Winston 0.2

Winston 0.2

The library grew up in this release. Winston 0.1 mostly treated a book as one record with one file. Version 0.2 understands the work, its editions, and the files that belong to each edition—and it lets you review that structure before it changes anything.

Before updating

Quit Winston and make a copy of ~/Library/Application Support/Winston, then install the new app over 0.1. Version 0.2 upgrades the local catalog on first launch; replacing the app itself does not remove your books or settings. If you decide to roll back, restore that copy before opening 0.1 again.

This is still an early-access build for Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 26.4 or newer. It is signed but not notarized, so the first launch still needs right-click → Open. There is no automatic updater yet.

What changed since 0.1

Works, editions, and files

• Translations and other editions can live under one work instead of looking like duplicates.
• An edition can retain several formats at once. The original stays untouched when Winston creates a Kindle-ready copy, and an outdated conversion is refreshed before the next send.
• Edition matching is reviewable. Winston explains a suggestion and waits for a decision instead of merging books on its own.
• Translators, languages, work identifiers, page estimates, physical-only books, and probable store samples are now first-class library information.

Imports you can inspect

• Multi-file imports now open Review Import before anything enters the library. Suspicious single files—duplicates, ambiguous matches, DRM, damage, or unsupported content—go there too.
• The review shows validation, metadata, cover, file identity, and the proposed work or edition. You can make a decision for one row or a whole visible selection.
• Calibre imports use the same staged, transactional path. Canceling a review leaves the catalog and managed files unchanged.
• Failed imports and interrupted file transactions remain available in Import Review & Recovery instead of simply vanishing.

More ways to use and look after the library

• Search inside EPUB, PDF, TXT, and HTML files with a local full-text index.
• Build smart shelves from rules, filter by Kindle presence, navigate authors, series, works and editions, and use consistent multi-selection in both grid and list views.
• Import reading history from Goodreads, StoryGraph, or Hardcover. Winston previews uncertain matches and does not duplicate reading cycles when the same file is imported again.
• What Should I Read Today? suggests something you already own using reading state, length, language, mood, ratings and series order, with a short reason for every pick.
• Metadata Cleanup reviews normalizations before applying them. Book Doctor inspects structure, content, covers, encoding and DRM, while Library Integrity checks the catalog, managed files and recovery journals.
• Library Time Machine can compare catalog-and-cover snapshots and restore one book's metadata, cover, or catalog record. Ebook files themselves are never rolled back behind your back.
• Deleted managed books move to Trash. Bulk jobs expose progress, stop at safe boundaries, and leave a readable result in Review & Operations.

Kindle sync with a plan

• Review Sync Plan shows additions, refreshed conversions, cover repairs, unchanged books and optional removals before the transfer begins.
• Each Kindle can have its own local sync profile. Winston remembers which source and cover were last sent to that device.
• Transfer results are journaled. If the device disconnects or delivery cannot be verified, Winston asks for review instead of blindly sending the same book again.
• Transfers and device cleanup can be cancelled safely. USB-drive Kindles now use an explicit eject step, with a visible error and retry path if another process is holding the volume open.
• Whole series can be sent in order. Books copied back from a Kindle now pass through the normal import review.

Catalogs, discovery, and series updates

• The new Catalogs page searches and browses OPDS 1 and OPDS 2 sources. Project Gutenberg, Standard Ebooks, Unglue.it and localized Wikisource are included.
• You can add, test, reorder and disable your own public or private catalogs. Basic-auth passwords stay in Keychain and are sent only to the exact HTTPS origin you approved.
• Catalog results keep source, edition, format, price and acquisition type visible. Compatible open downloads go through Review Import; storefront, lending and DRM links stay with their provider.
• Hardcover-backed series pages now show what you own and what is missing. Optional release checks collect newly published volumes in an Updates inbox.
• Discover has faster paginated results, a cleaner wishlist flow, and direct actions for finding a title in your catalogs or preferred book site.

Reliability and polish

• Library and cover changes are coordinated so a failed save does not strand half of an operation. Imports, replacements, conversions, restores, bulk edits and Kindle transfers have explicit recovery paths.
• Large libraries do less work on the main thread: queries, cover loading, full-text indexing, recommendations, series lookups and device inventory all update incrementally.
• Plugins now run in killable per-session worker processes with permission checks, storage limits, timeouts, quarantining and retained logs.
• The interface gained clearer keyboard selection, drag-and-drop targets, operation progress, contextual actions, Czech localization throughout the new screens, and better behavior with macOS accessibility display settings.
• The incomplete automatic-update code from 0.1 was removed. Updating is manual until Winston has a complete signed feed and upgrade process.

Known limits

• The MTP path for newer Kindles is implemented but has not yet been verified on real hardware. The USB-drive path is the proven one.
• Native output is MOBI. AZW3 and less common conversions still need Calibre.
• There is no Intel build, App Store version, iCloud sync, notarization, or automatic updater yet.

See the README for the complete feature list and installation instructions.

Full changelog: v0.1...v0.2

Winston 0.1

First public build of Winston. Early access.

Install: download the DMG, open it, drag Winston into Applications. The app is signed but not notarized yet, so on first launch right click it and pick Open. You only do this once.

Needs: macOS 26.4 or newer, Apple Silicon.

What you get: a local ebook library, native EPUB to MOBI conversion with no external tools, one cable send to Kindle, highlights import from My Clippings, a Discover tab with series gaps and a wishlist, plugins behind permission prompts, three themes, English and Czech.

Known limits: MTP untested on real hardware, no Intel builds. The README has the full story.