Metadata and Extended Attributes

[rednoah]

FileBot uses xattr (i.e. Extended Attributes / NTFS Alternative Streams) to store full metadata in filesystem attributes. These xattr are not to be confused with traditional tags that are embedded in the file content, but additional data streams stored in the file system for each file that are not part of the file itself. As such, xattr requires a filesystem that supports xattr, and xattr may be silently lost if files are moved to a filesystem that doesn't support xattr.


Details:

• [xattr:net.filebot.metadata] Episode or Movie Object (as json)
• [xattr:net.filebot.filename] Original filename
• [basic:creationTime] Episode airdate or Movie release year (disabled by default for compatibility reasons)

Usage:
FileBot and other programs have the original filename and all episode / movie metadata available regardless how the file is named. Sure nice to have full metadata instantly / offline available should you need it.


Disable this feature via the -no-xattr command-line flag:

Code: Select all

-no-xattr

or via system properties:

Code: Select all

filebot -script fn:properties --def useExtendedFileAttributes=false

Configure FileBot to store xattr metadata in plain text files instead of filesystem xattr streams:

Code: Select all

filebot -script fn:properties --def net.filebot.xattr.store=.xattr

If you require cross-platform compatibility, then using .xattr folders and files is highly recommended. The FileBot Xattr Metadata Scanners & Plug-ins for Plex
support both native filesystem xattr and .xattr folders by default.


View or Clear Extended Attributes
with the filebot command-line tools and xattr script:

Code: Select all

filebot -script fn:xattr /path/to/files