Last updated Jun 3, 2026

Create Plex LXC#

Plex runs in a dedicated Debian LXC container. LXCs have lower overhead than full VMs, give Plex direct access to the ZFS storage via bind mounts, and make GPU passthrough easier to configure.

Download the Debian template#

In the Proxmox UI, go to:

local (proxmox) → CT Templates → Templates

Search for Debian and download the latest available template.

Download Debian template

Create the container#

Click Create CT in the top right. Configure it as follows:

General

Hostname: e.g. plex
Password: set a secure root password
Unprivileged container: Yes
Nesting: Yes (required)

General settings

Template

Select the Debian template you just downloaded

Template selection

Disks

Storage: local-lvm (or your preferred storage)
Disk size: 32 GB

Disk settings

CPU

Cores: 2–4

CPU settings

Memory

RAM: 2048 MB
Swap: 512 MB

Memory settings

Network

Leave as default (DHCP or set a static IP)

DNS

Leave as default

Review and click Finish.

Start the container#

Select the new LXC in the Proxmox sidebar and click Start. Open the console to verify it boots correctly.

Why not Docker for Plex?#

Plex in an LXC has a few advantages over running it in the Docker VM:

Direct bind mount to ZFS storage without going through NFS
Simpler GPU/iGPU passthrough at the Proxmox level
Independent restart cycle from the automation stack

The result is faster media access and simpler maintenance.

Next step#

The LXC is now running with Debian, but Plex is not installed yet. Storage is not mounted yet either. Continue to Create Docker VM.

Plex installation happens later in Install & Configure Plex, after storage is set up.