[Release] KoboOPDS – OPDS catalogs and wireless downloads in Nickel

eBookLuke · 08-22-2026, 07:45 AM

KoboOPDS 0.9.15

Hi everyone,

KoboOPDS is a lightweight OPDS client for Kobo owners who want to browse public or personal catalogs and download books over Wi-Fi while continuing to use the standard Nickel interface.

It works with conventional OPDS 1.x/Atom sources, including Calibre Content Server and compatible self-hosted catalogs. KoboOPDS does not replace Nickel or the Kobo reader: the catalog is displayed in Kobo's built-in browser, and downloaded books appear in the normal Kobo library.

Main features

Browse, search and paginate OPDS 1.x/Atom catalogs directly on the Kobo
Multiple saved sources and HTTP Basic authentication
Book details, covers, metadata and expandable descriptions
Single and multiple-book downloads, with an optional replace-existing-files policy
60-second catalog cache with manual refresh
Automatic Nickel import with a visible “please wait” progress screen
Cover-cache integration
Calibre series metadata imported automatically — including series name and number — without a second USB connection or second sync
Daily assisted update check plus manual check; packages are verified with SHA-256 before installation
Italian, English, French, German and Spanish interface
Saved sources, credentials and preferences are preserved during updates

How it works

KoboOPDS runs a small local BusyBox HTTP/CGI service bound to 127.0.0.1 and opens it in Nickel Browser. After a download, Nickel first imports the book and creates its database record; KoboOPDS then safely completes the Calibre series fields while Nickel is stopped, and restarts the interface. This reproduces Calibre's two-stage metadata workflow automatically, so no second USB connection or second synchronization is required.

Requirements

A Kobo running firmware 4.x
NickelMenu already installed
Wi-Fi access

Development and testing are currently centred on a Kobo Libra Colour running firmware 4.45.23697 with Calibre 9.12. Reports from other Kobo models and OPDS servers are welcome.

Installation

Install NickelMenu first and verify that it appears under More.
Download the current KoboOPDS release and installation guides from:
https://effecta.duckdns.org/files/koboopds/
Extract the ZIP on your computer and read the installation guide.
Connect the Kobo by USB.
Copy the enclosed KoboRoot.tgz, without extracting it, into the hidden .kobo directory.
Safely eject the device and allow it to install and restart.
Open More > NickelMenu > Kobo OPDS.

NickelMenu and KoboOPDS installers are both called KoboRoot.tgz. Install them one at a time. Existing KoboOPDS settings are preserved when updating.

Highlights since the original 0.7 beta

Much more reliable download and Nickel import workflow
Automatic Calibre series name/index completion after Nickel creates the book record
Correct cover import and cache handling
Visible import progress and safer Nickel restart
Multiple downloads with larger, easier-to-tap selection controls
Catalog caching, manual refresh and fixed language persistence
Assisted, verified updates and improved Wi-Fi handling

Current limitations

OPDS 1.x/Atom only; OPDS 2 JSON is not currently parsed
HTTP Basic authentication is supported; custom CA certificates are not
Firmware 5.x is not currently supported because NickelMenu itself does not yet support it

When reporting a problem, please include the Kobo model, firmware version and OPDS server software, and remove passwords or private addresses from diagnostics.

KoboOPDS was created by Luca Calcinai (Effecta.it), with development assistance from CiccioAI.

I hope it is useful to Kobo users who prefer Nickel but miss convenient OPDS access.

Reguna · 09-14-2026, 02:53 AM

Hi, I just installed this plugin and it works.

It would be nice if the plugin can cache the result of OPDS (maybe refresh on user demand or in 1 minutes) because I have to wait for the OPDS catalog to reload (~2 seconds) every time I finish downloading a book.
Also, when setting language to English in the settings, it automatically reverts to auto.

Device: Libra Colour 4.45.23697
OPDS server: Calibre 9.12

eBookLuke · 09-14-2026, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reguna

Hi, I just installed this plugin and it works.

