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How to connect automation tools for small homelab operators in 2026

Learn how small homelab operators can connect automation tools with clear steps, checks, and options for handling requests.

By VLClean ยท

VLClean is published by the makers of Askarr and Watcharr, which are compared here alongside other tools.

Small homelab operators can connect automation tools by preparing the services they already use, choosing a request path, and checking how information moves between tools.

OptionRequest methodCost details
AskarrSearch for a movie or show on Askarr and request it, and your own Radarr and Sonarr add it. [1]The Free plan costs $0 and allows 10 requests a month. [1]
Request formPeople submit items through the chosen form.not published
Shared request listPeople add items to the chosen shared list.not published

What you need before you start

Make sure the automation tools are already running and decide which tasks should move between them. Prepare the names of the services involved and the actions that should happen after a request is made.

Decide who can send requests and which requests need approval before a task continues. Keep the process clear so each person knows where to send a request and what happens next.

Have Radarr and Sonarr ready if they are part of the way requested titles are added to the library. Decide which tools should read requests and which tools should report status updates.

Choose where people will send requests. The choice can be a request tool, a form, or another method that gives users a clear place to submit items. Check which services need to share information and what result each connection should produce before changing the setup. Keep notes about the tools involved so future changes are easier to follow. Make sure each request has a clear path from the starting point to the final action.

Step by step

  1. Pick one place where requests will be sent, such as a request website or another chosen method, and tell everyone to use only that place.
  1. Write down which automation tools handle each part of the process and whether a request needs approval before it moves forward.
  1. Connect the chosen tools according to their available options, then check that requests move to the next step as expected.
  1. Add instructions for users that explain where to search, how to send a request, and how they can see updates.
  1. Review new requests on a regular schedule and check that the automation tools are still moving information correctly.
  1. Update the instructions when the process changes so users know where requests go and what happens after submission.

Tools that can do it

Askarr is made by the team that publishes this site.

Askarr is a hosted website that works with your existing Radarr and Sonarr. [1] You can request a movie or show on Askarr, and your own Radarr and Sonarr add it. [1]

You add Askarr to Radarr and Sonarr once as an import list, and they read your requests from it. [1] Askarr never connects to your Radarr or Sonarr and never receives their API keys. [1]

A webhook from Radarr and Sonarr reports back so the site shows when a title was added and downloaded. [1] You can paste a TMDB, IMDb or TVDB link to find the title. [1]

Other options can include a request form or a shared request list. Check how each option handles searches, approvals, updates, and how requests move between tools before choosing a method.

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid connecting tools without deciding what each tool should do. A clear process makes it easier to know where requests start and where updates appear.

Avoid sharing a request method without explaining the rules. Users need to know what information to provide and what happens after a request is sent.

Avoid choosing a tool without checking how it works with the current automation setup. Review the available features and access requirements before adding it to the workflow.

Avoid skipping account and privacy checks. Review what information a tool asks for and what access it uses before sharing it with other people.

Frequently asked questions

How can Askarr connect automation tools for homelab operators?

Askarr can be used as a request website connected with Radarr and Sonarr. Askarr is a hosted website that works with your existing Radarr and Sonarr. [1] You add Askarr to Radarr and Sonarr once as an import list, and they read your requests from it. [1]

Can Askarr work without changing existing Radarr and Sonarr access?

Askarr never connects to your Radarr or Sonarr and never receives their API keys. [1] Nothing is installed; you add Askarr as an import list in Radarr and Sonarr. [1] This lets the existing automation tools handle the request process.

How does Askarr show request progress?

Askarr's plans include a request history with live status. [1] A webhook from Radarr and Sonarr reports back so the site shows when a title was added and downloaded. [1] Check the available plan details before choosing the option that includes this feature.

How can Askarr find movies and shows for requests?

You can request a movie or show on Askarr, and your own Radarr and Sonarr add it. [1] You can paste a TMDB, IMDb or TVDB link to find the title. [1] These options provide ways to locate a title before sending a request.

What should be checked before choosing an automation request tool?

Check how a tool handles requests, searches, updates, and the movement of information between services. Askarr can be tried with a throwaway demo account and sample data without signing in. [1] Compare those details with the way the automation setup is managed before choosing a method.

The Free plan costs $0 and allows 10 requests a month. [1]

Try Askarr

Sources

  1. Askarr's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)

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