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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:

CategoryPurpose
GeneralCore application settings
Media ManagementRoot folders, file naming, import behavior
ProfilesQuality profiles, language profiles, custom formats
IntegrationsDownload clients, indexers, subtitle providers, notifications
TasksMonitoring task configuration
Live TVIPTV 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
Getting an API Key
  1. Create a free account at themoviedb.org
  2. Go to Settings > API
  3. Click "Request an API Key"
  4. Select "Developer"
  5. Fill in the application details
  6. 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://192.168.1.100:3000
    • https://cinephage.yourdomain.com
  • Required: No
note

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:

SettingDescriptionDefault
Require AuthenticationForce login for all usersEnabled
Session DurationHow long users stay logged in7 days
Password RequirementsMinimum password complexity8 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.

PropertyDescriptionExample
NameDisplay name for the folder"Movies", "TV Shows"
PathAbsolute path inside container/media/movies
Docker Paths

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

  1. Click Add Root Folder
  2. Enter a descriptive name
  3. Enter the container path
  4. Select the media type (Movies or TV)
  5. Choose default quality profile
  6. Click Save
Important
  • 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:

TokenDescriptionExample
{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:

TokenDescriptionExample
{Quality}Quality string"1080p BluRay"
{Group}Release group"YIFY"
{Edition}Edition tag"Director's Cut"
{Codec}Video codec"x264"
{Audio}Audio codec"DTS"
Custom Naming

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:

SettingDescriptionOptions
Import MethodHow files are moved/copiedCopy, Move, Hardlink, Symlink
Delete Empty FoldersRemove empty source folders after importYes/No
Skip Free Space CheckImport even if low disk spaceYes/No

Import Methods Explained

MethodDescriptionUse Case
CopyDuplicates the fileKeeps original in download folder
MoveRelocates the fileFrees space in download folder
HardlinkCreates second reference to same dataEfficient, no duplication
SymlinkCreates pointer to original fileLinks to download folder
Recommendation

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:

ComponentDescription
QualitiesAllowed resolutions and sources
UpgradesWhether to search for better versions
CutoffQuality level to stop upgrading
Custom FormatsBonus/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 .strm files
  • For NZB streaming
  • Best for: Streaming without downloading

Creating Custom Profiles

  1. Click Add Quality Profile
  2. Name the profile
  3. Select allowed qualities (drag to reorder priority)
  4. Set upgrade cutoff
  5. Configure custom format scores
  6. Click Save

Language Profiles

Path: Settings > Profiles > Languages

Configure language preferences for media and subtitles.

SettingDescription
Preferred LanguagesAudio languages to prefer
Subtitle LanguagesSubtitle languages to download
Upgrade UntilStop 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:

TypeDescriptionExample
Release TitleText in release nameContains "REMUX"
ResolutionVideo resolutionEquals "2160p"
SourceRelease sourceIs "BluRay"
CodecVideo codecContains "HEVC"
GroupRelease groupIs "YIFY"
HDRHDR formatContains "HDR10"

Scoring

Assign positive or negative scores:

ScoreEffect
+100Strongly prefer
+50Prefer
+10Slight preference
-10Slight avoidance
-100Reject
Example: Prefer HEVC

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:

FieldDescriptionExample
NameDisplay name"qBittorrent"
HostIP or hostname192.168.1.50
PortWeb UI port8080
UsernameWeb UI usernameadmin
PasswordWeb UI password********
URL BaseOptional path prefix/qbittorrent

Optional Settings:

SettingDescriptionDefault
CategoryqBittorrent categorycinephage
PriorityDownload priorityNormal

SABnzbd

Required Fields:

FieldDescriptionExample
NameDisplay name"SABnzbd"
URLFull URL to SABnzbdhttp://192.168.1.50:8080
API KeySABnzbd API keyabc123...

NZBGet

Required Fields:

FieldDescriptionExample
NameDisplay name"NZBGet"
HostIP or hostname192.168.1.50
PortNZBGet port6789
UsernameNZBGet usernamenzbget
PasswordNZBGet password********

NZBMount (Streaming)

Required Fields:

FieldDescriptionExample
NameDisplay name"NZBMount"
Mount ModeVirtual filesystem typenzbdav or altmount

Indexers

Path: Settings > Integrations > Indexers

Configure search sources for finding releases.

