# Genre Default Metadata File

The `genre` Metadata File is used to dynamically create collections based on the genres available in your library.

This file also merges similarly named genres (such as "Sci-Fi", "SciFi" and "Sci-Fi & Fantasy") into one ("Science Fiction")

Example Collections Created:

![](../images/genre.png)

The below YAML in your config.yml will create the collections:
```yaml
libraries:
  Movies:
    metadata_path:
      - pmm: genre
```


## Template Variables
Template Variables can be used to manipulate the file from the default settings which are provided. 

Note that the `templates_variables:` section only needs to be used if you do NOT want to use the default settings.

All [Shared Variables](../variables) are available as well as the additional Variables below which can be used to customize the file.

| Variable         | Description & Values                                                                                                                                                                |
|:-----------------|:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `sort_by`        | **Description:** Controls the sort method for the collections<br>**Values:** Any sort method in the [Sorts Options Table](#sort-options)                                            |
| `include`        | **Description:** Overrides the default include list<br>**Values:** Any Genre found in your library                                                                                  |
| `exclude`        | **Description:** Overrides the default exclude list<br>**Values:** Any Genre found in your library                                                                                  |
| `addons`         | **Description:** Defines how multiple keys can be combined under a parent key. The parent key doesn't have to already exist in Plex<br>**Values:** Any Genre found in your library  |
| `append_include` | **Description:** Appends to the existing include list<br>**Values:** Any Genre found in your library                                                                                |
| `append_exclude` | **Description:** Appends to the existing exclude list<br>**Values:** Any Genre found in your library                                                                                |
| `append_addons`  | **Description:** Appends to the existing addons list<br>**Values:** Any Genre found in your library                                                                                 |

The below is an example config.yml extract with some template_variables changed from their defaults.

```yaml
libraries:
  Movies:
    metadata_path:
      - pmm: genre
        template_variables:
          exclude:
            - Politics
            - News
          addons:
            Horror:
              - Thriller  # Adds all thriller items to the Horror collection
          sort_by: title.asc
          collection_section: 5
          collection_mode: show_items
          use_separator: false
          sep_style: red
```