# Technology Stack — Unraid Update Status Sync

**Project:** Unraid Docker Manager
**Milestone:** Update Status Sync (v1.3)
**Researched:** 2026-02-08

## Executive Summary

**Recommendation:** Use Unraid's native GraphQL API with `updateContainer` mutation to sync status after bot-initiated container updates.

This approach leverages Unraid's official API (available since 7.2, via Connect plugin for <7.2) to call the same update mechanism the WebGUI uses. The GraphQL `updateContainer` mutation triggers Dynamix Docker Manager's update workflow, which automatically handles image digest comparison and updates `/var/lib/docker/unraid-update-status.json`.

**Confidence:** HIGH — Based on official Unraid API documentation, source code analysis, and GraphQL schema.

---

## Recommended Stack Additions

### 1. Unraid GraphQL API Client

| Component | Version | Purpose | Why |
|-----------|---------|---------|-----|
| HTTP Request (n8n built-in) | n8n 1.x | GraphQL API calls | Already available, no new dependencies |
| Unraid API | 7.2+ or Connect plugin | Container update status sync | Official Unraid API, supported mechanism |

**Installation:** None required in n8n container. Requires Unraid API key creation on host.

**Network Access:**
- From n8n container → Unraid host: `http://host.docker.internal/graphql` (requires `--add-host=host.docker.internal:host-gateway`)
- Or use Unraid server IP: `http://192.168.x.x/graphql` or `http://tower.local/graphql`

### 2. Authentication

| Component | Purpose | Storage | Why |
|-----------|---------|---------|-----|
| Unraid API Key | GraphQL authentication | `.env.unraid-api` (gitignored) | Same pattern as n8n API credentials |

**Permissions Required:**
```bash
unraid-api apikey --create \
  --name "Docker Manager Bot" \
  --permissions "DOCKER:UPDATE_ANY" \
  --description "Telegram bot container updates" \
  --json
```

Minimum permission: `DOCKER:UPDATE_ANY` (allows calling `updateContainer` mutation)

---

## Integration Architecture

### How Unraid Tracks Update Status

**Three-layer system:**

1. **Image Digest Comparison** — Unraid's `DockerManifestService` compares local image digest with registry manifest
2. **Update Status File** — `/var/lib/docker/unraid-update-status.json` stores per-container status (`true` = up-to-date, `false` = update available, `undef` = unknown)
3. **Template Metadata** — XML templates in `/boot/config/plugins/dockerMan/templates-user/` store container configuration and version info

**Critical Finding:** Unraid does NOT auto-detect external updates (e.g., via Watchtower or direct Docker API). The `updateContainer` mutation must be called to sync status.

**Source:** [limetech/dynamix DockerClient.php](https://github.com/limetech/dynamix/blob/master/plugins/dynamix.docker.manager/include/DockerClient.php) — `syncVersions()` function updates status file after successful update.

### Update Sync Workflow

```
Bot updates container (current approach)
  ↓ docker pull + recreate via Docker API
  ↓ Container running new image
  ↓ Unraid still shows "update available" ← PROBLEM
  ↓
Call Unraid GraphQL API (new addition)
  ↓ mutation { docker { updateContainer(id: "...") { ... } } }
  ↓ Unraid's DockerService → Dynamix scripts
  ↓ syncVersions() writes to unraid-update-status.json
  ↓ Unraid UI shows "up-to-date" ← SOLVED
```

**Idempotency:** Safe to call `updateContainer` even if already updated — Unraid checks current vs. remote digest and no-ops if already synced.

---

## GraphQL API Details

### Endpoint

```
http://<unraid-host>/graphql
```

**Authentication:** Header `x-api-key: <your-api-key>`

### Key Mutations

```graphql
mutation UpdateSingleContainer {
  docker {
    updateContainer(id: "docker:HmiXBlJefBRPMS0m4iNYc") {
      id
      name
      state
    }
  }
}

mutation UpdateMultipleContainers {
  docker {
    updateContainers(ids: ["docker:abc123", "docker:def456"]) {
      id
      name
      state
    }
  }
}
```

**Container ID Format:** `docker:<container_name>` or retrieve via query first.

**Source:** [Unraid API generated-schema.graphql](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/unraid/api/main/api/generated-schema.graphql)

### n8n Integration Pattern

**Node:** HTTP Request (built-in)

**Configuration:**
- Method: `POST`
- URL: `http://host.docker.internal/graphql` (or Unraid IP)
- Authentication: Header Auth
  - Name: `x-api-key`
  - Value: `{{$env.UNRAID_API_KEY}}` (from `.env.unraid-api`)
- Body (JSON):
  ```json
  {
    "query": "mutation { docker { updateContainer(id: \"docker:{{$json.containerName}}\") { id name state } } }"
  }
  ```

**Data Flow:**
```
Telegram callback (container updated)
  → Extract container name
  → HTTP Request to Unraid GraphQL
  → Parse response
  → Telegram confirmation message
```

