A powerful web-based tool for automatically managing channel collections in Channels DVR based on flexible pattern matching rules with Dispatcharr IPTV integration.
Dispatcharr Integration
- π‘ Connect to Dispatcharr - Seamless IPTV management integration
- π Dispatcharr Sync - Auto-update channel patterns from Dispatcharr groups
- β Auto Channel Creation - Detect and use Dispatcharr's built-in sync
- π₯ One-Click Rules - Create rules directly from Dispatcharr groups
- π Provider & Local Groups - Support for both M3U providers and local channels
Collection Management
- β Create Collections - Build new collections on-the-fly with regex transforms
- π Merge Rules - Combine multiple rules targeting the same collection
β οΈ Shared Collection Protection - Additive mode prevents rules from fighting- π¨ Collection Regex Builder - Transform names with common patterns
Performance & Reliability
- π Exact Number Matching - Pattern "400" won't match "6400" anymore
- π Smart Filtering - Server-side filtering for instant results
- π― On-Demand Loading - Fetch channel data only when needed
See CHANGELOG.md for complete v2.0 details
- Dispatcharr Connection - Connect to your Dispatcharr IPTV server
- JWT authentication with token refresh
- Test connection before saving
- Secure password storage
- Browse Groups - View all enabled Dispatcharr channel groups
- See channel counts and provider info
- Filter by provider or local groups
- Auto Sync detection and badges
- Quick Rule Creation - One-click rule generation
- Auto-populates group name and patterns
- Smart channel number pattern detection
- Supports ranges (101-104,107-108)
- Dispatcharr Sync Rules - Auto-update patterns from Dispatcharr
- Patterns refresh before each sync
- Always uses latest channel assignments
- Perfect for dynamic IPTV lineups
- Collection Creation - Create collections on-the-fly
- Name transform with regex (remove prefixes, suffixes, etc.)
- Auto-detect existing collections
- Visual preview of transformed names
- Automatic Detection - Detects when multiple rules target one collection
- Additive Mode - Channels are added, never removed from shared collections
- Visual Indicators -
β οΈ Shared (N) badges show shared collections - Merge Rules - Combine multiple rules into one
- One-click merge with confirmation
- Combines all patterns
- Switches to normal mode after merge
- Import/Export Rules - Backup and share your rule configurations
- Export all rules or by group
- Import with merge or replace modes
- Automatic duplicate detection and warnings
- Groups/Folders - Organize rules into collapsible categories
- Sports, News, Entertainment, IPTV, etc.
- Autocomplete for existing group names
- Visual folder icons with expand/collapse
- Search & Filter - Find rules quickly
- Real-time search by name, pattern, or collection
- Filter by group
- Combined search + filter support
- Rule Templates - Save successful patterns for reuse
- Build once, use many times
- Perfect for packaging with releases
- Include descriptions for documentation
- Time-Based Activation - Rules run only when scheduled
- Select specific days of week (Mon-Sun)
- Set time windows (e.g., 9 AM - 5 PM)
- Handles overnight ranges (22:00 - 06:00)
- Visual schedule indicators on rule cards
- Pattern-Based Matching - Use regex patterns to automatically match channels
- Visual Pattern Builder - Build patterns without regex knowledge
- Simple mode with 7 pattern types
- Advanced mode with multi-condition AND/OR logic
- Live preview showing matching channels
- Smart pattern editing - Edit builder patterns visually
- Multiple Match Types - Match on channel name, number, or EPG data
- Exact Number Matching - Word boundary matching prevents false positives
- Source Filtering - Include or exclude specific sources
- Smart Sorting - Multiple options including "Events Last" for sports
- Per-Rule Sync - Custom intervals for each rule
- Selective Refresh - Refresh only relevant sources before syncing
- Quick Enable/Disable Toggle - Beautiful animated switch on each rule
