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The Library API provides endpoints for managing Jellyfin libraries, including scanning, refreshing, deleting items, and retrieving library information.

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Start Library Scan

Initiate a full library scan to refresh all media. 
curl -X POST "https://your-server/Library/Refresh" \
  -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY"

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Endpoint

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method
string
required
POST
​
endpoint
string
required
/Library/Refresh

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Authorization

Requires elevation policy (administrator access).

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Response Codes

  • 204 - No Content: Library scan started successfully

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Delete Items

Delete one or more items from the library and filesystem.

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Delete Single Item

Single Item
curl -X DELETE "https://your-server/Items/{itemId}" \
  -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY"
DELETE /Items/{itemId}

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Delete Multiple Items

Multiple Items
curl -X DELETE "https://your-server/Items?ids=id1,id2,id3" \
  -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY"
DELETE /Items

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Path Parameters

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itemId
string (GUID)
required
The item ID to delete (single item endpoint).

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Query Parameters

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ids
string[]
required
Comma-delimited item IDs to delete (multiple items endpoint).

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Response Codes

  • 204 - No Content: Item(s) deleted successfully
  • 401 - Unauthorized: User does not have permission to delete
  • 404 - Not Found: Item not found

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Get Item Counts

Retrieve item counts for various media types.
cURL
curl -X GET "https://your-server/Items/Counts?userId=USER_ID" \
  -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY"

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Endpoint

GET /Items/Counts

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Query Parameters

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userId
string (GUID)
Get counts from a specific user’s library.
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isFavorite
boolean
Get counts of favorite items only.

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Response

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MovieCount
integer
Number of movies in the library.
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SeriesCount
integer
Number of TV series.
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EpisodeCount
integer
Number of episodes.
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AlbumCount
integer
Number of music albums.
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SongCount
integer
Number of audio tracks.
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MusicVideoCount
integer
Number of music videos.
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BoxSetCount
integer
Number of box sets.
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BookCount
integer
Number of books.

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Response Codes

  • 200 - Success: Item counts returned

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Get Media Folders

Retrieve all user media folders (libraries).
cURL
curl -X GET "https://your-server/Library/MediaFolders" \
  -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY"

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Endpoint

GET /Library/MediaFolders

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Query Parameters

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isHidden
boolean
Filter by folders that are marked hidden.

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Response

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Items
array
Array of media folder objects.
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TotalRecordCount
integer
Total number of media folders.

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Authorization

Requires elevation policy (administrator access).

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Response Codes

  • 200 - Success: Media folders returned

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Get Physical Paths

Get a list of physical paths from virtual folders.
cURL
curl -X GET "https://your-server/Library/PhysicalPaths" \
  -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY"

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Endpoint

GET /Library/PhysicalPaths

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Response

Array of physical path strings.

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Authorization

Requires elevation policy (administrator access).

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Response Codes

  • 200 - Success: Physical paths returned

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Get Item Ancestors

Retrieve all parent items of a specific item.
cURL
curl -X GET "https://your-server/Items/{itemId}/Ancestors?userId=USER_ID" \
  -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY"

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Endpoint

GET /Items/{itemId}/Ancestors

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Path Parameters

​
itemId
string (GUID)
required
The item ID.

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Query Parameters

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userId
string (GUID)
Filter by user ID and attach user data.

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Response

Array of BaseItemDto objects representing the parent items, from immediate parent to root.

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Response Codes

  • 200 - Success: Item ancestors returned
  • 404 - Not Found: Item not found

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Get Similar Items

Find items similar to a specific item.
cURL
curl -X GET "https://your-server/Items/{itemId}/Similar?limit=10" \
  -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY"

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Endpoint

GET /Items/{itemId}/Similar Also available at:
  • /Movies/{itemId}/Similar
  • /Shows/{itemId}/Similar
  • /Albums/{itemId}/Similar
  • /Artists/{itemId}/Similar

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Path Parameters

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itemId
string (GUID)
required
The item ID.

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Query Parameters

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userId
string (GUID)
Filter by user ID and attach user data.
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limit
integer
Maximum number of similar items to return.
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fields
string[]
Comma-delimited additional fields to return.
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excludeArtistIds
string[]
Comma-delimited artist IDs to exclude.

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Response

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Items
array
Array of similar items.
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TotalRecordCount
integer
Total number of similar items found.

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Response Codes

  • 200 - Success: Similar items returned

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Download Item

Download the original media file for an item.
cURL
curl -X GET "https://your-server/Items/{itemId}/Download" \
  -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -o "downloaded-file.mp4"

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Endpoint

GET /Items/{itemId}/Download

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Path Parameters

​
itemId
string (GUID)
required
The item ID.

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Authorization

Requires download policy permission.

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Response

The media file stream with appropriate content type and filename.

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Response Codes

  • 200 - Success: Media file stream returned
  • 404 - Not Found: Item not found
  • 400 - Bad Request: Item does not support downloading

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Get Theme Media

Retrieve theme songs and videos for an item.

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Get Theme Songs

Theme Songs
curl -X GET "https://your-server/Items/{itemId}/ThemeSongs" \
  -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY"
GET /Items/{itemId}/ThemeSongs

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Get Theme Videos

Theme Videos
curl -X GET "https://your-server/Items/{itemId}/ThemeVideos" \
  -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY"
GET /Items/{itemId}/ThemeVideos

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Get All Theme Media

All Theme Media
curl -X GET "https://your-server/Items/{itemId}/ThemeMedia" \
  -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY"
GET /Items/{itemId}/ThemeMedia

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Path Parameters

​
itemId
string (GUID)
required
The item ID.

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Query Parameters

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userId
string (GUID)
Filter by user ID and attach user data.
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inheritFromParent
boolean
default:"false"
Whether to search parent items for theme media.

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Response

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Items
array
Array of theme media items.
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TotalRecordCount
integer
Total number of theme items.
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OwnerId
string (GUID)
ID of the item that owns the theme media.

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Response Codes

  • 200 - Success: Theme media returned
  • 404 - Not Found: Item not found

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Virtual Folders

Manage virtual folders (libraries).

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Get Virtual Folders

Get
curl -X GET "https://your-server/Library/VirtualFolders" \
  -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY"
GET /Library/VirtualFolders

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Add Virtual Folder

Add
curl -X POST "https://your-server/Library/VirtualFolders?name=Movies&collectionType=movies" \
  -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "LibraryOptions": {
      "PathInfos": [{"Path": "/media/movies"}],
      "EnableRealtimeMonitor": true
    }
  }'
POST /Library/VirtualFolders

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Remove Virtual Folder

Remove
curl -X DELETE "https://your-server/Library/VirtualFolders?name=Movies" \
  -H "Authorization: MediaBrowser Token=YOUR_API_KEY"
DELETE /Library/VirtualFolders

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Authorization

Requires first-time setup or elevation policy.

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Response Codes

  • 200 - Success: Virtual folders returned (GET)
  • 204 - No Content: Operation completed successfully (POST/DELETE)
  • 404 - Not Found: Virtual folder not found (DELETE)