Ombi (formerly PlexRequests) is a self-hosted web application designed to act as a bridge between media server administrators (Plex, Emby, Jellyfin) and their users.
The core philosophy is to “Stop Taking Requests” via text, email, or in-person—a process that often leads to forgotten requests and admin burnout—and instead let a streamlined application handle the workflow from request to consumption. 1. Key Functionality
User-Initiated Requests: Users browse an intuitive interface to find and request movies, TV shows, or music.
Automatic Availability Check: Before a user requests something, Ombi checks your media server (Plex/Emby/Jellyfin) to see if you already have it.
Automation (Sonarr/Radarr/Lidarr): If the content is missing, Ombi can automatically send the request to tools like Sonarr (for TV) or Radarr (for movies) to be downloaded, entirely without admin intervention.
User Notification: Once the content is downloaded and added to the media server, Ombi automatically notifies the user that their requested content is ready to watch. 2. Main Benefits
Saves Time: It eliminates the need for the admin to manually check what is being requested.
Reduces Duplicate Requests: Users see what is already available, preventing the same item from being requested multiple times.
Platform Integration: It supports Plex, Emby, and Jellyfin, allowing for seamless user integration.
Mobile App: Ombi offers a dedicated mobile application, making it convenient for users to submit requests on the go. 3. How it Works Request: User requests content. Process: Ombi checks if the content already exists.
Automation: The request is automatically sent to download tools.
Availability: Content is added to the server and the user is notified.
In short, Ombi automates the entire request-to-fulfillment pipeline, acting as a user-friendly frontend for your media library management tools.
Are you looking to install Ombi, or do you have a specific question about how to set it up?If you’re interested, I can also: Compare it with other request tools like Overseerr. Outline the key steps for setting it up with Docker. Explain the specific integrations for Sonarr/Radarr.