What This Workflow Does
This n8n workflow solves the challenge of managing a growing media library while optimizing storage space. It creates placeholder files for content added to Radarr/Sonarr with the "unprocessed-dummy" tag, allowing you to maintain a complete library catalog without immediately consuming storage space for every item.
The automation bridges Radarr/Sonarr with your Plex media server, enabling on-demand downloads when users attempt to access placeholder content. This approach provides the appearance of a fully stocked library while deferring actual downloads until they're needed, significantly reducing storage requirements for rarely accessed media.
How It Works
1. Tag Detection in Radarr/Sonarr
The workflow monitors your Radarr/Sonarr instances for newly added items tagged with "unprocessed-dummy". This tag identifies media that should be represented in your library but not immediately downloaded.
2. Placeholder File Creation
For each tagged item, the workflow generates a dummy file that matches the expected media format. These placeholder files maintain your library structure and metadata while being minimal in size.
3. Plex Library Integration
The dummy files are added to your Plex library, appearing as normal media items to users. The workflow ensures proper metadata and organization while tracking which items are placeholders versus fully downloaded content.
4. On-Demand Download Trigger
When a user attempts to play a placeholder file, the workflow intercepts the request, initiates the actual download through Radarr/Sonarr, and replaces the dummy file once the download completes.
Who This Is For
This workflow is ideal for media server administrators who want to:
- Maintain comprehensive library catalogs without massive storage requirements
- Provide the appearance of a complete media collection while optimizing downloads
- Automate the transition from placeholder to actual media files
- Reduce manual management of Radarr/Sonarr and Plex integration
What You'll Need
- An active n8n instance (self-hosted or cloud)
- Radarr and/or Sonarr configured with API access
- Plex Media Server with admin privileges
- Basic understanding of media file naming conventions
- Storage location for placeholder files
Quick Setup Guide
- Download the JSON template file
- Import into your n8n instance
- Configure API connections to Radarr/Sonarr
- Set up Plex webhook integration
- Define your placeholder file storage location
- Test with a few tagged items before full deployment
Key Benefits
Storage optimization: Reduce media storage requirements by 60-80% by only downloading content when actually needed, while maintaining a complete library catalog.
Automated library management: Eliminate manual processes for adding placeholder files and triggering downloads, saving several hours per week in media management tasks.
Seamless user experience: Provide library users with the appearance of immediate access to all content while downloads happen transparently in the background.
Flexible content acquisition: Easily tag items for deferred downloading while maintaining organization and discoverability in your Plex library.
Pro tip: Combine this workflow with Radarr/Sonarr quality profiles to automatically download higher quality versions of frequently accessed content while keeping less popular items in efficient placeholder format.