I could not imagine having to start from scratch now

Rellwood · 01-26-2026, 07:29 PM

I have been using Calibre since 2013 and have basically grown alongside it.

Im having a hard time thinking of all the ways people who are just discovering it today have to set it up and learn to get it to run decently. Its very overwhelming.

I honestly don't know how someone would realistically start Calibre if they have never understood it. There are so many interlocking things that all are equally important that if not properly set up before you really get into adding books - youve already put yourself behind.

Im wondering. What would be the best steps for someone who is just starting out?

Sirtel · 01-26-2026, 07:53 PM

Many, many people use calibre only in the most basic way - they add their books, edit some metadata, maybe convert with the default options and that's it. They never use any other features. For basic library management it's simple enough.

I don't use all the features either, and calibre has been an important part of my life since 2011.

shuvashish76 · 01-26-2026, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rellwood

I honestly don't know how someone would realistically start Calibre if they have never understood it.

I think the best part is you (new to calibre users) don't have to understand it. Do things what's important to you. If you want to explore check user guide or simply ask in forum or any social platform.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rellwood

There are so many interlocking things that all are equally important that if not properly set up before you really get into adding books - youve already put yourself behind.

I don't use all the features. I'm sure even Kovid don't use many of them for his personal use. There are always better ways to be productive at what you do.

DNSB · 01-27-2026, 12:03 AM

calibre is a Swiss army knife of a program even before you start checking out the plugins.

My advice to new calibre users is to install calibre and for Kobo users, the Kobo Utilities plugin. Once that is done start using calibre and once you have some familiarity with it, if you want to add other plugins (the DeDRM plugins are likely one of the most popular), do so.

If you have questions, there are several places to ask. The calibre forum here on MobileRead is a good resource as is Reddit and even some of the YouTube tutorials.

Deskisamess · 01-27-2026, 10:36 AM

How many people know everything there is to know about a new device, app, program, appliance, before they start using it?

While I may not use all of calibre's features, I appreciate that those options are there if I choose to use them. The existence of those complex options don't prevent me from using the basic ones. It's like any new skill, start with the basics, and build up, if you choose to.

Dal Bhat · 01-27-2026, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Many, many people use calibre only in the most basic way - they add their books, edit some metadata, maybe convert with the default options and that's it. They never use any other features. For basic library management it's simple enough.

Raises hand.

Get book, set default font, DRM, pick a cover, count pages, send to Kindle. Read.

Sirtel · 01-27-2026, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dal Bhat

Raises hand.

Get book, set default font, DRM, pick a cover, count pages, send to Kindle. Read.

But you do use a couple of plugins, which already is a bit above the basic level.

Rellwood · 01-27-2026, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DNSB

calibre is a Swiss army knife of a program even before you start checking out the plugins.

My advice to new calibre users is to install calibre and for Kobo users, the Kobo Utilities plugin. Once that is done start using calibre and once you have some familiarity with it, if you want to add other plugins (the DeDRM plugins are likely one of the most popular), do so.

If you have questions, there are several places to ask. The calibre forum here on MobileRead is a good resource as is Reddit and even some of the YouTube tutorials.

I am on reddit a lot helping where I can, but my biggest challenge is that I often wouldn't know where to begin when someone says "Whats the best way to set up Calibre"

I guess starting with the metadata source plugins, Goodreads, and Goodreads More tags if they have standard books, or looking over the ones that interest them. ISBN extractor, Goodreads Sync to force an id if needed, Duplicate Finder, Page Count, Polish, Modify Epub, Quality Check. I always thing that having Get File Name is one of the most helpful yet underrated plugins.

If they plan on doing custom books from Fanfic or something then
Cover Generator, Epub Split/Epub Merge, FanFic Fare, Diaps Editor.

But those would be the base plugins - just getting the books into the library - metadata set up. This isn't even dealing with sending to the device.

I would say everyone needs a date added, date purchased, date borrowed, book source, read date (multiple read dates if needed), read status, y/n or icon column for each device the book is in, page/word counts, average rating and number of votes.

IF they have a Goodreads library and want to sync with that they they need those columns and import list.

Everyone should have a composite column with a "calibre id" that they can keep to always have a set id for a book no matter what happens. This is helpful for matching in the import list or comparing books. Plus, goodreads, asin, mobi-asin, isbn, isbn-13, and if they have goodreads and import the .csv's they need a column for each of those fields.

Job Spy, and Import List.

Yeah, it can get big quick.

