Setup Wizard¶
When you first open Tentacle, the setup wizard guides you through the essential configuration. Only one thing is truly required — connecting to Jellyfin. Everything else is optional and can be configured later.
Step 1: Connect to Jellyfin¶
Enter your Jellyfin server details:
- Jellyfin URL — The address of your Jellyfin server (e.g.,
http://192.168.1.100:8096) - API Key — Generate one in Jellyfin → Dashboard → API Keys → Create
Click Test Connection to verify. You should see a green "Connected" status.
Docker networking
If Jellyfin and Tentacle are on the same Docker network, you can use the container name: http://jellyfin:8096
Step 2: TMDB (Automatic)¶
Tentacle ships with a built-in TMDB API key — metadata works out of the box with zero configuration. You'll see a green checkmark next to TMDB automatically.
If you prefer to use your own TMDB key, you can override it in Settings later. Get one free at themoviedb.org/settings/api.
Step 3: Radarr & Sonarr (Optional)¶
If you use Radarr and/or Sonarr for downloading content:
- URL — Your Radarr/Sonarr address (e.g.,
http://192.168.1.100:7878) - API Key — Found in Radarr/Sonarr → Settings → General → API Key
Click Test to verify each connection.
Post-setup scan
When you finish the wizard with Radarr or Sonarr configured, Tentacle automatically scans their libraries in the background. Your existing content will appear in the Library page within a few minutes.
Step 4: Check Library Paths¶
After completing the wizard, go to Settings → Library Paths to verify your volume mounts:
| Path | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
/data | Green | Database and config volume mounted correctly |
/media/movies | Green | Radarr library accessible |
/media/shows | Green | Sonarr library accessible |
/media/vod/movies | Red | VOD movies path not mounted (OK if you don't use a provider) |
Red paths mean the volume isn't mounted in your Docker Compose. This is fine if you don't use that feature.
What Happens After Setup¶
Once Jellyfin is connected, Tentacle:
- Creates your user account — the first Jellyfin admin to log in becomes the Tentacle owner
- Scans Radarr/Sonarr (if configured) — imports your existing library
- Shows the dashboard — you're ready to add providers, configure playlists, and customize your home screen
Next Steps¶
After the wizard, here's the recommended order:
- Add a streaming provider — Go to the VOD page to add an IPTV provider for on-demand content, or the Live TV page for channels
- Enable playlists — Go to Jellyfin → Playlists to toggle on auto-generated playlists
- Customize your home screen — Go to Jellyfin → Home Screen to set up hero spotlight and playlist rows
- Install the plugin — Install the Tentacle Jellyfin plugin to see the custom home screen, Discover tab, and Activity tab inside Jellyfin
- Set up webhooks — Configure Radarr and Sonarr webhooks for real-time library updates