Overview

Plex is a local-first media server. See https://www.plex.tv for more information.

Installation

1. Create Plex’s apt source:

   echo deb https://downloads.plex.tv/repo/deb public main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/plexmediaserver.list
   

2. Update apt and install:

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install plexmediaserver
   

Migrate Metadata Library

By default, Plex’s metadata library is located at /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/. On systems with a small /var partition, this can be problematic. To relocate the metadata library:

1. Stop Plex:

   sudo systemctl stop plexmediaserver.service
   

2. Create a systemd override:

   sudo systemctl edit plexmediaserver.service
   

   This creates /etc/systemd/system/plexmediaserver.service.d/override.conf.

3. Delete the contents of the file with Ctrl+Shift+K.

4. Add this line, replacing DESTINATION_PATH:

   Environment="PLEX_MEDIA_SERVER_APPLICATION_SUPPORT_DIR=DESTINATION_PATH/Library/Application Support"
   

5. Exit and save.

6. Move the metadata:

   sudo mv --verbose /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/ DESTINATION_PATH
   

7. Reload systemd manager configuration to use the new override:

   sudo systemctl daemon-reload
   

8. Restart Plex:

   sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver.service
   

Configuration

1. Browse to http://<LOCAL-SERVER-IP>:32400/web/index.html replacing LOCAL-SERVER-IP
2. Complete setup.