Check Library CLI not working for me

umbighouse · 12-04-2015, 01:03 PM

I'm trying to use the Calibre CLI for the check-library feature to check for new books not yet in the database, and to add them automatically.

Here's the syntax I'm using:

Code:

calibredb check_library --library-path :D:\My Media\eBooks" > "C:\temp\calibreresults.txt"

I'm running this from the Calibre2 folder itself in a command prompt. When I run it (even with elevated Windows privileges), it just hangs forever, and never completes. I only have a few hundred books in my library. Nothing is written to the output file either.

Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.

kovidgoyal · 12-04-2015, 01:12 PM

Why aren't you using the check library function in the GUI? The CLI version has no auto add, IIRC, the GUI does.

theducks · 12-04-2015, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by umbighouse

I'm trying to use the Calibre CLI for the check-library feature to check for new books not yet in the database, and to add them automatically.

Here's the syntax I'm using:

Code:

calibredb check_library --library-path :D:\My Media\eBooks" > "C:\temp\calibreresults.txt"

I'm running this from the Calibre2 folder itself in a command prompt. When I run it (even with elevated Windows privileges), it just hangs forever, and never completes. I only have a few hundred books in my library. Nothing is written to the output file either.

Any ideas?
Thanks in advance.

Is that a typo in your post or was this a cut and paste?

DaltonST · 12-04-2015, 01:15 PM

@umbighouse:

Do yourself a favor and create a .bat file, and run it from that.

Example:

calibredb backup_metadata --all --library-path="S:\Calibre\..."

DaltonST

umbighouse · 12-04-2015, 02:09 PM

theducks-

Yes, sorry- that looks like a typo. The path is ok in the actual command.

I'd like to run this as a batch file with a scheduled task to regularly check for new books, since I don't always add them from the main computer. This would save me from having to manually use the GUI to update the library each time.

Is it confirmed that the CLI cannot auto add new books found during a scan?

umbighouse · 12-04-2015, 02:14 PM

Should the syntax be:

Code:

calibredb check_library --library-path "D:\My Media\eBooks" > "C:\temp\calibreresults.txt"

-or-

Code:

calibredb check_library --library-path="D:\My Media\eBooks" > "C:\temp\calibreresults.txt"

kovidgoyal · 12-04-2015, 02:22 PM

If you want to auto add books use Preferences->Adding Books->Auto add from folder

If you wan to add books via script, use

calibredb add

*Do not* ever copy files intot he calibre library folder and try to use check/restore library to add them.

umbighouse · 12-04-2015, 02:27 PM

How often is the folder checked to Auto Add new items?

Does "calibredb add" simply scan for new items and add them?

Thanks.

eschwartz · 12-04-2015, 02:57 PM

Code:

calibredb add --recurse D:\\ebooks-to-add-to-calibre\\

Does that answer your question?

The auto-add folder is periodically checked in the background while the GUI is running.

umbighouse · 12-04-2015, 03:22 PM

I tried using

Code:

calibredb add -recurse "D:\My Media\eBooks"

but it just runs and never stops. My db is only 800KB.

What am I missing here? I also just updated to the current 64-bit version, so all files should be up to date.

Are there supposed to be 2 backslashes after the D:\ drive location?
Do you need a backslash at the end of the path?

eschwartz · 12-04-2015, 04:10 PM

I fixed a typo above.

The --recurse switch needs two "--".

Paths on Windows are weird,

the backslash is an *escape* character, but Windows uses it as a path separator as well. I think it is generally considered better to double them.

A doubled backslash escapes the second one so it is ensured treatment as a literal backslash -- the path separator.

BetterRed · 12-04-2015, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

If you want to auto add books use Preferences->Adding Books->Auto add from folder

If you want to add books via script, use

calibredb add

*Do not* ever copy files into the calibre library folder and try to use check/restore library to add them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by umbighouse

How often is the folder checked to Auto Add new items?

Does "calibredb add" simply scan for new items and add them?

Thanks.

@umbighouse - When a file arrives in my auto-add folder and calibre is running, the file is 'added' to the currently open library and removed from the auto-add folder more or less immediately - i.e. in the blink of an eye. If calibre is not running the contents of the auto-add folder are dealt with the next time calibre starts.

I don't know (or care) if calibre 'polls' the folder or uses the equivalent of inotify - but I suspect it maybe the latter.

The downside of using Auto-add is if you have the wrong library open when the file arrives in the auto-add folder then the file will be added to the wrong library.

A 'nice-to-have' refinement would be to have an option to give each library a dedicated auto-add folder (probably with a fixed name) - eg "MyLibrary/$$Autoadd".