It would be nice if the plugin can cache the result of OPDS (maybe refresh on user demand or in 1 minutes) because I have to wait for the OPDS catalog to reload (~2 seconds) every time I finish downloading a book.
Also, when setting language to English in the settings, it automatically reverts to auto.

Hi, thank you for your helpful feedback!
Both suggested changes have now been implemented in KoboOPDS 0.7.22:
- OPDS pages are cached for 60 seconds, so returning after downloading a book should be much faster. A manual refresh button has also been added.
- The language selector now correctly remembers and displays English instead of appearing to revert to Auto.
Please download and test the new version here:
https://effecta.duckdns.org/files/koboopds/
Let me know how it works on your Libra Colour—and, purely for testing purposes, please confirm whether the donation link works too! 😉

eBookLuke · 09-16-2026, 03:08 AM

KoboOPDS 0.8.3 is now available.

This is a fairly substantial update from the first public beta. Highlights:

- Assisted updates: KoboOPDS checks for a new version only when the first catalog of the day is opened (no background process). There is also a manual “Check now” button.
- Update packages are downloaded to a temporary file and verified with SHA-256 before installation; installation and reboot always require confirmation.
- More reliable automatic Nickel library import after closing the browser, with retries and a new “Close and import” button as a manual fallback.
- Existing-book policy in Settings: either skip files already present (the safe default) or download and replace them. Replacement is atomic, so a failed download leaves the existing book untouched.
- 60-second OPDS page cache with manual refresh.
- Fixed persistence/display of the selected interface language.
- Saved OPDS sources, credentials and preferences are preserved during updates.

Download, release notes and installation guide:
https://effecta.duckdns.org/files/koboopds/

The current version is still a beta for Kobo firmware 4.x with NickelMenu. Reports from other Kobo models and OPDS servers are very welcome; please include the Kobo model, firmware version and OPDS server software, and remove private addresses or credentials from diagnostics.

rantanplan · 09-16-2026, 06:20 AM

When I copy kepubs from Calibre to my device, I have to connect twice to receive proper metadata like Series and other stuff. This is because Kobo needs the book stub in sqlite before it can update the info.

How does that work with KoboOPDS? Are extended metadata like Series omitted?

eBookLuke · 09-16-2026, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rantanplan

When I copy kepubs from Calibre to my device, I have to connect twice to receive proper metadata like Series and other stuff. This is because Kobo needs the book stub in sqlite before it can update the info.

How does that work with KoboOPDS? Are extended metadata like Series omitted?

You are correct. At present KoboOPDS downloads the book and asks Nickel to import it, but it does not directly modify KoboReader.sqlite.
The series information displayed by KoboOPDS comes from the OPDS catalog. Whether it also appears in the standard Kobo library currently depends on the metadata embedded in the downloaded EPUB/KEPUB and on what Nickel imports from that file.
KoboOPDS therefore does not yet reproduce Calibre’s second-connection metadata update. Extended metadata such as series name and series index may be missing from the Nickel library, even though it is available in the OPDS catalog.
I am investigating a safe way to apply the OPDS metadata after Nickel has created the database entry. Direct database changes must be handled very carefully, so the current version deliberately prefers a safe Nickel rescan over modifying the Kobo database itself.

eBookLuke · 09-17-2026, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rantanplan

When I copy kepubs from Calibre to my device, I have to connect twice to receive proper metadata like Series and other stuff. This is because Kobo needs the book stub in sqlite before it can update the info.

How does that work with KoboOPDS? Are extended metadata like Series omitted?

Hi, in the latest version of the KoboOPDS the "double connection" is handled directly using a "buffer" that adds the additional metadata in two phases, transparent to the user.

Thanks for the suggestion

Luke

rantanplan · 09-17-2026, 08:14 AM

Nice!

eBookLuke · 09-17-2026, 10:12 AM

Please test it and gimme a feedback.
Don’t forget to check updates directly inside KoboOPDS

Luke

rantanplan · 09-18-2026, 02:53 AM

Testing firmware 5.18:
After renaming the installer file to Kobo.tgz it'll trigger the installation screen but it looks like the install failed, there's no new folder in .adds and no new option in Nickelmenu.

