# CLI Reference

A complete reference for every `unshackle` command, subcommand, and flag. This page groups the commands by purpose:

- **[`dl`](#dl)**: the download pipeline (the command you use most).
- **[`search`](#search)**: find titles on a service.
- **[`import`](#import)**: rebuild a download from an export file.
- **[`cfg`](#cfg)**, **[`env`](#env)**: manage configuration and the environment.
- **[`kv`](#kv)**: Key Vault operations.
- **[`wvd`](#wvd)**, **[`prd`](#prd)**: Widevine / PlayReady device management.
- **[`serve`](#serve)**: operate the local CDM and REST API server.
- **[`util`](#util)**: helper media utilities.

!!! tip "Getting help on any command"
    Every command accepts `-h`, `--help`, or `-?`. For example `unshackle dl --help` or `unshackle wvd new --help`. Each service defines its own arguments for `dl` and `search` (such as a title ID or a query), so examine `unshackle dl SERVICE --help` for those.

---

## Root command

```
unshackle [OPTIONS] COMMAND [ARGS]...
```

> unshackle: Modular Movie, TV, and Music Archival Software.

Every invocation prints a banner and, when you enable `update_checks` in your config, checks for a newer release.

| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| `-v`, `--version` | Print version information and exit. |
| `-d`, `--debug` | Enable `DEBUG`-level logs and JSON debug logging. Silences noisy HTTP libraries unless `debug_requests` is set in config. |
| `-h`, `--help`, `-?` | Show help and exit. |

Commands are auto-discovered, so third-party command modules dropped into the commands directory appear automatically.

---

## `dl`

The download command. It is itself a group whose **subcommands are the installed streaming services**, so an invocation always has three layers:

```
unshackle dl [OPTIONS] SERVICE [SERVICE ARGS...]
```

- `OPTIONS`: every flag below, parsed at the `dl` level.
- `SERVICE`: a service tag (for example `EXAMPLE1` or `EXAMPLE2`). Tags are case-insensitive and honour each service's aliases (`example+`, `EXAMPLE2`, and the other alias forms all give the same tag).
- `SERVICE ARGS`: the title, URL, or ID, plus any service-specific options. These belong to the service, not to `dl`.

!!! example "Typical downloads"
    ```shell
    # Best available 1080p SDR of a title
    unshackle dl -q 1080 EXAMPLE 81234567

    # 4K HDR10, English audio + subs, from a URL
    unshackle dl -q 2160 -r HDR10 -l en EXAMPLE "https://www.example.com/..."

    # A season range, HEVC video, EC3 audio
    unshackle dl -w S01-S03 -v H.265 -a EC3 SERVICE TITLE-ID
    ```

!!! note "Config-driven defaults"
    You can give any `dl` flag a default under the `dl:` section of `unshackle.yaml`, and per-service under `services.<TAG>.dl`. Explicit command-line values (and environment values) always win over both. Service defaults only fill in options you did not set. See the [configuration file](../getting-started/configuration-file.md) guide.

### Quality, codec, bitrate & range

| Flag | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `-p`, `--profile` | - | Profile for credentials and cookies. |
| `-q`, `--quality` | best | Resolution(s), comma-separated, e.g. `1080,720`. `-q 1080` also matches anamorphic tracks by 16:9 canvas. |
| `-v`, `--vcodec` | any | Video codec(s). Accepts names or values: `AVC`/`H.264`/`H264`, `HEVC`/`H.265`/`H265`, `VC1`/`VC-1`, `VP8`, `VP9`, `AV1`. |
| `-a`, `--acodec` | any | Audio codec(s), comma-separated. Accepts `AAC`, `AC3`/`DD`, `EC3`/`DD+`/`eac3`/`ddp`, `AC4`/`AC-4`, `OPUS`, `OGG`/`VORB`/`vorbis`, `DTS`, `DTSX`/`DTS-X`, `ALAC`, `FLAC`. |
| `-vb`, `--vbitrate` | highest | Exact video bitrate in kbps. |
| `-ab`, `--abitrate` | highest | Exact audio bitrate in kbps. |
| `-vb-range`, `--vbitrate-range` | - | Video bitrate range in kbps, e.g. `6000-7000`; picks highest within. Mutually exclusive with `--vbitrate`. |
| `-ab-range`, `--abitrate-range` | - | Audio bitrate range in kbps, e.g. `128-256`. Mutually exclusive with `--abitrate`. |
| `-r`, `--range` | `SDR` | Colour range(s): `SDR`, `HLG`, `HDR10`, `HDR10P` (HDR10+), `DV`, `HYBRID`. |
| `-c`, `--channels` | - | Audio channels; matches sub-layouts (5.1 ≈ 6.0). |
| `-naa`, `--noatmos` | off | Exclude Dolby Atmos audio tracks. |
| `--worst` | off | Pick the lowest bitrate within the requested quality. **Requires `-q`.** |
| `--best-available`, `--warn-only` | off | Warn and continue when a requested resolution, range, or language is absent, instead of failing. |
| `-rvb`, `--real-video-bitrate` | off | Probe real media size for true video bitrates, overriding the manifest. |
| `-rab`, `--real-audio-bitrate` | off | Same for audio (slower). |

