Portico documentation
Set up a server, organize a library, connect your devices, and keep Portico running.
Start here
Understand Portico and get a server ready for its first library.
Browse start here- What is Portico?Learn what Portico does, what runs on your server, and how the apps fit together.
- Quick startInstall a server, create the owner account, add a library, and test playback.
- Choose a serverPick hardware and storage that can keep Portico available when your household needs it.
- Accounts and serversUnderstand the difference between a Portico Account, a server owner, and a viewer.
Install Portico Server
Choose a server, install Portico, and complete first-run setup.
Browse install portico server- Install on WindowsInstall Portico Server on a Windows computer and confirm that the service is running.
- Install on macOSInstall Portico Server on a Mac and give it reliable access to media folders.
- Install on LinuxInstall Portico Server as a managed service on a supported Linux system.
- Install with DockerPlan a persistent Portico container with explicit media and data mounts.
- Complete first-run setupChoose a Portico Account or a local server account and secure the first owner.
- Portico data folderUnderstand what Portico stores outside your media folders and why it needs a separate backup.
Organize and add media
Prepare folders, create libraries, scan files, and correct matches.
Browse organize and add media- Prepare media foldersArrange media into clear library folders before the first scan.
- Name movie filesUse movie folder and file names that Portico can match consistently.
- Name television episodesGroup shows, seasons, and episodes so Portico can build a complete series.
- Organize musicArrange artists, albums, tracks, and embedded tags for a reliable music library.
- Create a libraryAdd a media folder to Portico and choose the library type that matches it.
- Scan and refresh a libraryKnow when Portico should look for files and when it should update details for known items.
- Fix an incorrect matchCorrect the title or metadata selected for a movie, show, album, or other library item.
Watch with Portico
Browse, search, play, manage progress, and choose audio or subtitles.
Browse watch with portico- Find your way around PorticoUse Home, Libraries, Search, Saved, and the player without learning the server controls.
- Search and save mediaFind items across your libraries and keep useful lists under your own account.
- Start and resume playbackPlay an item, continue on another device, and understand how progress is saved.
- Choose audio and subtitlesSelect available tracks and set personal playback language preferences.
- Direct play and transcodingUnderstand why Portico sometimes sends the original file and sometimes prepares another stream.
Remote access
Connect securely to a Portico Server from outside its local network.
Browse remote access- How Portico connectsSee how an authorized app finds a server without sending private media through Portico Cloud.
- Enable remote accessPublish a verified route only after the server works correctly on the local network.
- Read the connection statusUse Portico's local, public, certificate, and verification results to find the failed layer.
- Check router and firewall settingsReview the local network when automatic remote access cannot reach the server.
People and access
Create accounts, assign library access, and manage household permissions.
Browse people and access- Add a personGive someone their own Portico access without sharing the owner account.
- Manage library accessChoose which libraries an account can browse, search, play, and save.
- Permission basicsSeparate viewing, downloading, administration, and destructive actions.
- Remove or suspend accessStop a person's server access and review the sessions and devices attached to it.
Live TV and DVR
Configure channels, guide data, recordings, schedules, and conflicts.
Browse live tv and dvr- Before you add Live TVPrepare a compatible source, guide data, storage, and account access.
- Add a Live TV sourceConnect a compatible channel source and verify the available lineup.
- Add and map guide dataConnect programme listings and map them to the channels in your lineup.
- Record a programme or seriesSchedule one programme or keep new episodes from a series.
- Resolve recording conflictsUnderstand why simultaneous schedules compete and choose which recording should run.
Server administration
Run, monitor, update, back up, and maintain a Portico Server.
Browse server administration- Use the Server ConsoleCheck server health, active streams, work, alerts, and connection state.
- Back up Portico ServerProtect the server database, settings, accounts, progress, and other Portico data.
- Read logs and diagnosticsCollect the evidence needed to understand a failure without exposing private data.
- Update Portico ServerPrepare, install, verify, and roll back a Portico Server update.
- Manage scheduled tasksChoose when scans, analysis, maintenance, guide work, and backups can run.
- Move Portico to another computerTransfer server data and media paths without creating a second unrelated server.
Apps and devices
Connect Portico on the web, phones, tablets, televisions, and streaming devices.
Browse apps and devices- Connect a Portico appSign in, choose an authorized server, and confirm the app can reach it.
- Use Portico on the webOpen the hosted web app or the browser app served by a local Portico Server.
- Use Portico on iPhone and iPadConnect the Apple mobile app and choose playback behaviour for a phone or tablet.
- Use Portico on a televisionConnect a remote-first app and keep navigation and playback comfortable at a distance.
- Why controls differ between appsUnderstand which Portico behaviour is shared and which controls depend on the device.
Troubleshooting
Diagnose connection, library, playback, account, and recording problems.
Browse troubleshooting- Connection troubleshooting basicsNarrow a connection problem to the app, account, local network, remote route, or server.
- Server not foundRestore a missing or offline server in a Portico app.
- Media is missing from a libraryCheck permissions, folders, naming, scan state, and filters when an item does not appear.
- Buffering during playbackCompare the file, playback decision, server load, storage, and network path.
- Playback failedWork through an item that will not start or stops with an error.
- Sign-in problemsCheck the account, server membership, password, device time, and session state.
- Live TV or recording problemsSeparate source, guide, tuner, storage, schedule, and playback failures.
Security and privacy
Review authentication, direct connections, data ownership, and reporting.
Browse security and privacy- Portico security modelUnderstand the separate server and cloud authorities and where access is enforced.
- Where private media travelsSee why Portico Cloud does not become a media relay or storage service.
- Protect your accountUse unique credentials, multi-factor authentication, recovery codes, and device review.
- Data and retentionUnderstand which system stores account, server, route, audit, and media information.
- Report a security issueSend a private, useful report without publishing an active vulnerability or secret.
Developers
Work with Portico contracts, clients, integrations, and contribution standards.
Browse developers- API architecture overviewUnderstand how Portico separates Server and Cloud contracts before integrating with either one.
- Client architectureShare product behaviour while keeping platform navigation, secure storage, and playback native to each client.
- Authentication architectureFollow the trust boundary from a Portico Account to one authorized server session.
- Client security requirementsPreserve credential storage, direct-route verification, server authorization, and redacted diagnostics.
- Report a product issueProvide reproducible client or server evidence without sharing secrets or private media.
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