BR

jecilop · 12-04-2015, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

If you want to auto add books use Preferences->Adding Books->Auto add from folder

*Do not* ever copy files intot he calibre library folder and try to use check/restore library to add them.

@KovidGoyal,
See my thread here related to that....

My reply has nothing to do with this thread, but it addresses a question I have that relates to what you said here.

eschwartz · 12-06-2015, 01:20 AM

@jecilop,

the difference is if you are willing to lift calibre's skirt and meddle with the structure, you can *probably* trick calibre into linking a new format.

But this thread, and Kovid's comment here, relates to trying to use check/restore library to add a new book record.
Which is much more hopeless

unless you get all the details perfect. And creating an OPF yourself is horribly wasteful.

12-04-2015, 01:03 PM	#1
umbighouse Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2015 Device: Kindle Fire	Check Library CLI not working for me I'm trying to use the Calibre CLI for the check-library feature to check for new books not yet in the database, and to add them automatically. Here's the syntax I'm using: Code: calibredb check_library --library-path :D:\My Media\eBooks" > "C:\temp\calibreresults.txt" I'm running this from the Calibre2 folder itself in a command prompt. When I run it (even with elevated Windows privileges), it just hangs forever, and never completes. I only have a few hundred books in my library. Nothing is written to the output file either. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

12-04-2015, 02:14 PM	#6
umbighouse Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2015 Device: Kindle Fire	Should the syntax be: Code: calibredb check_library --library-path "D:\My Media\eBooks" > "C:\temp\calibreresults.txt" -or- Code: calibredb check_library --library-path="D:\My Media\eBooks" > "C:\temp\calibreresults.txt"

12-04-2015, 02:57 PM	#9
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	Code: calibredb add --recurse D:\\ebooks-to-add-to-calibre\\ Does that answer your question? The auto-add folder is periodically checked in the background while the GUI is running. Last edited by eschwartz; 12-04-2015 at 04:07 PM.

12-04-2015, 03:22 PM	#10
umbighouse Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2015 Device: Kindle Fire	I tried using Code: calibredb add -recurse "D:\My Media\eBooks" but it just runs and never stops. My db is only 800KB. What am I missing here? I also just updated to the current 64-bit version, so all files should be up to date. Are there supposed to be 2 backslashes after the D:\ drive location? Do you need a backslash at the end of the path?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Spell Check not working at all	shadowThief	Editor	6	06-12-2015 09:04 AM
Saving metadata and covers with the cli interface not working properly	Kode	Calibre	9	11-09-2014 06:29 PM
Conversion not working in calbre GUI -- CLI OK	mfmadden	Conversion	8	02-22-2014 04:14 PM
Classic Check for new B&N content not working	graddy	Barnes & Noble NOOK	1	07-18-2010 09:40 PM

12-04-2015, 01:12 PM	#2
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,351 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Why aren't you using the check library function in the GUI? The CLI version has no auto add, IIRC, the GUI does.

12-04-2015, 01:15 PM	#4
DaltonST Deviser Posts: 2,265 Karma: 2090983 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Texas Device: none	@umbighouse: Do yourself a favor and create a .bat file, and run it from that. Example: calibredb backup_metadata --all --library-path="S:\Calibre\..." DaltonST

12-04-2015, 02:09 PM	#5
umbighouse Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2015 Device: Kindle Fire	theducks- Yes, sorry- that looks like a typo. The path is ok in the actual command. I'd like to run this as a batch file with a scheduled task to regularly check for new books, since I don't always add them from the main computer. This would save me from having to manually use the GUI to update the library each time. Is it confirmed that the CLI cannot auto add new books found during a scan?

12-04-2015, 02:22 PM	#7
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,351 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	If you want to auto add books use Preferences->Adding Books->Auto add from folder If you wan to add books via script, use calibredb add Do not ever copy files intot he calibre library folder and try to use check/restore library to add them.

12-04-2015, 02:27 PM	#8
umbighouse Junior Member Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2015 Device: Kindle Fire	How often is the folder checked to Auto Add new items? Does "calibredb add" simply scan for new items and add them? Thanks.

12-04-2015, 04:10 PM	#11
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	I fixed a typo above. The --recurse switch needs two "--". Paths on Windows are weird, the backslash is an escape character, but Windows uses it as a path separator as well. I think it is generally considered better to double them. A doubled backslash escapes the second one so it is ensured treatment as a literal backslash -- the path separator.

12-06-2015, 01:20 AM	#14
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	@jecilop, the difference is if you are willing to lift calibre's skirt and meddle with the structure, you can probably trick calibre into linking a new format. But this thread, and Kovid's comment here, relates to trying to use check/restore library to add a new book record. Which is much more hopeless unless you get all the details perfect. And creating an OPF yourself is horribly wasteful.

Advert

Advert