> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.powerscraperpro.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Automation

> Set up watch folders and Siri Shortcuts integration

# Automation

Power Scraper Pro can work automatically in the background, processing new media as you add it.

## Watch Folders

Watch folders monitor directories for new files and automatically scan them.

### Setting Up a Watch Folder

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Settings">
    Go to **Settings → Watch Folders**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a Folder">
    Click **+** and select the folder to monitor.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Options">
    * **Media Type**: Movies, TV Shows, or Both
    * **Auto-Scrape**: Automatically fetch metadata for new files
    * **Output Mode**: In Place, Move to Folder, or Move to Desktop
    * **Notifications**: Get notified when new media is detected
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable Monitoring">
    Toggle the watch folder **On**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### How It Works

1. You download or copy a new movie/TV show to the watch folder
2. Power Scraper Pro detects the new file (via macOS FSEvents)
3. The file is scanned and added to your library
4. If auto-scrape is enabled, metadata is fetched automatically
5. You receive a notification when complete

<Info>
  Watch folders work even when Power Scraper Pro is in the background. The app must be running, but doesn't need to be in focus.
</Info>

### Multiple Watch Folders

You can set up multiple watch folders with different settings:

* `~/Downloads/Movies/` → Movies, Auto-scrape ON
* `~/Downloads/TV/` → TV Shows, Auto-scrape ON
* `/Volumes/NAS/Incoming/` → Both, Auto-scrape OFF

## Background Processing

Power Scraper Pro can scrape large libraries without blocking the UI.

### Enable Background Processing

1. Go to **Settings → Background Scraping**
2. Toggle **Enable Background Processing**
3. Configure notification preferences

### Features

* **Non-blocking** — Continue browsing while scraping happens
* **Memory-aware** — Pauses automatically if system memory is low
* **Cancellable** — Stop anytime at safe checkpoints
* **Progress indicators** — Dock badge and toolbar indicator show progress

## Siri Shortcuts Integration

Power Scraper Pro integrates with Apple's Shortcuts app for automation.

### Available Actions

| Action            | Description                            |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Get Library Stats | Returns movie/TV show counts           |
| Scrape Movies     | Scrapes all unscraped movies           |
| Pending Items     | Returns list of items needing scraping |
| Export Library    | Exports library data as JSON           |

### Example Shortcuts

**"Hey Siri, scan my downloads"**

1. Open Shortcuts app
2. Create new shortcut
3. Add **Scan Directory** action
4. Set path to your downloads folder
5. Save and name it "Scan my downloads"

**Automated Daily Scan**

1. Create a shortcut with **Scan Directory** + **Scrape Pending**
2. Add an Automation trigger for a specific time
3. Your library updates automatically every day

## Session Resume

If Power Scraper Pro quits or crashes during a scraping operation:

1. Progress is saved automatically
2. On next launch, you're prompted to resume
3. Click **Resume** to continue where you left off
4. No duplicate downloads or wasted API calls

<Tip>
  Session state is saved continuously, so even a sudden crash won't lose significant progress.
</Tip>