How do I set up Pinchflat with Jellyfin for automatic library updates?

Pinchflat uses customizable naming rules to organize downloads into folders; point Jellyfin to the download directory and ensure metadata scrapers are configured. The wiki provides specific guidance on media center integration for seamless updates.

Does Pinchflat work with private YouTube playlists?

Yes, it supports cookie-based authentication by passing YouTube cookies to yt-dlp, allowing downloads of private or age-restricted content as documented in the wiki.

Pinchflat vs Tube Archivist: which is better for Plex?

Pinchflat is lighter and faster for automated downloads with direct Plex integration, while Tube Archivist offers more built-in metadata and search features. Choose Pinchflat for hands-off archival and Tube Archivist for a richer in-app experience.

Can I create podcast RSS feeds from YouTube channels?

Yes, Pinchflat serves RSS feeds for audio content, allowing podcast apps to subscribe; enable it via environment variables and configure feed endpoints as per the wiki.

What are the system requirements for running Pinchflat?

It requires Docker, a writable config directory, and disk space for downloads; resource usage is minimal, but concurrent downloads depend on yt-dlp worker settings to avoid IP limiting.

How does Pinchflat handle YouTube Shorts automatically?

It includes custom rules to skip, download, or treat Shorts differently per source, configurable via the web interface to fit your archival needs without manual intervention.

Open-Awesome

Pinchflat

AGPL-3.0Elixirv2025.9.26Self-Hosted

A self-hosted YouTube media manager that automatically downloads content from channels and playlists for use with media centers like Plex and Jellyfin.

GitHub

4.8k stars132 forks0 contributors

What is Pinchflat?

Pinchflat is a self-hosted YouTube media manager that automates downloading content from channels and playlists using yt-dlp. It solves the problem of manually archiving YouTube videos by periodically checking for new content and organizing downloads for seamless integration with media center apps. It's designed to be lightweight, reliable, and hands-off.

Target Audience

Users who want to automatically archive YouTube content for offline viewing or integration with media centers like Plex, Jellyfin, or Kodi. It's also suitable for podcast listeners who want RSS feeds of YouTube audio content.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Pinchflat for its self-contained Docker deployment, powerful automation features, and first-class media center integration. Its novel fast-download approach and extensive customization options make it a robust alternative to manual downloading or other archival tools.

Overview

Your next YouTube media manager

Use Cases

Best For

Automatically archiving entire YouTube channels for offline access
Building a personal media library for Plex, Jellyfin, or Kodi
Creating podcast RSS feeds from YouTube audio content
Downloading private YouTube playlists using cookie authentication
Applying SponsorBlock tags automatically to downloaded videos
Setting up custom rules for handling YouTube Shorts and livestreams

Not Ideal For

Users who primarily need ad-hoc, one-off video downloads without setting up automated sources
Projects requiring support for video platforms other than YouTube (e.g., Vimeo, Dailymotion)
Environments where Docker or containerization cannot be deployed due to infrastructure constraints
Teams seeking an all-in-one solution with built-in video playback or streaming capabilities

Pros & Cons

Pros

Self-Contained Deployment

Runs as a single Docker container with no external dependencies, simplifying installation and maintenance for self-hosted setups.

Fast Download Automation

Uses a novel approach to periodically check and download new content more quickly than alternatives, ensuring efficient archival.

Media Center Integration

Offers first-class support for Plex, Jellyfin, and Kodi with powerful naming rules, making it seamless to organize content for popular media servers.

Advanced Customization

Includes features like SponsorBlock integration, custom yt-dlp options, and rules for Shorts or livestreams, providing fine-grained control over downloads.

Cons

Network Storage Issues

SQLite database performance degrades on network shares unless WAL mode is disabled, which can lead to data corruption risks and requires manual intervention.

Limited Platform Support

Focused solely on YouTube via yt-dlp; lacks native support for other video platforms, restricting its utility for multi-source archival.

Alpha-Stage Features

Advanced capabilities like custom lifecycle scripts are marked as alpha, indicating potential instability and incomplete documentation for power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

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