!!! note "`HYBRID` range"
    `-r HYBRID` fetches both HDR10/HDR10+ and Dolby Vision and merges them with `dovi_tool`. It requires the `dovi_tool` binary on your `PATH`.

### Language & subtitles

| Flag | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `-l`, `--lang` | `orig` | Language(s) for **both** video and audio. `orig` = the title's original language; e.g. `orig,en`. A `-` prefix excludes, e.g. `all,-es`. |
| `-vl`, `--v-lang` | - | Video-only language (overrides `-l` for video). A `-` prefix excludes. |
| `-al`, `--a-lang` | - | Audio-only language (overrides `-l` for audio). A `-` prefix excludes. |
| `-sl`, `--s-lang` | `all` | Subtitle language(s). A `-` prefix excludes, e.g. `all,-es`. |
| `--require-audio` | - | Audio langs that must exist. The title fails even with `--best-available`. Does not select tracks. |
| `--require-video` | - | Video langs that must exist. The title fails even with `--best-available`. Does not select tracks. |
| `--require-subs` | - | Subtitle langs that must exist. Fails the title if one is missing. `--s-lang` still decides what to keep. |
| `-fs`, `--forced-subs` | off | Include forced subtitle tracks. |
| `-fsl`, `--forced-s-lang` | none | Language(s) wanted for forced subtitles; implies `-fs`. A `-` prefix excludes. |
| `--exact-lang` | off | Exact matching only: `-l es-419` matches `es-419`, not `es-ES`. Applies to selection and to sort order. |
| `--sub-format` | - | Output subtitle format (`SRT`/`srt`, `VTT`/`webvtt`, `ASS`/`ssa`, `TTML`, `SMI`, ...), or `original` to keep the source format. |

!!! tip "These flags select languages, they do not order them"
    Naming languages with `-l` or `-sl` removes the others. To keep every language but put
    your preferred ones first, use `audio.language_priority` and
    [`subtitle.language_priority`](../reference/configuration/download.md#subtitle) in your
    configuration file.

unshackle honours the special language tokens `orig`, `all`, and `best` everywhere it expects a language.

### Title & episode selection

| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| `-w`, `--wanted` | Wanted episodes, e.g. `S01-S05,S07`, `S01E01-S02E03`. Supports exclusions with a leading `-` (e.g. `-S03`). For a [split episode](downloading.md#split-episodes), `.N` picks one part (`S01E01.2`), a range must stay inside the episode (`S01E01.1-S01E01.3`), and `S01E01` on its own takes every part. For a [dated episode](downloading.md#daily-and-date-based-content), a token can also be an ISO air date (`2026-08-11`) or a date range with a colon (`2026-08-01:2026-08-31`). For a [music release](downloading.md#music-tracks), a token is a track number (`1-5`, `1,3,7`), or `{disc}x{track}` (`2x3`) when the release has more than one disc. |
| `--select-titles` | Interactively select what to download: episodes of a series, or films when a title has more than one. **Cannot combine with `-w`.** |
| `--latest-episode` | Download only the single most recent episode. |
| `--latest-episodes N` | Download only the N most recent episodes. |
| `--list-titles` | List titles only; do not download. |

### Track-type inclusion / exclusion

Keep only certain track types, or skip certain track types.

| Include-only | Skip |
|---|---|
| `-V`, `--video-only` | `-nv`, `--no-video` |
| `-A`, `--audio-only` | `-na`, `--no-audio` |
| `-S`, `--subs-only` | `-ns`, `--no-subs` |
| `-C`, `--chapters-only` | `-nc`, `--no-chapters` |
| | `-nt`, `--no-attachments` (cover art, subtitle fonts, and files the service attaches) |

| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| `-ad`, `--audio-description` | Include descriptive (audio-description) tracks. |
| `--skip-subtitle-errors` | Skip a failed subtitle instead of aborting the title. Video/audio failures remain fatal. |

### Output, muxing & files

| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| `--split-audio` | Write a separate output file per audio codec instead of merging. Defaults to config `muxing.merge_audio`. |
| `--merge-video` | Mux video tracks that share a height, range, and codec into one file, so only language varies inside a file. Defaults to config `muxing.merge_video`. |
| `-o`, `--output` | Override the output directory for this run. |
| `--no-folder` | Disable folder creation for TV shows. |
| `--no-source` | Remove the source tag from the filename/path. |
| `--no-mux` | Do not mux; keep individual track files. |
| `--tag` | Group tag override. |
| `--repack` | Add a `REPACK` tag to the filename. |
| `--postscript` | Run a command after each output file, with `{variable}` placeholders substituted. Repeatable. Replaces the `post_scripts` config for this run. See [Post-scripts](../reference/configuration/post-scripts.md). |
| `--no-postscript` | Run no post-script for this run, neither the configured ones nor `--postscript`. |

### Metadata & tagging

| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| `--tmdb` | TMDB ID (integer). Used for the tags. Skips the title search. `--enrich` reads it too. Needs `tmdb_api_key`. |
| `--imdb` | IMDb ID, e.g. `tt1375666`. Used for the tags. Skips the title search. `--enrich` reads it too. Needs no API key. |
| `--tvdb` | TVDB ID (integer). Used for the tags. Skips the series lookup that `--tvdb-order` would otherwise do. `--enrich` reads it too. Needs `tvdb_api_key`. |
| `--anilist` | AniList ID (integer), e.g. `--anilist 21`. A MyAnimeList ID is accepted as `mal:12345` and resolved to the AniList entry. Used for the tags. Skips the title search. `--enrich` reads it too. Needs no API key. |
| `--enrich` | Overwrite show title, year and original language with the external source's. **Requires** one of `--tmdb`, `--imdb`, `--tvdb`, or `--anilist`. |
| `--daily` | Treat the title as daily/date-based content and fill missing episode air dates from TVDB. The fill needs `--enrich` and a TVDB ID. See [Daily and date-based content](downloading.md#daily-and-date-based-content). |
| `--tvdb-order` | Renumber episodes to a TVDB season order: `official` (aired), `dvd`, `absolute`, `alternate`, or `regional`. Needs `tvdb_api_key`. |

!!! note "One ID at a time"
    You cannot combine `--tmdb`, `--imdb` and `--tvdb`. Give one and unshackle finds the
    others from it, and writes all three to the tags. `--anilist` is outside that rule and pairs
    with one of them, which is how you attach a western ID to an anime title.
    An ID with no metadata provider that can find it, such as `--tmdb` with no `tmdb_api_key`,
    fails before the download starts. `--anilist` needs no API key, so it never fails this check.

#### Episode ordering

A service does not always number a series the way TVDB's aired order does. Some services use
TVDB's `alternate` (Streaming) order for Futurama, for example. `--tvdb-order` works out which
order the service used, then renumbers the episodes into the order you asked for.

!!! note "Orders that do not cover the whole series"
    An order can ignore episodes the service carries. TVDB's `dvd` order for Futurama leaves
    out the four movies. Those episodes keep their original numbering. If that would give two
    episodes the same season/episode slot, and so the same filename, unshackle logs an error
    and keeps the service's numbering unchanged. Pick an order that covers the whole series.

### DRM, keys & decryption

| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| `--cdm-only` / `--vaults-only` | Use only the CDM, or only Key Vaults, for key acquisition. |
| `--cdm <name>` | Use the named CDM device from the `cdm` config mapping for this run, ignoring the service/default mapping. |
| `--skip-dl` | Skip the download but still retrieve keys. |
| `--export` | Export track info and keys to a `mediaexport` JSON file in the exports directory. |

### Network & proxy

| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| `--proxy` | Proxy URI, a country or location code resolved from configured providers, or `provider:region` (e.g. `nordvpn:ca`, `gluetun:us`, `protonvpn:de:berlin`, `controld:yul`). |
| `--no-proxy` | Force-disable all proxy use. |
| `--no-proxy-download` | Bypass the proxy for **all downloads** (manifest, licence, and auth stay proxied). |
| `--proxy-download` | Use a different proxy for **all downloads**, in the same forms as `--proxy` (manifest, licence, and auth stay on `--proxy`). |
| `--remote` | Use a remote unshackle server. |
| `--server` | Name a remote server from the `remote_services` config. |

### Concurrency, caching & listing

| Flag | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `--workers` | downloader default | Per-track download threads. |
| `--adaptive-workers` | off | Scale per-track segment workers dynamically (up to the `--workers` cap) based on measured CDN throughput and errors. |
| `--download-processes` | `1` | Split large segment batches (24+) across this many download processes to exceed the single-process throughput cap on multi-gigabit connections. Ignored while a speed limit is set: the cap is one shared budget, which extra processes cannot share, so the download stays in a single process. Also ignored when the service HTTP session carries state a child process cannot rebuild, such as a custom TLS adapter. |
| `--continue-downloads` | off | Keep completed segment files across runs and resume a previously failed download. One-off enable of the [`continue_downloads`](../reference/configuration/download.md#continue_downloads) config option. |
| `--downloads` | `1` | Number of tracks downloaded concurrently. |
| `--speed-limit` | unlimited | Cap total download speed across all threads and tracks, e.g. `500k`, `5M`, `1.5G` or plain bytes/sec. Values are bytes, not bits (`5M` = 5.0 MB/s). `off` disables a configured limit. |
| `--no-cache` | off | Bypass the title cache. |
| `--reset-cache` | off | Clear the title cache. |
| `--list` | off | List available/would-be-downloaded tracks; do not download. |
| `--slow` | - | Inter-title delay. Bare `--slow` = 60-120s; `--slow 20-40` = custom range (minimum 20s). |

!!! warning "Some flags cannot be combined"
    `--select-titles` and `--wanted` are mutually exclusive. `--worst` needs `--quality`. `--vbitrate` and `--vbitrate-range` (and the audio equivalents) are mutually exclusive.

---

## `search`

Find titles on a service. Like `dl`, `search` is a group whose subcommands are the installed services, and it reuses `dl`'s authentication, cookie, and proxy machinery.

```
unshackle search [OPTIONS] SERVICE [QUERY...]
```

Each service defines its own query syntax. unshackle prints the results as a tree of titles with their service IDs. Feed an ID straight into `dl`.

| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| `-p`, `--profile` | Profile for credentials and cookies. |
| `--proxy` | Proxy URI, country or location code, or `provider:region` (e.g. `controld:ca`). |
| `--no-proxy` | Force-disable all proxy use. |

!!! example
    ```shell
    unshackle search EXAMPLE "My Show"
    unshackle search -p myprofile EXAMPLE "Another Show"
    unshackle search --proxy nordvpn:ca SERVICE "query"
    ```

---

## `import`

Reconstruct a download (download → decrypt → mux) from an `--export` JSON file without re-contacting the service. It re-fetches the manifest, injects the stored keys, and then runs the normal `dl` pipeline. The service tag is read from the export file, not passed by you.

```
unshackle import EXPORT_FILE [DL_ARGS...]
```

unshackle forwards any `dl` options after the file verbatim, so you can override quality, range, proxy, and so on.

