How to connect KOBO USB (from laptop) to Calibre Docker on TrueNAS SCALE?

Phyxius · 06-22-2025, 01:39 PM

Hi all,

I’ve searched through forums, GitHub issues, and Discord, but haven’t found any up-to-date guidance on this topic.

I’m running Calibre in a Docker container on TrueNAS SCALE 25.04.1 (note: TrueNAS SCALE has switched from Kubernetes to Docker Apps). This is the official Calibre Docker, not Calibre-Web.

I access Calibre via the web UI from my laptop, and I would like to connect my KOBO Clara, which is physically plugged into the USB port on my laptop.

My goal is for Calibre to automatically detect the KOBO device (like it would in a local setup), not just transfer files manually.

Since the device is not connected to the TrueNAS server directly, I realize USB passthrough over network might be required.

Questions:
Is it possible to pass through a USB device from a client machine (my laptop) to the Calibre Docker container running on the server?

If yes, what’s the recommended method to achieve this (e.g., USB/IP, VirtualHere, or other)? Any guide or best practices?

If not possible/reliable, what alternative workflows do you recommend for syncing eBooks with a KOBO device in this type of setup?

Thanks in advance for your insights and support!

PeterT · 06-22-2025, 01:59 PM

You could experiment with a feature added in Calibre 8.x that allows you to use the Connect to Folder option and specify connect as a device.

What you would have to do is with your Kobo attached to your laptop create a Windows share pointing to the Kobo directory. Then on your containerised Calibre access that Windows share as the target in Connect to Folder specifying that calibre should consider this as a Kobo Clara.

I can't guarantee this will work (or even provide steps on how to access a Windows share from the containerised Calibre).

06-22-2025, 01:39 PM	#1
Phyxius Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2012 Device: Sony PRS-650	How to connect KOBO USB (from laptop) to Calibre Docker on TrueNAS SCALE? Hi all, I’ve searched through forums, GitHub issues, and Discord, but haven’t found any up-to-date guidance on this topic. I’m running Calibre in a Docker container on TrueNAS SCALE 25.04.1 (note: TrueNAS SCALE has switched from Kubernetes to Docker Apps). This is the official Calibre Docker, not Calibre-Web. I access Calibre via the web UI from my laptop, and I would like to connect my KOBO Clara, which is physically plugged into the USB port on my laptop. My goal is for Calibre to automatically detect the KOBO device (like it would in a local setup), not just transfer files manually. Since the device is not connected to the TrueNAS server directly, I realize USB passthrough over network might be required. Questions: Is it possible to pass through a USB device from a client machine (my laptop) to the Calibre Docker container running on the server? If yes, what’s the recommended method to achieve this (e.g., USB/IP, VirtualHere, or other)? Any guide or best practices? If not possible/reliable, what alternative workflows do you recommend for syncing eBooks with a KOBO device in this type of setup? Thanks in advance for your insights and support!

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06-22-2025, 01:59 PM	#2
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,505 Karma: 78910112 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	You could experiment with a feature added in Calibre 8.x that allows you to use the Connect to Folder option and specify connect as a device. What you would have to do is with your Kobo attached to your laptop create a Windows share pointing to the Kobo directory. Then on your containerised Calibre access that Windows share as the target in Connect to Folder specifying that calibre should consider this as a Kobo Clara. I can't guarantee this will work (or even provide steps on how to access a Windows share from the containerised Calibre).