How add parent folder? (KOReader + Calibre)

omin · 10-18-2023, 02:31 PM

I have a folder called Books and I'd like to add a parent folder Library so that I can separate books from articles.

I was able to set this up by changing the Save template to `{#shelf}/{title} - {authors} ({id})` and updating the Calibre index folder on KOReader.

I'm trying to figure out how to get Calibre to match books in the library with the new parent folder. I tried moving the Calibre metadata from Books to Library but that didn't work.

pazos · 10-18-2023, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omin

I have a folder called Books and I'd like to add a parent folder Library so that I can I can separate books from articles.

I was able to set this up by changing the Save template to `{#shelf}/{title} - {authors} ({id})` and updating the Calibre index folder on KOReader.

I'm trying to figure out how to get Calibre to match books in the library with the new parent folder. I tried moving the Calibre metadata from Books to Library but that didn't work.

Not sure what device is that or how this is related to KOReader.

I'm assuming android since you mentioned the "Books" directory.

1. Calibre device drivers use a fixed path to store its metadata. That's usually the only calibre metadata stored on the entire device.
2. When KO searchs for metadata it does so recursively except when it finds a directory with calibre metadata. In that case it assumes everything under that path belongs to that library and aborts the recursive search on that path.
3. KO can handle multiple calibre metadata files on different paths.

A workaround for it is to use the "connect to folder" driver, which will ask you the path of the root of a calibre library.

1. Create the filesystem hierarchy you want on your device (for instance Library/books and Library/articles.
2. Use connect to folder to push books to one of those folders.
3. When using the wireless client you'll need to switch your inbox between the two in order to push books where you like.

Hope it helps. I cannot tell anything about the calibre templates used to determine the path of the books on the device, but hopefully the specifics of the wireless client are covered in https://github.com/koreader/koreader...ename-template

omin · 10-18-2023, 06:47 PM

That doesn't quite answer my question. I'm using KOReader on Boox Poke 3 to wirelessly connect to Calibre. The Calibre metadata is created in the "index folder" of the KOReader's Calibre settings.

I'd like to add a parent folder, get Calibre to work and show "on device" for the files that are on the device on the Mac, and preserve the reading progress, highlights, and annotations on KOReader.

omin · 10-18-2023, 08:23 PM

Unfortunately, I don't think it's possible to get Calibre to identify the books on KOReader when the index folder is changed to a parent folder.

A workaround is to tag the books that are on the device, delete all the books, change the index folder, add all the books them back, and make sure that the SDR folders are in the right folders.

pazos · 10-18-2023, 08:35 PM

That's a better question

KO metadata ought to work out of the box when moving files, unless you're using centralized metadata.

As for calibre metadata each inbox dir receives a root path on creation. You'll need to fix the path there.
Look for ".metadata.calibre" and ".driveinfo.calibre" on the root of your inbox dir.

omin · 10-18-2023, 08:50 PM

I tried moving ".metadata.calibre" and ".driveinfo.calibre" to the parent folder. That didn't work. Also, centralized KO metadata breaks when you reorganize your library. I haven't tried myself but it's described in "About book metadata location.

Oh... I guess it's possible to edit those file and fix the paths. I think that's what you meant? I see that the files are json and each book has a "lpath" attribute.

Frenzie · 10-19-2023, 09:09 AM

Not JSON, Lua syntax that precedes JavaScript by a few years.

hugleo · 10-19-2023, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omin

I tried moving ".metadata.calibre" and ".driveinfo.calibre" to the parent folder. That didn't work. Also, centralized KO metadata breaks when you reorganize your library. I haven't tried myself but it's described in "About book metadata location.

Oh... I guess it's possible to edit those file and fix the paths. I think that's what you meant? I see that the files are json and each book has a "lpath" attribute.

What about this brand new feature? (hash-based metadata storage) https://github.com/koreader/koreader/pull/10945

But IIRC have some problems with Calibre send to device option either.

pazos · 10-19-2023, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugleo

What about this brand new feature? (hash-based metadata storage) https://github.com/koreader/koreader/pull/10945

But IIRC have some problems with Calibre send to device option either.