Reguna · 09-18-2026, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eBookLuke

Hi, thank you for your helpful feedback!
Both suggested changes have now been implemented in KoboOPDS 0.7.22:
- OPDS pages are cached for 60 seconds, so returning after downloading a book should be much faster. A manual refresh button has also been added.
- The language selector now correctly remembers and displays English instead of appearing to revert to Auto.
Please download and test the new version here:
https://effecta.duckdns.org/files/koboopds/
Let me know how it works on your Libra Colour—and, purely for testing purposes, please confirm whether the donation link works too! 😉

Thanks for the update. The language setting now persists. OPDS loading is still slow though, maybe the hardware is the real bottleneck?
I notice that the rendering is a bit faster on the second page (first page is slow).
The donation link works, but unfortunately I don't have a Paypal account. Do you have a Github account (so I can do Github sponsor)?

08-22-2026, 07:45 AM	#1
eBookLuke Writer2ePub creator Posts: 378 Karma: 121129 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Genova, Italy Device: Cybook Bebook iLiad Kindle HanlinV2 Readius SonyPRS500 SonyPRS700 etc	[Release] KoboOPDS – OPDS catalogs and wireless downloads in Nickel KoboOPDS 0.9.15 Hi everyone, KoboOPDS is a lightweight OPDS client for Kobo owners who want to browse public or personal catalogs and download books over Wi-Fi while continuing to use the standard Nickel interface. It works with conventional OPDS 1.x/Atom sources, including Calibre Content Server and compatible self-hosted catalogs. KoboOPDS does not replace Nickel or the Kobo reader: the catalog is displayed in Kobo's built-in browser, and downloaded books appear in the normal Kobo library. Main features Browse, search and paginate OPDS 1.x/Atom catalogs directly on the Kobo Multiple saved sources and HTTP Basic authentication Book details, covers, metadata and expandable descriptions Single and multiple-book downloads, with an optional replace-existing-files policy 60-second catalog cache with manual refresh Automatic Nickel import with a visible “please wait” progress screen Cover-cache integration Calibre series metadata imported automatically — including series name and number — without a second USB connection or second sync Daily assisted update check plus manual check; packages are verified with SHA-256 before installation Italian, English, French, German and Spanish interface Saved sources, credentials and preferences are preserved during updates How it works KoboOPDS runs a small local BusyBox HTTP/CGI service bound to 127.0.0.1 and opens it in Nickel Browser. After a download, Nickel first imports the book and creates its database record; KoboOPDS then safely completes the Calibre series fields while Nickel is stopped, and restarts the interface. This reproduces Calibre's two-stage metadata workflow automatically, so no second USB connection or second synchronization is required. Requirements A Kobo running firmware 4.x NickelMenu already installed Wi-Fi access Development and testing are currently centred on a Kobo Libra Colour running firmware 4.45.23697 with Calibre 9.12. Reports from other Kobo models and OPDS servers are welcome. Installation Install NickelMenu first and verify that it appears under More. Download the current KoboOPDS release and installation guides from: https://effecta.duckdns.org/files/koboopds/ Extract the ZIP on your computer and read the installation guide. Connect the Kobo by USB. Copy the enclosed KoboRoot.tgz, without extracting it, into the hidden .kobo directory. Safely eject the device and allow it to install and restart. Open More > NickelMenu > Kobo OPDS. NickelMenu and KoboOPDS installers are both called KoboRoot.tgz. Install them one at a time. Existing KoboOPDS settings are preserved when updating. Highlights since the original 0.7 beta Much more reliable download and Nickel import workflow Automatic Calibre series name/index completion after Nickel creates the book record Correct cover import and cache handling Visible import progress and safer Nickel restart Multiple downloads with larger, easier-to-tap selection controls Catalog caching, manual refresh and fixed language persistence Assisted, verified updates and improved Wi-Fi handling Current limitations OPDS 1.x/Atom only; OPDS 2 JSON is not currently parsed HTTP Basic authentication is supported; custom CA certificates are not Firmware 5.x is not currently supported because NickelMenu itself does not yet support it When reporting a problem, please include the Kobo model, firmware version and OPDS server software, and remove passwords or private addresses from diagnostics. KoboOPDS was created by Luca Calcinai (Effecta.it), with development assistance from CiccioAI. I hope it is useful to Kobo users who prefer Nickel but miss convenient OPDS access. Last edited by eBookLuke; 09-17-2026 at 05:45 AM.

