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How to Install FileFlows on Portainer

How to Install FileFlows on Portainer

·634 words·3 mins
Docker Portainer FileFlows
Zarvelion Zynji
Author
Zarvelion Zynji
Tech enthusiasts (self-proclaimed). Gaming addict (diagnosed). Anime simp (no regrets). I turn my hyperfixations into content—welcome to the chaos.
Table of Contents

Ever felt it’s a hassle to move, rename, or organize media files one by one? If you have a large collection of movies, series, or videos, this task can be time-consuming.

Since I started using FileFlows, my life has become much easier. FileFlows is a file automation platform that runs on a server and can be managed through the web. It’s perfect for those running a homeserver or a personal NAS system.

The feature I use most is automatic video transcoding, which compresses my movie and anime collection into smaller sizes.

In this guide, I’ll show you step-by-step how to install FileFlows on Portainer using Docker Compose. Portainer itself is one of my favorite Docker management tools, as it makes managing containers easy without command-line hassles.

✨ What is FileFlows?
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FileFlows is a server application that can automatically process files through custom flows you define. Its capabilities include:

  • Automatic file renaming
  • Moving files to target folders
  • Video/audio transcoding
  • Running custom scripts
  • Deleting temporary files

If you manage movie files or video projects, this will save you a lot of time, especially when combined with tools like Jellyfin or Plex.

📦 Prerequisites
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Before starting, make sure you have:

  • A server or PC with Docker and Portainer installed
  • Mounted storage (for example /mnt/erb)
  • Access to Portainer Stacks
  • Basic knowledge of folders and permissions in Linux

If you don’t have Portainer yet, I recommend reading the guide on how to install Portainer first.

🛠️ Step 1: Log In to Portainer
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  1. Open your browser and go to your Portainer dashboard.
  2. Log in with your username and password.
  3. Go to Environments and click your Docker environment name.
  4. Select the Stacks menu.

📄 Step 2: Create a New Stack
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  1. Click Add stack.
  2. Enter a name, for example fileflows.
  3. Select the Web editor option.

📜 Step 3: Add the Docker Compose File
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Copy the code below and paste it into the Portainer editor:

version: '3.7'
services:
  fileflows:
    image: revenz/fileflows
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "19200:5000"
    environment:
      - TempPathHost=/mnt/erb/tmp/fileflow
      - BROWSER_START_DIR=/mnt/erb/Videos
      - TZ=Asia/Jakarta
      - PUID=1000
      - PGID=100
    volumes:
      - /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock:ro
      - /mnt/erb/tmp/fileflow:/temp
      - /portainer/Files/AppData/Config/fileflows/data:/app/Data
      - /portainer/Files/AppData/Config/fileflows/logs:/app/Logs

Explanation:

  • TempPathHost: Temporary folder location on the host
  • BROWSER_START_DIR: Default folder when browsing files in FileFlows
  • PUID / PGID: Linux user and group IDs
  • Ports: Access FileFlows from port 19200 on the host

If you don’t know your PUID/PGID, run id in the Linux terminal.

▶️ Step 4: Deploy the Stack
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  1. Click Deploy the stack.
  2. Wait for the process to finish.
  3. Make sure the container status is Running.

🌐 Step 5: Access FileFlows
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  • Open your browser
  • Go to http://SERVER-IP:19200
  • The first login does not require an account, proceed with the initial setup

⚙️ Step 6: Initial FileFlows Setup
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Once logged in:

  1. Set your input and output folders.
  2. Add a built-in flow or create a new one.
  3. Adjust the timezone and paths as needed.

🛑 Troubleshooting
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1. Cannot access on port 19200

  • Check if the container is Running
  • Ensure the firewall allows port 19200

2. Permission error when processing files

  • Make sure PUID and PGID match the user with folder access
  • Check folder permissions with ls -l

3. FileFlows not detecting the folder

  • Ensure the BROWSER_START_DIR path matches the folder mounted to the container
  • Check the Volumes section for correct mapping

❓ FAQ
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Is FileFlows free? Yes, most features are free. A premium version is available for extra features.

Can it run on Windows Server? Yes, as long as you use Docker.

Is FileFlows the same as FileBot? No, FileFlows is more flexible because it’s flow-editor-based and runs continuously on the server.

Once you have FileFlows installed on Portainer, you can start creating flows that fit your needs. If you’re building a complete media server setup, check out my articles on homeserver and docker to complement your system.

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