Chaptarr

Updated 10 October 2026

Chaptarr is a book collection manager for audiobooks and eBooks, born as a Readarr fork and grown into its own project. Where Readarr forced you to run two instances (one for eBooks, one for audiobooks), Chaptarr manages both formats in a single library, keeps multiple editions of the same title, recognises narrators, and optionally converts multi-file MP3 audiobooks into single chaptered M4Bs.

And unlike Readarr, Chaptarr does not depend on the now-defunct Readarr metadata servers. It runs its own metadata pipeline that resolves books across multiple providers, so search and matching actually work.

Why Chaptarr over Readarr?

• One instance, both formats. Separate root folders for audiobooks and eBooks, or eBooks placed alongside audiobooks - your call.
• Working metadata. Readarr's metadata sources are dead; Chaptarr's modular pipeline is alive and actively developed.
• Narrator and edition aware. Keep the Ray Porter and the graphic-audio edition, tagged correctly.
• MP3 to M4B conversion. Powered by m4b-tool, with chapter preservation or insertion.
• Familiar Arr workflow. Same indexer / download-client / quality-profile model as Sonarr and Radarr, so your existing stack plugs straight in.

How to wire it up on ElfHosted

Your Chaptarr arrives pre-configured: indexers sync automatically from your hosted Prowlarr, download clients for Decypharr (debrid), CatBox (TorBox), and NzbDAV (Usenet) are already defined, and two root folders are ready to go: Audiobooks (/storage/symlinks/audiobooks, with Audiobookshelf metadata and cover writing enabled) and eBooks (/storage/symlinks/books).

1. Open Chaptarr from your apps dashboard.
2. Enable the download client that matches your setup under Settings → Download Clients: they arrive defined but disabled, so flip on Decypharr if you use a debrid service, or NzbDAV for Usenet.
3. Add authors and books via search, or point Chaptarr at an existing library and let it match what you already have.
4. Pair with a reader / player. Audiobookshelf serves the same audiobooks folder Chaptarr manages (and eBooks via its reader), while Calibre-Web or BookLore handle eBook libraries.

Connecting Chaptarr to Audiobookshelf

Chaptarr and Audiobookshelf are made for each other on ElfHosted: Chaptarr's default audiobook root folder (/storage/symlinks/audiobooks) is the same folder Audiobookshelf serves, and Chaptarr already writes Audiobookshelf-style metadata.json and cover files as it imports. Two steps complete the pairing:

1. Point an Audiobookshelf library at the shared folder. In Audiobookshelf, create (or edit) an audiobook library and add /storage/symlinks/audiobooks as a library folder.
2. Add the Audiobookshelf connection in Chaptarr, so each import triggers a targeted library scan instead of waiting for Audiobookshelf's next periodic sweep. In Chaptarr, go to Settings → Connect → + and choose AudioBookShelf:
   • Host: audiobookshelf (the internal hostname; apps talk to each other by name, no http://)
   • Port: 8000
   • Use SSL: off (internal traffic)
   • API Key: generate one in Audiobookshelf under Settings → API Keys (or use an admin user's API key on older versions)
   • Map your Chaptarr audiobook root folder to the Audiobookshelf library you created, then Test and Save.

From then on, a book imported by Chaptarr appears in Audiobookshelf moments later, with metadata and cover already in place.

Where should your library live?

Chaptarr's debrid-backed download clients hand it symlinks, not files, and Chaptarr's import is a rename. Keep your root folders under /storage/symlinks/ (for example /storage/symlinks/books and /storage/symlinks/audiobooks) and imports stay instant, byte-free renames: your library is a set of pointers into the debrid mount, and nothing is downloaded until you actually read or listen.

Point a root folder at your own mounted storage under /storage/rclone/ instead, and imports become real copies onto your storage: the full book is fetched from the debrid service at import time. That's a perfectly valid choice (books are small, and you own the bytes), just know which mode you're in.

One caveat: the optional MP3 to M4B conversion always produces real files, since it's creating something new. If you enable conversion, consider pointing the audiobook root folder at your own /storage/rclone/ storage so converted files land on storage you own.

Migrating from Readarr

Chaptarr uses its own metadata pipeline and database, so there is no in-place upgrade from an existing Readarr instance. The practical path is to point a fresh Chaptarr at your existing library folders and let it import and match your files. Once you are happy, retire the old Readarr subscription(s) from your ElfHosted account.

Get a 7-day trial of ElfHosted Chaptarr!

How do I access Chaptarr?

Chaptarr is available:

• From your dashboard: https://your-username.elfhosted.com
• Directly: https://your-username-chaptarr.elfhosted.com

Chaptarr also works with

• Audiobookshelf

• BookLore

• Calibre-Web

• Prowlarr

How do I get support for Chaptarr?

1. For general use of Chaptarr, refer to the official site or to one of the links in the resources section below.

2. For specific support re your ElfHosted configuration / account, see the ElfHosted support options!

Sponsor Chaptarr ❤️

You can contribute directly to the development of Chaptarr using the following:

• Ko-fi

Chaptarr resources

• Chaptarr (official site)

• Chaptarr GitHub repo

• Chaptarr Wiki

• Chaptarr Discord

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