Audiobookshelf listening
Connect audiobook access and listening apps while keeping book requests tied to Chaptarr.
Chaptarr requests and organizes books. Audiobookshelf serves the audiobook library to listeners. Connect both if you want Cantinarr to request an audiobook and later offer an authorized listening link.
Add Audiobookshelf
Section titled “Add Audiobookshelf”Open Settings > Add Instance, select Audiobookshelf, and enter its reachable connection details. Run the live test, then choose the default libraries and intended user grants.
Set Address users open to the browser or app address the listeners can reach. An internal Docker hostname is usually unsuitable for a phone outside that network.
Review library access
Section titled “Review library access”Use the library controls shown for the instance and user. Audiobookshelf’s actual library, tag, and content restrictions remain relevant. A Cantinarr account link alone does not prove a listener can access every item.
Use the media-server access guide to complete account setup or link an existing account. Verify access using that person’s actual Audiobookshelf account.
Connect the book request side
Section titled “Connect the book request side”Grant the person access to the appropriate Chaptarr library too. Books require their own per-user grant. When an audiobook becomes available, Cantinarr resolves the authorized Chaptarr audio identity and checks the live Audiobookshelf access before offering the title handoff.
A book’s ebook availability does not prove its audiobook is ready. Different format records and similarly named books are not merged by title.
Choose listening apps
Section titled “Choose listening apps”Administrators can set defaults in the Audiobookshelf instance. Users can override them under Settings > Account > Listening apps.
- iPhone/iPad: Browser, Audiobookshelf, or ShelfPlayer.
- Android: Browser, Audiobookshelf, or TheShelf.
- Web and desktop: browser.
Install and sign into the chosen app first. A failed native launch falls back to the original browser link.
If Listen is missing
Section titled “If Listen is missing”Check the Chaptarr audiobook file, the user’s Chaptarr grant, the Audiobookshelf account and library restrictions, the exact item match, and the address users open. A successful admin API connection does not prove a listener can read that item.
See playback troubleshooting and the complete book setup.