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EZ-Homelab/wiki/service-docs/unmanic.md
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Unmanic - Library Optimization

Table of Contents

Overview

Category: Media Optimization
Docker Image: josh5/unmanic
Default Stack: media-extended.yml
Web UI: https://unmanic.${DOMAIN} or http://SERVER_IP:8888
Authentication: Optional
Ports: 8888

What is Unmanic?

Unmanic is a library optimizer designed to automate file management and transcoding tasks. Unlike Tdarr (which processes entire libraries), Unmanic focuses on continuous optimization - it watches your media library and processes new files as they arrive. It's perfect for maintaining consistent quality and format standards automatically.

Key Features

  • File Watcher: Automatic processing of new files
  • Plugin System: Extensible workflows
  • Hardware Acceleration: GPU transcoding support
  • Container Conversion: Automatic remuxing
  • Audio/Subtitle Management: Track manipulation
  • Queue Management: Priority handling
  • Statistics Dashboard: Processing metrics
  • Multiple Libraries: Independent configurations
  • Remote Workers: Distributed processing
  • Pause/Resume: Flexible scheduling

Why Use Unmanic?

  1. Automatic Processing: New files handled immediately
  2. Consistent Quality: Enforce library standards
  3. Space Optimization: Convert to efficient codecs
  4. Format Standardization: All files same container
  5. Hardware Acceleration: Fast GPU transcoding
  6. Plugin Ecosystem: Pre-built workflows
  7. Simple Setup: Easier than Tdarr for basic tasks
  8. Free & Open Source: No cost
  9. Active Development: Regular updates
  10. Docker Ready: Easy deployment

How It Works

New File Added to Library
        ↓
Unmanic Detects File (File Watcher)
        ↓
Applies Configured Plugins
        ↓
Queues for Processing
        ↓
Worker Processes File
        ↓
Output File Created
        ↓
Replaces Original
        ↓
Library Optimized

Configuration in AI-Homelab

Directory Structure

/opt/stacks/media-management/unmanic/config/    # Configuration
/mnt/media/movies/                            # Movie library
/mnt/media/tv/                               # TV library
/tmp/unmanic/                                # Temp files

Environment Variables

# User permissions
PUID=1000
PGID=1000

# Timezone
TZ=America/New_York

Official Resources

Educational Resources

Videos

Articles & Guides

Concepts to Learn

  • File Watching: Real-time monitoring
  • Plugin Workflows: Sequential processing
  • Hardware Transcoding: GPU acceleration
  • Container Remuxing: Format conversion without re-encoding
  • Worker Pools: Parallel processing

Docker Configuration

Complete Service Definition

unmanic:
  image: josh5/unmanic:latest
  container_name: unmanic
  restart: unless-stopped
  networks:
    - traefik-network
  ports:
    - "8888:8888"
  environment:
    - PUID=1000
    - PGID=1000
    - TZ=America/New_York
  volumes:
    - /opt/stacks/media-management/unmanic/config:/config
    - /mnt/media:/library
    - /tmp/unmanic:/tmp/unmanic
  devices:
    - /dev/dri:/dev/dri  # Intel QuickSync
  labels:
    - "traefik.enable=true"
    - "traefik.http.routers.unmanic.rule=Host(`unmanic.${DOMAIN}`)"
    - "traefik.http.routers.unmanic.entrypoints=websecure"
    - "traefik.http.routers.unmanic.tls.certresolver=letsencrypt"
    - "traefik.http.routers.unmanic.middlewares=authelia@docker"
    - "traefik.http.services.unmanic.loadbalancer.server.port=8888"

With NVIDIA GPU

unmanic:
  image: josh5/unmanic:latest
  container_name: unmanic
  runtime: nvidia
  environment:
    - NVIDIA_VISIBLE_DEVICES=all
    - NVIDIA_DRIVER_CAPABILITIES=compute,video,utility
  # ... rest of config

Initial Setup

First Access

  1. Start Container:

    docker compose up -d unmanic

  2. Access Web UI:

    • Local: http://SERVER_IP:8888
    • Domain: https://unmanic.yourdomain.com

  3. Add Library:

    • Settings → Libraries → Add Library
    • Path: /library/movies
    • Enable file watcher

  4. Install Plugins:

    • Plugins → Install desired plugins
    • Configure plugin settings

  5. Configure Workers:

    • Settings → Workers
    • Set worker count based on resources

Popular Plugins

Essential Plugins:

  1. Video Encoder H265/HEVC

    • Convert to H.265
    • Space savings

  2. Normalize Audio Levels

    • Consistent volume
    • Prevents loud/quiet issues

  3. Remove Subtitle Streams

    • Clean unwanted subtitles

  4. Container Conversion to MKV

    • Standardize on MKV

  5. Video Resolution Limiter

    • Downscale 4K to 1080p if needed

Install:

  • Plugins → Search → Install
  • Configure in Library settings

Library Configuration

Settings → Libraries → Select Library:

General:

  • Enable file watcher: ✓
  • Enable inotify: ✓ (real-time)
  • Scan interval: 30 minutes (backup to file watcher)

Plugins:

  • Add plugins in desired order
  • Each plugin processes sequentially

Example Flow:

  1. Container Conversion to MKV
  2. Video Encoder H265
  3. Normalize Audio
  4. Remove Subtitle Streams

Worker Configuration

Settings → Workers:

Worker Count:

  • 1-2 for GPU encoding
  • 2-4 for CPU encoding
  • Don't overload system

Worker Settings:

  • Enable hardware acceleration
  • Set temp directory
  • Configure logging

Troubleshooting

Unmanic Not Processing Files

# Check file watcher
# Settings → Libraries → Check "Enable file watcher"

# Check logs
docker logs unmanic | tail -50

# Manual trigger
# Dashboard → Rescan Library

# Check queue
# Dashboard → Should show pending tasks

# Verify permissions
docker exec unmanic ls -la /library/movies/

Transcoding Fails

# Check worker logs
# Dashboard → Workers → View logs

# Check temp space
df -h /tmp/unmanic/

# Check FFmpeg
docker exec unmanic ffmpeg -version

# Check GPU access
docker exec unmanic ls /dev/dri/

# Common issues:
# - Insufficient temp space
# - GPU not available
# - File format unsupported

High Resource Usage

# Reduce worker count
# Settings → Workers → Decrease count

# Check active workers
docker stats unmanic

# Pause processing
# Dashboard → Pause button

# Schedule processing
# Process during off-hours only

Summary

Unmanic is the library optimizer offering:

  • Automatic file processing
  • Real-time file watching
  • Plugin-based workflows
  • Hardware acceleration
  • Simple setup
  • Free and open-source

Perfect for:

  • Continuous optimization
  • New file processing
  • Format standardization
  • Automated workflows
  • Simple transcoding needs

Key Points:

  • File watcher for automation
  • Plugin system for flexibility
  • Hardware acceleration support
  • Simpler than Tdarr for basic needs
  • Real-time processing

Remember:

  • Use fast temp directory
  • Monitor disk space
  • Test plugins before bulk use
  • Hardware acceleration recommended
  • Works great with Sonarr/Radarr

Unmanic keeps your library optimized automatically!

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