Cache Behavior Settings

Content Discovery

Number of upcoming episodes to cache for in-progress shows
How far back to check OnDeck for recently watched items

Watchlist


Retention

Keep files cached at least this long before moving back (0 = no minimum)
Auto-expire watchlist items after this period (0 = never expire)
Auto-expire OnDeck items after this period (0 = never expire)

File Handling

When moving files to cache, keep backup on array (allows recovery if cache fails)
Remove empty parent folders on cache after moving files to array. Disable if you use year-based or other intentional empty folder structures.
For non-Unraid systems: creates a symlink at the original file location pointing to the cached copy, so Plex can still find files. Not needed on Unraid or mergerfs (FUSE handles this). In Docker, both paths must be mounted at the same absolute paths in PlexCache-D and Plex containers.
When Sonarr/Radarr upgrades a cached file, automatically transfer exclude list and tracker entries to the new file using Plex rating keys.
When a cached file is upgraded, create a .plexcached backup of the new file on the array (only if the old file had a backup).
Files with multiple hardlinks (e.g., seeding torrents). Skip preserves links, Move copies the file.
Which files to cache alongside videos. Subtitles affect playback; artwork and NFOs improve browsing with array spun down.
Hidden directories (dot-prefixed like .Trash, .Recycle.Bin) are always skipped automatically. Add additional folder names below for non-dot-prefixed directories to exclude from scanning.
Common examples: @Recycle, #recycle

Storage Limits

Cache Limit and Eviction are based on total drive usage (all files on the cache drive), not just PlexCache-managed files. Other applications, downloads, and system files all count toward the limit.
Override auto-detected size (e.g., 3.7TB). For ZFS pools where dataset size differs from pool size.
Using manual size: 2.00 TB
Maximum total drive usage before PlexCache stops caching (e.g., 500GB or 75%). Includes all files on the drive, not just PlexCache-managed files. Leave empty for no cap.
Safety floor: always keep at least this much free space on the drive (e.g., 50GB or 5%). Useful when other apps also write to the cache drive. Leave empty to disable.
Maximum space for PlexCache-managed files only (excludes other apps on the drive). Unlike Cache Limit which counts all drive usage. Leave empty to disable.

Eviction

Start evicting low-priority files when total drive usage exceeds this percentage of your Cache Limit
Only evict files below this priority (OnDeck ~60-100, Watchlist ~45-80)

Advanced

Exit without processing if someone is currently watching. Prevents moving files during playback.
Max parallel file operations when moving TO cache (default: 5)
Max parallel file operations when moving TO array (default: 2)