Kometa — Automated Metadata Management for Plex Libraries

Introduction

Kometa is a metadata management tool for Plex media servers. It automates the creation of collections, overlays, and playlists based on configurable rules. Instead of manually organizing your library, you define templates in YAML and Kometa keeps everything synchronized.

What Kometa Does

• Automatically builds and maintains Plex collections based on filters
• Applies metadata overlays like resolution badges and ratings to posters
• Creates smart playlists that update as your library grows
• Pulls metadata from TMDb, IMDb, Trakt, MDBList, and other sources
• Runs on a schedule to keep your library continuously organized

Architecture Overview

Kometa is a Python application that connects to your Plex server via its API. Configuration is defined in YAML files that specify collection rules, overlay templates, and metadata sources. On each run, Kometa evaluates your library against the rules, creates or updates collections, applies overlays to poster images, and synchronizes playlists. It can run as a one-shot command or as a scheduled Docker container.

Self-Hosting & Configuration

• Deploy via Docker with a mounted config volume
• Configure your Plex server URL and token in the YAML config
• Define collections using filters like genre, year, rating, or custom lists
• Overlay templates are customizable with built-in presets for common styles
• Schedule runs via Docker restart policies or cron

Key Features

• Declarative library organization via YAML configuration
• Poster overlays for resolution, audio format, and rating badges
• Integration with TMDb, IMDb, Trakt, MDBList, and AniDB
• Support for movies, TV shows, and music libraries
• Active community maintaining shared configuration templates

Comparison with Similar Tools

• Plex Meta Manager — Kometa is the continuation of this project under a new name
• Overseerr — handles media requests; Kometa handles library organization and metadata
• Tautulli — monitors Plex usage and history; Kometa manages metadata and collections
• Radarr/Sonarr — manage media acquisition; Kometa manages how acquired media is presented

FAQ

Q: Does Kometa modify my actual media files? A: No. It only modifies metadata and poster images within Plex. Your files are untouched.

Q: How often should I run it? A: Most users run it daily. The Docker image supports a configurable schedule.

Q: Can I preview changes before applying them? A: Yes. Run with the --dry-run flag to see what changes would be made without applying them.

Q: Is it safe to use with a large library? A: Yes. Kometa is designed for libraries of any size and processes items incrementally.

Sources

• https://github.com/Kometa-Team/Kometa
• https://kometa.wiki