# 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.

Canonical: https://kochab.io/docs/prowlarr-indexer-sync-sonarr-radarr/

import Callout from '@components/Callout.astro';

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.

<Callout>

Prowlarr syncs indexers according to the categories they support. A TV-only indexer belongs
in Sonarr, not Radarr. If a useful indexer is missing from one app, check its supported
categories before treating sync as broken.

</Callout>

## 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](/docs/services/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.

## Related guides

- [Connect Sonarr](/docs/services/sonarr/)
- [Connect Radarr](/docs/services/radarr/)
- [Why won't Kochab connect to my service?](/docs/troubleshooting/service-wont-connect/)

## Official docs

[Prowlarr quick start guide](https://wiki.servarr.com/en/prowlarr/quick-start-guide)