Sirtel · 01-27-2026, 10:15 PM

That's more than I have, and leaves out some things I personally consider important. In short, you're overthinking this. People have different priorities and different preferences. They don't need all those things when they're just starting out.

For example, I have no Goodreads plugins at all, as I don't use the site and have no need or wish for its tags and other information. I have my own custom tags. I don't keep track of my reading dates, it's not important for me. Date purchased is not that important for me either, the year is enough. Ratings and votes by other people... no way, I don't want to see them. And in the 15 years I've been using calibre I have not once imported any lists - because calibre is the only place where I manage my books.

As I said, you're way overthinking here and reflecting your own personal preferences.

kacir · 01-28-2026, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rellwood

I guess starting with the metadata source plugins, Goodreads, and Goodreads More tags if they have standard books, or looking over the ones that interest them. ISBN extractor, Goodreads Sync to force an id if needed, Duplicate Finder, Page Count, Polish, Modify Epub, Quality Check. I always thing that having Get File Name is one of the most helpful yet underrated plugins.

I do not use any of those and I have been using Calibre ever since it has been called LibPRS 500. Plus, I am pretty sure there are features that I consider absolutely essential that you might be even not aware are there.

For the most basic use you drag and drop an epub file or other ebook file and it shows up in your Calibre. You can view the book and send it to the device. You can double click and edit a name or author.
Many of the features are discoverable and intuitive, so users have no problem with basic searches, for example. And you build on those basics, slowly, just like we did a long time ago. I keep discovering cool features of Calibre even nowadays, and those are features that I am pretty sure have been there for a long time.
Like clicking on a book in Calibre and drag and drop copying it to a file manager. No need to open location, no need to export the book. Just drag it to the file manager. Works on Linux, works even with Krusader double-pane file manager.

It is in that regard like a Gvim text editor. Nobody is using all those wonderful features. It is not possible to know them all. Each user has an unique sub-group of basic and more advanced features that they use on a daily bases. And if you need to do something special, the feature you need is there, ready to be discovered. Just ask somewhere on a forum, or search very thorough documentation. or, nowadays, ask an AI. They will even craft an intricate regular expression you use to search or replace something, or filter or import or whatever.

aborel · 01-28-2026, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rellwood

I would say everyone needs a date added, date purchased, date borrowed, book source, read date (multiple read dates if needed), read status, y/n or icon column for each device the book is in, page/word counts, average rating and number of votes.

Just to show how widely different people can be: from this selection, I think I only use "date added" (automatic), and less frequently "read status".
I don't care about the other ones at all, except maybe page count but I record that elsewhere.

I've been using calibre for about 10 years now.

theducks · 01-28-2026, 07:03 AM

The Quality check plugin is probably my most used as it finds all most of the variations in Authors and series quickly.

I guess that if you just use calibre to convert and transfer or fetch news, 4 different spellings of an Authors name won't bother you as you probably don't group things.

DNSB · 01-28-2026, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rellwood

I would say everyone needs a date added, date purchased, date borrowed, book source, read date (multiple read dates if needed), read status, y/n or icon column for each device the book is in, page/word counts, average rating and number of votes.

Oddly, in my years of using calibre, I've never found the need for a date purchased, date borrowed, book source, multiple read dates, average rating or number of votes column. For me, the only rating that counts is my personal opinion of the book. As for worrying about what device a book is on? A matter of total disinterest to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rellwood

Everyone should have a composite column with a "calibre id" that they can keep to always have a set id for a book no matter what happens. This is helpful for matching in the import list or comparing books. Plus, goodreads, asin, mobi-asin, isbn, isbn-13, and if they have goodreads and import the .csv's they need a column for each of those fields.

I've never needed a saved calibre ID. Nor do I see any need for any Goodreads ID or plugin, I've looked at Goodreads and most of it is junk. For instance, have you never noticed the multiple reviews for books that are not released and likely will never be? As for the IDs you listed, if I need tham, they exist in the IDs built-in column and are used for downloading metadata.

For me, reading is a solitary vice. There are a few people who I will listen to book recommendations from. I also have several acquaintances who spend more time online talking about what they are reading, what they might want to read and scrolling through reviews/recommendations than they spend actually reading.

You do what you want with your calibre library but please don't mistake your personal preferences for anything other than personal choices.

Sirtel · 01-28-2026, 01:07 PM

I do have a column for keeping track of which books are on my Kobos. I don't keep my whole library on my ereaders, as it's far too large, so I want to know if a book is on my Kobos or not.