Yup, by default the calibre reader stores reading position et al within the epub bundle, making it another different file.

pazos · 10-19-2023, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frenzie

Not JSON, Lua syntax that precedes JavaScript by a few years.

Lua syntax everywhere, but here is plain json

See https://github.com/koreader/koreader...data.lua#L4-L6

brunoptx · 05-28-2025, 06:48 PM

To Calibre upload all your books in one folder, you can do the following:

Go to Preferences > Sending books to devices in Calibre.

Where it says:
{author_sort}/{title} - {authors}

change it to:
{title} - {authors}

This way, Calibre will upload all your books directly to the Documents folder.

Remember to back up all your books first.
Then, resend them so everything ends up in a single folder.

10-18-2023, 02:31 PM	#1
omin Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2020 Device: Boox Poke 3, prev Kindle Paperwhite 4	How to add a parent folder? (KOReader + Calibre) I have a folder called Books and I'd like to add a parent folder Library so that I can separate books from articles. I was able to set this up by changing the Save template to `{#shelf}/{title} - {authors} ({id})` and updating the Calibre index folder on KOReader. I'm trying to figure out how to get Calibre to match books in the library with the new parent folder. I tried moving the Calibre metadata from Books to Library but that didn't work. Last edited by omin; 10-18-2023 at 06:46 PM.

10-18-2023, 06:47 PM	#3
omin Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2020 Device: Boox Poke 3, prev Kindle Paperwhite 4	That doesn't quite answer my question. I'm using KOReader on Boox Poke 3 to wirelessly connect to Calibre. The Calibre metadata is created in the "index folder" of the KOReader's Calibre settings. I'd like to add a parent folder, get Calibre to work and show "on device" for the files that are on the device on the Mac, and preserve the reading progress, highlights, and annotations on KOReader. Last edited by omin; 10-18-2023 at 07:43 PM.

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10-18-2023, 08:23 PM	#4
omin Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2020 Device: Boox Poke 3, prev Kindle Paperwhite 4	Unfortunately, I don't think it's possible to get Calibre to identify the books on KOReader when the index folder is changed to a parent folder. A workaround is to tag the books that are on the device, delete all the books, change the index folder, add all the books them back, and make sure that the SDR folders are in the right folders.

10-18-2023, 08:35 PM	#5
pazos cosiñeiro Posts: 1,406 Karma: 2451781 Join Date: Apr 2014 Device: BQ Cervantes 4	That's a better question KO metadata ought to work out of the box when moving files, unless you're using centralized metadata. As for calibre metadata each inbox dir receives a root path on creation. You'll need to fix the path there. Look for ".metadata.calibre" and ".driveinfo.calibre" on the root of your inbox dir.

10-18-2023, 08:50 PM	#6
omin Enthusiast Posts: 26 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2020 Device: Boox Poke 3, prev Kindle Paperwhite 4	I tried moving ".metadata.calibre" and ".driveinfo.calibre" to the parent folder. That didn't work. Also, centralized KO metadata breaks when you reorganize your library. I haven't tried myself but it's described in "About book metadata location. Oh... I guess it's possible to edit those file and fix the paths. I think that's what you meant? I see that the files are json and each book has a "lpath" attribute.

10-19-2023, 09:09 AM	#7
Frenzie Wizard Posts: 1,786 Karma: 731691 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Antwerp Device: Kobo Aura H2O	Not JSON, Lua syntax that precedes JavaScript by a few years.

05-28-2025, 06:48 PM	#11
brunoptx Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2020 Device: Kindle	To Calibre upload all your books in one folder, you can do the following: Go to Preferences > Sending books to devices in Calibre. Where it says: {author_sort}/{title} - {authors} change it to: {title} - {authors} This way, Calibre will upload all your books directly to the Documents folder. Remember to back up all your books first. Then, resend them so everything ends up in a single folder.