Plex Automatic Throttler

Target Audience

- Media Streamers: Users who stream media content and need to manage playback efficiently.
- Download Managers: Individuals who use qBittorrent and require control over download speeds based on media activity.
- Developers: Those looking to automate media controls and integrate with existing applications via webhooks.
- Home Automation Enthusiasts: Users interested in creating automated workflows for their home media systems.

Problem Solved

This workflow addresses the challenge of managing media playback and download speeds automatically. It allows users to:
- Control media playback actions (play, pause, resume, stop) based on specific triggers.
- Automatically adjust download speeds when certain media actions are detected, ensuring optimal bandwidth usage.
- Prevent unnecessary throttling when media is not being streamed, thus improving the overall streaming experience.

Workflow Steps

1. Webhook Trigger: The workflow begins with a webhook that listens for POST requests containing media playback actions.
2. Switch Node: The incoming payload is evaluated to determine the action (resume, play, pause, stop) using a switch node.
3. Check if Local: The workflow checks if the media is being streamed locally. If not, it proceeds to the next steps.
4. Get qBittorrent Cookie: The workflow retrieves authentication cookies from the qBittorrent API to manage download speed settings.
5. Check Throttle State: It checks the current throttling state to determine if downloads are currently limited.
6. Conditional Logic: Based on the throttle state, the workflow either enables or disables throttling, ensuring downloads are managed effectively during media playback.
7. Final Actions: Depending on the media action, the workflow may throttle the connection or resume downloads, optimizing media streaming performance.

Customization Guide

- Webhook Configuration: Change the webhook path and method to fit your specific use case.
- Global Variables: Update the global variables section with your qBittorrent username, password, internal IP, and port to connect to your instance.
- Switch Node Rules: Modify the rules in the switch node to include additional media actions or change existing ones based on your requirements.
- Throttle Settings: Adjust the logic for enabling and disabling throttling to match your network conditions or preferences.
- Add Additional Nodes: Integrate more nodes for further functionalities, such as notifications or logging, based on your needs.