The ARR Stack

Quick Overview

Purpose: Automated media management and downloading system
Components: Sonarr, Radarr, Lidarr, Readarr, Prowlarr, qBittorrent, Gluetun
Host: SYNLORTINAS
Status: 🟢 Active

📋 Description

The "ARR" stack is a collection of open-source software for managing and downloading media content from Usenet and BitTorrent. The name comes from the fact that most of the applications in the stack end with "arr". These applications provide a web-based user interface to automate the process of finding, downloading, and organizing movies, TV shows, music, and books.

Why Use the ARR Stack?

✅ Automated Downloads: Set up once, enjoy forever
✅ Quality Control: Define preferred quality profiles
✅ Organization: Automatic file naming and organization
✅ Integration: Works with Plex, Jellyfin, Emby
✅ Privacy: VPN protection via Gluetun
✅ Unified Interface: Manage all media from one place

🏗️ Architecture Overview

📦 Core Components

Media Management
Indexing & Downloading
Optional Components

Component	Purpose	Port	Web Interface
Sonarr	TV Show Management	8989	https://son.billpantzartzis.info
Radarr	Movie Management	7878	https://rad.billpantzartzis.info
Lidarr	Music Management	8686	https://lid.billpantzartzis.info
Readarr	Book/Audiobook Management	8787	https://rea.billpantzartzis.info

Component	Purpose	Port	Web Interface
Prowlarr	Indexer Manager	9696	https://prow.billpantzartzis.info
qBittorrent	Download Client	8080	https://bit.billpantzartzis.info
Gluetun	VPN Container	-	No UI (VPN tunnel)

Component	Purpose	Port	Status
Homarr	Dashboard	7575	🟡 Optional
Jellyfin	Media Server	8096	🟡 Optional
Bazarr	Subtitle Management	6767	🔴 Disabled

🚀 Deployment

Prerequisites

Requirements

Docker and Docker Compose installed
VPN subscription (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, etc.)
Sufficient storage space (minimum 1TB recommended)
Static IP or DDNS for remote access

Docker Compose Configuration

Complete Stack
Environment Variables
Minimal Setup

/volume2/docker/arr/docker-compose.yaml
# ARR Stack with Gluetun VPN Protection
# Source: https://github.com/automation-avenue/youtube-39-arr-apps-1-click

version: '3.8'

services:
  # ==================== VPN CONTAINER ====================
  gluetun:
    image: qmcgaw/gluetun:latest
    container_name: gluetun
    restart: unless-stopped
    cap_add:
      - NET_ADMIN
    devices:
      - /dev/net/tun:/dev/net/tun
    volumes:
      - ${ARRPATH}Gluetun:/gluetun
    ports:
      # ARR Stack Ports
      - 9696:9696  # Prowlarr
      - 7878:7878  # Radarr
      - 8989:8989  # Sonarr
      - 8686:8686  # Lidarr
      - 8787:8787  # Readarr
      - 8080:8080  # qBittorrent WebUI
      - 6881:6881  # qBittorrent
      - 6881:6881/udp
    environment:
      # VPN Configuration (adjust for your provider)
      - VPN_SERVICE_PROVIDER=nordvpn
      - VPN_TYPE=openvpn
      - OPENVPN_USER=${VPN_USER}
      - OPENVPN_PASSWORD=${VPN_PASSWORD}
      - SERVER_COUNTRIES=Netherlands
      # Optional settings
      - FIREWALL_OUTBOUND_SUBNETS=192.168.1.0/24
      - FIREWALL_INPUT_PORTS=8080,9696,7878,8989,8686,8787
    env_file:
      - .env
      - .secrets_gluetun.env
    healthcheck:
      test: ["CMD", "/gluetun-entrypoint", "healthcheck"]
      interval: 30s
      timeout: 10s
      retries: 3

  # ==================== INDEXER MANAGER ====================
  prowlarr:
    image: linuxserver/prowlarr:latest
    container_name: prowlarr
    network_mode: "service:gluetun"
    depends_on:
      gluetun:
        condition: service_healthy
    volumes:
      - ${ARRPATH}Prowlarr/config:/config
      - ${ARRPATH}Prowlarr/backup:/data/Backup
    restart: unless-stopped
    env_file:
      - .env

