Why is my mount not working or showing an empty directory?

First, install the fuse3 package using 'sudo apt install fuse3'. Then check the Zurg logs with 'docker logs zurg' and rclone logs with 'docker logs rclone' to identify any connection or configuration issues.

Why is Jellyfin not finding my content?

Verify the mount is working by running 'ls /mnt/zurg' to see if content is visible. Check that library paths in Jellyfin match the mount paths (/mnt/zurg/movies and /mnt/zurg/shows). You can also manually trigger a library scan from the Jellyfin dashboard.

How do I enable hardware transcoding in Jellyfin?

Uncomment the devices section in docker-compose.yml to enable GPU passthrough. For Intel GPUs, verify /dev/dri devices exist by running 'ls /dev/dri'. Then enable VAAPI in Jellyfin Dashboard → Playback → Transcoding settings. Unlike Plex, hardware transcoding is completely free in Jellyfin.

What should I do if I experience buffering issues?

Try increasing the rclone vfs-cache-max-size parameter in docker-compose.yml, enable direct play in your client settings to avoid transcoding, and check the Real-Debrid server status to ensure their service is operating normally.

What are the advantages of using Jellyfin over Plex?

Jellyfin is 100% free with no premium subscriptions needed, includes free hardware transcoding, has no tracking or telemetry keeping your data private, doesn't require any external account to use, and is fully open-source and community-driven.

Jellyfin + Real-Debrid Complete Setup Guide

What you'll need

✓
Real-Debrid account — €3-16 depending on plan length
✓
Linux server or VPS — Ubuntu 22.04+ recommended, 2GB+ RAM
✓
Docker & Docker Compose — For running all services
✓
Terminal/SSH access — Basic command line knowledge
✓
1-2 hours — Depending on experience level

No Jellyfin account needed! Unlike Plex, Jellyfin doesn't require any external account. Everything runs on your server.

How it works

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                  Your Jellyfin Stack                     │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                          │
│  Real-Debrid (Cloud)                                    │
│       │                                                  │
│       ▼                                                  │
│  ┌─────────┐    ┌─────────┐    ┌───────────┐           │
│  │  Zurg   │───▶│ rclone  │───▶│ Jellyfin  │           │
│  │ WebDAV  │    │  mount  │    │  Server   │           │
│  └─────────┘    └─────────┘    └───────────┘           │
│                      │              │                    │
│                      ▼              ▼                    │
│               /mnt/zurg      Jellyfin Clients           │
│             (filesystem)    (TV, Phone, Web)            │
│                                                          │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Component roles:

• Zurg — Creates WebDAV server from Real-Debrid
• rclone — Mounts WebDAV as local filesystem
• Jellyfin — Free, open-source media server

Jellyfin advantages:

• No subscriptions or premium tiers
• Hardware transcoding (free!)
• Plugins and customization
• Complete privacy

Step 1: Set up Real-Debrid

1.1 Create account & subscribe

1. Go to real-debrid.com
2. Create an account and verify email
3. Purchase a subscription (180 days is best value at €16)

1.2 Get your API key

1. Go to real-debrid.com/apitoken
2. Copy your API key and save it securely

Step 2: Install Docker

# Install Docker (Ubuntu/Debian)
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh

# Add your user to docker group
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

# Log out and back in, then verify
docker --version
docker compose version

# Create project directory
mkdir -p ~/jellyfin-debrid
cd ~/jellyfin-debrid
mkdir -p zurg rclone jellyfin/config jellyfin/cache

Step 3: Deploy Zurg

Create Zurg configuration

# Create config file
nano ~/jellyfin-debrid/zurg/config.yml

Add this configuration:

# ~/jellyfin-debrid/zurg/config.yml
zurg: v1
token: YOUR_REAL_DEBRID_API_KEY  # Replace with your key

host: "[::]"
port: 9999

directories:
  movies:
    group: media
    filters:
      - regex: /.*\.(mkv|mp4|avi)$/i
  shows:
    group: media
    filters:
      - regex: /.*\.(mkv|mp4|avi)$/i

Replace YOUR_REAL_DEBRID_API_KEY with your actual API key.

