Template Catalog Plugin for Calibre! 
A powerful template management plugin for Calibre that helps you organize, store, and reuse your templates.
Features- Template Organization: Store and categorize your templates in a structured way
Import Capabilities:
- Import composite column templates
- Import Calibre's built-in rules (color rules, icon rules, cover grid emblems)
- Import/Export entire template catalogs
Smart Template Management:- Organize templates into categories
- Add tags for easy filtering
- Add descriptions to document your templates
- Test templates directly on selected books
- Save templates to files for sharing
Advanced Search & Filter:- Filter templates by name, category, or tags
- Full-text search within template content
- Support for case-sensitive, whole word, and regex search
Python Template Mode Support:- Special handling of Python Template Mode (PTM) templates
- Visual distinction of PTM templates in the interface
Category Management:- Create, rename, and merge categories
- Auto-categorization of imported templates
Installation
1. Download the latest release zip file
2. In Calibre, go to Preferences → Plugins → Load Plugin from File
3. Select the downloaded zip file
4. Restart Calibre
Usage:
Basic Operations- Click the Template Catalog icon in the toolbar to open the manager
- Use "Add" to create new templates
- Double-click a template to edit it
- Use "Test" to try a template on a selected book
- Use tags and descriptions to organize your templates
- Use the filter box to quickly find templates
Importing Templates- From Composite Columns: Select templates in the Composite Columns section and click Import
- From Calibre Rules: Use the Import From menu to import various Calibre rules
- Bulk Import: Use "Import All New" to import all new composite templates at once
Managing Categories
- Use the "Manage template categories" button to organize your catalog
- Create new categories as needed
- Merge categories to consolidate similar templates
- Templates can be moved between categories during editing
Template Testing
1. Select a book in your library
2. Select a template in the catalog
3. Click "Test" to see the template results
4. Use the template tester dialog to try variations
Search Features- Use the filter box to find templates by name, category, or tags
- Use the search box to search within template content
- Enable regex mode for advanced pattern matching
Tips & Tricks
- Use descriptive tags to make templates easier to find
- Add detailed descriptions to document template behavior
- Export important templates to files as backups
- Use categories to group related templates
- Test templates before using them in columns or rules
Requirements
- Calibre 6.25 or later
- Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux (I've only tested on Windows, feedback is welcome)
Support
If you encounter any issues or have suggestions, check this MobileRead thread!
License
This plugin is licensed under the GNU GPL v3.
Latest updates
Version 2.0:
1. Markdown export:
- The markdown export feature generates a structured documentation of the template catalog. It's acessible in the Transfer menu.
- Exported file can then be:
- Added to Calibre library
- Converted to DOCX or other formats using Calibre's converter
2. Backup Creation:
- Creates backups in a dedicated folder at `[calibre config dir]/plugins/TemplateCatalog/backups`
- Automatically generates backup files with timestamps in the format `template_catalog_backup_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.json`
- Creates backups before major changes like:
- Bulk template deletion
- Category merges/renames
- Full catalog imports
3. Backup Management:
- Keeps only the 5 most recent backups
- Automatically removes older backups when this limit is exceeded
4. Backup Restoration:
- Added a "Restore Last Backup..." option in the Transfer menu
- Shows a confirmation dialog before restoring
- Restores from the most recent backup file
Screencaps
Main dialog:
Quick access to Calibre's Template Tester:
Edit:
Manage template categories:
