions
- Do not nest root folders (don't put TV inside Movies)
- Each root folder should be on a separate mount point
File Naming
Path: Settings > Media Management > Naming
Configure how files and folders are named when importing or organizing media.
Folder Naming Pattern
Template used for creating media folders:
{Movie Title} ({Release Year})
Available Tokens:
| Token | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
{Movie Title} | Full movie title | "The Matrix" |
{Release Year} | Release year | "1999" |
{IMDb Id} | IMDb identifier | "tt0133093" |
{TMDB Id} | TMDB identifier | "603" |
File Naming Pattern
Template used for renaming media files:
{Movie Title} ({Release Year}) - {Quality} - {Group}
Available Tokens:
| Token | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
{Quality} | Quality string | "1080p BluRay" |
{Group} | Release group | "YIFY" |
{Edition} | Edition tag | "Director's Cut" |
{Codec} | Video codec | "x264" |
{Audio} | Audio codec | "DTS" |
You can combine tokens to create complex naming schemes:
{Movie Title} ({Release Year}) [{Quality}][{Codec}]-{Group}
Import Behavior
Path: Settings > Media Management > Import
Configure how Cinephage handles file imports:
| Setting | Description | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Import Method | How files are moved/copied | Copy, Move, Hardlink, Symlink |
| Delete Empty Folders | Remove empty source folders after import | Yes/No |
| Skip Free Space Check | Import even if low disk space | Yes/No |
Import Methods Explained
| Method | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Copy | Duplicates the file | Keeps original in download folder |
| Move | Relocates the file | Frees space in download folder |
| Hardlink | Creates second reference to same data | Efficient, no duplication |
| Symlink | Creates pointer to original file | Links to download folder |
Use Hardlink when download and library are on the same filesystem. It saves space while allowing seeding to continue.
Profiles
Quality Profiles
Path: Settings > Profiles > Quality
Quality profiles define how Cinephage scores and selects releases. Each profile contains:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Qualities | Allowed resolutions and sources |
| Upgrades | Whether to search for better versions |
| Cutoff | Quality level to stop upgrading |
| Custom Formats | Bonus/malus scoring rules |
Built-in Profiles
Cinephage includes four default profiles:
Quality Profile
- Prefers 4K with HDR
- Upgrades until 2160p BluRay
- Best for: High-end setups
Balanced Profile
- Prefers 1080p WEB-DL
- Good quality/size ratio
- Best for: Most users
Compact Profile
- Prefers 720p/1080p
- Smaller file sizes
- Best for: Limited storage
Streamer Profile
- Creates
.strmfiles - For NZB streaming
- Best for: Streaming without downloading
Creating Custom Profiles
- Click Add Quality Profile
- Name the profile
- Select allowed qualities (drag to reorder priority)
- Set upgrade cutoff
- Configure custom format scores
- Click Save
Language Profiles
Path: Settings > Profiles > Languages
Configure language preferences for media and subtitles.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Preferred Languages | Audio languages to prefer |
| Subtitle Languages | Subtitle languages to download |
| Upgrade Until | Stop upgrading when this quality reached |
Example Language Profile
Name: "English + Spanish Subs"
Preferred Audio: [English]
Required Subtitles: [English, Spanish]
Subtitle Priority: Must have English, prefer Spanish
Custom Formats
Path: Settings > Profiles > Custom Formats
Create custom scoring rules based on release attributes.
Format Conditions
Match releases based on:
| Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Release Title | Text in release name | Contains "REMUX" |
| Resolution | Video resolution | Equals "2160p" |
| Source | Release source | Is "BluRay" |
| Codec | Video codec | Contains "HEVC" |
| Group | Release group | Is "YIFY" |
| HDR | HDR format | Contains "HDR10" |
Scoring
Assign positive or negative scores:
| Score | Effect |
|---|---|
| +100 | Strongly prefer |
| +50 | Prefer |
| +10 | Slight preference |
| -10 | Slight avoidance |
| -100 | Reject |
Create a custom format that adds +50 points to any release containing "HEVC" or "H.265" to prefer more efficient codecs.
Integrations
Download Clients
Path: Settings > Integrations > Download Clients
Configure connections to download clients for automated downloading.
qBittorrent
Required Fields:
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Display name | "qBittorrent" |
| Host | IP or hostname | 192.168.1.50 |
| Port | Web UI port | 8080 |
| Username | Web UI username | admin |
| Password | Web UI password | ******** |
| URL Base | Optional path prefix | /qbittorrent |
Optional Settings:
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Category | qBittorrent category | cinephage |
| Priority | Download priority | Normal |
SABnzbd
Required Fields:
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Display name | "SABnzbd" |
| URL | Full URL to SABnzbd | http://192.168.1.50:8080 |
| API Key | SABnzbd API key | abc123... |
NZBGet
Required Fields:
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Display name | "NZBGet" |
| Host | IP or hostname | 192.168.1.50 |
| Port | NZBGet port | 6789 |
| Username | NZBGet username | nzbget |
| Password | NZBGet password | ******** |
NZBMount (Streaming)
Required Fields:
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Display name | "NZBMount" |
| Mount Mode | Virtual filesystem type | nzbdav or altmount |
Indexers
Path: Settings > Integrations > Indexers
Configure search sources for finding releases.
Adding Indexers
- Click Add Indexer
- Select from built-in list or add custom YAML
- Configure settings:
- API key (if required)
- Categories
- Priority (lower = higher priority)
- Enable/Disable
- Click Test to verify
- Click Save
Indexer Priority
Priority determines search order:
| Priority | Behavior |
|---|---|
| 1 | Highest priority, searched first |
| 25 | Default priority |
| 50+ | Lower priority, searched later |
Set lower priority for indexers that are slower or have rate limits.