- Copy & Clone - Reuse patterns and duplicate rules
- Live Preview - Test patterns before saving
- ESC Key Support - Close modals quickly
- Scrollable Results - View all matches, not just first few
- Unified Button Alignment - Consistent card layouts
- Create
docker-compose.yml:
version: '3.8'
services:
channels-collection-manager:
image: curtisfeatures/channels-dvr-collection-manager:latest
container_name: channels-collection-manager
ports:
- "5000:5000"
volumes:
- ./config:/config
environment:
- DVR_URL=http://your-dvr-ip:8089
# Optional: Connect to Dispatcharr This can be entered within the GUIs application settings
- DISPATCHARR_URL=http://your-dispatcharr-ip:9191
- DISPATCHARR_USERNAME=your-username
- DISPATCHARR_PASSWORD=your-password
restart: unless-stopped- Start the container:
docker-compose up -d- Access the web UI at
http://localhost:5000
Required:
DVR_URL- Your Channels DVR server URL (e.g.,http://192.168.1.100:8089)
Optional (Dispatcharr Integration) - This can be entered within the GUIs application settings:
DISPATCHARR_URL- Your Dispatcharr server URL (e.g.,http://192.168.1.101:9191)DISPATCHARR_USERNAME- Dispatcharr usernameDISPATCHARR_PASSWORD- Dispatcharr password
You can also configure Dispatcharr from the web UI Settings page.
- Quick Start Guide - Get up and running in 5 minutes
- First Rule Guide - Create your first rule step-by-step
- Advanced Features - Pattern builder, scheduling, templates
- Changelog v2.0 - All v2.0 changes
- Contributing - How to contribute
# Use Dispatcharr integration to:
1. Browse all provider channel groups
2. Create rules from groups with one click
3. Auto-update patterns when channels change
4. Manage multiple providers separately# Pattern: NBA|Lakers|Clippers|Basketball
# Match Type: Name
# Sorting: Events Last (keeps live games at top)
# Schedule: Mon-Sun, 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM (game hours)# Pattern: ^(CNN|MSNBC|Fox News)
# Match Type: Name
# Auto-refresh: Yes (updates when EPG refreshes)# Pattern: 100-199
# Match Type: Number
# Result: Channels 100-199 (exactly, won't match 1001)# Multiple rules β One collection
Rule 1: NBA β Sports Collection
Rule 2: NFL β Sports Collection
Rule 3: Soccer β Sports Collection
Result: All channels combined (additive mode)
Option: Merge into single rule with all patterns-
Connect Dispatcharr
- Settings β Dispatcharr Configuration
- Enter URL, username, password
- Test connection
-
Browse Groups
- Click "π‘ Dispatcharr" tab
- View all enabled groups
- Filter by provider or local
-
Create Rule
- Click "β Create Rule" on any group
- Review auto-generated pattern
- Select or create collection
- Enable Dispatcharr Sync for auto-updates
-
Manage Collections
- Create new collections with regex transforms
- Example: "UK| DOCUMENTARY α΄΄α΄°" β "DOCUMENTARY"
- System checks if collection exists
When you have multiple rules targeting the same collection:
-
System automatically uses Additive Mode
- Channels are added
- Channels are never removed
- Prevents rules from fighting
-
Click π Merge Rules to combine them
- Combines all patterns into one rule
- Deletes duplicate rules
- Returns to normal mode
- Verify URL includes
http://and port (:9191) - Check username and password are correct
- Ensure Dispatcharr is running and accessible
- Check Docker network if using containers
- Check rule is enabled (toggle switch)
- Verify collection exists in Channels DVR
- Check sync logs for errors
- For shared collections, check additive mode is active
- Use Preview to test patterns
- For numbers, ensure exact match (400 won't match 6400)
- Check match type (Name vs Number)
- Verify regex syntax is correct
All configuration is stored in /config:
rules.json- Your rule definitionsdispatcharr.json- Dispatcharr connection settings (tokens cached)
MIT License - see LICENSE for details.
- Built for Channels DVR
- Integrates with Dispatcharr IPTV management
- Community feedback and feature requests
- π Report Issues
- π¬ Discussions
Made with β€οΈ for the Channels DVR community