  # ==================== MEDIA MANAGERS ====================
  sonarr:
    image: linuxserver/sonarr:latest
    container_name: sonarr
    network_mode: "service:gluetun"
    depends_on:
      - prowlarr
    volumes:
      - ${ARRPATH}Sonarr/config:/config
      - ${ARRPATH}Sonarr/backup:/data/Backup
      - ${ARRPATH}Media/TV:/tv
      - ${ARRPATH}Downloads:/downloads
    restart: unless-stopped
    env_file:
      - .env

  radarr:
    image: linuxserver/radarr:latest
    container_name: radarr
    network_mode: "service:gluetun"
    depends_on:
      - prowlarr
    volumes:
      - ${ARRPATH}Radarr/config:/config
      - ${ARRPATH}Radarr/backup:/data/Backup
      - ${ARRPATH}Media/Movies:/movies
      - ${ARRPATH}Downloads:/downloads
    restart: unless-stopped
    env_file:
      - .env

  lidarr:
    image: linuxserver/lidarr:latest
    container_name: lidarr
    network_mode: "service:gluetun"
    depends_on:
      - prowlarr
    volumes:
      - ${ARRPATH}Lidarr/config:/config
      - ${ARRPATH}Media/Music:/music
      - ${ARRPATH}Downloads:/downloads
    restart: unless-stopped
    env_file:
      - .env

  readarr:
    image: linuxserver/readarr:develop
    container_name: readarr
    network_mode: "service:gluetun"
    depends_on:
      - prowlarr
    volumes:
      - ${ARRPATH}Readarr/config:/config
      - ${ARRPATH}Media/Books:/books
      - ${ARRPATH}Downloads:/downloads
    restart: unless-stopped
    env_file:
      - .env

  # ==================== DOWNLOAD CLIENT ====================
  qbittorrent:
    image: linuxserver/qbittorrent:latest
    container_name: qbittorrent
    network_mode: "service:gluetun"
    depends_on:
      - gluetun
    restart: unless-stopped
    labels:
      - "com.centurylinklabs.watchtower.enable=false"
    volumes:
      - ${ARRPATH}qBittorrent/config:/config
      - ${ARRPATH}Downloads:/downloads
    environment:
      - WEBUI_PORT=8080
      - TORRENTING_PORT=6881
    env_file:
      - .env
    healthcheck:
      test: ["CMD", "curl", "-f", "http://localhost:8080"]
      interval: 30s
      timeout: 10s
      retries: 3
      start_period: 40s

  # ==================== OPTIONAL SERVICES ====================
  # Uncomment to enable

  # homarr:
  #   container_name: homarr
  #   image: ghcr.io/ajnart/homarr:latest
  #   restart: unless-stopped
  #   volumes:
  #     - ${ARRPATH}Homarr/configs:/app/data/configs
  #     - ${ARRPATH}Homarr/icons:/app/public/icons
  #     - ${ARRPATH}Homarr/data:/data
  #   ports:
  #     - '7575:7575'
  #   env_file:
  #     - .env

  # jellyfin:
  #   image: linuxserver/jellyfin:latest
  #   container_name: jellyfin
  #   ports:
  #     - '8096:8096'
  #     - '7359:7359/udp'
  #     - '1900:1900/udp'
  #   volumes:
  #     - ${ARRPATH}Jellyfin/config:/config
  #     - ${ARRPATH}Media/Movies:/data/movies:ro
  #     - ${ARRPATH}Media/TV:/data/tvshows:ro
  #     - ${ARRPATH}Media/Music:/data/music:ro
  #     - ${ARRPATH}Media/Books:/data/books:ro
  #   env_file:
  #     - .env
  #   restart: unless-stopped

/volume2/docker/arr/.env
# Main path for all ARR apps
ARRPATH=/volume2/docker/arr/
# For Windows: ARRPATH=C:/Docker/arr/