Custom YAML Indexers
For trackers not in the built-in list:
- Click Add Indexer
- Select Custom YAML
- Paste YAML definition
- Configure credentials
- Test and save
Subtitle Providers
Path: Settings > Integrations > Subtitles
Configure sources for automatic subtitle downloads.
Available Providers
| Provider | Type | Authentication |
|---|---|---|
| OpenSubtitles | API | Username/Password |
| Subf2m | Web | None |
| Addic7ed | Web | Username/Password |
Provider Settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Enabled | Turn provider on/off |
| Credentials | API key or login |
| Rate Limit | Requests per minute |
Notifications
Path: Settings > Integrations > Notifications
Configure media server integrations and notifications.
Media Server Connect
| Server | Capability |
|---|---|
| Jellyfin | Library update, playback status |
| Emby | Library update, playback status |
| Plex | Library update |
Notification Triggers
Configure when to send notifications:
- On Grab (download started)
- On Import (download completed)
- On Upgrade (better quality downloaded)
- On Health Issue
Tasks
Path: Settings > Tasks
Configure background monitoring tasks that run automatically.
Task Overview
| Task | Purpose | Default Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Missing Content Search | Find and download missing episodes/movies | 6 hours |
| Cutoff Unmet Search | Search for items below quality cutoff | Daily |
| Upgrade Search | Search for better quality versions | Weekly |
| Smart List Refresh | Update dynamic lists from TMDB | 6 hours |
| Missing Subtitles | Search for missing subtitle languages | 6 hours |
| Subtitle Upgrade | Search for better subtitle scores | Daily |
| RSS Sync | Check indexers for new releases | 15 minutes |
Task Configuration
Each task has:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Enabled | Turn task on/off |
| Interval | How often to run |
| Last Run | When task last executed |
| Next Run | When task will execute next |
| Status | Current state (idle/running) |
Modifying Task Intervals
- Click on a task
- Adjust the interval slider or enter value
- Choose unit (minutes, hours, days)
- Click Save
Very short intervals may cause rate limiting from indexers or TMDB.
Task History
View detailed history of task execution:
- Items processed
- Success/failure counts
- Execution duration
- Error messages
Live TV
Path: Settings > Live TV
Configure IPTV provider accounts and streaming settings.
Provider Accounts
Cinephage supports three provider types:
Stalker Portal (MAG/Ministra)
Required Fields:
| Field | Description | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Display name | Any text |
| Portal URL | Stalker portal URL | http://portal.example.com/c |
| MAC Address | Device MAC | 00:1A:79:XX:XX:XX |
Features:
- Full EPG support
- Archive/Catch-up TV
- Portal scanning
XStream Codes
Required Fields:
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Display name | Any text |
| Server URL | XStream server | http://example.com:8080 |
| Username | Account username | user123 |
| Password | Account password | ******** |
M3U Playlist
Required Fields:
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Display name | Any text |
| URL | M3U playlist URL | http://example.com/playlist.m3u |
Optional:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| EPG URL | XMLTV EPG source |
| Auto-refresh | Refresh playlist periodically |
EPG Settings
Configure Electronic Program Guide behavior:
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| EPG Refresh Interval | How often to update EPG | 6 hours |
| Cache Duration | How long to cache EPG data | 24 hours |
Portal Scanner
Scan Stalker portals for working MAC addresses:
- Go to Live TV > Accounts
- Click Scan for Accounts
- Select scan type:
- Random: Generate random MACs
- Sequential: Test a range
- Import: Test your list
- Configure options
- Start scan
Captcha Solver
Path: Settings > Integrations > Captcha Solver
Configure automatic Cloudflare/challenge solving for protected indexers.
Settings
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Enabled | Turn solver on/off | Disabled |
| Headless | Run browser in background | Yes |
| Timeout | Max time to solve (seconds) | 60 |
Statistics
View solver performance:
- Total challenges solved
- Success rate
- Average solve time
- Failed attempts
The first time you enable the Captcha Solver, Cinephage downloads the Camoufox browser (~80MB). This happens automatically.
NNTP Servers (Usenet)
Path: Settings > Integrations > NNTP Servers
Configure usenet provider connections for NZB streaming.
Server Configuration
Required Fields:
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Display name | "UsenetServer" |
| Host | NNTP server address | news.usenetserver.com |
| Port | Connection port | 563 (SSL) or 119 |
| Username | Account username | user123 |
| Password | Account password | ******** |
Optional Settings:
| Setting | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Connections | Concurrent connections | 8 |
| SSL | Use encrypted connection | Enabled |
| Priority | Server priority | 1 |
Performance Tuning
| Setting | Description | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Connections | More = faster | 8-16 |
| Cache Size | Max disk cache | 10 GB |
| Cache TTL | Cache duration | 24 hours |
| Prefetch | Download ahead | Enabled |
Troubleshooting Settings
Common Issues
Settings Not Saving
- Check browser console for errors
- Verify you have admin permissions
- Ensure database is writable
TMDB Key Invalid
- Verify you copied the API Key (not Read Access Token)
- Check for extra spaces
- Ensure TMDB account is verified
Download Client Won't Connect
- Verify host is accessible from Cinephage
- Check firewall rules
- Ensure web UI is enabled in client
- Try using IP address instead of hostname
Indexer Test Fails
- Verify API key is correct
- Check indexer is online
- Review rate limits
- Check Cinephage logs for details
See Also
- Environment Variables - Docker and command-line configuration
- Configure Download Clients - Step-by-step setup guide
- Quality Profiles - Detailed quality configuration
- Set Up Indexers - Indexer configuration guide