OPDS (Open Publication Distribution System) is a open standardized distribution system that allows you to deliver books, articles, mangas, etc. Think of it like RSS but for books and articles.
OPDS is widely supported by most self-hosted library management systems, like Calibre, Kavita or Komga, and we'll dive on how to enable it on the three of them, but it's usually enabled by default.
This guide will explain how to server your library available in your computer/server to your Kindle/Kobo device. We will be using the OPDS protocol as the main way of downloading our content to our Kindle.
Enabling OPDS
Calibre
Connect/share -> Start Content server
If you click Connect/share again, you'll see Stop Content server [..., port ... HTTP]. This is the IP and the port where the Calibre server is being hosted.
If you add a /opds to the URL, you can get the OPDS catalog of your Calibre library
Calibre-web
If you only have calibre-web it's already enabled by default.
Komga
You can follow the guide on the official site
Adding the repo to KOReader
Go to the file explorer inside KOReader and open the upside menu. Then click on -> OPDS catalog
Click on the top left + button
In the Catalog URL you need to type the OPDS url. The catalog name is up to your choice.
When clicking the catalog name, you'll get a menu where you can search through your content available on your library and download it.
Optimizing files using KCC
If you prefer using Kindle/Kobo reader for reading manga rather than the KOReader one, you should optimize the files before transfering them to your device or adding it to your library. We'll use KCC for that.
- Install KindleGen as KCC stands depending on your OS
- Install KCC
- Open KCC
- Select your device model
- Drag the files you want to convert
- Click Convert and wait
- That's it! Output files are stored in the same place as input ones unless you click on the Output Folder checkmark and select it on the folder icon of the right.
