---
title: Media Pipeline Pitfalls
created: '2026-05-23'
updated: '2026-05-23'
type: tech
namespace: family
tags: [media-pipeline, pitfalls, torrents, infra]
related: "[[arr-stack-kraken]]"
---

# Media Pipeline Pitfalls

## Torrents — Do Not Rename Files

Never rename torrent source files or folders while a torrent is active.
Transmission tracks files by path. Renaming breaks the association and
causes re-download or stalled seeding.

## torrent-set-location Updates downloadDir

`torrent-set-location` in the Transmission RPC updates `downloadDir` in
the torrent metadata. Use this when moving completed files, not a manual
rename. Sequence:

1. Move files to new location on disk
2. Call `torrent-set-location` with the new path + `move=false`
3. Verify torrent goes back to seeding state

## General Rules

- Never touch source files/folders (media-pipeline USER.md rule)
- `resolve-manual` is emergency-only
- NFO files: do not create manually; let the pipeline handle them
- Never delete test files from the pipeline project