Automated Database Setup
Creates and configures PostgreSQL databases, users, and permissions for each Servarr instance automatically.
PrepArr
Infrastructure as Code for Servarr. Complete automation from fresh PostgreSQL to fully configured Servarr stacks.
What is PrepArr?
Section titled “What is PrepArr?”PrepArr is a lightweight Docker sidecar that fully automates Servarr application initialization and ongoing configuration management. It takes your Servarr stack from a blank PostgreSQL database to a fully working, configured system — without ever opening a browser or clicking through a setup wizard.
Think of PrepArr as Infrastructure as Code for your media automation stack. You define your desired configuration in JSON files, and PrepArr continuously ensures your Servarr instances match that specification.
The Problem
Section titled “The Problem”Setting up a Servarr stack involves a surprising amount of manual work:
- Database provisioning — Creating PostgreSQL databases, users, and permissions for each service
- Setup wizards — Clicking through first-run configuration for every instance
- Download client configuration — Connecting qBittorrent, SABnzbd, or other clients by hand
- Quality profiles — Building quality profiles and custom formats through the UI
- No version control — Configuration lives in databases and XML files with no audit trail
- Configuration drift — Manual changes accumulate, and rebuilds never match the original
How PrepArr Solves It
Section titled “How PrepArr Solves It”You write a JSON configuration file describing your desired state, and PrepArr handles everything:
- Creates PostgreSQL databases and users with the correct permissions
- Generates
config.xmlwith API keys and database connection strings - Completes the setup wizard programmatically
- Applies your full configuration — root folders, quality profiles, custom formats, download clients, indexers, naming conventions, and more
- Watches for changes and continuously reconciles your running configuration against the desired state
Configuration as Code
Define quality profiles, custom formats, download clients, indexers, root folders, and naming conventions in JSON files.
Continuous Reconciliation
Runs as a sidecar container, monitoring your configuration files and reconciling the running state against your specification.
GitOps Ready
Store your configuration in Git. Update a file, and PrepArr applies the changes. Works with any GitOps workflow.
Supported Services
Section titled “Supported Services”| Service | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sonarr | Full support | All configuration resources managed |
| Radarr | Full support | All configuration resources managed |
| Prowlarr | Full support | Indexer management and application sync |
| Bazarr | Full support | Subtitles, languages, providers, Sonarr/Radarr integration |
| qBittorrent | Init support | Initial configuration and category setup |
| Lidarr | Coming soon | Planned for a future release |
| Readarr | Coming soon | Planned for a future release |
Requirements
Section titled “Requirements”- PostgreSQL — SQLite is not supported. PrepArr automates the entire PostgreSQL setup process.
- Docker or Kubernetes — Works with Docker Compose, Docker Swarm, Kubernetes, or any container orchestration platform.
Next Steps
Section titled “Next Steps”Quick Start
Get a fully configured Sonarr instance running with Docker Compose.
Core Concepts
Understand the three-container pattern, init vs sidecar modes, and the reconciliation loop.
Deployment
Deploy with Docker Compose, Kubernetes, or Helm.
Configuration
Explore all configuration options for quality profiles, download clients, indexers, and more.