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Control downloads based on file size

Posted: September 6th, 2025, 4:16 am
by pven
First of all thanks for the great work on SABnzbd! :)

I would like to request a feature that allows downloads to be controlled based on their size.

The case:
  • On my system I keep incomplete downloads on a small but fast local disk (SSD).
    Completed downloads are moved to a large but slower disk (USB/NAS).
Problem: when a very large download (>40GB for example) starts, it can quickly fill up the SSD and break the flow.

Proposed solution:
  • Add an option to configure download rules based on total size.
Example:
  • When the job is added to the queue, SABnzbd determines the total size and applies the configured rule.
    If download size ≤ X GB → download via normal incomplete folder.
    If download size > X GB → either pause automatically, or send directly to an alternative incomplete folder on the larger disk.
This would give users more flexibility in managing disk usage and would prevent incomplete downloads from failing due to lack of space.

Would this be possible to consider for a future version?

Re: Control downloads based on file size

Posted: September 6th, 2025, 5:04 am
by sander
> Problem: when a very large download (>40GB for example) starts, it can quickly fill up the SSD and break the flow.

Indeed. I recognize the problem. ;-(

> If download size > X GB → either pause automatically,

You can do that yourself with a pre-queue script: https://sabnzbd.org/wiki/configuration/ ... ue-scripts ... use parameter 5 (size) on input, and set parameter 6 (priority) on output.

> or send directly to an alternative incomplete folder on the larger disk.

Incomplete is global setting for SABnzbd. And you can't change it with anything in the queue.

A 1TB SSD is 52 euro's, a 2TB SSD is 99 euro, so quicker for you to solve it that way?

Re: Control downloads based on file size

Posted: September 6th, 2025, 7:53 am
by pven
I will look at the prequeue. Thanks for that!

Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to replace anything in my mini-PC.

Re: Control downloads based on file size

Posted: September 29th, 2025, 1:31 am
by pven
For who is interested: check prequeue_size_pause_big.py on https://github.com/pven/scripts/tree/main/sabnzbd to see my solution.

Thanks again sander! This helps me a lot.

Re: Control downloads based on file size

Posted: September 29th, 2025, 1:44 am
by sander
well done!