How To Setup Docker

1. Why Docker for Usenet

• One host can run SABnzbd or NZBGet, Sonarr, Radarr, Lidarr, Prowlarr, and supporting tools.
• Updates are safer and repeatable.
• You can rebuild quickly if hardware or OS changes.
• Containerized apps reduce dependency conflicts.

2. Prerequisites

3. Folder Layout (Do This First)

Use one root so all apps see identical paths.

mkdir -p /srv/media/{downloads,library}
mkdir -p /srv/media/appdata/{sabnzbd,nzbget,sonarr,radarr,lidarr,prowlarr}

• /srv/media/downloads: incomplete and complete jobs.
• /srv/media/library: final imported media.
• /srv/media/appdata/*: each app’s config and database.

Most common failure: mismatched paths between downloader and ARR containers.

4. Compose-First Deployment

Example minimal stack (SAB + Sonarr + Radarr + Prowlarr):

services:
  sabnzbd:
    image: lscr.io/linuxserver/sabnzbd:latest
    container_name: sabnzbd
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=America/Chicago
    volumes:
      - /srv/media/appdata/sabnzbd:/config
      - /srv/media/downloads:/downloads
    ports:
      - "8080:8080"
    restart: unless-stopped

  sonarr:
    image: lscr.io/linuxserver/sonarr:latest
    container_name: sonarr
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=America/Chicago
    volumes:
      - /srv/media/appdata/sonarr:/config
      - /srv/media/downloads:/downloads
      - /srv/media/library:/library
    ports:
      - "8989:8989"
    restart: unless-stopped

  radarr:
    image: lscr.io/linuxserver/radarr:latest
    container_name: radarr
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=America/Chicago
    volumes:
      - /srv/media/appdata/radarr:/config
      - /srv/media/downloads:/downloads
      - /srv/media/library:/library
    ports:
      - "7878:7878"
    restart: unless-stopped

  prowlarr:
    image: lscr.io/linuxserver/prowlarr:latest
    container_name: prowlarr
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=America/Chicago
    volumes:
      - /srv/media/appdata/prowlarr:/config
    ports:
      - "9696:9696"
    restart: unless-stopped

docker compose up -d
docker compose ps

5. First Configuration Order

1. Configure downloader server credentials (SSL, host, user, pass).
2. Set downloader categories and complete/incomplete paths.
3. Add indexers in Prowlarr.
4. Sync Prowlarr to Sonarr/Radarr.
5. Add downloader in Sonarr/Radarr and run test jobs.

6. Recommendations for Stability

• Use restart: unless-stopped on every app.
• Pin timezone and keep host clock correct.
• Keep one consistent PUID/PGID across the stack.
• Back up /appdata regularly.
• Avoid random port changes once integrations are working.

7. Unraid: Usually Easier for Most Users

If your goal is a low-friction home-server setup for ARR + SAB/NZBGet, Unraid is often easier than raw Docker hosts for beginners and intermediate users.

We created a dedicated guide here: Unraid Usenet Setup Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions