e2MDB – Maintenance and recovery
Maintenance should preserve a useful library. Deleting the entire cache or database is not a routine maintenance strategy. Read status first, then choose the smallest appropriate action.
Choose an action
Section titled “Choose an action”| Action | Effect | When useful |
|---|---|---|
| Live/EPG cleanup | Removes expired metadata and eligible queue entries according to retention rules. | In a free recurring window. |
| SQLite maintenance | Optimises database structures; ANALYZE, optionally VACUUM or REINDEX. | As needed or in a quiet recurring window. |
| VACUUM | Rebuilds the database and can release unused space. | After substantial cleanup; allow disk space and time. |
| REINDEX | Rebuilds indexes. | For a specific reason, not a mandatory daily action. |
| Retry missing metadata/artwork | Attempts missing matches and pictures again. | After fixing credentials, provider access or incomplete processing. |
| Clean cache | Deletes images or other cache data according to the selected category. | Deliberate troubleshooting or rebuilding. |
| Delete database / everything | Discards matches and potentially the entire e2MDB dataset. | Only with a backup and a planned rebuild. |
A practical routine
Section titled “A practical routine”- After adding media, run a suitable scan and check a few results.
- Regularly check disk space, provider errors and queue backlog; clean expired live/EPG records.
- Before updates or storage changes, make consistent backups.
- Keep verbose logging enabled only while diagnosing a problem.
Consistent SQLite backups
Section titled “Consistent SQLite backups”The database uses WAL mode. Copying only results.db during active writes is not a reliable complete backup. Use SQLite’s online backup facility, or stop all accessing processes in a controlled way before copying the complete consistent state.
Provider configuration, scan paths and optionally artwork also belong in a recovery plan. A database backup does not back up the actual films. Restore with accessing services stopped and a compatible plugin version. The backup appendix provides an online backup example and exact data locations.