---

## Alternatives Considered

| Approach | Pros | Cons | Verdict |
|----------|------|------|---------|
| **GraphQL API `updateContainer`** | Official API, handles all sync logic, idempotent, supported | Requires API key setup | **RECOMMENDED** |
| **Direct file write to `unraid-update-status.json`** | Simple, no auth needed | Brittle (file format undocumented), doesn't trigger UI refresh, race conditions with Unraid's update checker | **DO NOT USE** |
| **Shell exec via Docker socket** | Could call Dynamix scripts directly | Extremely fragile, requires PHP runtime, breaks on Unraid updates | **DO NOT USE** |
| **Watchtower pattern (do nothing)** | No code changes | Leaves stale "update available" badges, false-positive notifications | **Current problem** |
| **GraphQL `updateAllContainers`** | Syncs everything | Overkill (re-checks all containers), slower | **Use for batch sync only** |

---

## File System Access (NOT Recommended)

**Investigated but rejected:**

### `/var/lib/docker/unraid-update-status.json`

**Structure (observed):**
```json
{
  "container1": true,
  "container2": false,
  "container3": "undef"
}
```

**Why not write directly:**
1. **Format undocumented** — File structure found via forum posts, not official docs
2. **No UI refresh trigger** — Writing file doesn't notify WebGUI to refresh
3. **Race conditions** — Unraid's update checker runs periodically, may overwrite changes
4. **Brittle** — File location/format could change without notice

**Confidence:** MEDIUM (structure inferred from forum posts, confirmed in source code)

**Source:** [Unraid Forums — Docker Update Status](https://forums.unraid.net/topic/114415-plugin-docker-compose-manager/page/9/)

### `/boot/config/plugins/dockerMan/templates-user/`

**Contains:** XML templates with container configuration, including `<Date>` and `<DateInstalled>` fields (internal, auto-managed by Unraid).

**Why not modify:** Templates are for configuration, not runtime status. Unraid ignores template dates for update checking (uses image digests instead).

---

## Network Configuration

### Docker Network Modes in Unraid

| Mode | Access Unraid Host | Use Case |
|------|-------------------|----------|
| **Bridge** | Via `172.17.0.1` (gateway) or `host.docker.internal` | Default, port mapping |
| **Host** | Via `localhost` | Direct host network access |
| **Custom:br0** | Via Unraid IP (macvlan, separate network) | Own IP on LAN |

**n8n container likely uses:** Bridge mode (most common for Unraid containers)

### Accessing Unraid API from n8n Container

**Option 1: host.docker.internal (recommended)**
```bash
# Add to n8n container config (via Unraid Docker template):
--add-host=host.docker.internal:host-gateway

# Then in n8n workflow:
URL: http://host.docker.internal/graphql
```

**Option 2: Unraid hostname/IP**
```
URL: http://tower.local/graphql
# or
URL: http://192.168.1.100/graphql  # Replace with actual Unraid IP
```

**Verification:**
```bash
# From inside n8n container:
docker exec -it n8n curl -I http://host.docker.internal/graphql
# Should return HTTP 400 (GraphQL requires POST) or 200
```

**Source:** [Docker host.docker.internal guide](https://eastondev.com/blog/en/posts/dev/20251217-docker-host-access/)

---

## Security Considerations

### API Key Management

**Storage:**
- Add to `.env.unraid-api` (already gitignored)
- Load in n8n workflow via environment variables

**Permissions:**
- Use **least privilege**: `DOCKER:UPDATE_ANY` only
- Avoid `--roles ADMIN` (grants full access)

**Rotation:**
- API keys don't expire, but should be rotated periodically
- Delete via CLI: `unraid-api apikey --delete <key-id>`

**Source:** [Unraid API Key Management](https://docs.unraid.net/API/programmatic-api-key-management/)

### Network Exposure

**Unraid API runs on:**
- HTTP (port 80) or HTTPS (port 443) on Unraid host
- Same interface as WebGUI

**Risk:** n8n container can access full GraphQL API (not just Docker mutations)

**Mitigation:** Use scoped API key (limits permissions to Docker operations only)

---

## Implementation Checklist

- [ ] Create Unraid API key with `DOCKER:UPDATE_ANY` permission
- [ ] Add API key to `.env.unraid-api` file
- [ ] Verify n8n container can reach `http://host.docker.internal/graphql` (add `--add-host` if needed)
- [ ] Create HTTP Request credential in n8n (Header Auth with `x-api-key`)
- [ ] Add GraphQL mutation call to Update sub-workflow after successful Docker API update
- [ ] Test: Update container via bot → verify Unraid UI shows "up-to-date"
- [ ] Handle errors: GraphQL response parsing, network failures, auth errors

---

## What NOT to Add

**Do NOT add:**
- ❌ File system watchers for `/var/lib/docker/unraid-update-status.json`
- ❌ Custom PHP scripts to call Dynamix functions
- ❌ Cron jobs to periodically sync status
- ❌ Docker socket mounting to execute Unraid shell commands
- ❌ Watchtower or similar auto-update tools (conflicts with bot's update control)

