Get started

Quick start

Install the server, add a library and press play, in about ten minutes.

This guide uses Docker because it bundles everything Wren TV needs. For Linux, macOS and Windows services, see Install.

#1. Start the server

Create a folder for Wren TV, and in it a docker-compose.yml:

yamlservices:
  wrentv:
    image: ghcr.io/ltagroup/wrentv:latest
    container_name: wrentv
    restart: unless-stopped
    network_mode: host            # Linux: lets UPnP and LAN address detection see your real network
    environment:
      - WRENTV_SERVER_NAME=Living Room
      - WRENTV_TMDB_API_KEY=your-tmdb-key
    volumes:
      - ./config:/config
      - /path/to/media:/media:ro

Replace /path/to/media with the folder that holds your movies and shows. Media is mounted read-only: Wren TV never changes your files. Then start it:

bashdocker compose up -d
docker logs -f wrentv

#2. Get a TMDB key

Posters, descriptions, cast and genres come from The Movie Database. Create a free account, request an API key under Settings → API, and set it as WRENTV_TMDB_API_KEY (or paste it into the server's Settings page later). Without it, titles still appear, named after their files, but without artwork.

#3. Create the owner account

Open http://<your-server>:32500 in a browser. A new server asks you to set it up:

• Local accounts (the default): create the owner's username and password. Accounts live on this server only.
• Wren TV accounts: sign in with your Wren TV account and enter the claim code from the server log. This links the server to your account, so it shows up at watch.wrentv.com, in the apps, and can be shared by email.

Wren TV accounts need one setting first. See First run and claiming.

#4. Add a library

Go to Manage → Libraries → Add library, choose Movies or TV Shows, and pick the folder. With Docker, that's the path inside the container, such as /media/Movies.

Titles appear within seconds, named from their files, and artwork fills in as metadata arrives. New files are picked up automatically while the server runs. If something is matched wrong, check naming your files.

#5. Press play

Open any title and press Play. Most files direct play: the original bytes go straight to your screen. If a browser can't decode a file, the server remuxes or transcodes it on the fly.

#Next steps

• Watch away from home with remote access.
• Pass a GPU through for hardware transcoding.
• Share libraries with family and friends.