# Linux Tips

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247>\
**Category:** Tips, Tricks & How-Tos\
**Tags:** server-linux-tips, server-linux, tipstricks\
**Created:** [June 26, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247 "2018-06-26T17:11:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 6

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247/6 "2018-06-26T19:53:05Z")

</div>

# Moving Plex’s metadata (Library) directory on `systemd` based systems

**This information is intended for those systems where `cat /proc/1/comm` returns `systemd`. If your system returns `init`, please see the next post in this thread.**

While you may change `/lib/systemd/system/plexmediaserver.service`, it is under the control of the package manager and subject to replacement **without warning** at any time during an update. To provide stability, systemd allows creation of an `override.conf` file to customize and create enduring local adjustments to a distributed default package.

You can change a number of parameters about how PMS runs on your Linux system including where the metadata (Library) resides.

One of the more common needs is to relocate `/var/lib/plexmediaserver` from it’s default location to a SSD or where there is more space.

On systems which use Systemd (Ubuntu 16+, Fedora, Centos 7, Debian 8,) you create a customization file which SystemD reads prior to launching PMS. This file is independent of the default configuration and service control mechanisms in `/lib/systemd/system/plexmediaserver.service`. The Plex-supplied service definition should not be modified as any changes are subject to overwriting at every update.

The task, with PMS stopped, is:

- Create the ‘override’ file
- Move the files to their new location
- Change ownership if needed
- Inform systemd of the changes
- Start PMS

In the example below, the following will be shown. Tailor to your environment as needed

a) Run as user chuck:spacecadet  
b) Move the metadata (Library) to /home/plex for the extra space  
c) Relax the default file-creation permissions (for plug-ins, etc)

The following steps must be done as root, elevate first and get a full shell to work in

`sudo sh`

# Begin here:

## A. Create `/etc/systemd/system/plexmediaserver.service.d`. In it, create `override.conf` containing the following

```
#
# Customize Plex's config
[Service]
Environment="PLEX_MEDIA_SERVER_APPLICATION_SUPPORT_DIR=/home/plexdata/Library/Application Support"
#
# These values are only needed if you wish to change user & group
User=chuck
Group=chuck
#
# This is needed to change the default umask 
UMask=0002 # this must be 4 digits of octal       

```

Info: Some systems want ‘Umask’ while others want ‘UMask’. Please be cautious of this.

**_Warning_: Do not use `/media` as it is a reserved directory with Gnome (Nautilus). Select a target directory not used by any system applications.**

## B. Now copy the existing library. (Resolve errors before deleting the original copy of your library)

```
mkdir /home/plexdata

cd /var/lib/plexmediaserver
tar cf - ./Library | (cd /home/plexdata ; tar xf -) # this will take some time
cd /home/plexdata

# now change ownership
cd /home/plexdata
chown -R chuck:chuck. 

```

## C. Inform SystemD of the changes and test the related & reconfigured PMS

```
systemctl daemon-reload
systemctl start plexmediaserver

```

## D. Test your system. Verify everything is exactly as it was. If not, resolve before proceeding

`http://127.0.0.1:32400/web`

## E. Delete the old library in `/var`

```
rm -rf /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library & # this can safely go into the background

```

Once you have created the override file, you can later edit it with `systemctl edit plexmediaserver`

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