Plex Media Server
Control Plex Media Server using the Plex API.
Setup
Set environment variables:
PLEX_SERVER: Your Plex server URL (e.g.,http://192.168.1.100:32400)PLEX_TOKEN: Your Plex auth token (find it at plex.tv/claim or in Plex app XML)
Common Commands
Get Server Info
curl -s "$PLEX_SERVER/?X-Plex-Token=$PLEX_TOKEN" -H "Accept: application/json"
Browse Libraries
curl -s "$PLEX_SERVER/library/sections?X-Plex-Token=$PLEX_TOKEN" -H "Accept: application/json"
List Library Contents
# Replace 1 with your library section key (from browse above)
curl -s "$PLEX_SERVER/library/sections/1/all?X-Plex-Token=$PLEX_TOKEN" -H "Accept: application/json"
Search
curl -s "$PLEX_SERVER/search?query=SEARCH_TERM&X-Plex-Token=$PLEX_TOKEN" -H "Accept: application/json"
Get Recently Added
curl -s "$PLEX_SERVER/library/recentlyAdded?X-Plex-Token=$PLEX_TOKEN" -H "Accept: application/json"
Get On Deck (Continue Watching)
curl -s "$PLEX_SERVER/library/onDeck?X-Plex-Token=$PLEX_TOKEN" -H "Accept: application/json"
Get Active Sessions (What's Playing Now)
curl -s "$PLEX_SERVER/status/sessions?X-Plex-Token=$PLEX_TOKEN" -H "Accept: application/json"
List Available Clients/Players
curl -s "$PLEX_SERVER/clients?X-Plex-Token=$PLEX_TOKEN" -H "Accept: application/json"
Library Section Types
- Movies (usually section 1)
- TV Shows (usually section 2)
- Music
- Photos
Notes
- Add
-H "Accept: application/json"for JSON output (default is XML) - Library section keys (1, 2, 3...) vary by server setup — list sections first
- Media keys look like
/library/metadata/12345 - Always confirm before starting playback on a device
- Get your token: plex.tv → Account → Authorized Devices → XML link