Sentinal: a brainrot YouTube filter for kids (docker)

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Sentinel YT: Apple TV YouTube Guardian (MQTT Discovery + SponsorBlock + optional Gemini)

Tags: mqtt, docker, youtube, media-player, automation, dashboard, sponsorblock, parental-control

Hi all,

I’m sharing a project I built for family-safe YouTube on Apple TV (and other tv's and players):

Sentinel YT
GitHub: https://github.com/joeblack2k/sentinel-yt
Container: ghcr.io/joeblack2k/sentinel-yt:latest

What it does

  • Discovers/pairs YouTube Lounge sessions
  • Monitors current videos in real time
  • Applies block/allow rules first (fast/local)
  • Optional Gemini analysis (can be disabled)
  • SponsorBlock support (separate on/off and schedule)
  • Web dashboard with history, rules, devices, settings
  • Home Assistant integration via MQTT Discovery + webhooks

Home Assistant integration

Sentinel auto-publishes MQTT entities (via discovery), including:

  • Switches: Sentinel active, SponsorBlock active
  • Sensors: blocked today, allowed today, reviewed today, totals, db size, schedule mode, etc.
  • Command topics:
    • sentinel/command/active/set
    • sentinel/command/sponsorblock_active/set
    • sentinel/command/remote_release_minutes/set

Payload examples:

  • ON / OFF for switches
  • 15 for temporary release minutes

Quick Docker example

services:
  sentinel:
    image: ghcr.io/joeblack2k/sentinel-yt:latest
    container_name: sentinel-yt
    restart: unless-stopped
    network_mode: host
    environment:
      SENTINEL_PORT: 8090
      SENTINEL_DB_PATH: /data/sentinel.db
      GEMINI_API_KEY: ""
      GEMINI_MODEL: gemini-2.0-flash
      TZ: Europe/Amsterdam
    volumes:
      - ./data:/data

Notes

  • Works LAN-local (no cloud auth layer in v1)
  • If Gemini fails (auth/quota), Sentinel can run fail-open while local rules still work
  • Built for practical parent control workflows (blacklist/allowlist + review history)

If people are interested, I can post:

  1. A full HA package example (dashboard + automations)
  2. Recommended starter blocklists/allowlists
  3. A short setup video/walkthrough

Would love feedback from HA users running Apple TV + YouTube households.

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1 Like
2

@jeroen.nijssen This looks very impressive, and I would love to see some examples, starter blocklists, setup videos, etc. Really like this idea. Is it also possible to enhance the youtube sessions? ie: Regular youtube not on apple tv, android, iphone, etc?

Thanks, and great post!

3

It must support remote connection so, AppleTV,AndroidTV Samsung Youtube App etc etc. most “tv” apps are supported and webbased i think… check it out and let me know what you think!

4

Is this a home assistant add-on or does it need a separate docker setup?

5

Install Guide

  1. Open Home Assistant:
  • Settings → Add-ons → Add-on Store
  1. Click the 3-dot menu (top-right):
  • Repositories
  1. Add this repository URL:
  1. Find and install:
  • Sentinel YT
  1. Start the add-on.
  2. Open the Sentinel UI:

  • http://:8090

  • timezone: your local timezone (example: Europe/Amsterdam)

  • gemini_api_key: optional (leave empty if you want list/rules-only mode)

  • gemini_model: default gemini-2.0-flash

  • build_version: optional label shown in UI

Quick Pairing Steps

  1. On Apple TV YouTube app:
  • Settings → Link with TV code
  1. In Sentinel UI:
  • Go to Devices
  • Scan network or use manual code pairing
  1. Enter the TV code and pair.