Fetching metadata with CLI

kassart · 08-03-2016, 05:09 PM

I know about fetch-ebook-metadata, but I can't figure out how to use it properly with my library. What exactly do I need to do to fetch and attach the downloaded metadata?

I need to do this with a CLI as I run calibre on my headless ubuntu server.

I installed from the official calibre site, I did not use the package in apt.

eschwartz · 08-03-2016, 06:11 PM

`fetch-ebook-metadata` is not a CLI for the library, it is a CLI for individual books.

You can use ebook-meta or `calibredb show_metadata $id` or read the OPF file, in order to get the current title/author/ISBN for a book.
Then `fetch-ebook-metadata` can retrieve new metadata from online, and print it to OPF format.
`ebook-meta` or `calibredb set_metadata` can then save the retrieved metadata using the OPF from step two.

kassart · 08-03-2016, 08:31 PM

I got through to step 2, but where does it save the metadata opf? It wasn't in my active directory

eschwartz · 08-03-2016, 09:12 PM

It is printed to stdout (did you try it and see?), so you will have to redirect it to a tmpfile or perhaps do something with named pipes.

kassart · 08-03-2016, 09:13 PM

I used "-o test.opf" and the opf was nowhere to be found

kassart · 08-03-2016, 09:56 PM

Ok so I think I got it with

Code:

$ fetch-ebook-metadata -t "title" -a "author" -o metadata.opf > metadata.opf
$ ebook-meta --from-opf metadata.opf "/path/to/book"

But now I have restarted my server and the new metadata isn't showing up in the book whose metadata I edited. What did I do wrong? The ebook-meta displayed original and changed metadata.

eschwartz · 08-03-2016, 10:03 PM

`ebook-meta` only modifies the metadata inside the book, not the library metadata. This is true in the GUI and it doesn't change when using the command-line.

That is why my instructions above referenced the `calibredb` commands, for manipulating the metadata inside the calibre library database.

kassart · 08-03-2016, 10:08 PM

See you put ebook-meta first so I figured it would be the better of the commands

kassart · 08-03-2016, 10:13 PM

That worked though, thank you very much for your help

eschwartz · 08-03-2016, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kassart

See you put ebook-meta first so I figured it would be the better of the commands

I guess that is true, sorry.

Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to check the help for any command you have just learned about, rather than simply running it blindly.

08-03-2016, 05:09 PM	#1
kassart Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2016 Device: Motorola Xoom	Fetching metadata with CLI I know about fetch-ebook-metadata, but I can't figure out how to use it properly with my library. What exactly do I need to do to fetch and attach the downloaded metadata? I need to do this with a CLI as I run calibre on my headless ubuntu server. I installed from the official calibre site, I did not use the package in apt.

08-03-2016, 06:11 PM	#2
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,422 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	`fetch-ebook-metadata` is not a CLI for the library, it is a CLI for individual books. You can use ebook-meta or `calibredb show_metadata $id` or read the OPF file, in order to get the current title/author/ISBN for a book. Then `fetch-ebook-metadata` can retrieve new metadata from online, and print it to OPF format. `ebook-meta` or `calibredb set_metadata` can then save the retrieved metadata using the OPF from step two. Last edited by eschwartz; 08-03-2016 at 10:01 PM. Reason: consistent ordering

08-03-2016, 09:56 PM	#6
kassart Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2016 Device: Motorola Xoom	Ok so I think I got it with Code: $ fetch-ebook-metadata -t "title" -a "author" -o metadata.opf > metadata.opf $ ebook-meta --from-opf metadata.opf "/path/to/book" But now I have restarted my server and the new metadata isn't showing up in the book whose metadata I edited. What did I do wrong? The ebook-meta displayed original and changed metadata.

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08-03-2016, 08:31 PM	#3
kassart Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2016 Device: Motorola Xoom	I got through to step 2, but where does it save the metadata opf? It wasn't in my active directory

08-03-2016, 09:12 PM	#4
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,422 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	It is printed to stdout (did you try it and see?), so you will have to redirect it to a tmpfile or perhaps do something with named pipes.

08-03-2016, 09:13 PM	#5
kassart Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2016 Device: Motorola Xoom	I used "-o test.opf" and the opf was nowhere to be found

08-03-2016, 10:03 PM	#7
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,422 Karma: 85397180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	`ebook-meta` only modifies the metadata inside the book, not the library metadata. This is true in the GUI and it doesn't change when using the command-line. That is why my instructions above referenced the `calibredb` commands, for manipulating the metadata inside the calibre library database.

08-03-2016, 10:08 PM	#8
kassart Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2016 Device: Motorola Xoom	See you put ebook-meta first so I figured it would be the better of the commands

08-03-2016, 10:13 PM	#9
kassart Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2016 Device: Motorola Xoom	That worked though, thank you very much for your help

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