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09-14-2026, 02:53 AM	#2
Reguna Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2023 Device: Samsung Z Fold5	Hi, I just installed this plugin and it works. It would be nice if the plugin can cache the result of OPDS (maybe refresh on user demand or in 1 minutes) because I have to wait for the OPDS catalog to reload (~2 seconds) every time I finish downloading a book. Also, when setting language to English in the settings, it automatically reverts to auto. Device: Libra Colour 4.45.23697 OPDS server: Calibre 9.12

09-16-2026, 03:08 AM	#4
eBookLuke Writer2ePub creator Posts: 378 Karma: 121129 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Genova, Italy Device: Cybook Bebook iLiad Kindle HanlinV2 Readius SonyPRS500 SonyPRS700 etc	KoboOPDS 0.8.3 is now available. This is a fairly substantial update from the first public beta. Highlights: - Assisted updates: KoboOPDS checks for a new version only when the first catalog of the day is opened (no background process). There is also a manual “Check now” button. - Update packages are downloaded to a temporary file and verified with SHA-256 before installation; installation and reboot always require confirmation. - More reliable automatic Nickel library import after closing the browser, with retries and a new “Close and import” button as a manual fallback. - Existing-book policy in Settings: either skip files already present (the safe default) or download and replace them. Replacement is atomic, so a failed download leaves the existing book untouched. - 60-second OPDS page cache with manual refresh. - Fixed persistence/display of the selected interface language. - Saved OPDS sources, credentials and preferences are preserved during updates. Download, release notes and installation guide: https://effecta.duckdns.org/files/koboopds/ The current version is still a beta for Kobo firmware 4.x with NickelMenu. Reports from other Kobo models and OPDS servers are very welcome; please include the Kobo model, firmware version and OPDS server software, and remove private addresses or credentials from diagnostics.

09-16-2026, 06:20 AM	#5
rantanplan Weirdo Posts: 1,290 Karma: 13516840 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Wuppertal, Germany Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Sage, Kobo Aura H2O, reMarkable PaperPro	When I copy kepubs from Calibre to my device, I have to connect twice to receive proper metadata like Series and other stuff. This is because Kobo needs the book stub in sqlite before it can update the info. How does that work with KoboOPDS? Are extended metadata like Series omitted?

09-17-2026, 08:14 AM	#8
rantanplan Weirdo Posts: 1,290 Karma: 13516840 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Wuppertal, Germany Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Sage, Kobo Aura H2O, reMarkable PaperPro	Nice!

09-17-2026, 10:12 AM	#9
eBookLuke Writer2ePub creator Posts: 378 Karma: 121129 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Genova, Italy Device: Cybook Bebook iLiad Kindle HanlinV2 Readius SonyPRS500 SonyPRS700 etc	Please test it and gimme a feedback. Don’t forget to check updates directly inside KoboOPDS Luke

09-18-2026, 02:53 AM	#10
rantanplan Weirdo Posts: 1,290 Karma: 13516840 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Wuppertal, Germany Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Sage, Kobo Aura H2O, reMarkable PaperPro	Testing firmware 5.18: After renaming the installer file to Kobo.tgz it'll trigger the installation screen but it looks like the install failed, there's no new folder in .adds and no new option in Nickelmenu.