Skip to main content

New User Defaults

Configure default settings automatically applied to newly discovered Plex users, eliminating manual configuration and ensuring consistent policy enforcement.

Quick Setup​

  1. Navigate to Utilities → New User Defaults
  2. Configure sync and approval settings
  3. Set movie and show quota defaults (optional)
  4. Click Save to apply defaults for future users
New User Defaults Configuration

Configuration​

Navigate to Utilities → New User Defaults:

  • Sync Settings:
    • Enable sync by default: Allow new users to sync watchlists immediately
  • Approval Settings:
    • Require manual approval by default: New users need approval for all requests
  • Movie Quotas:
    • Enable movie quotas: Toggle quota system for movies
    • Quota Type: daily, weekly_rolling, or monthly
    • Quota Limit: Number of movies (1-1000) per period
    • Auto-approve when exceeded: Auto-approve or require manual review
  • Show Quotas:
    • Enable show quotas: Toggle quota system for TV shows
    • Quota Type: daily, weekly_rolling, or monthly
    • Quota Limit: Number of shows (1-1000) per period
    • Auto-approve when exceeded: Auto-approve or require manual review
Approval Hierarchy

Router Rules > User Requires Approval > Quota Bypass Approval. User-level approval overrides quota settings.

Features​

  • Automatic Application: Settings applied when new users are discovered
  • Comprehensive Control: Configure sync, approval, and quota defaults
  • Flexible Quotas: Independent movie and show quota systems
  • Per-User Override: Individual settings can be modified after creation
  • Environment Variable Support: Configure via .env file for infrastructure-as-code

Example Configurations​

Conservative (Public Servers): Sync disabled, approval required, monthly quotas (5 movies, 3 shows)

Moderate (Friends/Family): Sync enabled, no approval, monthly quotas (15 movies, 10 shows) with auto-approval

Open (Private/Personal): Sync enabled, no approval, unlimited quotas

Integration​

User Management: After users are created with defaults, modify individual settings via Plex → Users

Approval System: Works with router rules and content criteria - router rules can override user-level settings

Quota System: Usage tracking begins immediately after quota creation with all quota types and reset schedules

Best Practices​

  • Start conservative and adjust based on user behavior
  • Monitor quota usage to optimize default limits
  • Document policies clearly for users
  • Test changes by adding a test user
  • Use environment variables for reproducible infrastructure

Troubleshooting​

Default settings not applying:

  • Verify settings are saved in New User Defaults page
  • Confirm user is newly discovered (not re-synced)
  • Review logs for quota creation errors

Quotas not being created:

  • Ensure quota defaults are enabled
  • Check quota limits are within range (1-1000)
  • Review database logs for errors

Environment variables not working:

  • Variables only apply on application restart
  • Check for typos in variable names
  • Web UI is overridden by environment variables

API Reference​

See the Config API documentation for managing new user default settings.