Is it possible to automate my workflow?

[mmobes]

So I’m wondering if there is a way to have Calibre automate the actions I usually take as I add a book? In my dream scenario, Calibre would do the following actions in order:

1. Monitor download folder
2. Auto import to library
3. Convert to epub if necessary
4. Download metadata (including cover)
5. Apply font of choice
6. Remove rating if one exists

Is this something that’s even possible?

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by mmobes

So I’m wondering if there is a way to have Calibre automate the actions I usually take as I add a book? In my dream scenario, Calibre would do the following actions in order:

1. Monitor download folder
2. Auto import to library
3. Convert to epub if necessary
4. Download metadata (including cover)
5. Apply font of choice
6. Remove rating if one exists

Is this something that’s even possible?

Perhaps the Action Chains plugin ==>> Index of plugins

BR

[DNSB]

Please remember that no matter what source you are using for metadata/covers, you are very unlikely to get decent results without manual intervention.

[Comfy.n]

I was tempted to answer "Yes." to both questions, given this recent amusing post in the Tech Vent and Rant thread:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...postcount=1917

Automatic adding and converting are built-in Calibre features you can set in Preferences -> Adding Books.

So, I think you'd need a chain only for steps 4 to 6. The step 5 ("Apply" font of choice), can't have a general solution that would work for all books, IMO. As for "Remove rating", this can be done easily, by adding to the Chain an action called "Single field edit", as shown below:



To download metadata, you need to insert (Create) a new module after installing Action Chains plugin:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...9&postcount=28

Then add an action called "Download metadata" as the first step in the chain.

And you can also add an action to select metadata source, by installing the Quick Preferences plugin.

[Comfy.n]

I forgot to say that AFAIK there isn't a configurable Event in Action Chains Plugin that could trigger the chain execution upon auto-adding and converting. However I found this:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...8&postcount=14

[JSWolf]

It's not possible to automate your work flow and have accurate covers/metadata.

[mmobes]

Originally Posted by Comfy.n

I was tempted to answer "Yes." to both questions, given this recent amusing post in the Tech Vent and Rant thread:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...postcount=1917

Automatic adding and converting are built-in Calibre features you can set in Preferences -> Adding Books.

So, I think you'd need a chain only for steps 4 to 6. The step 5 ("Apply" font of choice), can't have a general solution that would work for all books, IMO. As for "Remove rating", this can be done easily, by adding to the Chain an action called "Single field edit", as shown below:

Attachment 207874
To download metadata, you need to insert (Create) a new module after installing Action Chains plugin:

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sh...9&postcount=28

Then add an action called "Download metadata" as the first step in the chain.

And you can also add an action to select metadata source, by installing the Quick Preferences plugin.

Thanks for all this! I’ll get to work on it.

[mmobes]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Please remember that no matter what source you are using for metadata/covers, you are very unlikely to get decent results without manual intervention.

Yeah, most of what I really care about is pretty accurate using both Goodreads and Amazon. I occasionally have to clean up the series numbers, but otherwise I’m pretty happy with it.

[theducks]

The largest flaw I see is you can not safely use the standard Downloads folder (as the Auto add folder)

1) it adds any book format'
2)It deletes from that folder once added to Calibre

I find I only add a few books in a time period, so manual processing is not an issue.
I do not subscribe to automatic (Book of the month ) type distributions, so I find no need.

YMMV

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by mmobes

Yeah, most of what I really care about is pretty accurate using both Goodreads and Amazon. I occasionally have to clean up the series numbers, but otherwise I’m pretty happy with it.

And if you are trying to automate your metadata/cover downloads, remember to build delays in unless you want to have your IP banned.

[ownedbycats]

I'm a heavy Action Chains user and downloading the cover and metadata is still something I do manually.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by DNSB

And if you are trying to automate your metadata/cover downloads, remember to build delays in unless you want to have your IP banned.

And remember to check your metadata. You can have the wrong cover or too small a cover. You can have crap in your eBook description. You can have crap in your tags. You can have the wrong series or no series. And more.