MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Some suggestions for Calibre to help new users

Rellwood · 08-20-2025, 11:44 PM

I think Calibre needs some changes in how it’s set up for new users.

I see so many posts on r/Calibre from people asking “Where can I get covers?” or “Where can I find book info?” They don’t realize that Calibre can do this automatically. They don’t know they need to click “Download Metadata” — or what metadata even means — and so they end up filling everything in by hand.

Even if they do figure out the Download Metadata button, most don’t realize that plugins are almost mandatory to get good results, and that those plugins may need to be configured. The tiny gear icon is easily overlooked, and the tooltip that just says “Download metadata for this book” is basically useless. If you don’t know what metadata is, you don’t know what you’re downloading.

Plugins themselves are intimidating. They live under Preferences → Advanced → Plugins. To a new user, “Advanced” sounds like something dangerous where you could break Calibre. The plugin list is also just a giant alphabetical dump of 200+ items. Nobody wants to scroll through that trying to guess what’s important.

What would help:

Organize plugins by type (Metadata Sources, Conversion, UI, etc. - and use the tool tips to make sure that people know what Metadata and UI means).

Add a direct link to metadata source plugins from Edit Metadata.

After installing a plugin, show a clear message: “This plugin may need to be configured to work properly” (with an option to turn this reminder off).

Simplify the context menu for new users — remove advanced options like “content server,” “share over the internet,” and “open containing folder” from the default view and include the plugin and look and feel section from preferences.

Use clearer wording: “Download Book Info (metadata)” instead of “Download Metadata.” Or something along those lines.

Improve tooltips to actually explain what’s happening and describe better what the user is looking at.

The tool tips should be able to be adjusted - maybe have a "New User" setting to Calibre that makes the tool tips bigger and more verbose - gives better instructions on things - when you hover over areas it will identifiy them - like "book list" and "GUI" and "UI". I see the tool tips, but they are tiny and often not seen. For the "Beginning User" setting - have the tool tips be overly verbose - really give the information. Especially for important settings that can make or break a user experience.

Calibre is incredibly powerful, but right now it makes new users feel lost and overwhelmed. A few small changes like these would make it much easier for beginners to get started without giving up.

What do you think? Does anyone else see new users struggling with this same problem?

08-20-2025, 11:44 PM	#1
Rellwood Library Breeder (She/Her) Posts: 1,281 Karma: 1937891 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Fullerton, California Device: Paperwhite 2015 (2), PW 2024 (12 GEN), PW 2023 (11 GEN), Scribe (1st)	Some suggestions for Calibre to help new users I think Calibre needs some changes in how it’s set up for new users. I see so many posts on r/Calibre from people asking “Where can I get covers?” or “Where can I find book info?” They don’t realize that Calibre can do this automatically. They don’t know they need to click “Download Metadata” — or what metadata even means — and so they end up filling everything in by hand. Even if they do figure out the Download Metadata button, most don’t realize that plugins are almost mandatory to get good results, and that those plugins may need to be configured. The tiny gear icon is easily overlooked, and the tooltip that just says “Download metadata for this book” is basically useless. If you don’t know what metadata is, you don’t know what you’re downloading. Plugins themselves are intimidating. They live under Preferences → Advanced → Plugins. To a new user, “Advanced” sounds like something dangerous where you could break Calibre. The plugin list is also just a giant alphabetical dump of 200+ items. Nobody wants to scroll through that trying to guess what’s important. What would help: Organize plugins by type (Metadata Sources, Conversion, UI, etc. - and use the tool tips to make sure that people know what Metadata and UI means). Add a direct link to metadata source plugins from Edit Metadata. After installing a plugin, show a clear message: “This plugin may need to be configured to work properly” (with an option to turn this reminder off). Simplify the context menu for new users — remove advanced options like “content server,” “share over the internet,” and “open containing folder” from the default view and include the plugin and look and feel section from preferences. Use clearer wording: “Download Book Info (metadata)” instead of “Download Metadata.” Or something along those lines. Improve tooltips to actually explain what’s happening and describe better what the user is looking at. The tool tips should be able to be adjusted - maybe have a "New User" setting to Calibre that makes the tool tips bigger and more verbose - gives better instructions on things - when you hover over areas it will identifiy them - like "book list" and "GUI" and "UI". I see the tool tips, but they are tiny and often not seen. For the "Beginning User" setting - have the tool tips be overly verbose - really give the information. Especially for important settings that can make or break a user experience. Calibre is incredibly powerful, but right now it makes new users feel lost and overwhelmed. A few small changes like these would make it much easier for beginners to get started without giving up. What do you think? Does anyone else see new users struggling with this same problem?