!!! example
    ```shell
    unshackle import export.json
    unshackle import export.json -r HDR10 --proxy US
    ```

The export file can be a `mediaexport` file from `dl --export`, an export from an older version of unshackle, or an export from unidl. The file must name the service it came from.

---

## `cfg`

Read, set, delete, or show configuration values in `unshackle.yaml` without hand-editing YAML.

```
unshackle cfg [KEY] [VALUE] [OPTIONS]
```

| Argument / Option | Description |
|---|---|
| `KEY` | Dotted path into the config, e.g. `tag`, `serve.api_secret`, `directories.downloads`. |
| `VALUE` | Value to set. Parsed as a Python literal when possible, so `true`, `123`, `['a','b']`, and `{'k':1}` become real types; bare words stay strings. |
| `--unset` | Remove the configuration value. |
| `--list` | List all set configuration values. |

!!! warning "Comments are stripped"
    Writing a value through `cfg` rewrites the configuration file and **removes all comments** from it. If your config relies on comments, edit it by hand instead. Setting a value and using `--unset` together is an error.

!!! example
    ```shell
    unshackle cfg --list                        # print entire config
    unshackle cfg serve.api_secret              # read a nested key
    unshackle cfg tag MYGROUP                    # set a string
    unshackle cfg update_checks false           # literal → boolean False
    unshackle cfg directories.downloads /mnt/dl # set a nested path
    unshackle cfg tag --unset                    # remove a key
    ```

---

## `env`

Inspect and manage the project environment.

```
unshackle env COMMAND [ARGS]...
```

### `env check`

```
unshackle env check
```

Prints a dependency table (Category / Tool / Status / Required / Purpose) that shows which external tools unshackle finds on your `PATH`. It also gives a summary of how many required tools are present.

| Category | Tools |
|---|---|
| Core | FFmpeg*, FFprobe*, MKVToolNix*, mkvpropedit* |
| DRM | shaka-packager*, mp4decrypt |
| HDR | dovi_tool, HDR10Plus_tool |
| Subtitle | SubtitleEdit, CCExtractor |
| Player | FFplay, MPV |
| Network | HolaProxy, Caddy, Docker, git |

<small>* required. All others are optional.</small>

### `env info`

```
unshackle env info
```

Shows the location unshackle loaded the configuration file from. If it found no file, it shows the candidate locations instead. It then prints a table of every configured directory (downloads, temp, cache, cookies, logs, exports, WVDs, PRDs, services, and more).

### `env theme`

```
unshackle env theme
```

Prints a sample of every available CLI theme. Each sample has colour swatches, help text with option rows, and a track listing with video, audio and subtitle entries. It also has log lines, a progress bar, and the gradient pulse bar. unshackle marks the active theme and shows each theme's aliases. Set your choice with the [`theme`](../reference/configuration/misc.md#appearance) config key.

### `env clear`

Clear an environment directory. unshackle empties the directory, makes it again, and reports the number of files and bytes it freed.

| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| `unshackle env clear cache [SERVICE]` | Clear the cache directory, or only one service's cache subdirectory. |
| `unshackle env clear temp` | Clear the temp directory. |

!!! example
    ```shell
    unshackle env check
    unshackle env info
    unshackle env theme
    unshackle env clear cache
    unshackle env clear cache EXAMPLE   # one service only
    unshackle env clear temp
    ```

---

## `kv`

Manage Key Vaults. You configure vaults under `key_vaults` in `unshackle.yaml`, each with a `name`, a `type` (`sqlite`, `mysql`, `http`, `api`), and type-specific options. unshackle normalises service tags automatically.

```
unshackle kv COMMAND [ARGS]...
```

### `kv copy TO_VAULT FROM_VAULT...`

Copy content keys from one or more source vaults into a destination vault. unshackle skips rows whose KIDs match, unless the existing row has no content key. unshackle never alters or deletes existing data.

| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| `-s`, `--service` | Only copy data for a specific service. |
| `-l`, `--local-only` | Only copy data for services installed locally. Mutually exclusive with `--service`. |

### `kv sync VAULT...`

Make sure that two or more vaults hold the same set of content keys, essentially a chained bidirectional copy. More than one vault is necessary. Accepts the same `--service` / `--local-only` options as `copy`.

