Servarr Wiki
Readarr Linux Installation
Linux installation guide for Readarr
Page Contents
Linux
Debian / Ubuntu
Last edited by
bakerboy44801
04/05/2024

Linux

Debian / Ubuntu

Note: Raspberry Pi OS and Raspbian are both flavors of Debian

Easy Install

For the Debian / Ubuntu / Raspbian beginners there isn't an Apt Repository or Deb package.

If you want an easy life, follow this community provided and maintained Easy Install script for a base Debian (Raspbian / Raspberry Pi OS) / Ubuntu install.

For the official installation instructions that are 'Hands on' follow the Debian / Ubuntu Hands on Install steps further below.

Please see the *Arr Community Installation Script

Debian / Ubuntu Hands on Install

It is assumed you have a basic knowledge of linux or the ability to google / learn as necessary. Otherwise it is suggested to use an OS you know and understand

You'll need to install the binaries using the below commands.

The steps below will download Readarr and install it into /opt
Readarr will run under the user readarr and group media; media is the commonly suggested group to run the *Arrs, download clients, and media server under.
Readarr's configuration files will be stored in /var/lib/readarr

  • Ensure you have the required prerequisite packages:
sudo apt install curl sqlite3

Warning: Ignoring the below prerequisites will result in a failed installation and non-functional application.

Installation Prerequisites
The below instructions are based on the following prerequisites. Change the instructions as needed to suit your specific needs if necessary.
* The user readarr is created
* The user readarr is part of the group media
* Your download clients and media server run as and are a part of the group media
* Your paths used by your download clients and media server are accessible (read/write) to the group media
* If Calibre will be used, Calibre runs as the group media and the Calibre library has read/write permissions for media
* You created the directory /var/lib/readarr and ensured the user readarr has read/write permissions for it

By continuing below, you acknowledge that you have read and met the above requirements.

  • Download the correct binaries for your architecture.
    • You can determine your architecture with dpkg --print-architecture
      • AMD64 use arch=x64
      • ARM, armf, and armh use arch=arm
      • ARM64 use arch=arm64
wget --content-disposition 'http://readarr.servarr.com/v1/update/develop/updatefile?os=linux&runtime=netcore&arch=x64'
  • Uncompress the files:
tar -xvzf Readarr*.linux*.tar.gz
  • Move the files to /opt/
sudo mv Readarr /opt/

Note: This assumes you have created the user and will run as the user readarr and group media. You may change this to fit your usecase. It's important to choose these correctly to avoid permission issues with your media files. We suggest you keep at least the group name identical between your download client(s) and Readarr. Please note that if use wish to use Calibre - Readarr will need permissions for that directory.

  • Ensure ownership of the binary directory.
sudo chown readarr:readarr -R /opt/Readarr
  • Configure systemd so Readarr can autostart at boot.

The below systemd creation script will use a data directory of /var/lib/readarr. Ensure it exists or modify it as needed. For the default data directory of /home/$USER/.config/Readarr simply remove the -data argument. Note: that $USER is the User Readarr runs as and is defined below.

cat << EOF | sudo tee /etc/systemd/system/readarr.service > /dev/null
[Unit]
Description=Readarr Daemon
After=syslog.target network.target
[Service]
User=readarr
Group=media
Type=simple

ExecStart=/opt/Readarr/Readarr -nobrowser -data=/var/lib/readarr/
TimeoutStopSec=20
KillMode=process
Restart=on-failure
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
EOF
  • Reload systemd:
sudo systemctl -q daemon-reload
  • Enable the Readarr service:
sudo systemctl enable --now -q readarr
  • (Optional) Remove the tarball:
rm Readarr*.linux*.tar.gz

Typically to access the Readarr web GUI browse to http://{Your server IP Address}:8787

If Readarr did not appear to start, then check the status of the service:

sudo journalctl --since today -u readarr

Uninstall

To uninstall and purge:

Warning: This will destroy your application data.

sudo systemctl stop readarr
sudo rm -rf /opt/Readarr
sudo rm -rf /var/lib/readarr
sudo rm -rf /etc/systemd/system/readarr.service
sudo systemctl -q daemon-reload

To uninstall and keep your application data:

sudo systemctl stop readarr
sudo rm -rf /opt/Readarr
sudo rm -rf /etc/systemd/system/readarr.service
sudo systemctl -q daemon-reload