How to Add an API to Stremio: A Complete Guide
Stremio's real power doesn't come from the app itself — it comes from the add-on ecosystem built on top of it. Understanding how APIs connect to Stremio unlocks a dramatically expanded library of content, metadata, and streaming sources. Here's exactly how that system works.
What "Adding an API" Actually Means in Stremio
In Stremio, you don't connect raw APIs directly the way a developer would in a coding environment. Instead, Stremio uses a standardized add-on protocol — essentially a structured API format that third-party developers build their services around. When users talk about "adding an API to Stremio," they typically mean one of two things:
- Installing a community-built add-on that runs on its own server and exposes an API endpoint Stremio can talk to
- Self-hosting or deploying a custom add-on using Stremio's open SDK, then pointing the app to that endpoint
Both paths use the same underlying mechanism: a manifest URL — a web address that Stremio reads to understand what the add-on offers.
How the Stremio Add-On API System Works
Every Stremio add-on exposes a manifest.json file at a public URL. This manifest tells Stremio:
- What types of content the add-on provides (movies, series, channels, etc.)
- What resources it can respond to (catalog, stream, meta, subtitles)
- Which ID types it supports (IMDb IDs, for example)
When you add an add-on, Stremio sends requests to that add-on's API endpoints and receives structured JSON responses. The app handles the display — the add-on handles the data.
This architecture means add-ons are stateless and URL-based. No installation file is downloaded. The app simply queries a live endpoint.
Step-by-Step: Adding an Add-On via Its API URL 🔧
Method 1 — Through the Stremio Add-On Catalog
- Open Stremio and click the puzzle piece icon (Add-ons) in the top navigation
- Browse the official catalog or use the search bar
- Click Install on any listed add-on — Stremio handles the API connection automatically
Method 2 — Adding a Custom or Community API Endpoint Manually
This is where the "API" framing becomes most relevant:
- Obtain the manifest URL for the add-on or API endpoint (typically ends in
/manifest.json) - In Stremio, navigate to Add-ons → search bar at the top
- Paste the full manifest URL directly into the search field
- Press Enter — Stremio will fetch and read the manifest
- Click Install when the add-on card appears
That URL is the API entry point. Stremio does the rest.
Method 3 — Using a Community Add-On Configuration Page
Many popular add-ons (particularly those with authentication or filtering options) have external configuration pages. You:
- Visit the add-on's web interface in a browser
- Configure your preferences, log in if required, or enter an API key for a third-party service
- The page generates a personalized manifest URL with your settings encoded
- You copy that URL and paste it into Stremio as described in Method 2
This is common for add-ons that connect to services requiring credentials — the API key becomes part of the URL string itself.
Key Variables That Affect How This Works
Not every setup produces the same result. Several factors shape your experience:
| Variable | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Stremio version | Older versions may not support newer manifest formats |
| Device / OS | Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) offers the most flexibility; mobile versions have some add-on restrictions |
| Add-on hosting | Self-hosted add-ons depend on your server's uptime and network |
| API key requirements | Some endpoints require valid credentials from external services |
| HTTPS vs HTTP | Stremio generally requires add-on endpoints to be served over HTTPS |
Self-Hosting a Custom Stremio Add-On API
Developers and technically inclined users can build and host their own add-on using the Stremio Add-On SDK (available in Node.js, with community ports in Python and other languages). The basic flow:
- Install the SDK and scaffold a new add-on project
- Define your manifest (content types, resources, ID prefixes)
- Write handler functions that return properly formatted JSON for stream or catalog requests
- Deploy to a hosting environment (local network, VPS, cloud platform)
- Ensure the endpoint is reachable via HTTPS
- Add the resulting manifest URL to Stremio
Local development can use tools like ngrok to expose a localhost server temporarily for testing before full deployment.
Where the Setup Gets Personal 🎯
The mechanics above are consistent — the manifest URL system works the same way for everyone. What diverges quickly is the context around it:
- Whether you need an add-on that's publicly hosted or self-controlled depends on your privacy preferences and technical comfort level
- Add-ons that require external API keys (for metadata services, subtitle providers, or content databases) introduce their own account requirements and rate limits
- Users on mobile or TV-based Stremio clients may find that certain add-on types behave differently than on desktop
- Self-hosting introduces infrastructure decisions — server specs, uptime needs, domain configuration — that vary significantly based on how you intend to use the add-on
The mechanism for connecting an API to Stremio is straightforward. What that connection should look like for any specific viewer depends entirely on what they're trying to accomplish and what they're working with.