### `kv add FILE SERVICE VAULT...`

Add content keys to one or more vaults for a service. `FILE` contains one `KID:KEY` pair per line (32 hex : 32 hex, UTF-8). unshackle skips every line that does not match that form.

### `kv search KID`

Find a KID (32 hex characters, no dashes) in the configured vaults and report its content key.

| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| `-s`, `--service` | Limit the search to a specific service tag. |
| `-v`, `--vault` | Limit the search to a specific configured vault by name. |

!!! note
    unshackle cannot enumerate remote vaults without a service, so pass `--service` when you examine them.

### `kv prepare VAULT...`

Make service tables on vaults that use tables, for every installed service, where they do not already exist.

!!! example
    ```shell
    unshackle kv copy main backup1 backup2
    unshackle kv copy main backup -s EXAMPLE
    unshackle kv sync main mysql_vault
    unshackle kv add keys.txt EXAMPLE main backup
    unshackle kv search 0123456789abcdef0123456789abcdef -s EXAMPLE -v main
    unshackle kv prepare main mysql_vault
    ```

---

## `wvd`

Manage Widevine Device (`.wvd`) files. Devices live in the configured WVDs directory.

```
unshackle wvd COMMAND [ARGS]...
```

| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| `wvd add PATHS...` | Validate and move one or more `.wvd` files into the WVDs directory. |
| `wvd delete NAMES...` | Delete `.wvd` files by name (without extension). Prompts for confirmation. |
| `wvd parse PATH` | Parse a `.wvd` and print its System ID, security level, type, flags, and client info. Relative paths resolve against the WVDs directory. |
| `wvd dump WVD_PATHS... OUT_DIR` | Extract a device's contents (metadata, private key, client ID, VMP) into `OUT_DIR/<name>/`. With no paths, dumps every WVD in the WVDs directory. |
| `wvd new NAME PRIVATE_KEY CLIENT_ID [FILE_HASHES]` | Create a new `.wvd` from a PEM private key and a `ClientIdentification` blob, optionally with a VMP (`FileHashes`) blob. |

`wvd new` options:

| Option | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `-t`, `--type` | `Android` | Device type. |
| `-l`, `--level` | `1` | Security level (1-3). |
| `-o`, `--output` | WVDs dir | Output directory. |

!!! example
    ```shell
    unshackle wvd add device.wvd
    unshackle wvd parse nexus_6p_1234_l1
    unshackle wvd dump device.wvd ./out_dir
    unshackle wvd new "Nexus 6P" private_key.pem client_id.bin vmp.bin -t ANDROID -l 3
    ```

---

## `prd`

Manage PlayReady Device (`.prd`) files. Devices live in the configured PRDs directory. Built on `pyplayready`.

```
unshackle prd COMMAND [ARGS]...
```

### `prd new PATHS...`

Make a new `.prd`. Give either a single folder that contains `zgpriv.dat` (group key) and `bgroupcert.dat` (group certificate), or two file paths (group key, then group certificate).

| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| `-e`, `--encryption_key` | Optional device ECC private encryption key (generated if omitted). |
| `-s`, `--signing_key` | Optional device ECC private signing key (generated if omitted). |
| `-o`, `--output` | Output directory or `.prd` file path. |

`prd new` will not overwrite an existing file.

### `prd reprovision PRD_PATH`

Reprovision an existing device by replacing its leaf certificate and keys. Only a device of version 3 or higher can do reprovisioning. Accepts the same `-e` / `-s` / `-o` options. By default it overwrites the device in place.

