How to Install PlexPy on Docker using Kitematic GUI?

We already shown how to install PlexPy on Docker commandline, which works on all platforms: Windows, Linux, and Mac. PlexPy is a Python based monitoring and tracking tool for Plex Media Server. For people who don't prefer commandline installation, we presented Kitematic Docker GUI for Windows. In this post, I will show you how simple it is to install PlexPy on Docker using Kitematic GUI for Docker engine. Unfortunately, at this point, there is no Kitematic like tool for non-Windows environment. Therefore, you can only install PlexPy using Kitematic on Windows systems.
Must Read: Docker Media Server Ubuntu: Compose for 23 Awesome Apps

Install PlexPy on Docker using Kitematic

If you still do not know about Docker, I strongly recommend our guides on what is Docker and its installation on Windows and Ubuntu. In short, Docker allows installing home server apps such as PlexPy as self-contained containers, making it easy to install and manage them. No complicated PlexPy setup procedures. So, without further ado let's see how to install PlexPy using Kitematic Docker GUI.

If you have not setup Kitematic yet, follow our Kitematic Windows Guide to set it up first.

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1. Search for PlexPy Docker Hub Container

Once Kitematic is open and connected to your Docker engine. Search for "Linuxserver PlexPy" in the search box as shown in the picture below.

There are several PlexPy container images available on Docker hub. We are going to install LinuxServer's container. If you want to see all available PlexPy containers, search for just "PlexPy". I typically get the containers with high like and download numbers. LinuxServer's containers are widely used (needo and timhaak are other good ones). You may certainly try other containers. Remember, one of the advantages of Docker is that it isolates containers from the base OS and therefore you cannot damage your OS.

2. Create New PlexPy Container

Once your figure out which PlexPy container image you want to use (in this case LinuxServer's), hit the "Create" button as shown in the picture above to install PlexPy on Docker. The PlexPy container image will start to download as shown below.

3. Setup PlexPy using Kitematic

Once PlexPy Docker Hub container image is downloaded, Kitematic will use the image to create a new container with PlexPy. Wait for the container setup to complete.

When done, you will see the "RUNNING" status and the PlexPy web access link or URL and port, as shown in the picture above. [Read: 5 Best Plex Client Devices 2017: Plex TV Boxes to Stream from Server]

4. Setup Docker Volumes for PlexPy

By default, Docker containers will save any data in the containers folder in C Drive (User’s folder) and PlexPy won’t have access to folders outside that. For most apps, you will have to make some changes in the Docker Volumes section shown below. But not for PlexPy.

Do not setup a folder for "config" or "logs" as this often leads to PlexPy database corruption. So there is really nothing to change here.

5. Change PlexPy Port Number

Before accessing PlexPy, I recommend changing MAC IP:PORT. Under Settings -> Ports for the PlexPy container, you can change the access port to the default port number or anything of your liking. If I let Docker decide the port number, I noticed that sometimes the container does not start, possibly due to port conflicts. While manually changing, if you choose a port number that is already being used by another service, Kitematic will notify you. You will then have to choose a different port number. In this case, I set the MAC IP:PORT to the same as DOCKER PORT for PlexPy (ie. 8181). This allows you to set port forwarding on your router and access PlexPy from outside your home network. Make sure to restart your container after making the port change.

Access PlexPy Container on Docker

You may then access PlexPy on your web browser using the URL or Link displayed in the "Home" tab or under "Ports".

If PlexPy opens up in your browser as shown above, you are all set. Notice how much more simple it is to setup PlexPy using Kitematic than commandline? Now you can proceed to configuring PlexPy to monitor your Plex Media Server usage. If you have friends or family sharing your Plex media, you may consider installing Plex Requests to get their media request submissions. Sounds exciting? Go ahead install PlexPy on Docker using Kitematic GUI and make your home server better.