**Why:** These approaches are brittle, unsupported, or conflict with the bot's explicit update model.

---

## Version Compatibility

| Unraid Version | API Availability | Notes |
|----------------|-----------------|-------|
| 7.2+ | Built-in | Native GraphQL API |
| 6.9 - 7.1 | Via Connect plugin | Install from Community Applications |
| <6.9 | Not available | Upgrade Unraid required |

**Check version:**
```bash
# SSH to Unraid:
cat /etc/unraid-version
```

**Install Connect plugin (pre-7.2):**
1. Apps → Search "Unraid Connect"
2. Install plugin
3. Settings → Management Access → API → Enable

**Source:** [Unraid API Documentation](https://docs.unraid.net/API/)

---

## Open Questions & Validation Needed

**Low-priority research flags:**

1. **Container ID resolution** — Does GraphQL require `docker:<name>` prefix, or just `<name>`?
   - **Resolution:** Query containers first to get exact ID format
   - **Impact:** Low (easily testable during implementation)

2. **Rate limiting** — Does Unraid API have rate limits for mutations?
   - **Confidence:** LOW (not documented)
   - **Impact:** Low (bot updates are infrequent, <10/min even in batch mode)

3. **GraphQL subscription for status changes** — Could bot subscribe to Docker events?
   - **Finding:** Schema includes subscriptions, but not needed for status sync
   - **Verdict:** Defer to future enhancement (real-time status monitoring)

---

## Sources & Confidence Assessment

| Finding | Confidence | Primary Source |
|---------|-----------|----------------|
| GraphQL API exists with updateContainer mutation | HIGH | [Unraid API Schema](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/unraid/api/main/api/generated-schema.graphql) |
| updateContainer triggers Dynamix sync workflow | HIGH | [DeepWiki — Docker Integration](https://deepwiki.com/unraid/api/2.4-docker-integration) |
| syncVersions() updates status JSON file | HIGH | [limetech/dynamix source](https://github.com/limetech/dynamix/blob/master/plugins/dynamix.docker.manager/include/DockerClient.php) |
| API key requires DOCKER:UPDATE_ANY permission | MEDIUM | [API Key Management](https://docs.unraid.net/API/programmatic-api-key-management/) (exact permission not explicitly stated) |
| Container ID format is "docker:<name>" | MEDIUM | [Unraid API examples](https://github.com/domalab/unraid-api-client/blob/main/UNRAIDAPI.md) (needs verification) |
| host.docker.internal works in Unraid Docker | MEDIUM | [Forum discussions](https://forums.unraid.net/topic/95050-how-to-use-the-hosts-ip-address-inside-a-docker-container/) (standard Docker feature, but Unraid-specific confirmation limited) |
| /var/lib/docker/unraid-update-status.json structure | MEDIUM | [Forum posts](https://forums.unraid.net/topic/114415-plugin-docker-compose-manager/page/9/) (observed, not officially documented) |
| No rate limiting on GraphQL API | LOW | Assumption (not documented either way) |

**Overall Confidence: HIGH** — Core approach (GraphQL API) is well-documented and official. Implementation details need testing but low-risk.

---

## Next Steps for Roadmap

**Phase structure recommendations:**

1. **Phase 1: API Setup & Testing**
   - Create API key
   - Test GraphQL query/mutation from command line
   - Verify network access from n8n container
   - **Why first:** Validates approach before n8n integration

2. **Phase 2: n8n Integration**
   - Add HTTP Request node to Update sub-workflow
   - GraphQL mutation call after Docker update
   - Error handling for API failures
   - **Why second:** Builds on validated API access

3. **Phase 3: Batch Sync Support**
   - Optional: Call `updateContainers` (plural) for batch updates
   - Handle partial failures (some containers sync, others fail)
   - **Why third:** Enhancement after core functionality works

**Research flags:**
- Phase 1: Likely needs deeper research (network access testing, container ID format verification)
- Phase 2: Standard patterns, unlikely to need additional research
- Phase 3: Defer until Phase 2 validates approach

---

## Additional Resources

**Official Documentation:**
- [Unraid API Overview](https://docs.unraid.net/API/)
- [Using the Unraid API](https://docs.unraid.net/API/how-to-use-the-api/)
- [GraphQL Schema (raw)](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/unraid/api/main/api/generated-schema.graphql)
- [API Key Management](https://docs.unraid.net/API/programmatic-api-key-management/)

**Community Resources:**
- [Unraid MCP Server](https://github.com/jmagar/unraid-mcp) — Reference implementation of GraphQL client
- [Home Assistant Unraid Integration](https://github.com/domalab/unraid-api-client) — Another GraphQL client example

**Source Code:**
- [limetech/dynamix](https://github.com/limetech/dynamix) — Unraid's Docker Manager plugin
- [unraid/api](https://github.com/unraid/api) — Official API monorepo

**Forum Discussions:**
- [Watchtower not syncing status](https://github.com/containrrr/watchtower/discussions/1389)
- [Docker update status not reflected](https://forums.unraid.net/topic/149953-docker-update-via-watchtower-status-not-reflected-in-unraid/)