Calibre command line - how to use and can it check the database?

manawydan · 03-08-2014, 12:23 PM

Ok, I am running into a lot of errors with my Calibre due to reasons not quite clear now.
One is probably a screen magnifyer but Calibre causes problems and crashes even without it.
Due to this I can't do some stuff anylonger (e.g. check library or even open the tag browser).

Anyway, I thought using a command line instead of the GUI might help.
But how do I do it?

I read the manual but it does not explain it for dummies.
http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/cli/calibredb.html#

It also says there it could check the database with is one of the things I'd like to try.
Again, what do I do, where do I type the commands etc.? It is obviously not the command prompt in Windows ..

I run
Windows XP Professional, sp3
Calibre Portable 1.26.

theducks · 03-08-2014, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manawydan

Ok, I am running into a lot of errors with my Calibre due to reasons not quite clear now.
One is probably a screen magnifyer but Calibre causes problems and crashes even without it.
Due to this I can't do some stuff anylonger (e.g. check library or even open the tag browser).

Anyway, I thought using a command line instead of the GUI might help.
But how do I do it?

I read the manual but it does not explain it for dummies.
http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/cli/calibredb.html#

It also says there it could check the database with is one of the things I'd like to try.
Again, what do I do, where do I type the commands etc.? It is obviously not the command prompt in Windows ..

I run
Windows XP Professional, sp3
Calibre Portable 1.26.

Code:

calibredb check_library >c:\temp\foo.txt

This checks the default library and sends the report to a file

chaley · 03-08-2014, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Code:

calibredb check_library >c:\temp\foo.txt

This checks the default library and sends the report to a file

What theducks didn't mention is that you type that line in a DOS box (a "command prompt" box). One of these should be available in the Accessories group, but it has been so long since I have seen an XP box that I am not sure.

theducks · 03-08-2014, 01:16 PM

Me

assumed you knew how to get to the command line.

The red is the place (path) to put the report file. (I have a temp folder off of root which is not the default for any Windows version )

BetterRed · 03-08-2014, 02:23 PM

@manawydan check that Program Files/Calibre2 is in your Path environment variable, this will allow you to use the calibre command line programs directly from the data location (ie the library folder).

I would also suggest to close calibre before using the command line programs.

BR

PeterT · 03-08-2014, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

@manawydan check that Program Files/Calibre2 is in your Path environment variable, this will allow you to use the calibre command line programs directly from the data location (ie the library folder).

I would also suggest to close calibre before using the command line programs.

BR

I think they are using portable calibre..

BetterRed · 03-08-2014, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

I think they are using portable calibre..

missed that

@manawydan - so put the path to where Calibre Portable programs are 'installed' in the Path environment variable - for me that would be "C:\Program Files Portable\Calibre Portable\Calibre"

Or run the commands from that location and specify paths to data, as and when required, in the commands eg

Code:

calibredb check_library --library-path "E:\Calibre Libraries\Main" > C:\_Temporary\libcheck.txt

If its not specified some (all ?) commands will use value from settings, but if I was trying to sort out problems I would prefer to use explicit references rather than relying on what is in settings. The data calibre holds in the settings folder could be the source of the problems.

BR

Hobbygirl · 06-30-2022, 09:35 AM

I have run check_library and saved to a csv file. I can't find information on how to fix my database. Can someone lead me on the right path? Thanks.

theducks · 06-30-2022, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobbygirl

I have run check_library and saved to a csv file. I can't find information on how to fix my database. Can someone lead me on the right path? Thanks.

In the GUI of the Error Report there is a button to repair the selected entry on some types. try that first.

Common problems are:
Missing content: (file got renamed or moved OUTSIDE of Calibre
Extra content: (files exist because of rename/move/ restore via restore from trashbin OR you have a 2-way Cloud sync the pet a deleted file back. )

Each error log line says what is wrong.

This is the ONLY time you should need to use Explorer (OS) inside the Library folder. Be sure to pay attention to the ID number
Remove Extra files to a (not in the Library) folder. Add them normally if they are keepers. eg.

Code:

C:\Users\aaa\bbb\MainLib\Nicola Claire\Accelerating Universe (18941)

Missing files:
You may have 2 books (different versions? or Dups) with the same title.

1) Add them back using Calibre or
2) remove the entry USING Calibre (where you go depends on what is missing).

03-08-2014, 12:23 PM	#1
manawydan Connoisseur Posts: 95 Karma: 5854 Join Date: Aug 2011 Device: none	Calibre command line - how to use and can it check the database? Ok, I am running into a lot of errors with my Calibre due to reasons not quite clear now. One is probably a screen magnifyer but Calibre causes problems and crashes even without it. Due to this I can't do some stuff anylonger (e.g. check library or even open the tag browser). Anyway, I thought using a command line instead of the GUI might help. But how do I do it? I read the manual but it does not explain it for dummies. http://manual.calibre-ebook.com/cli/calibredb.html# It also says there it could check the database with is one of the things I'd like to try. Again, what do I do, where do I type the commands etc.? It is obviously not the command prompt in Windows .. I run Windows XP Professional, sp3 Calibre Portable 1.26.

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03-08-2014, 01:16 PM	#4
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,023 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Me assumed you knew how to get to the command line. The red is the place (path) to put the report file. (I have a temp folder off of root which is not the default for any Windows version )

03-08-2014, 02:23 PM	#5
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,708 Karma: 29711016 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	@manawydan check that Program Files/Calibre2 is in your Path environment variable, this will allow you to use the calibre command line programs directly from the data location (ie the library folder). I would also suggest to close calibre before using the command line programs. BR

06-30-2022, 09:35 AM	#8
Hobbygirl Member Posts: 15 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2016 Device: Kindle Fire 1st Generation	I have run check_library and saved to a csv file. I can't find information on how to fix my database. Can someone lead me on the right path? Thanks.

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