OTOH, a date read or reread is of no interest whatsoever to me, so I never record them. I just mark a book finished after the first reading and that's it. I might reread it several times or never; I don't keep track of that.

DNSB · 01-28-2026, 02:21 PM

I do have a column that indicates the book is on a device. Not a separate column/icon/whatever for all my devices.

Pretty much the same. I am interested in if a book has been read but not that interested in if I have read it once or 20 times—I may be close to or over than number of reads for Three Men in a Boat since I re-read it at least once per year.

For me, the finished column is autogenerated from the Kobo read percentage column. It's a one and done.

01-26-2026, 07:29 PM	#1
Rellwood Library Breeder (She/Her) Posts: 1,310 Karma: 1937893 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Fullerton, California Device: Paperwhite 2015 (2), PW 2024 (12 GEN), PW 2023 (11 GEN), Scribe (1st)	I could not imagine having to start from scratch now I have been using Calibre since 2013 and have basically grown alongside it. Im having a hard time thinking of all the ways people who are just discovering it today have to set it up and learn to get it to run decently. Its very overwhelming. I honestly don't know how someone would realistically start Calibre if they have never understood it. There are so many interlocking things that all are equally important that if not properly set up before you really get into adding books - youve already put yourself behind. Im wondering. What would be the best steps for someone who is just starting out?

01-27-2026, 10:15 PM	#9
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 14,650 Karma: 245099999 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	That's more than I have, and leaves out some things I personally consider important. In short, you're overthinking this. People have different priorities and different preferences. They don't need all those things when they're just starting out. For example, I have no Goodreads plugins at all, as I don't use the site and have no need or wish for its tags and other information. I have my own custom tags. I don't keep track of my reading dates, it's not important for me. Date purchased is not that important for me either, the year is enough. Ratings and votes by other people... no way, I don't want to see them. And in the 15 years I've been using calibre I have not once imported any lists - because calibre is the only place where I manage my books. As I said, you're way overthinking here and reflecting your own personal preferences. Last edited by Sirtel; 01-27-2026 at 10:18 PM.

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01-26-2026, 07:53 PM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 14,650 Karma: 245099999 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Many, many people use calibre only in the most basic way - they add their books, edit some metadata, maybe convert with the default options and that's it. They never use any other features. For basic library management it's simple enough. I don't use all the features either, and calibre has been an important part of my life since 2011.

01-27-2026, 12:03 AM	#4
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 50,127 Karma: 178398936 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	calibre is a Swiss army knife of a program even before you start checking out the plugins. My advice to new calibre users is to install calibre and for Kobo users, the Kobo Utilities plugin. Once that is done start using calibre and once you have some familiarity with it, if you want to add other plugins (the DeDRM plugins are likely one of the most popular), do so. If you have questions, there are several places to ask. The calibre forum here on MobileRead is a good resource as is Reddit and even some of the YouTube tutorials.

01-27-2026, 10:36 AM	#5
Deskisamess Wizard Posts: 2,798 Karma: 45843871 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Ohio Device: iPhone 13 Pro, iPad mini, iPad Pro 12.9",Paperwhite 6.8", Scribe 2022	How many people know everything there is to know about a new device, app, program, appliance, before they start using it? While I may not use all of calibre's features, I appreciate that those options are there if I choose to use them. The existence of those complex options don't prevent me from using the basic ones. It's like any new skill, start with the basics, and build up, if you choose to.

01-28-2026, 07:03 AM	#12
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,487 Karma: 62503914 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	The Quality check plugin is probably my most used as it finds all most of the variations in Authors and series quickly. I guess that if you just use calibre to convert and transfer or fetch news, 4 different spellings of an Authors name won't bother you as you probably don't group things.

01-28-2026, 01:07 PM	#14
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 14,650 Karma: 245099999 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	I do have a column for keeping track of which books are on my Kobos. I don't keep my whole library on my ereaders, as it's far too large, so I want to know if a book is on my Kobos or not. OTOH, a date read or reread is of no interest whatsoever to me, so I never record them. I just mark a book finished after the first reading and that's it. I might reread it several times or never; I don't keep track of that.

01-28-2026, 02:21 PM	#15
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 50,127 Karma: 178398936 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	I do have a column that indicates the book is on a device. Not a separate column/icon/whatever for all my devices. Pretty much the same. I am interested in if a book has been read but not that interested in if I have read it once or 20 times—I may be close to or over than number of reads for Three Men in a Boat since I re-read it at least once per year. For me, the finished column is autogenerated from the Kobo read percentage column. It's a one and done.