# User/Group IDs
PUID=1026
PGID=100

# Timezone
TZ=Europe/Amsterdam

# Optional: Umask for file permissions
UMASK=002

/volume2/docker/arr/.secrets_gluetun.env
# VPN Credentials (keep this file secure!)
VPN_USER=your_vpn_username
VPN_PASSWORD=your_vpn_password

# Optional: VPN Server
VPN_SERVER_HOSTNAME=nl123.nordvpn.com

docker-compose-minimal.yml
# Minimal ARR Stack without VPN
version: '3.8'

services:
  prowlarr:
    image: linuxserver/prowlarr:latest
    container_name: prowlarr
    ports:
      - 9696:9696
    volumes:
      - ./prowlarr:/config
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=Europe/Amsterdam

  sonarr:
    image: linuxserver/sonarr:latest
    container_name: sonarr
    ports:
      - 8989:8989
    volumes:
      - ./sonarr:/config
      - ./media/tv:/tv
      - ./downloads:/downloads
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=Europe/Amsterdam

  qbittorrent:
    image: linuxserver/qbittorrent:latest
    container_name: qbittorrent
    ports:
      - 8080:8080
      - 6881:6881
      - 6881:6881/udp
    volumes:
      - ./qbittorrent:/config
      - ./downloads:/downloads
    restart: unless-stopped
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=Europe/Amsterdam

⚙️ Configuration

Initial Setup Workflow

Setup Order

Follow this sequence for smooth configuration:

Start Gluetun and verify VPN connection
Configure Prowlarr with indexers
Set up download client (qBittorrent)
Configure each ARR app
Test with a manual search

Service Configuration

📡 Prowlarr Configuration

Access Prowlarr at http://localhost:9696
Add Indexers:
- Click "Indexers" → "Add Indexer"
- Search for your preferred trackers
- Configure with API keys/credentials
Add Applications:
- Go to "Settings" → "Apps"
- Add Sonarr, Radarr, Lidarr, Readarr
- Use http://localhost:PORT for each
Configure Download Client:
- Settings → Download Clients
- Add qBittorrent
- Host: localhost, Port: 8080

📺 Sonarr Configuration

Access Sonarr at http://localhost:8989
Media Management:
- Settings → Media Management
- Enable "Rename Episodes"
- Set naming format: {Series Title} - S{season:00}E{episode:00} - {Episode Title}
Quality Profiles:
- Settings → Profiles
- Create profiles (e.g., "HD-1080p", "Any")
Root Folders:
- Settings → Media Management
- Add root folder: /tv
Download Client:
- Should be auto-configured by Prowlarr

🎬 Radarr Configuration

Access Radarr at http://localhost:7878
Media Management:
- Settings → Media Management
- Enable "Rename Movies"
- Format: {Movie Title} ({Release Year})
Quality Profiles:
- Settings → Profiles
- Set preferred quality
Root Folders:
- Add root folder: /movies

⬇️ qBittorrent Configuration

Access qBittorrent at http://localhost:8080
- Default login: admin / adminadmin
Change Password:
- Tools → Options → Web UI
Download Settings:
- Default Save Path: /downloads/complete
- Temp Path: /downloads/incomplete
Connection Settings:
- Disable UPnP/NAT-PMP (using VPN)
BitTorrent Settings:
- Enable DHT, PeX, LPD
- Encryption: Prefer encryption

VPN Configuration

Important Security Note

Never expose these services directly to the internet without VPN protection. The Gluetun container ensures all traffic is routed through the VPN.

🔐 Gluetun VPN Setup

Supported Providers:

NordVPN
ExpressVPN
Surfshark
ProtonVPN
Mullvad
Full list

Testing VPN Connection:

# Check VPN IP
docker exec gluetun curl -s ifconfig.me

# Check for DNS leaks
docker exec gluetun curl -s https://ipleak.net/json/

# View Gluetun logs
docker logs gluetun

Kill Switch: Gluetun includes an automatic kill switch. If VPN disconnects, all container traffic stops.

