Immich Folder Watch is a folder watcher and uploader designed to automatically ingest new media files into Immich via its HTTP API. It enables seamless integration between file imports on Windows or Linux systems and your Immich instance, eliminating the need for manual uploads.
Key Features:
Watches one or more local folders for newly created or modified media files.
Waits until files are fully written before uploading to avoid partial transfers.
Configurable batch uploads to optimize performance and reduce API load.
Optional per-source album placement in Immich, with automatic album creation if needed.
Retries failed uploads automatically, with configurable delay and maximum attempts.
Audience & Benefit:
Ideal for users who want automated, real-time media import into Immich without manual intervention. This tool is perfect for photographers, families, or anyone managing large volumes of photos and videos, saving time and ensuring a centralized, organized media repository. It can be installed via winget on Windows systems.
README
Immich Folder Watch
Immich Folder Watch is a Windows service and desktop app that watches local folders and uploads newly created media to Immich automatically.
If screenshots, camera imports, scanner output, or synced files land on a Windows machine before they land in Immich, this fills that gap without writing directly into Immich storage.
Use Cases
Automatically upload screenshots into an Immich album
Watch a DSLR or SD-card import folder and send new photos to Immich
Ingest scanner output into a family archive
Pick up files dropped by another tool into a staging folder
Run a small always-on system that feeds Immich in the background
Separate sources by album, for example Screenshots, Camera Imports, or Receipts
Solution
immich-folder-watch watches one or more folders, waits until files are fully written, and uploads them through the normal Immich HTTP API.
That gives you a clean, low-maintenance ingestion path:
Windows-first setup with a desktop GUI
always-on background operation as a Windows service
optional per-folder album placement in Immich
API-based uploads instead of storage hacks
It is intentionally not a sync client. It does not mirror deletions, does not backfill files that already existed before the service started, and does not write directly into Immich's storage folders.
Features
Watches one or more local folders for new media files
Waits until files are stable before upload
Uploads through the Immich API in configurable batches
Supports optional per-source albumName
Creates missing albums automatically when album placement is configured
The Windows GUI now keeps these per-source watch options collapsed by default and only shows Excluded Directories when Include subdirectories is enabled.
