How do I set up Deleterr to only delete unwatched movies after 6 months?

Configure the watch-based rules in your settings.yaml for the Radarr library, specifying the maximum age in days and setting criteria to target unwatched content. Refer to the configuration guide for examples on age and watch history settings.

Deleterr vs using Tautulli scripts for Plex cleanup?

Deleterr integrates Tautulli data with Radarr/Sonarr for more intelligent, rule-based deletions and adds the 'Leaving Soon' feature, whereas Tautulli scripts alone often require manual coding and lack granular exclusion options.

Can I recover files if Deleterr deletes them by mistake?

Recovery depends on enabling the recycle bin in Radarr/Sonarr, but the README cautions that this isn't recommended for remote mounts, and there's no built-in undo feature in Deleterr itself.

Does Deleterr work with Emby or Jellyfin instead of Plex?

No, Deleterr is specifically designed for Plex integration and relies on Plex's API for features like collections and watch history, so it won't function with other media servers.

How to configure email notifications for the Leaving Soon alerts?

Add the notifications section in settings.yaml with SMTP server details and recipient addresses under the leaving_soon key, as shown in the example configuration for email notifications.

What happens if Deleterr's schedule conflicts with other server tasks?

You can adjust the cron expression in the schedule configuration to run at off-peak times, but Deleterr doesn't have built-in conflict detection or dynamic scheduling to avoid system load issues.

Open-Awesome

Deleterr

MITPythonv0.2.23Self-Hosted

Automated Plex media cleanup using watch-based rules, smart exclusions, and leaving soon notifications via Radarr, Sonarr, and Tautulli.

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What is Deleterr?

Deleterr is an automated media cleanup tool for Plex servers that intelligently deletes files based on user-defined rules. It solves the problem of managing limited storage by removing unwatched or outdated content while protecting important media through smart exclusions and notifications. It integrates with Radarr, Sonarr, and Tautulli to make data-driven deletion decisions.

Target Audience

Plex server administrators and home media enthusiasts who use Radarr, Sonarr, and Tautulli to manage their libraries and need automated storage management.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Deleterr for its granular control over deletion criteria, smart exclusions, and the unique 'Leaving Soon' feature that warns users before removal. It offers a safer, more user-friendly alternative to manual cleanup or simple scripts.

Overview

Automated Plex media cleanup with watch-based rules, smart exclusions, and "Leaving Soon" notifications via Radarr, Sonarr & Tautulli.

Use Cases

Best For

Automatically cleaning up unwatched movies and TV shows from a Plex library
Managing storage on media servers with limited disk space
Creating Netflix-style 'Leaving Soon' notifications for Plex users
Setting up granular deletion rules based on watch history, genre, or actor
Integrating automated cleanup with existing Radarr, Sonarr, and Tautulli setups
Running scheduled media library maintenance with dry-run previews

Not Ideal For

Users who do not have Plex, Radarr, Sonarr, and Tautulli fully set up and integrated
Environments requiring real-time, on-demand file deletion instead of scheduled runs
Media libraries with strict, non-negotiable data retention policies where automated deletion is too risky
Simple setups where manual cleanup or basic scripts suffice and the YAML configuration overhead isn't justified

Pros & Cons

Pros

Granular Deletion Rules

Allows setting precise criteria based on watch history, genre, actor, and streaming availability via JustWatch, as highlighted in the smart exclusions feature.

Proactive User Warnings

Implements a 'Leaving Soon' system with Plex collections and notifications, mimicking Netflix to give users advance notice before content removal.

Multi-Instance Support

Can manage multiple Radarr and Sonarr instances, including separate handling for 4K libraries, as per the README's multi-instance support.

Safety with Dry Runs

Includes a dry run mode to preview deletions before committing, reducing the risk of accidental file loss, which is explicitly mentioned in the features.

Cons

Complex Initial Setup

Requires detailed YAML configuration and integration with multiple external services (Plex, Radarr, Sonarr, Tautulli), which can be error-prone and time-consuming for new users.

High Risk of Data Loss

The README strongly warns against using it with irreplaceable media, and despite safety features, automated deletion inherently carries the potential for catastrophic mistakes if misconfigured.

Limited Ecosystem Compatibility

Only works with Plex, Radarr, Sonarr, and Tautulli; it cannot be adapted to other media servers like Emby or Jellyfin, restricting its usefulness in diverse setups.

Frequently Asked Questions

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