📖 Usage

Adding Media

Manual Add
Import Lists
Automation

Search for Media:
- Open respective ARR app
- Click "Add [Media Type]"
- Search by name
- Select correct match
Configure Download:
- Choose quality profile
- Select root folder
- Set monitoring options
Initiate Download:
- Click "Add + Search"
- Monitor progress in Activity tab

Folder Structure

Recommended Structure

Maintain consistent folder structure for all media types:

/volume2/docker/arr/
├── Downloads/
│   ├── complete/
│   └── incomplete/
├── Media/
│   ├── Movies/
│   │   └── Movie Name (Year)/
│   ├── TV/
│   │   └── Show Name/
│   │       └── Season 01/
│   ├── Music/
│   │   └── Artist/
│   │       └── Album/
│   └── Books/
│       └── Author/
└── [App]Config/
    └── config files...

🔧 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

❌ VPN Connection Failed

Symptoms: Gluetun container keeps restarting

Solutions:

Check VPN credentials in .secrets_gluetun.env
Verify VPN subscription is active

Try different VPN server:

SERVER_COUNTRIES=Germany
# or specific server
VPN_SERVER_HOSTNAME=de123.nordvpn.com

Check Gluetun logs:
```
docker logs gluetun --tail 50
```

🔍 Prowlarr Can't Find Releases

Symptoms: No search results in ARR apps

Solutions:

Verify indexers are configured correctly
Check indexer health in Prowlarr
Test indexer manually in Prowlarr
Ensure VPN is connected (check IP)
Verify API limits not exceeded

📁 Permission Issues

Symptoms: Downloads complete but can't import

Solutions:

Check PUID/PGID match system user:
```
id username
```

Fix permissions:

sudo chown -R 1026:100 /volume2/docker/arr/
sudo chmod -R 755 /volume2/docker/arr/

Set correct umask in environment

🌐 Cannot Access Web UI

Symptoms: Connection refused on web interfaces

Solutions:

Verify containers are running:
```
docker ps
```
Check port mappings:
```
docker port gluetun
```
Ensure firewall allows connections
Try accessing via container IP:
```
docker inspect gluetun | grep IPAddress
```

📊 Monitoring

Health Checks

# Check all container status
docker ps --format "table {{.Names}}\t{{.Status}}\t{{.Ports}}"

# Monitor resource usage
docker stats --no-stream

# View logs for all ARR containers
docker-compose logs -f --tail=50

# Check disk usage
df -h /volume2/docker/arr/

Backup Strategy

Regular Backups

Configuration databases contain all your settings and history. Back them up regularly!

#!/bin/bash
# Backup script for ARR stack

BACKUP_DIR="/volume2/backups/arr"
DATE=$(date +%Y%m%d)

# Stop containers
docker-compose stop

# Backup configs
for app in Prowlarr Sonarr Radarr Lidarr Readarr; do
  tar -czf "$BACKUP_DIR/${app}_$DATE.tar.gz" \
    "/volume2/docker/arr/${app}/config"
done

# Restart containers
docker-compose start

# Remove old backups (keep 30 days)
find "$BACKUP_DIR" -name "*.tar.gz" -mtime +30 -delete

🔗 Resources

Official Documentation

Community Resources

Maintenance Information

Last Updated: December 2024
Stack Version: Latest (auto-updating)
Host: SYNLORTINAS (192.168.1.81)
Support: Infrastructure Team

📋 Description​

Why Use the ARR Stack?​

🏗️ Architecture Overview​

📦 Core Components​

🚀 Deployment​

Prerequisites​

Docker Compose Configuration​

⚙️ Configuration​

Initial Setup Workflow​

Service Configuration​

VPN Configuration​

📖 Usage​

Adding Media​

Folder Structure​

🔧 Troubleshooting​

Common Issues​

📊 Monitoring​

Health Checks​

Backup Strategy​

🔗 Resources​

Official Documentation​

Community Resources​

Related Services​

📋 Description

Why Use the ARR Stack?

🏗️ Architecture Overview

📦 Core Components

🚀 Deployment

Prerequisites

Docker Compose Configuration

⚙️ Configuration

Initial Setup Workflow

Service Configuration

VPN Configuration

📖 Usage

Adding Media

Folder Structure

🔧 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

📊 Monitoring

Health Checks

Backup Strategy

🔗 Resources

Official Documentation

Community Resources

Related Services