Knowledge/projects/plex-export.md

Plex Export Project

Goal

Create a one-off local Python workflow that exports Michael's Plex library into two JSON files so Soren can analyse what is available and later help with recommendations, unwatched content, abandoned shows, and similar watch guidance.

Why this approach

• Local-first and low-drama
• Avoids direct ongoing live access where possible
• Keeps Plex credentials limited to a local .env file
• Produces reusable snapshots Soren can read repeatedly without re-querying Plex every time

Current project location

• projects/plex-export/

Files created

• projects/plex-export/export_plex_library.py
• projects/plex-export/.env.example
• projects/plex-export/README.md

Current script behaviour

• Connects to a Plex server using:
  • PLEX_BASE_URL
  • PLEX_TOKEN
  • optional PLEX_VERIFY_SSL
• Automatically fetches Plex library sections
• Exports all sections of type:
  • movie
  • show
• Writes output to:
  • projects/plex-export/exports/movies.json
  • projects/plex-export/exports/shows.json
• Groups content by Plex section/library
• Includes useful metadata such as:
  • title
  • year
  • summary
  • genres
  • ratings
  • watched/view count
  • last viewed
  • added date
  • show episode counts
  • unwatched episode count
  • media/codec/file metadata

Important decisions made

• Do not store this under knowledge/; keep it as a standalone project under top-level projects/
• Separate exports into movies and TV shows
• Section IDs are optional and should be left unset if Michael wants access to all movie/show libraries
• Preferred model is a one-off/local export snapshot, not full-time live Plex integration (at least initially)

Current blocker

The script is ready but not yet configured because Plex credentials are not in place yet.

Missing local config file:

• projects/plex-export/.env

Required values:

• PLEX_BASE_URL
• PLEX_TOKEN

Optional values:

• PLEX_VERIFY_SSL=true|false
• PLEX_MOVIE_SECTION_IDS=...
• PLEX_SHOW_SECTION_IDS=...

What Michael asked about

• How to find the Plex token
• Whether section IDs are necessary

Answers established

• Section IDs are not needed if the goal is to export everything available; the script already exports all movie and show sections by default
• Best token acquisition method suggested:
  1. Open Plex Web
  2. Open browser developer tools
  3. Use the Network tab
  4. Refresh the page
  5. Inspect a request for X-Plex-Token

Next steps for tomorrow

1. Michael obtains Plex token
2. Create projects/plex-export/.env
3. Add at least:
   • PLEX_BASE_URL=http://<plex-host>:32400
   • PLEX_TOKEN=<token>
4. Leave section IDs unset unless filtering is desired
5. Run:

   cd /home/openclaw/.openclaw/workspace/projects/plex-export
   python3 export_plex_library.py
   

6. Read and analyse:
   • projects/plex-export/exports/movies.json
   • projects/plex-export/exports/shows.json

Intended outcomes after export

Use the exported library snapshot to support conversations like:

• what should we watch tonight?
• what good stuff do we own but haven’t watched?
• what shows were started and abandoned?
• what comfort-watch or sci-fi options are already in the library?
• what’s similar to a given film/show from what is already available locally?