> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.crosswatch.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.crosswatch.app/crosswatch/providers/authentication/auth-trackers/auth-publicmetadb.md).

# Auth: PublicMetaDB

PublicMetaDB is a tracker provider that connects with an API key.

{% hint style="warning" %}
PublicMetaDB support is experimental.

Prefer a one-way flow into PublicMetaDB.

Start with your media server as the source and PublicMetaDB as the target.
{% endhint %}

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="End users" %}

### What it supports

* Watchlist — movies and shows
* Ratings — movies, shows, and episodes
* History — movies and episodes
* Progress — movies and episodes

{% hint style="info" %}
PublicMetaDB uses an API key.
{% endhint %}

### Connect PublicMetaDB

1. Open **Settings → Authentication**.
2. Open **PublicMetaDB**.
3. In PublicMetaDB, create an API key in **Settings → API**.
4. Paste the key into **API Key**.
5. Click **Connect**.
6. If needed, click **Verify** once.

API keys usually start with `pm-`.

### Profiles

PublicMetaDB supports multiple profiles.

Use **Profile** to switch between `Default` and extra profiles.

Click **New** to add a profile.

Click **Delete** to remove a non-default profile.

Guide: [Profiles](/crosswatch/profiles.md)

### Troubleshooting

* “Connected” only means CrossWatch saved an API key.
* **Verify** checks the key against PublicMetaDB.
* If verify fails, rotate the key in PublicMetaDB and reconnect.
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Power users" %}

### Config keys

Stored under:

* `publicmetadb.api_key`
* `publicmetadb.instances.<profile>.api_key`

Common shared settings:

* `publicmetadb.base_url`
* `publicmetadb.watchlist_name`
* `publicmetadb.watchlist_list_id`
* `publicmetadb.ratings_label`
* `publicmetadb.rate_limit.get_per_sec`
* `publicmetadb.rate_limit.post_per_sec`

Pair-level watchlist overrides are stored under:

* `providers.publicmetadb.watchlist_name`

### Auth behavior

CrossWatch stores the API key and marks the provider as connected.

A deeper health check validates the key against PublicMetaDB.

CrossWatch sends the key as a bearer token.

### Related docs

* Profiles: [Profiles](/crosswatch/profiles.md)
* Pair setup: [Configure Pairs](/crosswatch/configure-pairs.md)
* Watchlist settings: [Watchlist](/crosswatch/configure-pairs/features/watchlist.md)
* Progress settings: [Progress](/crosswatch/configure-pairs/features/progress.md)
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}


---

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