Setup Wizard

Huntarr's 6-step setup wizard creates your admin account, secures it with 2FA, and configures authentication — all on first launch.

Overview

When you first access Huntarr at http://your-server:9705, the setup wizard appears automatically. It cannot be skipped — you must complete at least the account creation step before using Huntarr. The wizard consists of 6 steps:

1. Create Admin Account

   Choose a username and password for the owner account.

2. Two-Factor Authentication

   Optionally enable TOTP-based 2FA for extra security.

3. Link Plex Account

   Optionally connect your Plex account for SSO login.

4. Authentication Mode

   Choose how users access Huntarr (Login, Local Bypass, or No Login).

5. Recovery Key

   Save your emergency recovery key — shown only once.

6. Finish

   You're done! Head to the dashboard to start configuring.

Step 1: Create Admin Account

This creates the owner account — the primary admin user with full access to all Huntarr features.

• Username — Must be at least 3 characters. This is what you'll type at the login screen. Choose something memorable.
• Password — Must be at least 8 characters. Use a strong, unique password. Huntarr stores passwords securely using bcrypt hashing — even if someone accesses the database, your password cannot be recovered.
• Confirm Password — Re-enter to prevent typos.

Step 2: Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

This step lets you add an extra layer of security using TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password). When enabled, logging in requires both your password and a 6-digit code from your authenticator app.

• Scan the QR code — Open your authenticator app and scan the QR code displayed. Click the QR code to enlarge it if needed.
• Manual entry — If scanning doesn't work, copy the secret key and enter it manually in your authenticator app.
• Verify — Enter the 6-digit code your app generates to confirm 2FA is working.
• Skip for now — You can always enable 2FA later from Settings → User Account.

Recommended authenticator apps: Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, 1Password, Bitwarden.

Step 3: Link Plex Account

This step is strongly recommended if you use Plex. Linking your Plex account provides:

• Backup login method — If you forget your Huntarr password, you can still sign in with Plex.
• Plex SSO for users — Once the owner links Plex, regular users can sign into Requestarr using their Plex accounts. They don't need separate Huntarr passwords.
• One-click sign-in — Click "Sign in with Plex" at the login screen instead of remembering another password.

A popup window will open for you to sign into plex.tv. After authenticating, the window closes automatically and your account is linked.

Step 4: Authentication Mode

Choose how users will access Huntarr. This can be changed later in Settings → Main.

Mode	Security	Best for
Login Mode	High	Any deployment, especially those accessible from the internet. Requires username/password for all connections.
Local Bypass	Medium	Home networks where you trust all LAN users. Local IPs skip login; external access still requires authentication.
No Login	None	Only behind a secured reverse proxy (Authelia, Authentik, VPN). Anyone who reaches the URL has full access.

Step 5: Recovery Key

This is the most important step. A unique recovery key is generated for your account. This key is the only way to regain access if you lose your password and 2FA device.

• The key is displayed for a limited time — copy or screenshot it immediately
• Store it in a password manager, secure note, or printed in a safe location
• The key is never shown again after you leave this step
• Huntarr cannot reset your password or help with account recovery — your security is fully self-sovereign

Step 6: Finish

Setup is complete! Click Go to Dashboard to start using Huntarr.

After Setup — What to Do Next

Now that your account is ready, here's the recommended order for configuring Huntarr:

1. Connect your *arr apps — Go to Apps in the sidebar and add your Sonarr, Radarr, Lidarr, Readarr, or Whisparr instances. You'll need each app's URL and API key (found in the app's Settings → General → Security).
2. Configure schedules — Visit Settings → Scheduling to set up hunt intervals and caps for each app. Start with the recommended defaults (30 min interval, 5 missing cap, 3 upgrade cap for Sonarr).
3. Set up notifications — Visit Settings → Notifications to get alerts via Discord, Telegram, Pushover, Email, or Apprise whenever Huntarr grabs something or encounters an error.
4. Explore Requestarr — If you want to let family or friends request media, visit the Requests section to configure bundles, user permissions, and approval workflows.
5. Check Movie Hunt — If you want to try Huntarr's built-in Radarr alternative, expand Movie Hunt in the sidebar and start building your collection.

Re-running Setup

If you need to completely start over:

1. Back up first — Go to Settings → Backup & Restore and create a backup
2. Stop the Huntarr container or service
3. Delete huntarr.db from your /config directory
4. Restart Huntarr — the setup wizard will appear again