ChickenBoo

You can do the basic records via file. /etc/pihole/custom.list is a hosts formatted file for records so you don’t have to use a gui.

I had dns issues until I got my allowed ips squared away. You could try setting it to 0.0.0.0/0 if it’s not already to verify it’s not the problem.

The lines before it seem to imply you’ve run it before. If this is a new install I’d try dropping the scheme entirely and starting again.

I use this guy https://github.com/haugene/docker-transmission-openvpn

Open up the transmission rpc port and you’re golden. It also sets up a proxy for any other services/devices you want to run through the VPN. Supports port forwarding for PIA too.