From bf611f8a835f74155d47c0bd0b15cacaa215627d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: hobokenchicken Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:21:13 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] feat: add coop credits blog post - sunsetting seerr --- ...23-sunsetting-seerr-brewing-coopcredits.md | 65 +++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 65 insertions(+) create mode 100644 tech/_posts/2026-04-23-sunsetting-seerr-brewing-coopcredits.md diff --git a/tech/_posts/2026-04-23-sunsetting-seerr-brewing-coopcredits.md b/tech/_posts/2026-04-23-sunsetting-seerr-brewing-coopcredits.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..46d7cd5 --- /dev/null +++ b/tech/_posts/2026-04-23-sunsetting-seerr-brewing-coopcredits.md @@ -0,0 +1,65 @@ +--- +layout: post +title: "sunsetting seerr: brewing up coop credits for plex users" +--- + +the kettle's on, but this time we're cleaning house. after years of pouring requests through **overseerr** for my plex users, i've finally pulled it from the front counter. don't get me wrong-seerr is a solid tool, but i wanted something that actually rewards the people who show up and *watch* things, not just hoard requests. + +enter **[coop credits](https://coop.hobokenchicken.com)** ($COOP): a little platform i built that turns plex watch time into spendable currency. + +## why sunset seerr as a user-facing service? + +overseerr made requesting easy-too easy, honestly. users would queue up seasons of shows they'd never finish, filling my drives with abandoned episodes while i footed the storage bill. it felt less like a shared media library and more like an unattended wishlist. + +i wanted a system with some skin in the game. if you want something new on the server, you should earn it. or at least contribute. that's the grind behind coop credits. + +## how coop credits works + +users sign in with their plex account. from there, the platform tracks their actual watch time via **tautulli** and pays out $COOP accordingly. the more you watch, the more you earn. simple. + +those credits can then be spent on movie and tv requests. behind the scenes, **seerr** is still doing the heavy lifting for acquisition and management-it's just not the public-facing storefront anymore. coop credits sits in front, handling authentication, balances, and pricing. + +### the pricing formula + +not all content costs the same. request prices scale based on two factors: + +- **used drive storage** - as the array fills up, new content gets pricier. scarcity drives value. +- **episode count** - a single movie costs less than a ten-episode season. fair is fair. + +this keeps the economy honest. binge-watchers fund their own habits. casual viewers aren't priced out. and i don't wake up to find someone ordered seven seasons of a reality show nobody's touched in months. + +## buying credits through ko-fi + +not everyone has time to watch their way to a balance. if you want to top off your account, you can buy $COOP directly: + +- **$5 → 500 credits** +- **$10 → 1,000 credits** + +this helps cover storage expansion, maintenance, and keeps the coffee flowing in the server closet. every purchase goes straight back into the homelab. + +## tying it all together: plex, seerr, tautulli + +coop credits isn't replacing my stack-it's *bridging* it. here's the flow: + +1. **plex** handles streaming and authentication. +2. **tautulli** reports watch time and triggers credit payouts. +3. **seerr** still manages requests, downloads, and notifications. +4. **coop credits** sits on top, running the economy. + +it's a tighter loop. users get rewarded for engagement. i get a saner request pipeline. and the whole thing runs on hardware i already own, integrated with tools i already trust. + +## lessons from the build + +this project reminded me that the best homelab tools are the ones shaped around your actual community, not just the ones with the most github stars. overseerr is great software. but for my use case, it needed a bouncer-and a cash register. + +co-op economics in a media server might sound silly, but it's surprisingly effective. users think twice before requesting. engagement is up. and i no longer feel like a digital vending machine with an infinite tab. + +--- + +if you're running plex for friends or family and feeling the request fatigue, maybe consider adding some friction. it doesn't have to be credits-it could be watch-time quotas, manual approval, or just an honest conversation about storage costs. but if you want to go full economy-mode, you know where to find us. + +**[grab some $COOP →](https://coop.hobokenchicken.com)** + +what's brewing in your plex setup lately? drop a comment or hit me up-i'd love to hear how others handle the endless request stream. + +-dustin