# Playlist Files

Playlist files are used to create and maintain playlists on the Plex Server.

If utilized to their fullest, these files can be used to maintain the entire server's collections and playlists, and can be used as a backup for these in the event of a restore requirement.

Playlists are defined in one or more Playlist files that are mapped in the [Playlist Files Attribute](../config/libraries.md#playlist-files-attribute) within the Configuration File.

You can use the [`playlist_report` setting](../config/settings.md#playlist-report) to get a list of your playlists printed out in your log. 

These are the attributes which can be utilized within the Playlist File:

| Attribute                                               | Description                                                                                                         |
|:--------------------------------------------------------|:--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| [`templates`](templates)                                | contains definitions of templates that can be leveraged by multiple playlists                                       |
| [`external_templates`](templates.md#external-templates) | contains [path types](../config/paths) that point to external templates that can be leveraged by multiple playlists |
| [`playlists`](#playlist-attributes)                     | contains definitions of playlists you wish to add to the server                                                     |

* `playlists` is required in order to run the Playlist File.
* You can find example Playlist Files in the [Plex Meta Manager Configs Repository](https://github.com/meisnate12/Plex-Meta-Manager-Configs/tree/master/PMM)
* Plex does not support the "Continue Watching" feature for playlists, you can [vote for the feature here](https://forums.plex.tv/t/playlists-remember-position-for-subsequent-resume/84866/39)

## Playlist Attributes

Plex Meta Manager can automatically build and update playlists defined within the `playlists` attribute.

Each playlist requires its own section within the `playlists` attribute and unlike collections, playlists can only be built using one Builder as their ordering is inherited from the builder; it is not possible to combine builders.

```yaml
playlists:
  Marvel Cinematic Universe Chronological Order:
    # ... builder, details, and filters for this playlist
  Star Wars Clone Wars Chronological Order:
    # ... builder, details, and filters for this playlist
  etc:
    # ... builder, details, and filters for this playlist
```

### Special Playlist Attributes

| Attribute         | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | Required |
|:------------------|:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|:--------:|
| `libraries`       | Determine which libraries the playlist will be built from.<br>**Options:** Comma-separated string or list of library mapping names defined in the `libraries` attribute in the base of your [Configuration File](../config/configuration).                                                                        | &#9989;  |
| `sync_to_users`   | Determine which Users have the playlist synced.<br>This will override the global [`playlist_sync_to_users` Setting](../config/settings.md#playlist-sync-to-users).<br>**Options:** Comma-separated string or list of users, `all` for every user who has server access, or leave blank for just the server owner. | &#10060; |
| `delete_playlist` | Will delete this playlist for the users defined by sync_to_users.<br>**Options:** `true` or `false`                                                                                                                                                                                                               | &#10060; |

* Any defined playlist will be always be visible by The Plex Media Server owner, so it doesn't need to be defined within `sync_to_users`.

There are three types of attributes that can be utilized within a playlist:

### Builders

Builders use third-party services to source items to be added to the playlist. Multiple builders can be used in the same playlist from a variety of sources listed below.

* [Plex Builders](builders/plex)
* [Smart Builders](builders/smart)
* [TMDb Builders](builders/tmdb)
* [TVDb Builders](builders/tvdb)
* [IMDb Builders](builders/imdb)
* [Trakt Builders](builders/trakt)
* [Tautulli Builders](builders/tautulli)
* [Letterboxd Builders](builders/letterboxd)
* [ICheckMovies Builders](builders/icheckmovies)
* [FlixPatrol Builders](builders/flixpatrol)
* [StevenLu Builders](builders/stevenlu)
* [AniDB Builders](builders/anidb)
* [AniList Builders](builders/anilist)
* [MyAnimeList Builders](builders/myanimelist)

### Details

These can alter any aspect of the playlist or the media items within them.

* [Setting Details](details/setting)
* [Schedule Detail](details/schedule)
* [Metadata Details](details/metadata)
* [Arr Details](details/arr)

### Filters

These filter media items added to the playlist by any of the Builders.

* [Filters](filters)

## Example

In the following example, media is pulled from the `Movies` and `TV Shows` libraries into the one Playlist, and the playlist is shared with a specific set of users:

```yaml
playlists:
  Marvel Cinematic Universe Chronological Order:
    sync_mode: sync
    libraries: Movies, TV Shows
    sync_to_users: User1, someone@somewhere.com, User3
    trakt_list: https://trakt.tv/users/donxy/lists/marvel-cinematic-universe?sort=rank,asc
    summary: Marvel Cinematic Universe In Chronological Order
  Star Wars Clone Wars Chronological Order:
    sync_to_users: all
    sync_mode: sync
    libraries: Movies, TV Shows
    trakt_list: https://trakt.tv/users/tomfin46/lists/star-wars-the-clone-wars-chronological-episode-order
```