Opening Calibre databases using the Windows "Open With" command

[toomuchreading]

I am trying to consolidate the multiple Calibre libraries that I have into one primary library location. The Calibre libraries are spread out all over the place over 20TB of disk space. I'm using Windows 11.

I used a search program called Everything to search for 'metadata.db' to locate the various libraries. What I would like to do is use the 'open with' command available in right clicking to open the library in Calibre. Right now when I use the open with (there currently is no program associated with .db on my system), I navigate to Calibre.exe and Calibre imports the file like a book.
What I would like to be able to do, while Calibre is either opened or closed, is to open or switch to the library I just right clicked open with on.

I want to use the open with command since I have so many other libriaries all over the place and searching then using open with would make opening them much easier than trying to navigate to the paths individually.

Is this possible or feasible?
Once I have the library open, I'm going to want to check it out and using the 'Copy to' command to copy the books to my main library and then get rid of the 'inherited' extra library.

Thanks for the help.

[Karellen]

Do you know how to switch libraries in Calibre?
I don't really understand why you are hunting down the databases to switch libraries.

[theducks]

SERIOUSLY
DO NOT try and back door this. You have a 99.9% chance of making a disaster.

Create Switch: Use Existing. Easy to use, Just copy the path of where you found the Metadata.db (spin and repeat for each Library)

Before that, Note that the folder containing metadata.db IS the Library name.
Make those name unique to avoid any confusion. <<<

FWIW Calibre Library is NOT one of my active Libraries. If Calibre ever starts with that name, I know the configuration folder has damage (that is where the list of KNOWN and Last_Used Libraries is stored. That does not indicate the Library is damaged

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by toomuchreading

. . .

Is this possible or feasible?

. . .

Nope, what you need to do copy the path of the folder that contains the metadata.db and paste that into Switch/create to register the library, viz:



BR

[kovidgoyal]

Sure, write a small script that takes the path to the metadata.db file and runs

calibre --with-library=/path/to/parent/folder/of/metadata.db

and then associate that script with *.db files.

[toomuchreading]

Thank you for this. I'll give it a try. I'm constantly running across a rogue Calibre library. I wasn't very organized or knowledgeable when I first started collecting books and now I'm paying for that lack of forethought. Oh well.