Adding Indexers

  1. Click Add Indexer
  2. Select from built-in list or add custom YAML
  3. Configure settings:
    • API key (if required)
    • Categories
    • Priority (lower = higher priority)
    • Enable/Disable
  4. Click Test to verify
  5. Click Save

Indexer Priority

Priority determines search order:

PriorityBehavior
1Highest priority, searched first
25Default priority
50+Lower priority, searched later
tip

Set lower priority for indexers that are slower or have rate limits.

Custom YAML Indexers

For trackers not in the built-in list:

  1. Click Add Indexer
  2. Select Custom YAML
  3. Paste YAML definition
  4. Configure credentials
  5. Test and save

Subtitle Providers

Path: Settings > Integrations > Subtitles

Configure sources for automatic subtitle downloads.

Available Providers

ProviderTypeAuthentication
OpenSubtitlesAPIUsername/Password
Subf2mWebNone
Addic7edWebUsername/Password

Provider Settings

SettingDescription
EnabledTurn provider on/off
CredentialsAPI key or login
Rate LimitRequests per minute

Notifications

Path: Settings > Integrations > Notifications

Configure media server integrations and notifications.

Media Server Connect

ServerCapability
JellyfinLibrary update, playback status
EmbyLibrary update, playback status
PlexLibrary 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

TaskPurposeDefault Interval
Missing Content SearchFind and download missing episodes/movies6 hours
Cutoff Unmet SearchSearch for items below quality cutoffDaily
Upgrade SearchSearch for better quality versionsWeekly
Smart List RefreshUpdate dynamic lists from TMDB6 hours
Missing SubtitlesSearch for missing subtitle languages6 hours
Subtitle UpgradeSearch for better subtitle scoresDaily
RSS SyncCheck indexers for new releases15 minutes

Task Configuration

Each task has:

SettingDescription
EnabledTurn task on/off
IntervalHow often to run
Last RunWhen task last executed
Next RunWhen task will execute next
StatusCurrent state (idle/running)

Modifying Task Intervals

  1. Click on a task
  2. Adjust the interval slider or enter value
  3. Choose unit (minutes, hours, days)
  4. Click Save
caution

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:

FieldDescriptionFormat
NameDisplay nameAny text
Portal URLStalker portal URLhttp://portal.example.com/c
MAC AddressDevice MAC00:1A:79:XX:XX:XX

Features:

  • Full EPG support
  • Archive/Catch-up TV
  • Portal scanning

XStream Codes

Required Fields:

FieldDescriptionExample
NameDisplay nameAny text
Server URLXStream serverhttp://example.com:8080
UsernameAccount usernameuser123
PasswordAccount password********

M3U Playlist

Required Fields:

FieldDescriptionExample
NameDisplay nameAny text
URLM3U playlist URLhttp://example.com/playlist.m3u

Optional:

FieldDescription
EPG URLXMLTV EPG source
Auto-refreshRefresh playlist periodically

EPG Settings

Configure Electronic Program Guide behavior:

SettingDescriptionDefault
EPG Refresh IntervalHow often to update EPG6 hours
Cache DurationHow long to cache EPG data24 hours

Portal Scanner

Scan Stalker portals for working MAC addresses:

  1. Go to Live TV > Accounts
  2. Click Scan for Accounts
  3. Select scan type:
    • Random: Generate random MACs
    • Sequential: Test a range
    • Import: Test your list
  4. Configure options
  5. Start scan

Captcha Solver

Path: Settings > Integrations > Captcha Solver

Configure automatic Cloudflare/challenge solving for protected indexers.

Settings

SettingDescriptionDefault
EnabledTurn solver on/offDisabled
HeadlessRun browser in backgroundYes
TimeoutMax time to solve (seconds)60

Statistics

View solver performance:

  • Total challenges solved
  • Success rate
  • Average solve time
  • Failed attempts
First Run

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:

FieldDescriptionExample
NameDisplay name"UsenetServer"
HostNNTP server addressnews.usenetserver.com
PortConnection port563 (SSL) or 119
UsernameAccount usernameuser123
PasswordAccount password********

Optional Settings:

SettingDescriptionDefault
ConnectionsConcurrent connections8
SSLUse encrypted connectionEnabled
PriorityServer priority1

Performance Tuning

SettingDescriptionRecommended
ConnectionsMore = faster8-16
Cache SizeMax disk cache10 GB
Cache TTLCache duration24 hours
PrefetchDownload aheadEnabled

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