> 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/settings/connections/metadata.md).

# Metadata

Metadata and ID mapping help CrossWatch match the same item across different services.

Without them, CrossWatch sees more missing peers and weaker ID coverage.

That matters more now that Plex, Jellyfin, and Emby default to strict ID matching.

Find this section in **Settings → Connections**.

In older versions, this section was named **Metadata**.

<figure><img src="/files/uM8mWpwPq1aCWZsdNAPl" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %}
Set up TMDb before your first real sync run.
{% endhint %}

### Why you want this section

Most matching problems start with weak identifiers:

* Different services use different IDs.
* Titles are localized, renamed, or ambiguous.
* Episodes can be especially messy without external IDs.

Metadata and ID mapping help CrossWatch:

* match items by stable IDs (TMDb/IMDb/etc. when available)
* reduce “missing peer” and “wrong match” issues
* make two-way sync less risky

{% hint style="info" %}
If you use AniList pairs, enable Anime ID Mapping too.
{% endhint %}

### What CrossWatch supports

CrossWatch supports:

* **TMDb** metadata
* **Anime ID Mapping** for AniList pairs

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th>Guide</th><th data-card-target data-type="content-ref">Open</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>TMDb Metadata</td><td><a href="/spaces/3rh5THg1PdhVsBt3GALo/pages/FWsYA6CO8FVG9KIb08pZ">/spaces/3rh5THg1PdhVsBt3GALo/pages/FWsYA6CO8FVG9KIb08pZ</a></td></tr><tr><td>Anime ID Mapping</td><td><a href="/spaces/3rh5THg1PdhVsBt3GALo/pages/K78pPkkhj5tsnPhNITkq">/spaces/3rh5THg1PdhVsBt3GALo/pages/K78pPkkhj5tsnPhNITkq</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### Setup

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open Metadata / ID Mapping

Go to **Settings → Connections**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Configure TMDb

Create a TMDb API key and paste it into CrossWatch.

Guide: [TMDb Metadata](/crosswatch/settings/connections/metadata/tmdb-metadata.md)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Configure Anime ID Mapping

If you sync AniList with another provider, enable Anime ID Mapping.

Guide: [Anime ID Mapping](/crosswatch/settings/connections/metadata/anime-id-mapping.md)
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Troubleshooting

* **Lots of missing matches**: configure TMDb, then re-run the pair.
* **AniList anime still missing peers**: enable Anime ID Mapping, then run the pair again.
* **Wrong match**: fix the item in the Editor (override IDs), then re-run.
* **Rate limits**: increase TMDb cache TTL and avoid rapid re-runs.


---

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