# Introduction

This documentation describes a self-hosted, Docker-based media automation stack that handles everything from user requests to content playback, fully integrated with Jellyfin as the central media server.

The stack includes download automation (Usenet), metadata scraping, transcoding, user interface for media requests, monitoring, and search. Everything is containerized and orchestrated with Docker Compose.

---

## 1. Prerequisites

Before continuing, make sure Docker and Docker Compose are installed on your system.  
You can follow the installation guide here:  
👉 [Install Docker on Debian/Ubuntu](../../knowhow/docker/)

---

## 2. Stack Overview

The following diagram illustrates how the various components in the media stack interact:

![Media Stack Architecture](../img/mediastack-diagram.png)

**Legend / Component Highlights:**

- **Jellyfin**: the main media server for playback and library management
- **Jellyseerr**: user-facing request portal
- **Radarr/Sonarr**: automation for movies and series
- **Prowlarr**: indexer aggregator for both Radarr and Sonarr
- **SABnzbd**: Usenet downloader
- **Tdarr**: automated transcoding engine
- **Meilisearch**: search backend for metadata (used by Scraparr/Suggestarr)
- **Wizarr**: user invite and account management
- **Trailarr & Huntarr**: UI enhancements and support tooling
- **Scraparr & Suggestarr**: metadata and suggestion automation

---

## 3. Directory Structure

Your directory tree is organized to clearly separate persistent data and component configuration:

```
/mediastack
├── 4k-radarr               # Radarr instance for 4K content
├── jellyfin                # Config/data for Jellyfin
├── jellyseerr              # Request frontend
├── radarr                  # Main movie automation
├── sonarr                  # Series automation
├── sabnzbd                 # Usenet download client
├── tdarr                   # Transcoding
├── prowlarr                # Indexer management
├── wizarr                  # Invite portal
├── postgres                # Database service
├── huntarr, trailarr*      # Visual/UX enhancements
├── scraparr, suggestarr    # Metadata and recommendation tooling
├── cache/
│   ├── jellyfin
│   ├── sabnzbd
│   ├── tdarr
│   └── meilisearch
├── media/
│   ├── 4k-filme
│   ├── anime_filme
│   ├── animes
│   ├── filme
│   ├── serien
│   └── posters
```

> All services are managed using Docker Compose with volume mounts mapped into the above directories.

---

## 4. Benefits

- 🧩 Modular: You can scale or swap components easily
- 🐳 Containerized: Consistent and portable deployments
- 🧠 Automated: Minimal manual work once configured
- 📦 Composable: All services communicate via APIs or shared volumes
- 🔐 Local-first & private

---

## 5. Next Steps

- Set up Docker and Docker Compose if you haven't yet
- Start configuring the services one by one (see individual `.md` files)
- Secure access via reverse proxy (e.g., Traefik or Nginx)
- Enjoy your fully automated media center 🎬

---

## Links

- Jellyfin: https://jellyfin.org  
- Jellyseerr: https://github.com/Fallenbagel/jellyseerr  
- Tdarr: https://github.com/HaveAGitGat/Tdarr  
- SABnzbd: https://sabnzbd.org  
- Radarr: https://radarr.video  
- Sonarr: https://sonarr.tv  
- Prowlarr: https://github.com/Prowlarr/Prowlarr