Step 4: Configure rclone

Create rclone configuration

# Create rclone config
nano ~/jellyfin-debrid/rclone/rclone.conf

Add:

[zurg]
type = webdav
url = http://zurg:9999
vendor = other
pacer_min_sleep = 0

Create mount point

sudo mkdir -p /mnt/zurg
sudo chown $USER:$USER /mnt/zurg

Step 5: Install Jellyfin

Jellyfin is included in the docker-compose below. Unlike Plex, there's no claim token needed — just start it and configure through the web UI.

Hardware transcoding: Jellyfin supports free hardware transcoding! The docker-compose includes GPU passthrough for Intel/AMD.

Step 6: Configure libraries

6.1 Initial setup

1. Open http://your-server-ip:8096
2. Create your admin account
3. Select your preferred language and metadata sources

6.2 Add libraries

1. Go to Dashboard → Libraries → Add Library
2. Add a Movies library pointing to /mnt/zurg/movies
3. Add a TV Shows library pointing to /mnt/zurg/shows

6.3 Disable automatic scanning

1. Go to Dashboard → Scheduled Tasks
2. Disable or reduce frequency of library scan tasks

This prevents overwhelming Real-Debrid with requests.

Complete docker-compose.yml

# ~/jellyfin-debrid/docker-compose.yml
services:
  # Zurg - WebDAV server for Real-Debrid
  zurg:
    image: ghcr.io/debridmediamanager/zurg-testing:latest
    container_name: zurg
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "9999:9999"
    volumes:
      - ./zurg/config.yml:/app/config.yml
      - ./zurg/data:/app/data

  # rclone - Mounts Zurg as filesystem
  rclone:
    image: rclone/rclone:latest
    container_name: rclone
    restart: unless-stopped
    cap_add:
      - SYS_ADMIN
    security_opt:
      - apparmor:unconfined
    devices:
      - /dev/fuse
    volumes:
      - ./rclone/rclone.conf:/config/rclone/rclone.conf
      - /mnt/zurg:/data:shared
    command: >
      mount zurg: /data
      --config=/config/rclone/rclone.conf
      --allow-other
      --allow-non-empty
      --dir-cache-time=10s
      --vfs-cache-mode=full
      --vfs-cache-max-size=10G
    depends_on:
      - zurg

  # Jellyfin Media Server
  jellyfin:
    image: jellyfin/jellyfin:latest
    container_name: jellyfin
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "8096:8096"
    environment:
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=1000
      - TZ=UTC
    volumes:
      - ./jellyfin/config:/config
      - ./jellyfin/cache:/cache
      - /mnt/zurg:/mnt/zurg:shared
    # Uncomment for Intel QuickSync hardware transcoding:
    # devices:
    #   - /dev/dri:/dev/dri
    depends_on:
      - rclone

Start everything

cd ~/jellyfin-debrid
docker compose up -d

# Watch logs
docker compose logs -f

# Check status
docker compose ps

🎉

You're done!

Access Jellyfin at http://your-ip:8096

Troubleshooting

Mount not working / empty directory

• Install fuse: sudo apt install fuse3
• Check Zurg: docker logs zurg
• Check rclone: docker logs rclone

Jellyfin not finding content

• Verify mount: ls /mnt/zurg
• Check library paths in Jellyfin match mount paths
• Manually trigger a library scan

Hardware transcoding not working

• Uncomment the devices section in docker-compose
• For Intel: ls /dev/dri should show render and card devices
• Enable VAAPI in Jellyfin Dashboard → Playback → Transcoding

Buffering issues

• Increase rclone vfs-cache-max-size
• Enable direct play in client settings
• Check Real-Debrid server status

Jellyfin Apps

📱

Mobile

iOS & Android apps available

📺

TV

Android TV, Fire TV, Roku

🌐

Web

Access from any browser

Want automation?

Add Riven to automatically manage your content library.

Set up Riven Or try simpler Stremio

Get notified when this guide updates

Jellyfin + Debrid setups can break with updates. We'll email you when there are breaking changes.

Related Guides

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Jellyfin + Real-Debrid: Free & Open Source

Why Jellyfin over Plex?