SuggestArr
SuggestArr is a self-hosted automation tool that watches your Jellyfin, Plex, or Emby media library and automatically requests similar movies, TV shows, and anime via Seer/Overseer. It uses TMDb for content discovery and optionally integrates OpenAI-compatible LLMs for AI-powered personalized recommendations.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | giuseppe99barchetta/SuggestArr |
| Owner | giuseppe99barchetta |
| Primary language | Python |
| License | MIT — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 1.2k |
| Forks | 24 |
| Open issues | 28 |
| Latest release | v2.9.1 (2026-06-19) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-06 |
| Source | https://github.com/giuseppe99barchetta/SuggestArr |
What SuggestArr is
Python-based daemon that periodically polls media server APIs (Jellyfin, Plex, Emby) for watch history, queries TMDb or LLM providers for recommendations, and submits requests to Seer via API. Supports SQLite or external databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL), cron scheduling, Trakt watch-history enrichment, and optional AI reasoning via OpenAI-compatible endpoints.
Get the SuggestArr source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/giuseppe99barchetta/SuggestArr.gitcd SuggestArr# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Requires active TMDb API key and configured Seer instance with network accessibility from the deployment host.
- Database choice (SQLite vs. PostgreSQL/MySQL) affects scalability; external databases recommended for multi-user or high-volume automation scenarios.
- AI features are optional and require valid LLM credentials (OpenAI API key, Ollama endpoint, OpenRouter token, or LiteLLM proxy URL).
- Cron scheduling and job-pause logic mean automation runs on a defined interval; real-time event-driven recommendations are not supported.
- Cleanup automation must be tested in dry-run mode before enabling real deletions to avoid unintended loss of user-favorited content.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Closed or Proprietary Media Platforms — SuggestArr only supports Jellyfin, Plex, Emby, and Seer. If your media stack uses different platforms (e.g., Kaleidescape, custom systems), integration is not feasible.
- Offline or Air-Gapped Environments Without LLM Access — The AI features require connectivity to OpenAI, Ollama, or another LLM provider. Purely offline deployments will fall back to TMDb-only recommendations, reducing feature value.
- Highly Restrictive Library Governance — SuggestArr automates requests without human pre-approval; if your organization requires centralized control over all acquisition before submission, the automatic flow may conflict with compliance requirements.
- Production Systems Requiring Commercial SLA Support — SuggestArr is MIT-licensed open source with no commercial support contract or SLA. Organizations requiring guaranteed uptime and vendor accountability should seek commercial alternatives.
License & commercial use
MIT License. Permissive open-source license allowing commercial use, modification, and redistribution with attribution and no warranty. No copyleft obligations.
MIT License explicitly permits commercial deployment and use. No license restrictions on commercial operation. However, no commercial support, SLA, or warranty provided by the project; users assume all operational risk.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Moderate |
| DEV.co fit | Good |
| Assessment confidence | High |
SuggestArr stores API keys, tokens, and user credentials in configuration files or database. No explicit encryption mentioned for secrets at rest. Supports local Seer users only (no OAuth delegation). Network traffic to external services (TMDb, OpenAI, Trakt, Ollama) should be assumed as-is; consider network isolation if sensitive. Input validation and CSRF/XSS protections for web UI not explicitly documented—requires code review. Docker image from Docker Hub; no signed releases or supply-chain security details provided.
Alternatives to consider
Overseerr / Seer (direct)
Seer has built-in recommendation features and automation rules. Use if you do not need media-server watch-history seeding or prefer a single integrated platform over a companion automation tool.
Radarr / Sonarr Rules Engine
Radarr and Sonarr support custom filters and automation for acquisition. Use if you want rule-based curation without AI or watch-history integration; simpler operational footprint but less personalization.
Lidarr for Music / Custom Scripts
For music libraries or highly bespoke workflows, home-grown Python/bash automation may offer more control. Trade complexity for flexibility; no pre-built UI or multi-media-server support.
Build on SuggestArr with DEV.co software developers
Deploy SuggestArr via Docker Compose and let AI-powered recommendations keep your Jellyfin, Plex, or Emby library fresh. Start with our quick-setup guide.
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SuggestArr FAQ
Does SuggestArr work with Seer only, or can it submit requests to Radarr/Sonarr?
Can I run SuggestArr without an LLM, using only TMDb?
What happens if Seer is offline or unreachable?
Is there a way to manually trigger a recommendation run outside the cron schedule?
Software developers & web developers for hire
DEV.co is a software development agency delivering custom software development services to companies building on open source. Our software developers and web developers design, integrate, and ship production systems — spanning web development, APIs, AI, data, and cloud. If SuggestArr is part of your open-source devops roadmap, our team can implement, customize, migrate, and maintain it.
Ready to Automate Your Media Library?
Deploy SuggestArr via Docker Compose and let AI-powered recommendations keep your Jellyfin, Plex, or Emby library fresh. Start with our quick-setup guide.