Self-host Guardian
v2.1.0Plex access control with device policies and stream limits
- Stars
- 174
- Ports
- 3000 (web UI), 3001 (backend dev server)
- Requires
- Plex Media Server
hydroshieldmkii/guardianWhat is Guardian?
Guardian sits in front of Plex Media Server and enforces access policies. It repeatedly queries the Plex sessions endpoint, checks every active stream against rules you define per user or per device, and ends any that don't comply. You can allow, deny, or quarantine devices; set a global default with per-user exceptions; build allowlists using CIDR notation for both IPv4 and IPv6; schedule weekly access windows; and hand out temporary passes that expire. Concurrent-stream ceilings can be applied globally or per user, with an option to exempt temporary passes. The dashboard streams live data from Plex and Plexamp, showing device fingerprints, playback quality, progress bars, and a searchable history. Alerts are delivered through SMTP, Apprise (which covers over a hundred targets), or in-app notices for events like new device appearances, blocks, location shifts, and user notes. Admin utilities include configuration backup and restore, automatic pruning of stale devices, and command-line helpers for resetting passwords or clearing captcha lockouts. A separate portal lets each Plex user view their own devices, the rules affecting them, and annotate rejected devices. Deployment options are Docker Compose (UI on port 3000) or a Node.js development stack; persistence is a single SQLite file. The license is PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 — source-available but restricted to non-commercial use. The original author is looking for someone to take over maintenance.
Should you self-host Guardian?
Guardian scores 41/100 on selfhost.directory (how scoring works) and ranks #95 of 118 in Media Server. It has 174 GitHub stars.
It shipped 13 stable releases in the past year. The latest, v2.1.0, came out on 26 October 2026. New versions land roughly every 8 days.
Setup is moderate: expect some configuration beyond a single command. An official Docker image is available. It is Other-licensed and written mostly in Typescript.
Its closest alternative on selfhost.directory is Jellyfin (88/100, 58 737 stars). It scores higher overall, so compare the two before you pick. See Guardian vs Jellyfin side by side.
Features
- Automatic device cleanup
- CLI recovery scripts
- Concurrent stream limits
- Device access control
- Live session monitoring
- Notifications
- Settings export/import
- User portal
Guardian README
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