### `prd test DEVICE`

Do a test of a device against the Microsoft PlayReady demo server and print the returned content keys.

| Option | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `-c`, `--ckt` | `aesctr` | Content key encryption type: `aesctr` or `aescbc`. |
| `-sl`, `--security-level` | `2000` | Minimum security level: `150`, `2000`, or `3000`. |

!!! example
    ```shell
    unshackle prd new ./device_folder/
    unshackle prd new zgpriv.dat bgroupcert.dat -o /out/dir
    unshackle prd reprovision mydevice.prd
    unshackle prd test mydevice.prd -sl 3000 -c aescbc
    ```

---

## `serve`

Serve your local Widevine/PlayReady devices and the REST API for remote access. Built on `aiohttp`.

```
unshackle serve [OPTIONS]
```

| Option | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `-h`, `--host` | `127.0.0.1` | Host to serve from. |
| `-p`, `--port` | `8786` | Port to serve from. |
| `--caddy` | off | Also serve through Caddy (requires the `caddy` binary and a `Caddyfile`). |
| `--api-only` | off | Serve only the REST API, not the CDM endpoints. Incompatible with `--no-widevine`/`--no-playready`. |
| `--no-widevine` | off | Disable the Widevine CDM endpoints. |
| `--no-playready` | off | Disable the PlayReady CDM endpoints. |
| `--no-key` | off | Disable API-key authentication (allows all requests). |
| `--debug-api` | off | Include tracebacks/stderr in API error responses. |
| `--debug` | off | Enable debug logging for API operations. |
| `--remote-only` | off | Expose only the remote service session endpoints (health, services, search, session). Implies `--api-only`. |

WVD files in the WVDs directory and PRD files in the PRDs directory are auto-loaded. The REST API lives under `http://<host>:<port>/api/`, with Swagger UI at `/api/docs/` and a health check at `/api/health` (exempt from auth).

!!! warning "Configure `api_secret` first"
    Unless you pass `--no-key`, `serve.api_secret` must be set in your config. Requests authenticate with the `X-Secret-Key` header. `--no-key` disables authentication entirely. Only use it on a trusted, private network.

    ```yaml title="unshackle.yaml"
    serve:
      api_secret: "your-api-secret"
      users:
        your-secret-key:
          devices: ["device_name"]           # Widevine devices
          playready_devices: ["device_name"] # PlayReady devices
          username: user
    ```

!!! example
    ```shell
    unshackle serve
    unshackle serve -h 0.0.0.0 -p 8080
    unshackle serve --api-only
    unshackle serve --remote-only
    unshackle serve --caddy
    ```

---

## `util`

Various helper media utilities. When you give a command a directory, it processes every `.mkv`/`.mp4` inside it in natural (S01E01 before S01E10) order.

```
unshackle util COMMAND [ARGS]...
```

### `util refresh-services`

```
unshackle util refresh-services
```

Force a refresh (git pull / hard reset) of all service repos configured under `directories.services`. This updates the clones on disk. A server that is already running reloads the changed services through `POST /api/maintenance/refresh-services` or `serve.services_refresh_interval` instead.

### `util crop PATH ASPECT`

Losslessly crop H.264/H.265 video at the bitstream level. `ASPECT` is a `W:H` target such as `2.39:1`.

| Option | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `--letter` / `--pillar` | `--letter` | Crop top/bottom (`--letter`) or the sides (`--pillar`). |
| `-o`, `--offset` | `0` | Fine-tune the computed crop area if not perfectly centred. |
| `-p`, `--preview` | off | Preview the crop in MPV (or FFplay) instead of writing a file. |

### `util range PATH`

Losslessly set the video range flag to full or limited at the bitstream level.

| Option | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `--full` / `--limited` | - | Full (0-255) or limited (16-235) range. |
| `-p`, `--preview` | off | Preview instead of writing a file. |

### `util test PATH`

Decode an entire video with FFmpeg and report any corruptions or errors. By default it does a test of every track. It cannot do a test of subtitles.

| Option | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `-m`, `--map` | `0` | Do a test of specific tracks with FFmpeg's `-map`, for example `0:v:0` or `0:a`. |

!!! example
    ```shell
    unshackle util refresh-services
    unshackle util crop video.mkv 2.39:1
    unshackle util crop ./season/ 16:9 --pillar -o 10
    unshackle util range video.mkv --full
    unshackle util test video.mkv -m 0:v:0
    ```

---

## See also

- [Installation](../getting-started/installation.md): install unshackle and its dependencies.
- [Quickstart](../getting-started/quickstart.md): your first download.
- [Configuration file](../getting-started/configuration-file.md): set defaults for any `dl` flag and configure vaults, proxies, and directories.