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Partial Matching

Partial matching is a new feature in cross-seed v6, designed to capture torrents that are similar but may lack minor files, like .nfo, .srt, or sample files. This method allows you to seed more torrents across multiple trackers without needing a full 1:1 match for each file.

The key technology that unlocks partial matching is linking files, which lets you seed two torrents that share a big file like an mkv, while also keeping their own separate copies of small files that don't match each other.

So, what's the outcome?

  • More Matches: Partial matching finds torrents even when small files are missing/mismatched.
  • Fewer Wasted Snatches: Many torrents that can't match under matchMode: "safe" (due to a "technicality") can and will match with partial matching, meaning the snatch doesn't go to waste.

How Partial Matching Works​

Partial matching relies on a new matchMode setting called partial. This mode matches torrents with a size close to (but not exactly) your existing files. cross-seed uses the fuzzySizeThreshold to set a minimum size for partial matches (default 0.05, allowing up to 5% size variance).

If a partial match is found, cross-seed will:

  1. Inject the torrent with the matched files.
  2. Recheck the torrent for missing files.
  3. Leave the torrent paused. (Resuming partial injections is under development)

Configuration Steps for Partial Matching​

To enable partial matching, follow these three simple steps:

  1. Enable linking

    Follow the instructions in the linking guide to set up linking.

  2. Set matchMode to partial

    Enable partial matching by setting the matchMode option to partial.

    module.exports = {
    	// ... other settings ...
    	matchMode: "partial",
    };

That's it! If you want to further customize partial matching, you can adjust the fuzzySizeThreshold option depending on whether you are willing to incur more or less DL on partial matches.