A little newb help? Launch Calibre via batch file with "Start in tray" modifier

jphphotography · 09-22-2010, 09:52 PM

I never was much for batch files, I'm used to doing stuff like this at work with embedded linux systems but not at home on my windows box

Basically what I'm trying to do is create a .bat file that I can stick in my windows start folder so that when the PC is turned on it'll automatically open Calibre but minimized to the system tray.

I created an "enhanced feature" ticket on the Calibre site asking if this could be added to the gui but the reply was to call the program using "calibre --start-in-tray". Thats all fine and good but I need a little with the batchfile syntax. To complicate matters more I'm actually at work right now and cannot try this out.

Would it be as simple as this:
Start C:/Path/to/calibre.exe calibre --start-in-tray

or

Start C:/Path/to/calibre.exe --start-in-tray

Any info would be greatly appreciated

sherman · 09-22-2010, 10:57 PM

A simple text file with the lines

Code:

@ECHO OFF
"C:\path\to\calibre\calibre.exe" --start-in-tray

should work fine. Make sure the tray icon is enabled in the calibre preferences for to actually start in the tray.

Rename the file filename.bat and do whatever you want with it.

Just a side note, depending on what version of windows you run, you may prefer to run a scheduled task to start calibre instead of a batch file in the startup folder.

jphphotography · 09-22-2010, 11:04 PM

Thanks for the info sherman, I considered the scheduled task method but I don't leave my computer on 24/7 (or leave it in sleep mode) when I'm not around and when I am home I'm using the PC

Since my folks are retired and get up earlier than I do I've set up Calibre on a computer at their house, the plan was that it'll fetch my news and email it to me before I get up. They're not too computer savvy so I didn't want them to have Calibre popping up in full mode every time they boot up so this should solve the problem.

PS I just noticed I had all my slashes the wrong way in my path before, been doing too much web work lately

theducks · 09-22-2010, 11:33 PM

Copy the Calibre desktop shortcut.
Paste it into the Startup folder (rightclick on Startup and select open)

Just add the switch to the windows shortcut command properties. Leave as normal window

Done

sherman · 09-22-2010, 11:36 PM

A scheduled task doesn't necessarily mean a task has to be run at a certain time.
There are options to run a task at system startup, or at user login, etc.

This is how I start the calibre content server.

jphphotography · 09-23-2010, 04:15 PM

I went with The Duck's method and used Sherman's syntax, seems to be working great! Thanks for the help guys.

I'll look into the scheduled task part a bit more too.

kindleNoob2011 · 01-04-2011, 10:52 AM

calibre runs and minimises but leaves command prompt on. Can anyone help i think it's because cmd is meant to close after task but system tray is constantly running. I don't wan't a short-cut because that doesn't minimise to system tray

Please Help

itimpi · 01-04-2011, 11:49 AM

If you are starting Calibre via a batch file, then the line that starts Calibre should use the START keyword to launch Calibre as a separate process and allow the batch file to complete.

09-22-2010, 09:52 PM	#1
jphphotography Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 27246 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Saskatoon SK, Canada Device: Kindle 3 6" 3G + wifi, Sony PRS-300, iTouch 4G, Galaxy S Vibrant	A little newb help? Launch Calibre via batch file with "Start in tray" modifier I never was much for batch files, I'm used to doing stuff like this at work with embedded linux systems but not at home on my windows box Basically what I'm trying to do is create a .bat file that I can stick in my windows start folder so that when the PC is turned on it'll automatically open Calibre but minimized to the system tray. I created an "enhanced feature" ticket on the Calibre site asking if this could be added to the gui but the reply was to call the program using "calibre --start-in-tray". Thats all fine and good but I need a little with the batchfile syntax. To complicate matters more I'm actually at work right now and cannot try this out. Would it be as simple as this: Start C:/Path/to/calibre.exe calibre --start-in-tray or Start C:/Path/to/calibre.exe --start-in-tray Any info would be greatly appreciated

09-22-2010, 10:57 PM	#2
sherman Guru Posts: 855 Karma: 2676800 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Taranaki - NZ Device: Kobo Aura H2O, Kobo Forma	A simple text file with the lines Code: @ECHO OFF "C:\path\to\calibre\calibre.exe" --start-in-tray should work fine. Make sure the tray icon is enabled in the calibre preferences for to actually start in the tray. Rename the file filename.bat and do whatever you want with it. Just a side note, depending on what version of windows you run, you may prefer to run a scheduled task to start calibre instead of a batch file in the startup folder.

09-22-2010, 11:04 PM	#3
jphphotography Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 27246 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Saskatoon SK, Canada Device: Kindle 3 6" 3G + wifi, Sony PRS-300, iTouch 4G, Galaxy S Vibrant	Thanks for the info sherman, I considered the scheduled task method but I don't leave my computer on 24/7 (or leave it in sleep mode) when I'm not around and when I am home I'm using the PC Since my folks are retired and get up earlier than I do I've set up Calibre on a computer at their house, the plan was that it'll fetch my news and email it to me before I get up. They're not too computer savvy so I didn't want them to have Calibre popping up in full mode every time they boot up so this should solve the problem. PS I just noticed I had all my slashes the wrong way in my path before, been doing too much web work lately Last edited by jphphotography; 09-22-2010 at 11:06 PM. Reason: Added PS

01-04-2011, 10:52 AM	#7
kindleNoob2011 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Kindle 3	Problem with batch file calibre runs and minimises but leaves command prompt on. Can anyone help i think it's because cmd is meant to close after task but system tray is constantly running. I don't wan't a short-cut because that doesn't minimise to system tray Please Help

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09-22-2010, 11:33 PM	#4
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,799 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Copy the Calibre desktop shortcut. Paste it into the Startup folder (rightclick on Startup and select open) Just add the switch to the windows shortcut command properties. Leave as normal window Done

09-22-2010, 11:36 PM	#5
sherman Guru Posts: 855 Karma: 2676800 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Taranaki - NZ Device: Kobo Aura H2O, Kobo Forma	A scheduled task doesn't necessarily mean a task has to be run at a certain time. There are options to run a task at system startup, or at user login, etc. This is how I start the calibre content server.

09-23-2010, 04:15 PM	#6
jphphotography Zealot Posts: 107 Karma: 27246 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Saskatoon SK, Canada Device: Kindle 3 6" 3G + wifi, Sony PRS-300, iTouch 4G, Galaxy S Vibrant	I went with The Duck's method and used Sherman's syntax, seems to be working great! Thanks for the help guys. I'll look into the scheduled task part a bit more too.

01-04-2011, 11:49 AM	#8
itimpi Wizard Posts: 4,552 Karma: 950151 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: Sony PRS-950, iphone/ipad (Marvin/iBooks/QuickReader)	If you are starting Calibre via a batch file, then the line that starts Calibre should use the START keyword to launch Calibre as a separate process and allow the batch file to complete.

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