Mobileread Kindlet Kit

[NiLuJe]

To help make things clearer, you'll find here what we're now calling the Mobileread Kindlet Kit!

Historically, this has been known under a wealth of different dubiously helpful names (KUAL prerequisites, for example), but, basically, it's what you need to run custom Kindlets (like KUAL or Collections Manager) on your Kindle (provided it's decently recent enough [FW >= 2.5]).

Technically, the installer package contains PoP's merged developer keystore and ixtab's Kindlet JailBreak (which is a different cog in the machine than the JailBreak, period), so, a round of applause for everyone involved

What Does It Do?:

Much like the JailBreak opening a door for our stuff, this will allow you to use the custom Kindlets available on this forum.

Latest Updates (06/04/2019):

Minor behind the scenes changes to work in tandem with the updated bridge from the K5 1.14.N JB.

PSA: All downloads have been moved to the Snapshots thread!

INSTALL:

MKK:

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR K5 USERS USING JAILBREAK OR HOTFIX >= v1.11.N:

Your JB version should come with MKK bundled, meaning you can skip this post in its entirety, you're good to go . Just make sure to reboot your device after a fresh JB install!
Note that this only applies to the K5 JB! If you're using an older device, you will need to install MKK manually .

Spoiler:

As any other hacks, your device needs to be jailbroken. Please refer to the wiki and/or the stickies & index for the appropriate method for your specific Kindle model .

Download the latest kindle-mkk package from the Snapshots thread, and unpack it. In here, you'll find a few files.
Upload the appropriate Update_*_install.bin file for your Kindle model to the root directory of your Kindle.
If you're confused, please refer to the Kindle nicknames list on the wiki. In this specific case, the k5 file is indeed the one you want if you have a Touch, PW, PW2 or a KT2 or a KV.

Now, eject & unplug your Kindle, and go to [HOME] -> [MENU] > Settings -> [MENU] > Update Your Kindle. It should be over quickly.

Note that if you have KUAL set up and running, you're welcome to use our very own MR Package Installer, which may speed up the process if you're installing multiple things .

And that's it, your Kindle is now ready to rock custom Kindlets!

FAQs:

Spoiler:

Q. Halp! Everything is broken, and my device shows me weird popups when I try to launch a Kindlet!

A. You either fell victim to a silent OTA update, or you unregistered your device since the last time you tried to launch a Kindlet.
The fix is simple: reinstall MKK.
(In the case of an OTA update on a K5 device, the damage might be greater, see the JB FAQ).

ChangeLog:

Spoiler:

• MKK:
  • 20140214:
    • Initial release under the MKK branding.
  • 20140822:
    • Works in tandem with the K5 JB >= 1.11.N to survive full update.
  • 20141125:
    • Works in tandem with the K5 JB >= 1.13.N
  • 20141129:
    • Works in tandem with the K5 JB >= 1.14.N
• Doc: $Id: MKK_MR_THREAD 16001 2019-06-04 16:54:53Z NiLuJe $

[NiLuJe]

Okay, we should be live for real now .

I also just updated the snapshots. If you can, check that the KUAL snapshot works properly, so that we can finally release a proper tagged version that supports the PW2 .

[ixtab]

The Collections Manager prerequisites are now pointing to this thread. And KUAL should be, soon.

Thanks mate!

[dsmid]

What about adding prerequisites for running custom ACXs to MKK ?
Developers of custom ACXs would also need an appropriate private key and Widget Signer.
More info on custom ACXs.

[NiLuJe]

@dsmid: I'm not terribly fond of overwriting stuff in the rootfs, but I can see the appeal...

Ideas?

[dsmid]

Well, I don't have any idea how to avoid overwriting stuff in the system partition (besides bind-mounting).
Of course, I could make a bundle called ACX jailbreak to confuse people even more.
Just joking, I would call it anything other than jailbreak, but still...

[Lawlhwut]

I can't find the model number for paperwhite. Is it not supported? Specifically the 2nd gen one.

Edit: Just kidding. I'm illiterate Did not read that it was k5 for all.

[dsmid]

NiLuJe, do you have any objection to bind-mounting /opt/amazon/ebook/security ?
After the research knc1 made, I'm pretty confident that it won't cause any trouble.
I'm trying to avoid releasing yet another jaibreak ...

[eureka]

dsmid, why to name it "bla-bla jailbreak"? Release as "Arcane Capabilities eXpander"

[knc1]

Originally Posted by Lawlhwut

I can't find the model number for paperwhite. Is it not supported? Specifically the 2nd gen one.

Edit: Just kidding. I'm illiterate Did not read that it was k5 for all.

The second generation paperwhite is "PW2"
All other devices using the series 5 firmware are "K5"

Reason being, the PW2 uses a different SoC than the other K5 devices.

[dsmid]

Originally Posted by eureka

dsmid, why to name it "bla-bla jailbreak"? Release as "Arcane Capabilities eXpander"

Yeah, or ACX Crap eXteneder

Whatever name it will have, it would be yet another annoying requirement they don't understand for users...

[NiLuJe]

@dsmid: How early in the boot process does it have to be setup?

[dsmid]

AFAIK just before x.

[NiLuJe]

@dsmid: That's a tiny bit earlier than I'd hoped, do you know if the stuff is loaded & cached once at boot, or if it needs to still be up-to-date when accessed at runtime?

(I'm thinking of stuff like the elektra db, which, while fragile as hell, we can trick by feeding it custom stuff before the first load, which we can then safely discard after that since it's cached).

[dsmid]

I will do some tests to find out.

Here is the result:
defaultPolicies.json and keystore_mesquite.xml are both checked every time ACX is launched, i.e. no caching.
The good news is, they can be bind-mounted just before the first ACX usage (text selection in reader), even after the final target.