Set up Prowlarr indexer sync for Sonarr and Radarr

Connect Prowlarr to Sonarr and Radarr, choose a sync level, limit indexers by tag, and verify the result in Kochab.

Prowlarr can keep the indexers in Sonarr and Radarr aligned from one place. Set up each application in Prowlarr, then use Kochab to check the linked apps and start a sync when you need one.

Before you connect the apps

Make sure Prowlarr, Sonarr, and Radarr can reach one another. In a container setup, localhost points back to the current container, not the other service. Use a container name on a shared network or an address the containers can reach.

Copy the API key from Settings -> General -> Security in both Sonarr and Radarr. If an app uses a URL base such as /sonarr, include it in that app’s URL.

Add Sonarr to Prowlarr

  1. In the Prowlarr web UI, open Settings -> Apps and select the add button.
  2. Choose Sonarr and give the connection a clear name.
  3. Choose a Sync Level:
    • Add and Remove Only lets Prowlarr add and remove its indexers while leaving more indexer settings under Sonarr’s control.
    • Full Sync makes Prowlarr the owner of most settings for its managed indexers. Changes made to those fields in Sonarr can be replaced on the next sync.
  4. Enter the full Prowlarr Server URL as Sonarr can reach it.
  5. Enter the full Application Server URL for Sonarr, including its port and URL base.
  6. Paste the Sonarr API key, select Test, and save only after the test succeeds.

Add Radarr to Prowlarr

Repeat the same steps with Radarr. Use Radarr’s own URL and API key. Do not copy the Sonarr values just because both apps run on the same host.

Decide which indexers reach each app

For a simple stack, use the default sync profile without tags. For a split setup, add tags to indexers in Prowlarr and use the matching tag on each app connection. For example, a tv tag can limit a Sonarr connection and a movies tag can limit a Radarr connection.

Sync profiles also control whether an indexer participates in RSS, interactive search, and automatic search. Keep those enabled only where you want the connected app to use them.

Remove duplicate indexers

After the first successful sync, open Settings -> Indexers in Sonarr and Radarr. The managed entries include (Prowlarr) in their names. Disable any manually configured copy of the same indexer, confirm searches still work, then remove the duplicate. Keeping both copies can send the same query twice and makes failures harder to trace.

Verify the sync in Kochab

  1. Add Prowlarr to Kochab if it is not already connected. See Connect Prowlarr.
  2. Open Services, select Prowlarr, and find App sync.
  3. Confirm that the linked-app count and names include Sonarr and Radarr.
  4. Select Sync apps now if you need Prowlarr to run another application-indexer sync.
  5. Check Indexers and Recent activity for disabled entries or failed queries.

The Kochab app-sync card confirms what Prowlarr reports. App profiles, tags, sync levels, and category selection remain in Prowlarr’s web UI.

When an app or indexer is missing

  • No linked apps in Kochab: return to Prowlarr Settings -> Apps and test each app connection.
  • Only one app is missing an indexer: check the indexer’s categories and the app connection’s tags and advanced category selection.
  • A URL-base setup tests but synced indexers fail: verify that Prowlarr Server includes Prowlarr’s URL base. Prowlarr writes that address into the managed indexer connection.
  • Manual edits keep disappearing: the connection is probably using Full Sync. Make the change in Prowlarr or switch to Add and Remove Only after deciding which app should own it.

Official docs

Prowlarr quick start guide