Linux Flatpak Calibre ebook-editor cannot access external tools

jsgjames · 03-11-2025, 02:52 PM

I installed Flatpak calibre to get the latest version (since the Debian repo version for my MXLinux distro is WAY behind).

MXLinux 23.5 Libretto; KDE Plasma v5.27.5; Kernel 6.1.0-31-amd64, X11 (not Wayland); Calibre v7.26

The flatpak Calibre works in all respects as far as I can tell, perfectly. But today I wanted to clean up some cover images. Knowing I can do that through the ebook editor where I can right-click on a cover image and select "open with ..." I tried to do that. Open With results in the File dialog I can use to navigate the filesystem to the /usr/bin folder and see both gimp and another editor nomacs. I can select either of them. Calibre remembers the path chosen (on subsequent attempt they are there for use). I get the dialog that tells me to click on the Import button when my edits are done. But the editor never opens.

Thinking this might be a permissions issue (as is so often true with sandboxed Flatpak apps) I have modified permissions for Flatpak calibre to be as permissive as possible even specifiying the exact paths to both gimp and nomacs, but no change, neither editor ever opens.

So, I found an appimage for GIMP and copied it to my a bin directory in my local home path and get the same behavior, dialog opens saying click on Input button after editing is compete, but the Gimp AppImage never opens with the cover image.

Anyone have an idea how to fix this?

Thanks.

Quoth · 03-11-2025, 06:14 PM

Use the website
https://calibre-ebook.com/download_linux

This in a console always installs the current version on top of old.
sudo -v && wget -nv -O- https://download.calibre-ebook.com/linux-installer.sh | sudo sh /dev/stdin

Don't use Flatpak or any other distro version

Edit: I only use Flatpak or appimage if that is absolutely the only version. Mostly I use deb packages, except for programs where the deb doesn't exist or is too outdated or too updated or known to be "wrong".

Calibre, Viber, Brother drivers, Victron management, maybe Steam (I forget) all need website downloads.

jsgjames · 03-11-2025, 10:49 PM

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

03-11-2025, 02:52 PM	#1
jsgjames Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2024 Device: Kobo	Linux Flatpak Calibre ebook-editor cannot access external tools I installed Flatpak calibre to get the latest version (since the Debian repo version for my MXLinux distro is WAY behind). MXLinux 23.5 Libretto; KDE Plasma v5.27.5; Kernel 6.1.0-31-amd64, X11 (not Wayland); Calibre v7.26 The flatpak Calibre works in all respects as far as I can tell, perfectly. But today I wanted to clean up some cover images. Knowing I can do that through the ebook editor where I can right-click on a cover image and select "open with ..." I tried to do that. Open With results in the File dialog I can use to navigate the filesystem to the /usr/bin folder and see both gimp and another editor nomacs. I can select either of them. Calibre remembers the path chosen (on subsequent attempt they are there for use). I get the dialog that tells me to click on the Import button when my edits are done. But the editor never opens. Thinking this might be a permissions issue (as is so often true with sandboxed Flatpak apps) I have modified permissions for Flatpak calibre to be as permissive as possible even specifiying the exact paths to both gimp and nomacs, but no change, neither editor ever opens. So, I found an appimage for GIMP and copied it to my a bin directory in my local home path and get the same behavior, dialog opens saying click on Input button after editing is compete, but the Gimp AppImage never opens with the cover image. Anyone have an idea how to fix this? Thanks.

03-11-2025, 06:14 PM	#2
Quoth Still reading Posts: 13,605 Karma: 103503445 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Ireland Device: All 4 Kinds: epub eink, Kindle, android eink, NxtPaper	Use the website https://calibre-ebook.com/download_linux This in a console always installs the current version on top of old. sudo -v && wget -nv -O- https://download.calibre-ebook.com/linux-installer.sh \| sudo sh /dev/stdin Don't use Flatpak or any other distro version Edit: I only use Flatpak or appimage if that is absolutely the only version. Mostly I use deb packages, except for programs where the deb doesn't exist or is too outdated or too updated or known to be "wrong". Calibre, Viber, Brother drivers, Victron management, maybe Steam (I forget) all need website downloads. Last edited by Quoth; 03-11-2025 at 06:21 PM.

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03-11-2025, 10:49 PM	#3
jsgjames Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Oct 2024 Device: Kobo	Thanks, I'll give that a try.